Collier County is one of the best places for boating in all of Florida. The waters are generally calm on the gulf side of Florida, sheltered from the rough Atlantic swells. Whether you are looking for yachting or wanting to explore in a small craft, Collier County has something for you.
Inland Waterways
There are 13 main inlets connecting the inland waterways of Collier County with the Gulf of Mexico, each with their associated bay and canal systems. You will find that not all canals in Naples are created equal. We divide inland waterways here into various categories.
Yacht Gulf Access
When we say "yacht" we mean a large vessel that requires a crew to operate. Very few of the waterways in Collier County have water deep enough to handle a large yacht. You will find such yacht waterways in two places.
Gordon Pass and Naples Bay include a deep water yacht channel that connects to marinas such as the Naples City Dock, Naples Yacht Club and the area near Tin City. Many yachtsmen in Naples reside in the Port Royal neighborhood, the only Naples neighborhood where one can park a true yacht behind the house.
The other yacht access area is Big Marco Pass, which provides access to the Marco Island Yacht Club, Rose Marina, and the Marina at Factory Bay. A few homeowners on Marco Island and the Isles of Capri can also park their yacht right behind their home.
Sailboat Gulf Access
Sometimes referred to as "Direct Gulf Access" these sailboat access waterways provide you with a connection to the Gulf that is unobstructed by bridges. You will find slightly shallower water here, but most boats (except true yachts) can manage in these waterways.
Sailboat access waterways include much of the neighborhood canals on the east side of Naples Bay, Windstar, parts of the Moorings, and the parts of the Marco Island canals unobstructed by bridges.
Boat Gulf Access
Any navigable gulf access waterway with bridges to pass under in order to get to the gulf is a "boat access" waterway. You will hear these sometimes referred to as "indirect gulf access" waterways.
Boat Non-Gulf Access
You will find many boat able canals that are navigable but landlocked by dams and other obstructions. These waterways include much of the Golden Gate Canal system, and other closed "lake and canal" systems.
Small Craft Access
Small craft access waterways are narrow / shallow waterways that are only accessible to the smallest vessels. Vessels in these waterways rarely go into the gulf so gulf access is usually not a concern here. These waterways are often obstructed by low bridges and dams that may need to be portaged.
Inlets
Wiggins Pass
Wiggins Pass is the northernmost of the Collier County inlets and connects to waterways such as Vanderbilt Channel as well as the Cocohatchee River.
Clam Pass
Clam Pass is Collier County's smallest inlet and connects to the Clam Bay system. This inlet is only for small craft as it is shallow and subject to shifting sands. Clam Bay is a mangrove lagoon system along the neighborhoods of Pelican Bay and Seagate.
Doctors Pass
Sometimes known as the Middle Pass, this inlet connects Moorings Bay, Hurricane Harbor, Doctors Bay and Venetian Bay to the gulf. Neighborhoods along this bay and canal system include the Moorings, Park Shore, and Coquina Sands.
The Moorings includes direct gulf sailboat access for a small section of the neighborhood near to the pass. You will have to pass under bridges to reach the rest of this bay/canal system.
Gordon Pass
Gordon Pass is Naples' deepest and widest inlet. This is the main entrance channel into Naples Bay and most of Naples' marinas.
Boating Destinations
What's the point of having a boat if you have no where to sail to. Surrounding Collier County are numerous places for you to explore when you are out on the water.
Popular boating destinations include places like Keewaydin Island, the Cape Romano area, Goodland, and for the intrepid yachtsman, Key West.
Its 90 miles from Collier County to Key West and the Florida Keys!