If you live for days on the water, Marco Island makes it easy to launch, fuel up, and reach the Gulf fast. Still, every boat and itinerary has different needs. You want clear options for slips, ramps, fuel, and service so you can spend more time cruising and less time guessing. This guide gives you local, practical insight into marinas, public ramps, and routes that fit your vessel and your plans. Let’s dive in.
Marco Island by water: routes and timing
Marco Island sits at the north end of the Ten Thousand Islands with marked passes that lead straight to the Gulf. Several facilities promote direct Gulf access without fixed-bridge delays. You can see routes and basin layout on Rose Marina’s marina map.
If you run a sailboat or any tall-air-draft vessel, bridge clearance matters. The Judge S.S. Jolley Bridge is commonly listed at about 55 feet above mean high water. Review Jolley Bridge clearance details before you plan regular transits.
Typical idle times vary by starting point and tide. Rose Marina advertises about 15 minutes to the Gulf under normal conditions. Slips in Smokehouse Bay are often described as 15 to 25 minutes at idle. Planning a backcountry or Everglades run from Port of the Islands? The operator notes an approximate 30-minute transit to the Gulf via the Faka Union Canal on its amenities page.
Top marinas on Marco Island
Rose Marina (Factory Bay)
If you want a full-service hub, Rose Marina is the island’s working waterfront center. You get a fuel dock with diesel and non-ethanol gas, pump-out, ship’s store, live bait, showers, laundry, and certified maintenance including a 75-ton travel lift. See the facility lineup on the Rose Marina services page. Many owners choose Rose for the convenience, charter options, and typical ~15-minute idle to the Gulf.
What boats fit best: a wide range, from small center consoles to large sportfishing boats and motoryachts. Deeper-draft vessels should always confirm approach depths with the dockmaster.
Marco Island Marina (MIMA)
Marco Island Marina blends the feel of an owners’ association with transient access and amenities. Published features include floating docks, dockmaster support, showers, laundry, Wi‑Fi, pump-out, and access to a pool and clubhouse. Slip sizes commonly range from about 40 to 100 feet, with a total inventory near 122 slips. Approach depths are shallower than deep-water yacht basins, so confirm draft, beam, and LOA before you book.
What boats fit best: mid-size powerboats, motoryachts, and some catamarans that meet the posted slip specs. MIMA is not a primary fuel dock, so plan your refueling strategy accordingly.
Esplanade Marina (Smokehouse Bay)
Esplanade Marina serves Smokehouse Bay and places you close to dining and shopping. Cruising guides typically list about 70 to 80 slips, shore power, pump-out, and showers. Approach depths are often noted around 6 feet, so sailboats with deep keels and taller rigs should plan for tides and routes that match their needs.
What boats fit best: smaller to mid-size powerboats that value walkability and a central, condo-retail setting.
Marco Island Yacht Club — Riverside Marina
If you run a larger yacht and want club-level amenities, the MIYC Riverside Marina is designed for you. The Riverside Marina lists 27 slips sized 50 to 124 feet, with shore power, water, pump-out, dockmaster, and security. The facility highlights modern construction standards and a recent “Clean & Resilient Marina” designation. It is a strong fit if you need bigger slips with a private club environment.
What boats fit best: larger motoryachts and sportfishing boats seeking an upscale, membership slip setting.
Goodland and Port of the Islands hubs
Calusa Island Marina (Goodland)
Goodland is a popular launch point for the Ten Thousand Islands and a practical support hub for Marco owners. Calusa Island Marina offers wet slips to about 70 feet, dry rack storage to about 40 feet, on-site fuel, a ship’s store, and a ~50-ton travel lift. Many charter and guide operations stage here because it is a short run to excellent backcountry waters.
Port of the Islands Marina
Farther by road but powerful for long-range exploring, Port of the Islands provides a public launch, fuel, ship’s store, and direct access to the Ten Thousand Islands via the Faka Union Canal. The operator references an approximate 30-minute run to the Gulf. If you are planning extended Everglades or backcountry trips, use the Port of the Islands amenities as a planning touchpoint.
Public ramps and trailer access
Caxambas Park boat ramp (on-island)
The island’s primary public launch is the Caxambas Park ramp at 909 Collier Court. The county lists amenities such as trailer parking, restrooms, and picnic areas. After Hurricane Ian damage, repairs were completed and the site reopened in early 2025 for recreational uses. Check the current status on the Caxambas Park page. Local reporting also noted commercial-launch restrictions after the rebuild. You can review the background in this Caxambas reopening report.
Goodland Boating Park
When Caxambas is crowded or when your trip targets the backcountry, Goodland’s county-managed launch at 740 Palm Point Drive is a go-to. The site lists two launching lanes, courtesy docks, and sizable trailer parking. Many captains used it during post-storm repairs and it remains a favored option for both recreational and commercial launching. See the details for Goodland Boating Park.
