Beyond Gasparilla to the north, the ICW winds through scenic Lemon Bay in route to Venice. Taking the outside track from Boca Grande Pass, you have access to the ICW again at Venice Inlet. Venice offers convenient dockage facilities and a great restaurant at the Crow’s Nest.

Now that you've had a "taste of the islands" of Southwest Florida, let's head south from Fort Myers and sample another area of beautiful cruising, including Naples, and Marco Island Heading south, the ICW ends for a time and the Sanibel Bridge forms the "gateway to the Gulf" and the coastal communities of Naples and Marco Island. Once through the Bridge, you'll commence the twenty six mile passage to Naples, the first stop on our cruise toward the state's southern tip. The prominent fishing pier makes for an easy landfall to Gordon Pass and the entrance to the world-renown Naples. Anchor amid the mansions lining the canals leading to town, or tie up at the City Docks. Either way, you can experience the sights and sounds of this Mecca for the "rich and famous". Not all the dining is "five star", however. There are dockside dining spots like "The Dock,” and pubs for a variety of cruising pocketbooks.

Just seven miles south of Gordon Pass is Marco Island. The inside route from Naples southward on the ICW is a treat for nature lovers young and old. Alligators, raccoons, bald eagles, osprey and manatees are just a few of the "friendly natives" you may encounter along the way. Now a model of resort living, Marco Island offers a number of marina and leisure facilities.

Having explored the coastline from Gasparilla to Goodland, we have only experienced two-thirds of what Southwest Florida cruising has to offer. From Fort Myers, heading East, the Okeechobee Waterway will take you on a cruise akin to the "African Queen" as you journey to Stuart on Florida's east coast.