Start: Shark River, 25.19.784 N, 81.08.010 W

Finish: Marco Island, 25.57.287 N, 81.43.799 W

0640 Underway

1430 Dropped anchor in Smokehouse Bay, Marco Island

Total Time: 7 hour 50 minutes

Total Distance:  63.07 nm

We left Shark River on at sunrise on Friday and arrived here in Marco island in the early afternoon.  We were very happy to leave Shark River behind with its large noisy mosquitoes, horseflies, and no-see-ums.  A few bugs traveled with us in various hiding places all the way to Marco Island and showed up in the dark to annoy us here.  We motorsailed close to shore in shallow water. On the way we had to avoid many crab pots again but didn’t run over any stray lines this time.  Some boats have cutters on their props and we figure someone picked up a crab pot line which was cut off their prop, floating around waiting for us to pick it up later.  The photo on the left shows some of the many Marco Island condo buildings we saw as we sailed toward the inlet.

We entered at Big Marco Pass, then followed channel markers past beautiful homes on the water to Smokehouse Bay.  It is a large circular body of water surrounded by homes, condos, high end stores and restaurants.  The photo above is taken from our boat looking at an area called the Esplanade.  There is a small marina and a variety of businesses on the first floors of the condo buildings.  We visited a Starbucks a few steps from the dinghy dock we used.  I had a frappuccino and everyone else had Cold Stone Creamery ice cream which was beside Starbucks.  (Half price frappuccinos start on May 4!!)  There is another dinghy dock around the corner and next to a very large Winn Dixie grocery store on the main street, Collier Boulevard.

We have been here for several days and except that we are getting daily rainshowers, it’s a very pleasant, peaceful area to anchor.  There are only a couple of other boats anchored here, which is amazing since it is very protected and the muddy bottom grabs the anchor as soon as it hits the bottom.  It is also deep, about 12 feet where we are and continues being deep all the way to the shoreline.

Almost Pawsible led us into the anchorage and stayed for two days.  Then, they left to go a short distance to the Marco Island Marina where they will be staying for an extended time.  It is a beautiful marina with a pool and the most wonderful private shower/washrooms and laundry room we have ever seen at a marina. 

We have already walked for several miles along the main thoroughfare here, Collier Boulevard, and have eaten at several restaurants.  West Marine is close by as are several large grocery stores and strip malls.  It’s very convenient to take Daisy ashore to one of the two free dinghy docks.  We also can get free pumpouts at the marina pictured above.  In Florida, any marina that has a pumpout available is required to perform the service to any boaters who ask.  It is in their best interest to do this, as unfortunately there are many cruisers who would just empty their holding tanks in an idyllic spot like this.  In fact, a guy in a small trawler anchored near us has been cited twice for doing this and still has the nerve to stay here.  He is being watched closely by the dockmaster near us and has been boarded by the water police.  We think his dumping days are over but are surprised he has the nerve to stay here.

Daisy isn’t pleased with her dinghy rides in the rain, but she likes being able to go ashore where many people have admired her.  (In the photo she had just returned from being caught in a downpour.) This is a very dog friendly town. Most of the restaurants have outdoor seating and allow dogs.  One of the restaurants by the marina has a “dog menu.” We found a water fountain with a dog dish spigot in one of the many park areas. 

We plan to stay in Marco Island at least a week.  When the weather clears, we will take the kayaks and explore the many canals as well as a few islands nearby.  We’ll also take our bikes ashore to get to a beach on the Gulf.  We have no definite plans but eventually we’ll head south, stop in Marathon, then explore the Keys for a few weeks before heading north to Stuart.