Sanibel and Captiva

The two sister beaches of Sanibel and Captiva are some of the prettiest in the world.

It’s 7:30 and the sun is already well above the horizon. As I step out onto the dock, an osprey circles above a school of sea trout holding in a nearby channel. There’s a decision to be made now, and I carefully consider my choices: Do I pull up a chair on the bay side with a beautiful view of Pine Island Sound or walk 100 yards to the Gulf shore to see what new seashells have washed up overnight? It’s a tough choice, I know, but I’m happy to have options, which is what the beautiful Floridian isles of Sanibel and Captiva are all about. This morning, I’ll look for shells.

A Likely Pairing

Wedged between Charlotte Harbor to the northeast and Estero Bay to the southeast, Sanibel and Captiva are the largest in a chain of barrier islands that come across as super-tourist yet surprisingly laid back. Relatively long and narrow, they offer easy access to the Gulf of Mexico for serious offshore fishing adventures and open-throttle cruises. At the same time, this is where Florida’s Gulf Coast Intercoastal Waterway (ICW) begins, allowing boaters to tuck inside Pine Island Sound where waters are generally mellow but some routes run shallow. Between these entertaining access routes, Sanibel stretches for roughly 12 miles while Captiva sprawls for another five. Both offer sandy beaches, amazing shelling, fine dining, plus a small-town feel that belies bountiful amenities and provisioning potential.

Historically speaking, Sanibel and Captiva have endured a few weather bumps over the years. A pair of hurricanes tore through here in the 1920s and Hurricane Charlie, a
category four storm, crushed the area in 2004. So bad was the devastation after Charlie that many marinas, resorts, and businesses had to completely rebuild. In doing so,
however, most reset the bar with significant upgrades. The local community also decided to work hard at balancing their tourist-based economy with a deep respect for the
environment. That choice turned out to be a winner as the islands bounced back with a vengeance, their tourism buoyed by the recognition of how big a role access to clean water and abundant wildlife plays in attracting visitors.

Arriving

Getting to both Sanibel and Captiva is fairly straightforward. Both are accessible by land or boat. Since there are no marinas residing seaward on the Gulf front, the vast majority of boaters approach from the ICW in Pine Island Sound. If you’re coming from the open Gulf, however, you can tuck inside to easily reach Sanibel Marina at Point Ybel, or slide through Redfish Pass to reach the marina at South Seas Island Resort on Captiva. Note that Blind Pass, another passage to the ICW, carries a low clearance designation on the charts.

Once on the inside route, Jensen’s Captiva Island Beach and Marina Resorts, McCarthy’s Marina and the marina at ’Tween Waters Inn Island Resort & Spa provide easy access
to Captiva. From any of these, you can walk to the Gulf-side beaches, or grab a cab or bike to reach other destinations. To access Sanibel Island, opt for either Sanibel Marina or
Port Sanibel Marina. While seas are generally mild on the inside approach, be aware that some cuts outside of the main channels have water depths of five feet or less at mean low
water. Thus, if you have a deep-draft vessel you might want to rent something smaller to cruise around after tying up your primary rig. Either way, watch out for manatees, which are plentiful throughout the system.

What we talk about when we talk about leisure

Once settled in, let the fun begin. Outdoors lovers and fitness buffs will absolutely love this area; opportunities to get out and do your thing are not only widely available, they are often enhanced. On Sanibel, for example, you’ll find 25 miles of paved bike paths. Captiva has no official bike routes, but you can cycle the main road from one end to the other, and Cayo Costa State Park, a short boat ride to the north of North Captiva Island, features six miles of wooded biking/hiking trails plus nine miles of open beach for walking and running.

If you would rather stay on the water while getting in a workout, fear not. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) are widely available. At Sanibel Pilates and Ambu Yoga you can meditate on the beach or try SUP yoga. To tour by paddle power, head over to Adventure Sea Kayaks at ’Tween Waters Inn on Captiva and enter the small cove in Buck Key to find seahorses, jumping mullet and all sorts of bird life. More adventurous paddlers can hook up with Tarpon Bay Explorers at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. There, an hour-and-a-half kayak tour leads through one of the largest
mangrove ecosystems in the country. It is magnificent.

