Marco Island is one of Florida’s greatest gems for so many reasons.
Boasting clear Gulf of Mexico water, resort hotels, paradise-like golf courses, breathtaking white sandy beaches, marinas and an unlimited amount of entertaining activities for families and couples alike, Marco Island consistently makes the top of the charts for vacation destinations.
But by and large, people flood the island for one main reason: boating and fishing.
If you’re looking to enjoy the clear blue water and fish supply Marco Island has to offer, you’ll need to know where to dock your boat for launch. Keep reading for four ramps available in Marco Island and other need-to-knows for boat usage on the island!
Boat Ramps in Marco Island, Florida
You’re not from here, so it’s hard to know where to find a boat ramp for launching. You need a boat ramp that is easily accessible. Here’s the good news: Marco Island has plenty of them!
Caxambas Park
Address & Directions: 909 Collier Court, Marco Island, FL 34145
Hours of Operation: 7:00 AM to dusk, Monday-Sunday, Year-Round
Phone Number: (239) 642-0004
This public access area boasts a 2-line boat ramp, concessions with food, drinks, bait, tackle, fuel, and more, public restrooms, a picnic area, and breathtaking views (stay to watch the Marco Island pelicans). The best part: it’s free!
Goodland Boat Park
Address: 740 Palm Point Dr, Goodland, FL 34140
Hours of Operation: 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday-Sunday
Phone Number: (239) 389-4247
This park features a two lane boat launch, ample trailer parking, covered picnic space, fishing pier and cleaning station, and life jackets for loan.
Calusa Island Marina
Address: 385 Angler Drive, Goodland, FL 34140
Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday-Sunday, Year-Round
Phone Number: (239) 394-3668
The marina offers boat storage, rentals, and maintenance, as well as yachts for sale. If you’re staying on Marco Island for an extended vacation or getaway, getting a membership at the Calusa Island Marina may be well worth your investment. Wet and dry boat storage is available for month-to-month rental, and you can opt-in for fuel discounts if you’re really dedicated. If the membership life doesn’t coincide with your traveling plans, a boat ramp is available to the public.
Lucky Lobster Co. Marina
Address: 3200 San Marco Road (CR 92), Goodland, FL
Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday-Sunday
Phone Number: 239-642-1920
Conveniently located at the Goodland Bay Bridge, this marina is close to restaurants, shops, and water sports activities, and a network of inland waterways. Lucky Lobster offers slip rentals, a boat ramp, and an eatery you don’t want to miss during your stay.
Marco Island Marina
Address: 1402 N Collier Blvd, Marco Island, FL 34145
Phone Number: (239) 642-2531
This marina features 121 boat slips for rent, pump-out facilities, showers, restrooms, a pool, a dog run, barbecue grills, and a boat ramp one mile away. It boasts WiFi, showers, restrooms, pump-out service, a dog park, a pool, barbecue grills, and more!
Collier Boulevard Boating Park
Collier Boulevard Boating Park Website
Address: 3620 Collier Boulevard, Naples, FL 34113
Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM to Sunset, Monday-Sunday, Year-round
Phone Number: (239) 252-4000
Located just north of the Marco Island Bridge, this public water access point is open sunrise to sunset. While there is a fee to use the launching ramp, there are also 77 boat parking spaces available (which fill up quickly during the season, so arrive early!). No fuel is sold at this location, but boasts easy access to the island and the nearby Snook Inn restaurant, a boater favorite.
Permits to Launch on Marco Island
Boat ramp permits are necessary for visitors and locals alike, but are fairly easy to obtain. Simply call the Collier County Parks and Recreation at (239)-353-0404 or contact the department via their official website.
Basic Waterway Regulations
Below is the essential list of boating safety precautions and requirements, taken directly from the City of Marco Island’s website. Be sure you’re familiar with all regulations before launching.
- Idle Speed / No Wake in all waterway canals, bays, and within 500 feet of a seawall. *Idle Speed / No Wake is defined as the minimum speed required to maintain steerage.
- Idle Speed / No Wake within 500 feet of all Marco Island beaches. Any boating activity in beach areas should be kept to boating directly to and from the beach and well away from any swimmers.
- United States Coast Guard “rules of the road” apply to all navigational channels. Marco Island channels are marked with the standard RED markers (triangular) and GREEN markers (square) using the conventional “red-right returning” system.
- Operation of a boat while intoxicated is prohibited.
- All boats must conform to United States Coast Guard Regulations.
- All boats must be properly registered and documented.
- Mooring to or damaging any navigational marker is prohibited.
- Anchoring or any other activity that interferes with navigation in channels is prohibited.
- Discharge of untreated sewage is prohibited in Florida waters.
Additionally, it is essential for all new boaters on Marco Island to be familiar with all of the bridge clearances, as there are 14 throughout the gulf water, crossing various bodies of water. Boaters need to know the specs of their individual boats as well as the route they plan on taking so as to not put themselves and others in danger.
Last, but certainly not least, if you are renting a boat during your time on Marco Island, you will need to obtain a temporary certificate to get on the water. Luckily, there are unlimited attempts available, and printing your certificate is easy!
Jet Skis: A Different Way to Enjoy Marco Island
If you’re excited to experience Florida gulf waters, but aren’t thrilled about boat rental and usage costs, WOW Marco Island Jet Ski Tours & Rentals has good news for you! Our jet ski experiences are unlike anything a boat can offer. We will take you on a tour around the entire property of Marco Island. You will be able to reach areas that boats are unable to access, and see the beautiful landscape from a new point of view.
On WOW’s Jet Ski tours, riders take an exhilarating ride through the only subtropical mangrove forest in the United States. All participants will be given a safety briefing and a lesson on how to use their personal watercraft before setting out onto the water.
Contact us today! Let us get you out on the open water.