Embarking on a captivating journey from Cortez to Stuart offers an exhilarating blend of adventure and serenity on the waters of Florida. This route gracefully hugs the Gulf and crosses into the Atlantic, allowing boaters to experience diverse marine environments while ensuring the safety of the crew and vessel. Here’s how you can enjoy this maritime journey, savoring the sights while keeping safety a top priority.
Departure from Cortez
Your journey will begin in the quaint town of Cortez, a gem known for its charming fishing village aura. Before setting sail, ensure your vessel is in top shape, with regular maintenance checks done, and that all safety equipment, like life vests, signaling devices, and first aid kits, are aboard. As you leave, admire the view of Anna Maria Island to the west, a popular spot for both locals and tourists.
Route through Sarasota Bay
Steadily navigating southeast along the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), you will traverse Sarasota Bay. This stretch allows you to cruise past the vibrant city of Sarasota, known for its cultural riches. Pay close attention to ICW markers; it's crucial to stay within the channel due to shallower waters outside. Keep an eye out for dolphins playing in your wake—an exciting treat!
Safe Harbor in Venice
If the weather becomes uncertain, Venice Inlet provides a reliable refuge for anchoring. This area is sheltered and offers facilities for provisioning and a break from the sea. Explore the nearby Caspersen Beach for a chance to find prehistoric shark teeth—a captivating hunt for adventurers of all ages.
Engrossing Excursions via Lemon Bay
Continuing down the ICW, enter Lemon Bay, an ideal locale for bird watching and kayaking. Englewood Beach on the nearby barrier island gives an opportunity for a leisurely stop. The waterway here requires cautious passage, marked well but often shallow out of the channel—maintain course vigilance.
En route to Fort Myers
As you approach Fort Myers, the allure of Sanibel and Captiva Islands prompts consideration for another stop. Their shell beaches and bicycle trails can make for a delightful respite. Ensure you navigate carefully around Pine Island Sound and adhere to protected area regulations—disturbance to wildlife or habitat is strictly monitored here.
Shelter and Attractions in Naples
Naples serves as another potential layover, offering Porto Naples Marina as a haven for your vessel. The town is filled with exquisite dining options and boutique shopping, perfect for an evening ashore if the sea needs respite. The channel navigations here are straightforward, but it’s wise to heed tide reports, given the varying depths.
Crossing Florida via Okeechobee Waterway
From Naples, aim eastward towards the Okeechobee Waterway, an impressive engineering feat crossing through the state. While traversing Lake Okeechobee, ensure you're equipped with up-to-date navigational charts, as water levels and conditions can vary significantly. The towns of Clewiston and Moore Haven on either side of the lake provide safe harbors, provisioning, and a glimpse of inland Floridian life.
Final Approach to Stuart
Approaching Stuart, the St. Lucie Inlet necessitates careful attention to buoys marking the often dynamic sandbars. Known for its rich fishing grounds, this region offers a vibrant welcome back to Atlantic waters. Stuart boasts excellent mooring facilities, with the charming downtown area presenting a friendly vibe to conclude your voyage.
While technology can be your companion, ensure you have reliable apps like savvy navvy, which provides real-time navigation advice and helps monitor weather conditions with precision. Other handy apps include Navionics and Marine Traffic for route planning and traffic awareness, respectively.
This route from Cortez to Stuart is a splendid choice for novice and seasoned cruisers alike, offering a mixture of serene vistas, secure harbors, and cultural interludes. Each point along your path invites engagement with nature, local culture, and the joys of life at sea. As always, stay abreast of local regulations, keep a spare eye on the horizon, and savor every nautical mile of your maritime adventure. Safe travels!