Feel like trying something completely different? Sanibel and Captiva are among the top shelling destinations in the world. What’s shelling, you ask? It’s just as it sounds; you
walk the beach gathering interesting and beautiful seashells. The difference here is that beaches like Bowman’s Beach on Sanibel or Blind Pass (Turner Beach) on Captiva will find
you ankle-deep in shells. More than 250 varieties wait to be discovered here, some of which are exceedingly rare, of scientific significance or even worth a few bucks. A large junonia shell, for example, can bring $150 at a local shell shop; someone finds one nearly every week. When you’ve finished collecting for the day, be sure to check out the
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum.

Happy as a Clam?

For some shell collectors, the best shell on the beach is not the perfect shell but rather one with a flaw, a little round hole and a true story that goes with it. That clam was murdered in cold blood. The clam was the victim of a carnivorous sea snail, and it wasn’t
a fair fight. The sea snail used its tongue as a secret weapon. The tongue, called a radula, drilled a small, round hole through the clam. Then its multitasking tongue sucked the nutritious life out of that mollusk.

You’re right; it’s a shell-eat-shell world out there. Buried-in-sand bivalves can be
found on all Gulf barrier islands. Pensacola Beach has a lot. Some shell collectors string them up as necklaces. The beaches of Sanibel Island near Fort Myers have shell abundance and variety, including many murdered clams.

Sanibel’s South Florida geography helps. Unlike other barrier islands in this area, Sanibel Island has an east-west beach that traps sought-after shells from southern waters, including the Caribbean.

Anglers, too, have plenty of options in these waters. Sea trout, redfish, and snook abound inside Pine Island Sound. On the Gulf side, tasty tripletail hang near buoy chains, sheepshead surround rock piles, and king mackerel cruise nearshore waters. Offshore, snapper, grouper, mahi, and tuna are on the menu while jack crevalle, summer flounder,
and snook can be caught at most passes. Boca Grande Pass to the north of Cayo Costa is famous for its tarpon run in late April and May. Capt. Ryan Kane at Southern Instinct
Fishing Charters can put you on the fish.

Dining Options Abound

As for dining out, it’s hard to go wrong here. Among dozens of fine eateries, The Lazy Flamingo has restaurants on both Sanibel and Captiva. Catch your own fish and they’ll
cook ’em three different ways. Doc Ford’s Rum Bar also has establishments on both islands. This is a great family retreat with a unique, Caribbean menu. Try the Yucatan Shrimp, with real butter, garlic, mild Columbian chilies, cilantro, spices, and key lime juice. On Sanibel, the upscale Sweet Melissa’s is a heathy choice that sources locally, while the Blue Coyote Supper Club is a golf club bistro serving steaks and other
American fare.

Additional places to dine on Captiva include the romantic Mad Hatter, plus Old Captiva House at the oft-mentioned ’Tween Waters Inn. In addition to great eats, the latter spot
has hermit crab races! There are also five Captiva restaurants on Rossi Lane, just a short stroll from both Jensen’s and McCarthy’s marinas. All are worth a visit.

For dining right on the water, Sanibel-Grandma Dot’s serves up terrific sandwiches and salads in an open-air setting at Sanibel Marina, while the Green Flash on Captiva offers a
nice selection of appetizers and soups, fresh grouper, salmon, Mahi, and tripletail—plus choice ribeye steaks and veal chops.

The best time? Anytime

While Sanibel and Captiva can be enjoyed year-round, March/April and October/November are ideal weather months and therefore see the most visitors. Afternoon thunderstorms are typical in the summer and September is usually the quietest month, but be advised—many of the island’s businesses operate on reduced hours or shut down completely in late summer for renovations and vacation.

