Freedom Boat Club – Clearwater: Harbor Marina

Florida law requires you to be at least 18 to rent a livery vessel other than a human-powered vessel. Florida sets no general minimum age to operate a boat, but a personal watercraft operator must be at least 14.

Under section 327.395, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, operating a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must carry the required boating safety credentials. An exemption applies when accompanied by a credentialed or exempt person age 18 or older who is attendant to the operation and responsible for safe operation and violations. The rental operator sets its own booking minimum subject to state law, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

Florida does not issue a boating license, but operators born on or after January 1, 1988, must carry photo ID and a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boating education card when running a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. This includes personal watercraft. There is no general minimum age for boats; personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, and no one under 18 may rent any vessel other than a human powered one. Exemptions include Coast Guard licensed masters, private lake or pond operators, operators accompanied aboard by someone 18 or older who holds the card or is exempt and is responsible for the vessel, and nonresidents with proof of a NASBLA-approved out of state course. Any non exempt operator may instead pass an FWC approved temporary certificate exam and carry that certificate with photo ID for 90 days.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

From Clearwater, you can cruise Clearwater Harbor and the Intracoastal Waterway, pass through Clearwater Pass to Gulf waters, or continue into St. Joseph Sound. Clearwater Harbor is mostly shallow outside its waterway and natural channels, while the Intracoastal provides an inside channel route. Clearwater Pass is the marked connection to open Gulf water. St. Joseph Sound continues from the harbor and is partly separated from the Gulf by Caladesi and Honeymoon islands.

For launching, use the city’s Seminole Boat Ramp on Clearwater Harbor; Clearwater also operates a public boat ramp at Clearwater Beach.

Source: City of Clearwater (myclearwater.com)

From Clearwater, boaters make day trips to Caladesi Island State Park, Three Rooker Island and Anclote Key. Caladesi combines a Gulf beach with a bayside marina and mangrove paddling. Three Rooker is a completely natural, watercraft-only island with no facilities, suited to a simple sand-and-water stop. Anclote Key draws visitors for swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, shelling and snorkeling around its sandy beaches; visitors need to bring their own water and supplies.

Source: Florida State Parks (floridastateparks.org)