Other county ramps nearby
Depending on your route, nearby Collier County sites such as Collier Boulevard Boating Park, Landings Park, and Isles of Capri paddlecraft areas can make sense. These ramps may use mobile payment systems for parking and launch fees. In peak winter season, arrive early and expect higher traffic.
Choose the right option for your boat
Trailering and day boats
If you trailer a center console, bay boat, or flats skiff, your best bet is often Goodland for backcountry days and Caxambas when you want the closest island launch. Ramps fill quickly during season, so plan for an early start, know your parking rules, and have a backup option.
Slip holders and canal homes
If you prefer a slip, Marco Island marinas commonly list spaces from about 30 to 100+ feet, but approach depths at many docks run about 6 to 8 feet. Match the slip to your draft and beam, and confirm depths and tidal effects with the dockmaster. Larger yacht slips are available at Rose Marina and MIYC Riverside, while MIMA covers a wide middle range.
Offshore anglers and larger yachts
Plan your base around the services you actually need. Rose Marina delivers fueling, pump-out, certified mechanics, and a 75-ton travel lift, all detailed on the Rose Marina services page. Goodland’s Calusa Island Marina adds a ~50-ton lift and fuel in a backcountry-friendly location. If you want a larger private slip with a club setting, MIYC Riverside is purpose built for bigger yachts.
Sailboats and tall rigs
Sailors should account for the Jolley Bridge’s ~55-foot clearance and the shallower approaches at several marinas. Deep-keel boats and tall rigs often need careful route and tide planning. Larger sailboats may find suitable slips at MIYC Riverside or may look to nearby facilities with deeper basins.
Fuel, service, and provisioning
- Fuel and pump-out: You can fuel with diesel and non-ethanol gas and pump out at Rose Marina. Calusa Island Marina and Port of the Islands list fuel docks as well. Confirm hours before you go.
- Haul-out and maintenance: Rose’s 75-ton travel lift and Calusa’s ~50-ton lift cover most service needs from bottom work to repowers. If you manage a larger refit or specialty electronics, book time ahead of peak season.
- Provisions and parts: You are a short drive to groceries and marine basics from most basins. For complex parts or engine work, many owners coordinate through Rose Marina, Goodland shops, or Naples-area providers.
Before you go: quick checks
Use this short checklist to avoid surprises. Always verify with the marina or county before you launch or book.
- Current Caxambas Park status, ship store or fuel availability, and any commercial-launch rules. Start with the park page and recent local reporting.
- Fuel types and hours at the marinas you plan to use, especially Rose, Calusa Island, Goodland, and Port of the Islands.
- Slip dimensions, maximum beam, depth at both approach and dock, transient availability, and seasonal rates. Check marina websites and speak with the dockmaster.
- Travel-lift capacity and whether haul-out services accept non-members or transients at Rose and Calusa.
- Ramp parking rules, daily launch fees, and whether a mobile payment app is required at county ramps.
- Local VHF working and hail channels listed by each marina, and their preferred contact method.
Make your boating life work for your home search
If you are buying on Marco Island, your boating plan should guide your real estate plan. Slip size, draft, approach depth, HOA or marina rules, and service access all affect your day-to-day. Based at Rose Marina, our team blends residential waterfront expertise with yacht and slip sales so you get advice that fits your vessel and your lifestyle. When you want a canal home with quick Gulf access, a condo in Smokehouse Bay with a convenient slip, or a larger berth for a new yacht, we help you line up the right property, the right dock, and the right support network.
Ready to match your home and your boat with confidence? Create Your Paradise with The Sprigg Group.
FAQs
How long does it take to reach the Gulf from Marco Island marinas?
- Typical idle times are about 15 minutes from Factory Bay and 15 to 25 minutes from Smokehouse Bay, while Port of the Islands notes about 30 minutes via canal, all subject to tide and traffic.
Which Marco Island marina has full fuel and heavy maintenance support?
- Rose Marina offers diesel, non-ethanol gas, pump-out, and a 75-ton travel lift with certified mechanics, which suits offshore anglers and larger motoryachts.
Where should I launch a trailer boat near Marco Island?
- Use Caxambas Park for on-island access when available or Goodland Boating Park for strong backcountry access, and arrive early during winter season.
What should sailboat owners consider before booking a slip on Marco Island?
- Account for the Jolley Bridge clearance of about 55 feet and confirm approach depths at target marinas, since several basins run about 6 to 8 feet.
What are good options for larger yacht slips on Marco Island?
- MIYC’s Riverside Marina offers 50 to 124 foot slips in a club setting, while Rose Marina also supports larger vessels with full-service infrastructure.