Regardless of when or where you tie up in this secluded neck of the woods, you’re in for a rare treat. Sanibel/Captiva isn’t a destination you land on by mistake. It’s a special excursion to be premeditated for sure, but once you’ve arrived, odds are you’ll make the same effort to return over and over again, each time turning over a new leaf—or seashell, as it were.

Glancing at your charts, Sanibel and Captiva might look like nothing more than a couple of big sand spits, but they certainly pack a punch as standout boating destinations. The
townsfolk are friendly, the marinas are professional, and the great outdoors are front and center every day, everywhere. Indeed, there’s no way to fully cover these gems in a single short visit, but as I mentioned at the outset, it sure is nice to have choices.

Cruiser Resources

MARINAS

Jensen’s Captiva Island Beach and Marina
Resorts, Captiva
Vessels up to 40 feet
(239) 472-5800
gocaptiva.com

McCarthy’s Marina, Captiva
Vessels up to 24 feet
(239) 472-5200

Port Sanibel Marina, Sanibel
Vessels up to 65 feet
(239) 437-1660
portsanibelmarina.com

Sanibel Marina, Sanibel
Vessels up to 100 feet
(239) 215-2445
sanibelmarina.com

‘Tween Waters Inn Island Resort & Spa, Captiva
Vessels up to 130 feet
(239) 472-5161
tween-waters.com

Yacht Harbour & Marina, Captiva
Vessels up to 120 feet
(guests of South Seas Island Resorts only)
(888) 777-3625
southseas.com/marinas/yacht-harbour-marina.com

DINING, DRINKS & NIGHTLIFE

The Lazy Flamingo, Captiva/Sanibel
(239) 472-5353
lazyflamingo.com

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grill, Captiva/Sanibel
(239) 472-8311
docfords.com

Sweet Melissa’s, Sanibel
(239) 472-1956
sweetmelissascafe.com

Blue Coyote Supper Club, Sanibel
(239) 432-9222
bluecoyotesupperclub.com

Sanibel-Grandma Dot’s, Sanibel
(239) 472-8138
sanibelmarina.com/gramma

Mad Hatter, Captiva
(239) 472-0033
madhatterrestaurant.com

Old Captiva House, Captiva
(239) 472-5161
captiva-house.com

Green Flash, Captiva
(239) 472-3337
greenflashcaptiva.com

RESORTS AND SPAS

‘Tween Waters Inn Island
Resort & Spa,
Captiva
(239) 472-5161
tween-waters.com

South Seas Island Resort, Captiva
(239) 472-5111
southseas.com or southseas.com/see-and-do/spa-and-fitness

TRANSPORTATION, TOURS, ON-WATER ASSISTANCE, GUIDED OUTDOORS TRIPS, FITNESS

Sanibel Taxi (for both islands)
(239) 472-4160; sanibeltaxi.com

Adventure Sea Kayaks
(239) 822-3337; captivaadventures.com

Tarpon Bay Explorers
(239) 472-8900; tarponbayexplorers.com

Sunny Island Adventures
(239) 472-2938; sunnyislandadventures.com

J.N. “Ding” Darling Nat’l Wildlife Refuge
(239) 472-1100; dingdarlingsociety.org

Sanibel Pilates
(484) 459-3971; sanibelpilatesyoga.com

Ambu Yoga
(239) 314-9642; ambuyoga.com

Southern Instinct Fishing Charters
(239) 896-2341; southerninstinct.com

Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
(239) 395-2233; shellmuseum.org

By Tom Schlichter, Southern Boating January 2018

The Battle of Mobile Bay

YOU MAY HAVE HEARD THE BATTLE CRY, “Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead!” But do you know who said it, why, where, and when?

