Barnacle Bills Boats of Madeira Beach

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 Madeira Beach, you can boat on Boca Ciega Bay, follow the Intracoastal Waterway, pass through John’s Pass or head into open Gulf waters. Boca Ciega Bay is the inshore choice, with shallow seagrass flats and mangrove islands; the Intracoastal provides a marked inside route. John’s Pass connects the north part of the bay to the Gulf, but NOAA notes shoaling and tidal currents in the pass, so remain in the marked channel. Trailer boats can launch at the public Madeira Beach Municipal Marina ramp on Boca Ciega Bay.

Source: NOAA Office of Coast Survey (nauticalcharts.noaa.gov)

Boaters from Madeira Beach can make local day trips to John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk, Shell Key Preserve and Egmont Key State Park. John’s Pass provides a waterfront stop for dining, shopping and boating services. Shell Key is an undeveloped barrier island reached by boat, with public beach areas and birdwatching. Egmont Key is also boat access only, drawing visitors for swimming, snorkeling, shelling and the island’s lighthouse and Fort Dade history.

Source: Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources (pinellas.gov)