Leg 4 - Florida’s West Coast Part 2

3/12/24 - 3/16/24

168 Miles

Thrilled to be back on COAST after an extended break for the holidays and New Year with our family! We were very happy with Palm Harbour Marina, they thoughtfully looked after COAST for 2 months. We would strongly recommend Brett and his marina staff. The marina, like most in the greater Ft. Myers area are working hard to relaunch after Hurricane Ian. Most of their facility is in tack - great pool, bathhouse and laundry. They have some exciting plans for the future. In the meantime if you are in need of a stop or longer, check them out! After some much needed cleaning and provisioning we were ready to restart The Great Loop Adventure!

Walt loves a clean boat!

And no one cleans a boat like Captain Walt!

No glamour shots here - just lots of stuff that needs to find a home?!?!

After multiple sailboats and power boats in our marriage, hands down COAST has the best storage. One of the many reasons we love our Sabre!

Venice Pier, a festive spot especially at sunset!

Venice Pier is a short drive from the marina.

We ate at Finn's - great food and can't beat the location!

Bye bye Palm Harbour, onward to Calusa Island and Goodland, FL.

We couldn't have asked for a better first day on the water, a short 59 mile ride south. We stayed at a Safe Harbor Marina on Calusa Island within walking distance to Goodland, FL. Goodland is a small fishing village south of Marco Island. Goodland is a small town with a lively spirit that sees a lot of visitors coming to enjoy the many restaurants and bars packed in this little town!

Safe Harbor Calusa Island is a marina in transition and a super busy place, especially their fuel dock. It is in a beautiful location and when all of the work is done it will be fantastic. In the meantime, we were happy to stay for a night before we headed to Everglades City.

This crane was 1 of many who shared the docks with us

A Goodland favorite beach restaurant, they have a funny merch store.

Amazing market for fresh local fish and Stone Crabs, in season now. There was an amazing Farmers Market when we were in town. I wish I would have taken a picture, might have been the very best Cara Cara oranges we ever tasted!!

Walt loves games and win and usually does when it comes to Bocce Ball!

Manatee sighting!

Manatee is a 36' Kadey-Krogen. The owners are Platinum Loopers, they have completed 30 +Great Loops! Unfortunately the owners weren't on board for us to say hello. Its a fun - find and seek to get a Manatee sighting. Onward to Everglades City!

Awww - thanks for the warm welcome Everglades Isle.

Everglades Isle is an incredible Marina and Luxury RV Resort with amenties that will amaze you! Gorgeous property - pool with poolside bar, clubhouse, bathhouse and a laundry room to die for!

Everglades Isle gated front entrance.

Can you see COAST? Scattered around Everglades Isle are adorable thatch roof huts providing lots of spots to find shade, much appreciated with the hot and sunny weather when we visited.

Everglades City Town Hall

Small town sharing the one place of worship with many religions

Everglades City Rod and Gun Club, a Gilded Age private club where the wealthy and prominent came to the Everglades for Big Game hunting and fishing. Yes Big Game, have you heard of Florida Panthers?! Over the years the area has had big swings of booms and bust. Visiting the Rod and Gun Club is a really fun walk back in time, walking through the lobby and dinning room is like walking on a movie set. It is perfectly preserved, maybe a little worn down and the taxidermy is wild-definitely worth a visit! We ate dinner on the porch, simple broiled fish dinner. Highly recommend you check it out if you are in the area.