The who is Admiral David Farragut. The where is Mobile Bay. The why is more complicated, but it has to do with one of the most significant confrontations in the
American Civil War. Farragut was the naval officer who in 1864 bravely led his union fleet
through a barrage of cannon fire blasting from the two forts guarding the entrance to the bay. But torpedoes in 1864? It turns out that in those days, the word torpedo referred to an underwater, explosive mine. The Confederates planted mines across the entrance to Mobile Bay to block a Union invasion. Damn those mines then.

On Tuesdays in February, a Civil War historian will guide visitors around the five-sided
Fort Morgan. The subject of the tour and tutorial on February 20th is the “ Battle of Mobile
Bay.” The topic on Tuesday, February 27th is the “Siege of Fort Morgan.”

By car, Fort Morgan is 23 miles west of Gulf Shores on State Highway 180, but from Dauphin Island, it’s just a short hop across the bay (and no mines this time) on your boat or the Mobile Bay Ferry. Boaters have a convenient marina close by, Gulf Shores Yacht Club and Marina.

fort-morgan.org; gulfshoresyachtclubandmarina.com

By Bill AuCoin, Southern Boating February 2018

More Gulf Updates:

Art Festivals

Red Snapper Counts

Red Snapper Count

Red Snapper

Red snapper, delicious, but also heavily fished, is the now the focus of an innovative federal and state collaboration.

Since 2018, all five Gulf states manage red snapper fishing for private vessels not just in state waters, but also federal.

NOAA Fisheries has issued Exempted Fishing Permits for each state to set its own private vessel angler season dates, collect landings data, and then close the season if and when its red snapper quota is reached.

Tasty red snapper is one of the most sought-after fish in the Gulf of Mexico, so fisheries managers carefully watch the populations of this deep water reef fish. NOAA Fisheries has set the 2019 red snapper season for recreational charter boats fishing federal waters 12 miles out.

The “For Hire” season starts June 1st and lasts for 62 days. You can only keep two, and they have to be at least 16 inches long. If you want to be in the loop, sign up for text message alerts.

For recreational anglers, individual states manage the red snapper seasons and other regulations for both state and federal waters. Each state is different.

Florida: myfwc.com

Alabama: outdooralabama.com

Mississippi: dmr.ms.gov

Louisiana: call (504) 284-2032

Texas: email julie.hagen@tpwd.texas.gov or call (512) 389-4620.

A Red Snapper Count in the works

Increasingly vocal pushback, especially from recreational anglers, has led to the award of
an in-depth, $12-million research initiative to accurately determine the abundance of red snapper in U.S. waters of the Gulf of Mexico with a red snapper count.

An independent review panel convened by the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium has picked a team of 21 scientists from universities in all five Gulf states. Their research will be coordinated by Greg Stunz, Marine Biology Professor at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and a voting member of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.

The project has enthusiastic support from the person on top of the federal fisheries management pyramid, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. It is also supported by Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama who chairs the appropriations subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. Shelby said he hoped an accurate red snapper count in the Gulf could be determined “once and for all.”

Anglers will tag red snappers and report numbers and locations of previously-tagged snappers that they catch. Commercial fishing vessels will host observers to count fish brought aboard and their locations. Other on-the-water research tools will include remote-operated vehicles, camera sleds, scuba divers, and acoustics.

By Bill AuCoin, Southern Boating June 2019

More Gulf Updates:

Art Festivals in the Gulf

The Battle for Mobile Bay

Pensacola, Florida

Waterfront on the west.
An educational family vacation awaits in Pensacola, Florida, where naval history is all around you.

On the western end of the Florida Panhandle is Pensacola, the state’s second-oldest city and widely known for its great beaches. But Pensacola has also played a major role in the naval history of our country, a role that continues today.

Pensacola Bay is the deepest bay on the Gulf Coast and is protected from the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico by the long barrier island of Santa Rosa to the south. Its importance as a safe harbor and its strategic location led to a Spanish settlement dating back to 1559. (The Native American population being displaced was the custom.) Both the French and English had short-term claims to the land, but mainly the Spanish kept control until 1819, when the land was officially sold to the United States.

