What to expect on the 3 Day Charlotte Harbor – Gasparilla Marina
Sailing on Charlotte Harbor was the first place that I sailed on the Southwest Coast of Florida. I love it. There is great sea life including dolphins and flocks full of aquatic birds. I have sailed through thousands of Cow Nose Rays when they are in migration. It is just a peaceful place to sail and enjoy nature.
This will be an early start on our first day of sailing. We will sail from Fort Myers Beach out into the Gulf of Mexico and around Sanibel Island, north past North and South Captiva to the Boca Grande. This cut is right between Caya Costa to the south and Gasparilla to the north. We will pass the Gasparilla Light House on our port side as we enter Charlotte Harbor.
Ten miles directly east is the Burnt Store Marina. This is our first stop. It is a very nice marina that caters to a large sailing fleet. Portobello’s Restaurant is right on the docks and serves up some wonderful entrees. Be sure and check out the fish tacos. (Thanks Carl.)
We will take a slip there for the night and we can eat at Portobello’s or I can prepare your dinner on Star of Orion. We will discuss that when we plan your trip. Walking the docks after dinner is a lot of fun. There’s a ton of sailboats there of all sizes and shapes with many people living aboard. Conversations are fun and exciting. You may also choose to stay aboard Star of Orion and just enjoy your own peace and quite.
In the morning I will make breakfast and we will head back out into Charlotte Harbor and sail for the day. Depending on wind and tides, we will sail north for a while by Punta Gorda.
We will end our day taking the Intracoastal Waterway north to Gasparilla Marina. It is a safe place to put up for the night and enjoy the quite of the area. There is a small store and a restaurant walking distance from the docks. It is called the Fishery Restaurant and also has a fish market so we can eat there, or buy some the catch of the day and bring it back and grill it up on Star of Orion.
Our evening will wind down with maybe a movie night or a card game or two. Maybe we will just check the charts, tides and weather and then sit on the deck and enjoy the evening. It’s your cruise. Do exactly what you want.
On the morning of the third day, I will fix breakfast and we will head south on the Intracostal Waterway and we will make a decision at that time if we will continue down the Intracoastal through the islands, or head back outside and sail south the way we came. Depends on weather or personal preference.
If we go the Intracoastal, we will pass through some beautiful islands and are in calm inside waters. Dolphins are always sighted as well as other sea life and birds. We will also have the opportunity to stop by Cabbage Key to enjoy a lunch and check out the island. This is very unique island the can only be reached by boat and has a restaurant and bar as well as a nice nature walk to the Indian Shell Mound.
If we take the outside, we will be back in the Gulf of Mexico and using the wind to pull us to our final destination. They’re both good.
Once back in our homeport, you will have the chance to enjoy Parrot Key Grill or head into Fort Myers Beach for the evening.
Don’t forget the camera, there are lots of things to take photos of on this trip.
Legend:
Below
is a closer view of Charlotte Harbor
