Freedom Boat Club – Port St. Joe

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 Port St. Joe, point first into St. Joseph Bay, then choose Black’s Island, Gulf waters, or the inland route through Gulf County Canal toward the Intracoastal Waterway and Lake Wimico. The bay is clear but shallow in many areas, with extensive seagrass; Black’s Island is a popular destination, but nearby grass beds are sensitive.

The marked bay entrance leads to more exposed Gulf boating, while Gulf County Canal connects the bay directly to the Intracoastal. That inland system is generally calmer and runs through creeks and coves to Lake Wimico. Common launch choices are Frank Pate Port St. Joe City Park Boat Ramp and Eagle Harbor at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park.

Source: Florida Department of Environmental Protection (floridadep.gov)

From Port St. Joe, boaters can make a day of the remote tip of St. Joseph Peninsula, Eagle Harbor, Pig Island or St. Vincent Island. The peninsula tip is accessible only by boat, with sheltered clear water, white sand and shelling; Eagle Harbor has shallow bay water, sandbars and nearby seagrass beds. Pig Island is an undeveloped, vessel-only refuge island in St. Joseph Bay. St. Vincent Island offers primitive beaches and wildlife viewing, but has no facilities or drinking water, so boaters should arrive prepared for a self-contained visit.

Source: Gulf County Tourist Development Council (visitgulf.com)