Fort Myers

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Fort Myers

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	26°38.65′N, 81°52.35′W
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	Local chartlet
Fort Myers

Fort Myers is one of two major cities that make up the Cape Coral-Fort Myers MSA, the other being Cape Coral. As of 2008, the population estimate for the metropolitan area was 623,725.

Established in 1886, Fort Myers is the historical and governmental hub of Lee County. It is the gateway to the Southwest Florida region, which is a major tourist destination in Florida.

Charts

NOAA

11426 - Estero Bay to Lemon Bay, including Charlotte Harbor;Continuation of Peace River

11427 - Intracoastal Waterway Fort Myers to Charlotte Harbor and Wiggins Pass]

Weather

Give local weather conditions or refer to another page (a region or island group) that covers these conditions.

Sources for Weather forecasts:

Passages

List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Islands

• Estero
• Sanibel
• Captiva
• North Captiva
• Cayo Costa
• Boca Grande
• Gasparilla

Communication

'*

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Navigation

Mariners are warned of shoals off the Sanibel lighthouse and would be wise to use the marked channel from the Gulf when entering San Carlos Bay. Starting your entry to the Bay from the San Carlos Bay light it is just under 5 miles to the Sanibel Causeway's Bridge A. The area is well protected and calm in all but strong SW winds.

The well marked channel from the Gulf to San Carlos Bay is 8'-10' at low water provides access to Ft Myers Beach on the northeast side of the bay, and more importantly to the southern entrance to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.

The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway meets the Okeechobee Waterway at the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River. The drawbridge on the Sanibel Causeway across the Intracoastal was eliminated in 2007 when the causeway was rebuilt. Note that most charts still inaccurately depict the old 26' drawbridge [bascule used by most in lieu of drawbridge]. The new Bridge A has a 70 ft [21m] clearance. Once beyond Bridge A it is about 1.5 miles to the intracoastal waterway.

Once on the GICW you will be subject to strong cross currents for the first 5 miles going north [lovingly but inaccurately called the "Miserable Mile"]. Keep a sharp eye ahead and behind to confirm you are in the channel especially near the Sister Keys.

Strong tidal currents are also experienced inside the Ft Myers Beach harbor and caution must be used when passing under the narrow high rise bridge. Shallow waters begin immediately after passage under the high rise bridge. Hug the docks and marinas on the left.

The USCG Station Ft Myers Beach is on the left just before the high rise bridge.

Entrance

Yachts may not clear at Ft Myers. Mariners entering the U.S. via the Gulf of Mexico should clear in Key West or Tampa.

Berthing

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Legacy Harbour Marina 2044 West First Street,Fort Myers, Florida 33901 Phone: Office - (239) 461-0775, FAX - (239) 461-0776
  Legacy Harbour Marina is located on the Okeechobee Waterway, 17 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. If you are heading East, pass Marker #49, turn at the White Marina Flag on the piling. Leave the flag to starboard and proceed to the end of the breakwater, taking a 130 degree course. Turn right into the Marina.
  If you are heading West after passing the Caloosahatchee Bridge, turn left before the Marina Flag on the piling, leave the flag to starboard and proceed on a 130 degree course to the end of the breakwater. Turn right into the Marina.
  The Okeechobee River depths to the marina run eight and a half feet at MLW. The bottom is composed of 'soft mud'. Vessels up to 120 feet can maneuver within the Marina and can be accommodated with side-tie moorage.
• Reportedly (2009 through Feb. 2010) the most reasonable price for fuel can be found at Ballard Oil, Ft. Myers Beach. Directions: Go behind Estero Island as if you are going to Salty Sam's Marina. Turn left just under the bridge and go past the shrimp fleet to the end. HOURS: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, M-F. They accept cash, checks (do not know if they accept credit cards).
• Fort Myers Yacht Basin 1300 Lee Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901 Phone: (239) 321-7080. Located at Mile Marker 135 on the Okeechobee Waterway, 15 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico. It is owned and operated by the City of Fort Myers. There is an average of 6 feet of water at the docks. The docks are in good condition and the staff is competent, professional, friendly and helpful. The Marina's water location is on the south side of the Caloosahatchee River between the Edison Bridges and the Caloosahatchee Bridge in downtown Fort Myers. There is little or no current in and around the marina. The Yacht Basin maintains the mooring field across the river from the marina. Fuel, pumpout, laundry, convenience store. Discounts for BoatUS members.

