Florida West Coast Cruising Destinations
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With a wide variety of seaside towns, secluded anchorages and fine marinas, your captains and crew will enjoy the beautiful white sandy beaches, sparkling blue waters, gentle winds, abundant birds and dolphins
Charter Types
Bareboat Charters
Set sail on a bareboat charter on the West Coast of Florida and enjoy your experience from the helm. Below you will find information about cruising destinations, a waterway guide, weather, tides and suggested itineraries.
Captained Charters
A skippered charter vacation on the West Coast of Florida gives you the best of both worlds. Your qualified skipper will show you the spectacular sights at your own pace while you relax away from the helm.
Explore Egmont Key
Explore the Florida Keys
Learn More About Day Excursions
Day excursion description vs 1 from Peregrine Productions LLC on Vimeo.
Learn More About Overnight Excursions
Overnight excursions to the South from Peregrine Productions LLC on Vimeo.
Suggested Bareboat Itineraries
Suggested 1-Day Itinerary
| Days | Suggested Itinerary | Distance | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Option #1 | ||||
| 1 | The Vinoy Marina to Resort & Club at Little Harbor | 6NM | ||
| 1 | Resort & Club at Little Harbor The Vinoy Marina | 6NM | ||
| Option #2 | ||||
| 1 | The Vinoy Marina to Egmont Key State Park. | 16NM | ||
| 1 | Egmont Key State Park to the Vinoy Marina. | 16NM |
Suggested 2-Day Itinerary
| Days | Suggested Itinerary | Distance | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Vinoy Marina to Resort & Club at Little Harbor | 6NM | Enjoy a relaxing sail across the bay to this Caribbean-style island resort with patio dining at the beachfront Tiki Bar. The Resort offers deep water access with over 200 wet slips and a 250 foot fishing pier |
|
| 2 | Resort & Club Little Harbor to the Vinoy Marina | 6NM | ||
| 1 | The Vinoy Marina to Egmont Key State Park. | 16NM 6NM | Tampa Bay offers some beautiful spots for anchoring and spending the day or night. Experience the ruins of Fort Dade at Egmont Key State Park, which is a 126 acre island at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico. | |
| 2 | Desoto Point Park to The Vinoy Marina | 15NM | After a day at Egmont, sail across the bay to relive the experience of splashing ashore at the monument named after Spaniard Hernando de Soto, at Desoto Point Park from 1539. |
Suggested 3-Day Itinerary
| Days | Suggested Itinerary | Distance | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Vinoy Marina to Egmont Key. Egmont Key to Desoto Point. | 16NM 6NM | Have your camera ready while sailing under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, The Travel Channel rated #3 on the "Top 10 Bridges" in the World. This itinerary offers the best of both worlds, a night at anchor in exciting Fort Desoto Point Park and a relaxing stay at the upscale Resort & Club at Little Harbor. |
| 2 | Desoto Point to Resort & Club at Little Harbor | 15NM | At Egmont Key, you will have the opportunity to explore Fort Dade and discover their famous lighthouse. Later sail to Desoto Point Park and spend the night at this secluded anchorage spot. |
| 3 | Resort & Club at Little Harbor to The Vinoy Marina | 6NM | Dinghy ashore to travel through their trails, which include interpretive signage and waysides that tell the story of the Spanish De Soto Expedition and the natural history of the area. The next day enjoy a trip to the 350 acre Resort & Club at Little Harbor, with a secluded beach and a bounty of recreational amenities. |
Suggested 4-Day Itinerary
| Days | Suggested Itinerary | Distance | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Vinoy Marina to Gulfport | 14NM | Sail into Tampa Bay and anchor in Gulfport, which has a unique and eclectic assortment of merchants and great restaurants. This old-Florida town is very laid-back with a friendly attitude that invites shoppers to browse and enjoy the ambiance. |
