Florida Boating, Florida Fishing, Florida Diving, Florida Marine Guide.com

Boating in Florida

Sailing in Florida
Florida Boat Shows, Festivals & Events
Florida Boating Regulations
How to File a Float Plan
Houseboats
Theft Prevention
Books on Florida Boating
Florida Bridge Openings
Florida Tides
How to Register Your Boat in Florida

Florida has over 8,000 miles of coastline and 4,500 square miles of inland waterways, making it a paradise for boaters! From mega-yachts to wooden skiffs, having a boat is as normal as having a car for some Floridians.

The Intracoastal Waterway
Also known as "the ditch," the ICW is a natural but dredged channel that extends 500 miles down the east coast of Florida to the tip of the Keys. It's a very popular boating route that runs through rivers, creeks and dredged canals. It is maintained by the Florida Inland Navigation District.

The 135-mile Okeechobee Waterway, which cuts through the state, is another popular boating route, especially during the summer. It runs along the St. Lucie Canal from Stuart, across Lake Okeechobee and then on to Sanibel Island via the Caloosahatchee River.

There are roughly 1,250 marinas in Florida, most with excellent facilities, accommodations and outlets for fishing charters and diving charters. Florida is also home to dozens of boat builders, boat dealers and boat yards which provide services such as boat repair, painting and boat storage.

Charts
Technology has caught up with charts & maps and many can now be downloaded. Always have the latest version, as shoals, wrecks and other navigational influences can cause changes.

Captain's License
Thinking of becoming a charter captain or running a water taxi? You'll need a license from the United States Coast Guard which can be obtained from many schools and organizations that offer maritime training & education in Florida.

Cool Boating Destinations

Ownership Alternatives
There are several alternatives to owning your own boat; including Boat Renting & Leasing, and Charters. Yacht charters are obviously going to be far more expensive that renting a boat for an afternoon outing, but if you are considering chartering the yacht of your getaway dreams, keep these tips in mind:

Use a professional Yacht Broker
Ask about special foods and provisions
Budget: Charter costs are not all inclusive. Ask about fuel, gratuities and extra activities.
Number in your party: The maximum number of charter guests allowed by law is 12.
Activities: Ask if there will be equipment for snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, etc. Different yachts often specialize in different pastimes.
Enjoy!

Look for the Clean Marina flag at marinas that have passed Florida's requirements for the Clean Marina designation.

Florida Ports
Port of Pensacola
Port of Panama City
Port St Joe
Port of Tampa
Port of St Petersburg
Port Manatee
Port of Key West
Port of Miami
Port Everglades (Ft Lauderdale)
Port of Palm Beach
Port of Ft Pierce
Port Canaveral
Port of Jacksonville
Port Fernandina

Special Interest Phone Numbers
Boat Documentation
800-799-8362

Florida Marine Patrol
is now FWC (see below)
Regional Offices

District 2; Saltwater Resources
954-467-4541

Fish and Wildlife Commission
850-488-4676

Vessel Licensing
305-536-6549

Department of Business & Professional Regulation
Yacht Broker Licensing and Regulation: 850-487-2987

Donate your boat. Get a tax deduction. Chapman School of Seamanship.

United States Customs
When you return from boating in a foreign country, you must obtain clearance before anyone on the vessel can disembark. Since 9/11, these rules have been strictly enforced and not following the procedures can be costly. Use the numbers below to call from any marina or private dock and have your boat registration number available.
Small Vessel Reporting Number: 800-432-1216
Alternate Number - 800-451-0393

Paying for Your Boat
If you plan to finance your vessel, you'll need a down payment of roughly 10% - 20%, but often there are programs available through various manufacturers that could allow you to qualify for less, or zero-down on new boat specials. If you choose to get financing through a marine lender, you can usually get longer terms on boat loans than local banks and credit unions and your monthly payments are likely to be much lower than you have expected.

Burial at Sea
When conducting a burial at sea, the direction of the wind is of utmost importance. Make sure the ashes will scatter off the stern properly to avoid obvious embarrassment. Tradition calls for the vessel to fly it's flag at half mast, and the following prayer may be used: "Unto Almighty God we commend the soul of our (brother) (sister) departed, and we commit (his) (her) body to the deep; in sure and certain hope of the resurrection unto eternal life." At the words "commit (his) (her) body to the deep," the person holding the cremated remains then scatters them off the stern of the vessel.

Living Aboard
Chapter 327.02(16), Florida Statues, narrowly defines "live-aboard vessel" as "any vessel used solely as a residence," or "any vessel represented as a place of business, a professional or other commercial enterprise, or a legal residence." In Florida, "[a] legal residence is the place where a persona has a fixed abode with the present intention of making it their permanent home." See our section on houseboats, or contact a boat dealer for where to buy.

Florida Inlets
Baker Haulover (North Miami)
Boca Raton Inlet
Boynton Beach Inlet - fixed bridge, 18 feet clearance
Canaveral Inlet
Fort Pierce Inlet
Government Cut (Miami)
Hillsboro Inlet
Jupiter Inlet
Lake Worth (Palm Beach) Inlet
Ponce de Leon Inlet
Port Everglades (Ft Lauderdale Inlet)
Sebastian Inlet
St Lucie Inlet

Want to learn boating the fun way? Click Here to Order Boating Videos