Anchorages

• Ft. Myers Municipal marina maintains the mooring field across the river from the marina, Ft. Myers Yacht Basin. 2012 rate, $12/night, check with Dockmaster, (239)321-7080.
• Hancock Creek, approx. 5' depth. On the other side of the river from Legacy Marina, just west of the mooring field. 26°39.337'N, 081°53.706'W Use Marinatown channel markers from the ICW. Good all around protection, dinghy dock access to groceries and restaurants.
• Anchorage off the Sanibel Lighthouse at Pt Ybel in deepwater is an option, but watch for anchor draggin which frequently occurs on the loose bottom as the tide direction changes.
• A shallower water anchorage, protected from NE & NW winds, is also available off the mangroves midway between Punta Rassa (Sanibel Bridge) and Bowditch Point (Ft Myers Beach).
• Hancock Creek, approx. 5' depth. On the other side of the river from Legacy Marina. 26°39.337'N, 081°53.706'W Use Marinatown channel markers from the ICW. Good all around protection, dinghy dock access to groceries and restaurants.
• The City of Ft Myers Beach offers a mooring field just inside the harbor after passage under the high rise bridge. Approx. Lat/Long: 26°27.341'N, 081°56.927'W Managed by [www.matanzasinn.com Matanzas Inn Marina] at South end of Bridge (by dingy dock) Contact the harbormaster: 239-463-9258 for rates and dingy dock and public facilities. 2012 rates, $260/month; $13/day. Can accomodate vessels up to 48 feet.

Yacht Repairs and Services

List services. If no services are available on the island write "None" and remove all the subsections (Marine Stores, & Repairs/Yards, & Fuel, Water, & Electricity.

Marine Stores

There are excellent marine stores and marinas at Ft Myers Beach, with forklift, TravelLift and Marine Railways capable of all levels of repair.

Repairs/Yards

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

Give details on fuel

Water

Give details on water

Electricity

Give details on electricity

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

List places of interest, tours, etc.

Grocery and supply stores

• Fort Myers Downtown Farmers' Market Market Location: Centennial Park, under the U.S. 41 Caloosahatchee Bridge at the corner of Heitman and West First streets, Fort Myers, Florida 33901. Year-round, Thursdays, 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Contact Information: Michaelene Beaudon, Market Manager, Fort Myers Redevelopment Office, 1400 Jackson Street, Suite 102, Fort Myers, Florida 33901. Telephone: (239) 321-7098, Fax: (239) 344-5911; [[email protected] Email]

Eateries

Internet/WiFi

Available?

Laundry

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Garbage Disposal

?

Transportation

• Lee Country Transit System Public bus system. $1.25 per adult. Extensive bus routes, six days a week, some routes also run on Sunday. To find a particular route, go to the "HOW TO RIDE" pane on the upper left of the page, and click on "Map & Schedules". There is also a "Trip Planner" in this section that can help you find the bus to take to a particular location. You can also go to System Map of all routes For boats in the mooring field or at Legacy Marina or the Yacht Basin Route 100 runs 7 days per week. All route maps indicate Publix Supermarkets along the route

Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forums

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

Links

List links external to the wiki such as in Wikepedia.

Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit. Personal experiences?

Verified by

Date of member's last visit to Fort Myers and this page's details validated:

• --Wyatt 22:21, 26 May 2013 (BST)

This page has an outline in place but needs completing. Please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to suggest further content or alternatively, if you feel confident to edit this page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly.

Contributors to this page
Names: Wyatt