The strategic importance of Pensacola Bay was readily apparent, and the U.S. built three forts to guard its entrance: Fort Pickens was established on the west end of Santa Rosa Island, Fort McRee was across the passage on Perdido Key, and Fort Barrancas was built on the mainland over the remains of the original Spanish fort.

With a protected harbor and an abundance of timber, especially live oak, the U.S. government started construction of the Pensacola Navy Yard on the land surrounding Fort Barrancas in 1826; the yard was decommissioned in 1911. By then, the development of the airplane and its possible use by the U.S. Navy led the government to commission Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola as the first Naval AirStation in 1914.

Through two World Wars and various military conflicts afterward, NAS Pensacola has provided our country with some of the very best naval aviators. Today, more than 16,000 military and 7,000 civilian personnel are associated with the base.

Nothing could be more idyllic than a bike ride to the beach in Pensacola, FL.

The Famous Blue Angels get high in Pensacola, FL.

Check out the Lighthouse Museum in Pensacola.

NAS Pensacola offers a wide variety of things to do and see. Most attractions are free, but keep in mind that this is an active military base. Visitors are welcome, but make sure to carry picture IDs and be prepared for a search of your belongings upon entrance to the base.

NAS is home to the U.S. Navy precision flying team, the famed Blue Angels. Formed in 1946 to boost public interest in naval aviation, the Blue Angels relocated to NAS Pensacola in June 1955. Now in their 71st year, they have performed for nearly 500 million fans. Watch them practice their air show routine for free, and stick around to meet the pilots. Get there early to secure a good vantage point. For practice times, go to blueangels.navy.mil.

When the “Blues” are finished, walk over to the world’s largest naval aviation museum. The National Naval Aviation Museum features 150 restored aircraft from vintage to modern and depicts the history of naval aviation. Entrance to the museum is free, and there are interactive displays and real cockpits the kids can climb into. If you get hungry, the Cubi Bar Café continues the theme of naval aviation and is a fantastic place to get an inexpensive meal.
navalaviationmuseum.org

Only a few minutes away is another landmark, the Pensacola Lighthouse. Completed in 1859, the Pensacola Light has withstood wars, hurricanes and even an earthquake in 1886. The distinctive paint job—the bottom third is white and the top two-thirds is black—makes it clearly visible for miles. A small admission fee allows you to climb the 177 steps to the top of the 150-foot-tall tower, where you’ll have spectacular views of Pensacola Pass, downtown Pensacola and the base itself. You’ll probably see planes flying past, perhaps even the Blue Angels! The lighthouse is open seven days a week from 10AM to 5:30PM. pensacolalighthouse.org

Fort Barrancas is less than a mile away. The original Spanish fort was reconstructed by the Americans from 1839 to 1844. A battery of cannons pointed in the direction of the water to guard entrance to the Bay. The fort is partially underground to prevent damage from enemy bombardment. Travel through the passageways and then go up to the “Parade Ground,” where you’ll have views of the Bay and Santa Rosa Island on the other side.

The Gulf Islands National Seashore (GINS) was established in January 1971 to protect historic landmarks, as well as the birds and wildlife that inhabit the area. If you’d like to boat around the GINS, the National Park Service requires a 20-foot or longer craft to handle the currents and water conditions and also recommends having an up-to-date nautical chart for safe navigation. GINS is the nation’s largest seashore and stretches from Santa Rosa Island west to Cat Island, Mississippi. The Florida side of the GINS consists of six different locations along the water in the Pensacola area (including Fort Barrancas). The park includes the surrounding waters here and, in fact, 80 percent of the protected area is under water. nps.gov/guis/index.htm

Once inside the park, you are in a different world. There are no big hotels and actually, there are not many buildings at all. (There is one general store near the middle of the park.) Instead, there are miles of white-sand beaches with warm, Gulf waters lapping up on them. With an entrance fee and few amenities, the park is not crowded. You’ll find groups of people near the parking lots (only Langdon Beach has a bathhouse), but you don’t have to go far to be alone. Swim, snorkel or dive, lie on the beach, or go surf fishing. Typically, the Gulf is fairly benign in terms of conditions. On the west end of Santa Rosa Island is the Fort Pickens

On the west end of Santa Rosa Island is the Fort Pickens Area, where the fort’s remains still stand. Go on a guided or self-guided tour. Completed in 1834, this pentagon-shaped fort was built with four-foot-thick brick walls to withstand
cannon fi re, and they still survive today. A bookstore and a museum are nearby to further explain the historic significance of the fort.

