Sarasota boating

[AlphaKap]

We are headed down to Sarasota week of 6/29. Will be staying with a friend in North Port and visiting some other friends in Siesta Key. We go down a few times a year but never with the boat.

Whats good for the jet boat down there?

 

[Dean P]

South of North Port and south of Charlotte Harbor there are a lot of islands with beautiful beaches. You must stop at Cabbage Key and have a Cheese Burger (in Paradise) and a Margarita. We spent many nights (on the boat) at Burnt Store Marina. Nice restaurant there. just watch out for the afternoon thunderstorms. They come up quick and can be very dangerous.

Hopefully others will chime in...

 

[AlphaKap]

South of North Port and south of Charlotte Harbor there are a lot of islands with beautiful beaches. You must stop at Cabbage Key and have a Cheese Burger (in Paradise) and a Margarita. We spent many nights (on the boat) at Burnt Store Marina. Nice restaurant there. just watch out for the afternoon thunderstorms. They come up quick and can be very dangerous.

Hopefully others will chime in...

That sounds like a must do.

 

[spatty99]

Stump pass, beautiful, awesome spot.

 

[AlphaKap]

Any suggestions for public ramps or ones to avoid?

 

[ShesCrafty]

That sounds like a must do.

but be sure to stay in the channel in that area... or you may have everyone in the water, pushing. I know from experience.

 

[ShesCrafty]

Any suggestions for public ramps or ones to avoid?

for Cabbage Key and other islands in that area, check Pine Island for launching.

 

[VitaminSea]

Last year we took the boat to Longboat Key. Intercostal channels are very nicely marked and easy to access Tampa Bay and Egmont Key.

Since we were already over the bridges we launched from Coquina Beach South Boat Ramp. It was a weekday, so not overly busy, but could see it being busy on the weekend as it’s only a double-wide ramp.

 

[AlphaKap]

but be sure to stay in the channel in that area... or you may have everyone in the water, pushing. I know from experience.

Yeah. We found that out near stump pass going out to the gulf. Then we tried to get to a restaurant and got stuck. Scared the heck out of us but then got out and pushed. We ended up helping some family stuck on the sandbar.

Overall good trip though. Best day was on the backside of Casperson, dinner at Nokomo Sunset Hut (at there twice. Awesome lobster roll and ahi tuna wrap) and then sunset out in the gulf.

Cayo Costa was also really nice. Found some starfish and urchin shells.