Miles of coastline, white-sand beaches, and tropical weather are more than enough reasons to call Florida a boating paradise. Those are barely scratching the surface if you consider yourself a boating enthusiast.
Florida’s residents are some of the most passionate boaters in the world, with well over 500,000 registered boats docked around the state, and is a boating hotspot for millions of people from all over the world. Pack your bags, cross off your pre-travel checklist and get ready to discover all the reasons Florida is the boating capital of the world.
Florida’s History Of Sea Captains
The history of the Sunshine State began with maritime adventure, evidenced by the list of noteworthy sea captains that have graced the coastline.
One of these captains, Ponce De Leon, discovered Florida in 1513 and named it “La Florida”, meaning “land of flowers”. De Leon seized the opportunity to turn it into a location for transporting resources like gold, silver, and other precious gems.
In 1565, Don Pedro Menendez, Spain’s most experienced admiral at the time, sailed to Florida. Menendez landed on the west coast of Florida on August 28th and established a village known as St. Augustine a few days later.
Between 1650 to 1726, the resources being transported in the area attracted the likes of infamous pirates such as Blackbeard, Calico Jack, Anne Bonny, and Jean Lafitte.
Fort Lauderdale International Boatshow
Florida hosts one of the world’s biggest events for yachts and boating – the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show or FLIBS for short.
It’s become a worldwide event hosting more than 1,000 exhibitors from all over the globe to showcase the latest products and services to a diverse audience of maritime enthusiasts and professionals.
Part of being a luxury boat or yacht owner is showing it off to other people – many owners admit that it’s flattering to have people stare and take photos of their vessels.
Worried about missing out on all the fun stuff but don’t have a cool-looking yacht to go on? Have no fear. Yacht rentals in Fort Lauderdale are widely available and affordable, so you can join in and have fun, too.
Boating Destinations
One of Florida’s greatest appeals is its access to both saltwater and freshwater areas. This includes locations from Florida’s Gulf Coast to the Southernmost Point in the US.
Florida has practically everything covered in terms of boating needs, from boat-building to yacht refinishing, yacht management, dry docking, captain and crew hire, repair and maintenance, and much more.
Between Sands Key and Key West, there are about 1,700 islands in the span of over 120 miles, the tropical climate, and clear waters make it a popular vacation spot for both anglers and boaters.
Along the Intracoastal Waterway, you can reach beautiful sightseeing destinations, especially in areas like Jupiter Island.
Thrill-seekers can visit the Everglades National Park, where you’ll find fauna like the anaconda and alligator, but be sure to bone up on the rules and regulations to ensure the safety and protection of both boaters and the park’s resources.
Beaches For Days
There are more than 180 official beaches in Florida. Fort Myers is a popular tourist spot where people show up to enjoy the sun and water.
Siesta Key Beach, known for its unspoiled beauty, features 8 miles of pure, white sand and pristine, turquoise water.
The city of Naples, a trendy and thriving shopping destination, has some of the nicest beaches in the country, including Clam Pass Park with its tranquil water and gentle waves, and lively Vanderbilt Beach.
Palm Beach is also home to the Palm Beach Sailing Club, which hosts boating options for the whole vacation.
Fishing Getaways
Between the Atlantic Coast, the Keys, and even the Gulf of Mexico, Florida is home to some of the world’s best, and most diverse fishing destinations.
Jacksonville’s area has both saltwater and freshwater fishing opportunities with different waterfront restaurants you can visit. Not to mention a bunch of boating activities on game-day for both amateur and college events.
St. John’s River is 310 miles long and stretches all the way from Jacksonville to eastern Orlando. Boaters will find that the river has a ton of options to choose from. The river is home to a vast array of fish, including largemouth bass, flounders, shell crackers, and catfish.