| 2 | Gulfport thru Pass-a-Grill to Clearwater | 26NM | Sail up the coast to Clearwater and enjoy the beautiful waters and scenery along the way. Visit the world-renowned sparkling Clearwater Beach, which has the distinct Blue Wave Beach classification. |
| 3 | Clearwater to Tierra Verde | 28NM | Continue your journey to Tierra Verde and enjoy the new marina’s facilities, which are located by Ft. Desoto Park, named America’s Top Beach for the second consecutive year by TripAdvisor. |
| 4 | Tierra Verde to The Vinoy Marina | 6NM |
Suggested 7-Day Itinerary
| Days | Suggested Itinerary | Distance | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Vinoy Marina to Longboat Pass. | 24NM | Longboat Pass boasts its brilliant blue and green waters as they pour into the Gulf of Mexico. |
| 2 | Longboat Pass to Venice Inlet | 28NM | Visit Longboat Key Moorings, a first class marina with excellent facilities. Also on Longboat Key, enjoy the famous Moore's Stonecrab Restaurant |
| 3 | Venice Inlet to Boca Grande. | 35NM | This stretch of Florida's West Coast is not only beautiful, but is one of Florida's most unique adventures. Travel on the outside in the Gulf of Mexico for a quicker journey or use the ICW for a slower-paced scenic route Here you will have the opportunity to swim with the manatees at the Venice Inlet. |
| 4 | Visit Cayo Costa Captiva- Sanibel Island Area | 12NM | The inlet's barrier island location, it offers deep water dockage and a secluded anchorage. While entering Boca Grande Pass, you will sail by the famous landmark structure, the 1890 Lighthouse Museum. |
| 5 | Boca Grande to Venice Inlet | 35NM | As you continue to sail through North Captiva, the beautiful white sandy beaches of Cayo Costa dominate the landscape. Stop and take a dip. |
| 6 | Venice to Sarasota/Longboat via Intercoastal Waterway | 26NM | Cabbage Key is a stop off in civilization, as only islanders envision it – with a casual hamburger and seafood joint, that boasts a spectacular view surrounded by an inn comprised of cracker cottages, only accessible by boat. The restaurant’s interior walls are covered with autographed dollar bills; find an open spot to place your buck. |
| 7 | Longboat to the Vinoy Marina | 24NM |
Suggested 10-Day Itinerary
| Days | Suggested Itinerary | Distance | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Vinoy Marina to Longboat Pass. | 24NM | This itinerary is for the experienced sailor with a desire to see the entire West Coast of Florida. |
| 2 | Longboat Pass to Venice Inlet | 26NM | It requires prior experience with overnight passages and a capable crew. |
| 3 | Venice Inlet to Boca Grande. | 26NM | This trip provides time in Key West and the Dry Tortugas. Key West is a very fun place and can be as relaxing, romantic, or wild as you want it to be. That includes by day or night. |
| 4 | Boca Grande to Marco Island | 32NM | Fort Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas should be on everybody’s bucket-list. Visitors can enjoy a variety of remarkable experiences including, camping, snorkeling, bird watching, fishing, or just enjoying a view from the top of the massive Fort Jefferson. |
| 5 | Marco Island to Key West | 58NM | The Dry Tortugas are situated on the edge of the main shipping channel between the Gulf of Mexico, the western Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean. |
| 6 | Enjoy Key West | A large military fortress, Fort Jefferson, was constructed in the mid-19th century in an effort for the United States to protect the extremely lucrative shipping channel. | |
| 7 | Key West to the Dry Tortugas | 68NM | |
| 8 | Enjoy Fort Jefferson & Dry Tortugas | 14NM | The fort is the largest masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere, and is composed of over 16 million bricks. |
