Sarasota Public Boat Launch Facilities

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving Holiday with family and friends. After 30 families members descended upon our house for Thanksgiving, I am ready to get back to work.

Today's topic will center around the several public boat ramps that are available to the Sarasota public.  Not everyone wants some of the headaches of living on the water (insurance, additional taxes and high costs), but there are still lots of residents who love to be on the water in their boats!!!

Since not everyone knows where the public boat access points are located, this article will highlight them and provide a link to view their locations.

The most popular public launch area is located at 10th Street and U.S. 41 (N. Tamiami Trail).  Centennial Park has lots of parking, deep water, plenty of mooring space, and it is centrally located if you live further east.  During the summer, and when there are water events, parking for a car and trailer can be a challenge, but not impossible.  This is also a great spot if you are trying to get to the Gulf of Mexico.  You basically head west and through New Pass.  It is about a 10 minute ride. See the link for the location of the boat access at http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=27.345639,-82.548459&spn=0.00467,0.01222&t=h&z=17

Another super location, but one that does not get used as much, is the launch at City Island.  If you can's find parking at Centennial Park, this is the closest location for launching a boat and is right behind Mote Marine.  It is a nice launch with nice facilities.  There is plenty of parking, too.  You are very close to New Pass and the Gulf of Mexico.  See the launch at http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=27.333841,-82.574744&spn=0.002335,0.00611&t=h&z=18

If you live further south of downtown Sarasota and don't want to fight the traffic, there is a nice public boat launch on the south end of Siesta Key at Turtle Beach.  The county has spent a great deal of money purchasing land and creating a master plan for all of Turtle Beach.  The county also purchased the small trailer park to the north of park area. The public boat access is very nice, but parking can be an issue during the high season.  There are not a great number of parking spaces available.  You have to get there early.  It is in the middle of the Key and can make for a long trip to the Gulf, but if fishing or skiing is what you are after, you are only minutes away at this launch which you can see at http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=27.218199,-82.516369&spn=0.004675,0.01222&t=h&z=17

Happy Boating!!!