Freedom Boat Club – Naples Brookside 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 Naples, you can cruise Naples Bay, pass through Gordon Pass to open Gulf waters, or explore the Cocohatchee River and Wiggins Pass system farther up the coast. Naples Landing is the city’s public launch on Naples Bay, a narrow, shallow urban estuary, while Gordon Pass provides its Gulf outlet.

For mangrove-lined boating, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park launches into Water Turkey Bay and the Cocohatchee River. From there, Wiggins Pass leads to the Gulf, while bay channels continue toward Estero Bay. These routes offer a choice between shallow estuary cruising, mangrove waterways and exposed coastal water.

Source: City of Naples (naplesgov.com)

Popular day trips from Naples include Keewaydin Island, Cape Romano, Smokehouse Bay and Coon Key. Keewaydin draws boaters to an undeveloped beach accessible only by boat for shelling; Cape Romano offers a remote beach for shelling, exploring and swimming; Marco Island’s Smokehouse Bay provides boat access to waterfront restaurants and shops beside a marina; and the Goodland to Coon Key loop winds through mangroves and oyster bars, making it a popular outing for kayak fishing.

Source: Florida’s Paradise Coast (paradisecoast.com)