| 9 | Dry Tortugas to Venice - Requires overnight sail | 148NM | |
| 10 | Venice Inlet to the Vinoy Marina | 51NM |
Local Marina Websites
St. Petersburg
The Rennaissance Vinoy Marina
St. Petersburg Municipal (Fuel Dock)
Harborage Marina
Mariner's Cove Marina
Clearwater/Tarpon Springs
Clearwater Marina
Landings at Tarpon Springs
Anclote Harbors
Tampa
The Resort & Club at Little Harbor
Palmetto
Regatta Pointe
Twin Dolphin
Bradenton
Bradenton Beach Marina
Longboat Key
Longboat Key Moorings Sarasota Marina Jack
Venice
Crows Nest
The Rennaissance Vinoy Marina
St. Petersburg Municipal (Fuel Dock)
Harborage Marina
Mariner's Cove Marina
Clearwater/Tarpon Springs
Clearwater Marina
Landings at Tarpon Springs
Anclote Harbors
Tampa
The Resort & Club at Little Harbor
Palmetto
Regatta Pointe
Twin Dolphin
Bradenton
Bradenton Beach Marina
Longboat Key
Longboat Key Moorings Sarasota Marina Jack
Venice
Crows Nest
Boca Grande
Burnt Store Marina
Cabbage Key
Punta Gorda
Fishermen's Village
Ft. Myers Beach
Salty Sam's Marina
Captiva Island
South Seas Island Resort and Marina
Marco Island
Marco River Marina
Cedar Bay Yacht Club and Marina
Key West
Galleon Resort and Marina
A & B Marina
Marina Life
Key West Bright (City Marina)
Dry Tortugas
National Park Service
Burnt Store Marina
Cabbage Key
Punta Gorda
Fishermen's Village
Ft. Myers Beach
Salty Sam's Marina
Captiva Island
South Seas Island Resort and Marina
Marco Island
Marco River Marina
Cedar Bay Yacht Club and Marina
Key West
Galleon Resort and Marina
A & B Marina
Marina Life
Key West Bright (City Marina)
Dry Tortugas
National Park Service
Weather and Tides
7-Day Local Weather Forecast – Offers current air temperature, rain forecast, storm warnings, wind speed/direction, UV index and much more!
Offshore Marine Forecast - Speculates wave height, wind speed / direction and general marine conditions from 60-130 miles offshore including the Middle Grounds and Elbow.
***Important*** When reading this forecast - always read the N. of 25 or 27 and NOT S. of 25 or 27.
Sea Buoy 106nm – NOAA Sea Buoy located 106 nautical miles North West of St. Petersburg. Provides hourly updates of wave height and wind speed/direction 106 miles off shore.
Offshore Marine Forecast - Speculates wave height, wind speed / direction and general marine conditions from 60-130 miles offshore including the Middle Grounds and Elbow.
***Important*** When reading this forecast - always read the N. of 25 or 27 and NOT S. of 25 or 27.
Sea Buoy 106nm – NOAA Sea Buoy located 106 nautical miles North West of St. Petersburg. Provides hourly updates of wave height and wind speed/direction 106 miles off shore.
Florida Animated Radar Loop – Shows hourly loop of weather formations, rain, storm formations and movement and frontal activity.
NOAA U.S. Color Satellite Image – Thermograph Satellite image updated hourly that shows current and developing weather patterns over the entire U.S.
Moon Phase Calendar – Shows current, future, and past moon phases in calendar format.
Tide Charts - Shows daily, weekly, monthly high/low tide calculations for St. Petersburg -Tampa Bay and surrounding areas. Also shows sunrise/sunset & moon rise/set times.
NOAA U.S. Color Satellite Image – Thermograph Satellite image updated hourly that shows current and developing weather patterns over the entire U.S.
Moon Phase Calendar – Shows current, future, and past moon phases in calendar format.
Tide Charts - Shows daily, weekly, monthly high/low tide calculations for St. Petersburg -Tampa Bay and surrounding areas. Also shows sunrise/sunset & moon rise/set times.
Towing Assistance
Sailing Florida offers towing assistance with insurance.
Sea Tow 727-547-1868 or 1-800-473-2869
Book Your Trip Today!
Contact Information
- Vinoy Resort Marina
501 Fifth Avenue NE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
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