Sun Sports Cycle & Watercraft invites you to dust off your Seadoo, Wave Runner, Jet Ski, Tigershark or whatever you have that floats and join them for a group watercraft ride. The ride will start at the mouth of Picnic Island and will work up to Pine Island Sound—making a few interesting stop along the way. All vessels are welcome to join! The ride starts at 11:00 am on Sunday, September 23rd. Please register in advance by email to Steve at promotions@sunsportcycle.com.
If you are planning on making a trip to downtown Fort Myers, Legacy Harbour Marina is a great place to stop and dock your boat. To make your experience more enjoyable, here are a few tips on boating to Legacy Harbour Marina. Make reservations by telephone or email in advance, so that we may place you in a slip best suited to your boat! Legacy Harbour Marina is located on the Caloosahatchee River in the Downtown Fort Myers area. The river has a number of Manatee Protection and Boater Safety Zones. Always be aware of these zones and slow or idle as mandated. The marina lies within the quarter mile rim of the river which is a slow speed zone.
We monitor the marine radio on Channel #16. After hailing the marina we will ask you to change to our working Channel #12. The entrance to the marina is on our eastern side between Channel Marker #49 and the Caloosahatchee Bridge. We are happy to give you directions to your slip and help you with your dock lines.
It is a beautiful marina with all floating docks. Since the marina docks float up and down with the tide, it allows for easy access on and off your boat. Boats can be tied snug to the dock without worry of tidal changes. When arriving at the marina have fenders and dock lines ready: bow, stern and spring lines.
After you arrive you can relax and enjoy gatherings under the Chickee Hut, use the Heated Swimming Pool, our Captains Lounge or exercise in our Fitness Room. We provide two sets of Restrooms, Showers, Laundry, Free Wi-Fi and TV. Walk to Groceries, Shopping, Restaurants, Park, and Downtown Events.
Mark your calendars for an event that you won’t want to miss! The $50,000 Pirate Poker Run kicks off with a Captain’s Party on Friday, August 17th at 7 pm at the Lock N’ Key. The fun continues poker run style on Saturday at 9 am with your choice of transportation – boat, motorcycle, kayak, car, SUP or pirate ship. Stops include Gasparilla Marina/Waterside Grill, Flounders Restaurant and Tiki Bar, Stump Pass Marina and Grill, Johnny Leverock’s and Cape Haze Marina. For more information on the event, check out www.piratepokerrun.org or call 941-474-5511. Arrgghh, can’t wait to see you there matey!
By Chris Forman WXCW, Channel 6 & Vice President of SWFMIA
Twenty-six years ago, my wife and I took residence in Cape Coral, on the water to become year round boaters. Snow shovels, ice scrappers and winter coats became a thing of the past. What we discovered very quickly was the boating paradise that lay in our backyard. In over two decades and having owned several different styles and sizes of boats, one thing has never changed, when you leave the dock the fun begins.
Heading north up the Caloosahatchee River, there are several nice restaurant choices at Marina Town in North Ft Myers and the Downtown River District in Ft Myers. A day comprised of a little lazy fishing (we’re not that good…doesn’t matter), cruising and a late lunch stop or early dinner seems to erase the stress of the work week. We often joke that the cost of boating is way less than the couch doctor, yet they have the same affect.
Heading down the river there is JK’s Riverstop at the Cape Coral Yacht Club. It’s bathing suit casual and full of boating friends you just haven’t met yet. Fun for kids and families, the picnic table laid back patio is a fabulous vista for a sunset and an ice cold drink and burger. Also down river are the The Joint Restaurant and Rumrunners at Cape Harbor, where casual outdoor or inside fine dinning await in a relaxing waterfront atmosphere.
Just a 30 minute boat ride south from home is Sanibel Island, a routine stop on Sundays for a swim with our floaty-toys, some Jimmy Buffet on the stereo and a picnic lunch on the back of our boat. Anchoring in waist deep water makes life easy and the view of the Gulf and lighthouse never gets old. It’s a great rendezvous spots for other boating friends. There is a no wake anchoring area, clearly marked by white buoys, that runs the length of the white sugar sand beach. My wife loves shelling and this area of Southwest Florida is heaven.
Estero Island, or Ft Myers Beach, as it’s commonly known, is also an excellent destination for lunch or dinner by boat with numerous boater friendly stops for the simplest of fare to full elegant meals. Several boating facilities and fuel stops are convenient as well.
Heading north up Pine Island Sound lies the barrier islands of Sanibel, Captiva, North Captiva and Cayo Costa with beautiful beaches that seem to go on forever on the Gulf of Mexico side. Inside the sounds lies some of the best fishing grounds in the country. The channel is well marked and easy even for the novice boater. The fishing for snook, trout, snapper, redfish and dozens of others is plentiful. It’s a haven for the serious sportsman or a fun day for easy fishing for mom, dad and the kids.
The Gulf side of North Captiva and Cayo Costa has thousands of my footprints in the sand. It never grows old for me, the hazel colored water and soft sand beach is where my toes belong. These islands are only accessible by boat, are home to waterfowl, a light tackle paradise and perfect for an afternoon snooze in the sand.
Summarizing for those of you who have yet to venture out by boat or don’t get out too often … even decades later it’s still fun, therapeutic and the stuff family memories and stories are made of. It’s the wind in what’s left of my hair, the sound of the water, the sheer pleasure of just driving my boat and my wife getting to read her book. So maybe we’ll see each other on the water next Saturday? I know I’ll be there. — Chris Forman.
We keep telling you that Southwest Florida is just about the best place for boating in the U.S. To help prove that point, why not get out on the water and enjoy your 4th of July Fireworks from the water. The view is always the best from the water side. You get the fireworks themselves and usually some great reflections off the water as well. You don’t have to fight traffic and parking issues. And you don’t have to lug coolers and chairs all over the place. There are plenty of options for a great evening on the water. Here’s a list of waterfront fireworks we came up with.
PUNTA GORDA – Punta Gorda will hold its annual 4th of July celebration at Laishley Park, 100 Nesbit Street on July 4, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m Fireworks begin at 9:00pm
CAPE CORAL – Red, White & Boom is held at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge on Cape Coral Parkway. Fireworks are scheduled to start around 9:30.
FORT MYERS – Fort Myers Freedom Fest – Downtown at the River District. Block party starts at 6PM with fireworks at 9:30 off the Pavilion next to the boat ramp. Free dockage (space available) will be provided at the City Yacht Basin.
FORT MYERS BEACH – The Fireworks will commence from the Pier at about dusk.
SANIBEL – Fireworks will be at the end of Bailey Road near the Causeway Bridge. Fireworks will begin at dusk.
NAPLES – The 4th of July Fireworks display will be at the City Pier beginning at 9:00PM
MARCO ISLAND – City of Marco Island 4th Fireworks display at Residents Beach – 130 South Collier Blvd. Fireworks begin at 9:00PM
Southwest Florida has just about the finest boating waters you will find anywhere. We have beautiful, protected waters. Great places for cruising, sightseeing, fishing, swimming, anchoring or whatever you enjoy. And there are plenty of restaurants, bars and overnight dockage spots within a short cruise from wherever you are. As a long-time resident and avid boater, I’m looking forward to sharing with you my favorite places to go and things to do on the water.
I’m sure that some who read these articles will be familiar with the destinations but may have forgotten just how nice they can be. And for newcomers to our coast, maybe this will help you enjoy your boating experience even more.
I thought we would start up the Caloosahatchee River a bit to the Ft Myers River District in the historic downtown area. By the way, in case you don’t know, the Caloosahatchee River is part of the Okeechobee Waterway System that connects the east and west coasts of Florida. That’s a really great trip if you feel a little more adventurous (I’ll cover that in another article).
Anyway, the River District, an easy boat ride east (about 15 miles up the river from the Gulf of Mexico) brings you to the City of Ft Myers Yacht Basin. Dockmaster Leif Lustig and his friendly staff allow complimentary daytime dockage, if available, with an easy walk to downtown. Or they can accommodate an overnight stay, at reasonable rates, if you prefer. Call the Yacht Basin at 239-321-7080.
Downtown Ft Myers has undergone a major facelift and revitalization over the past few years (with more on the way) and is proving to be a great boating destination. Once downtown, you can take advantage of a wide variety of restaurants (my favorite thing to do) historic structures and many on main and off main shops.
There is even an interactive butterfly house (sounds dorky but is actually pretty neat with a café on site) , The Southwest Florida Museum of History and even the Art of the Olympians building. And of course the Edison Ford Estate is just a few blocks away. If you’ve never done that tour, it is well worth your time.
The District has many planned events ranging from car and bike cruise-ins, to art and music walks, to outdoor concerts and is home to the Fort Myers Boat Show each November.
You are guaranteed not to go away hungry, thirsty or in need of entertainment. And, if you need a place for the night, the Hotel Indigo is right in the heart of downtown. There are also both slip and hotel accommodations a short walk away at the Legacy Harbour Marina (239-461-0775).
You can check on line at www.myriverdistrict.com for more details and event calendars.
outhwest Florida has just about the finest boating waters you will find anywhere. We have beautiful, protected waters. Great places for cruising, sightseeing, fishing, swimming, anchoring or whatever you enjoy. And there are plenty of restaurants, bars and overnight dockage spots within a short cruise from wherever you are. As a long-time resident and avid boater, I’m looking forward to sharing with you my favorite places to go and things to do on the water.