Anglers can use a fishing pier on the Bay side. With NAS Pensacola just 1.5 miles across the Bay, the Fort Pickens Area is a great place to watch the Blue Angels practice and fly in formation directly overhead. Shutterbugs can get some great shots across the water of the Blues flying past the lighthouse.

Several biking/ hiking/nature trails are also available in the park. The west end of the island broadens out enough to have some freshwater marshes. The Blackbird Marsh Trail near Fort Pickens crosses some of these wetlands, which are home to a wide variety of birds.

In fact, the GINS is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Occasionally, sections of the park will be closed to protect nesting shorebirds. The Dune Nature Trail on a boardwalk leads across the dunes to the beach. Sea turtles frequently build nests on the higher parts of the beach and are marked.

The Florida National Scenic Trail starts down the peninsula at the Big Cypress National Preserve and ends at Fort Pickens. It’s worth the trek to see the abundance of fish and dolphin that swim in the nearby offshore waters.

Cruiser Resources & Activities

DINING

Blue Dot Barbecue, Pensacola
(850) 432-0644

McGuire’s Irish Pub, Pensacola
(850) 433-6789
mcguiresirishpub.com

Peg Leg Pete’s, Pensacola Beach
(850) 932-4139
peglegpetes.com

BIKE RENTALS

Bikes Plus, Pensacola
bikesplus.com

Emerald Coast Tours, Pensacola
emeraldcoasttours.net

The Fun Store, Pensacola Beach
funstorefl.com

By Ed Brotak Southern Boating August 2017

Baby, You’re a Firework

The Best Firework Shows in the Gulf

From Brownsville, Texas, to the Florida Keys, Gulf boaters will anchor in bays, bayous, coves, and marinas to see and hear the fireworks marking the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Boaters know they will get to see the rockets’ red glare from above and below, in the sky and in the reflections on the water. Corpus Christi, Texas, is usually the first with its four-day “Big Bang” celebration starting June 30th and ending with the July 4th fireworks display.

The Fourth includes a sailboat regatta presented by the (you might hear the starter’s pistol), the Mayor’s Big Bang Celebration Parade and when it’s dark, the light show and fireworks glow for thousands of spectators on the hard and for boats anchored in friendly Corpus Christi Bay. And there’s a patriotic bonus: Some of the fireworks are launched from the famous WWII aircraft carrier USS Lexington. Over in Galveston, get out on the water to watch Galveston Island’s 20-minute firework show launched from the beach.

New Orleans

In New Orleans, celebrate “Go 4th on the River,” where dueling barges launch rockets that are visible from both sides of the Mississippi River as well as for those on the water who move in for a close-up view of bombs bursting in the air.

Alabama

In Alabama, the Mobile Pops Orchestra plays the “Star Spangled Banner” and other patriotic music from Battleship Memorial Park on Mobile Bay.

Panama City

Panama City’s after dark flashes are among the most popular on the Panhandle. About 50,000 spectators will watch “Salute to Freedom” fireworks near Panama City Marina. Hundreds more will watch from boats anchored in St. Andrew Bay.

Tampa Bay

The Tampa Bay area produces an array of colorful sky bursts, including front row anchoring on the Manatee River and Sarasota Bay for fireworks reaching above Anna Maria Island, Bradenton, Long Boat Key, and Sarasota.

Cape Coral

The Cape Coral “Red, White and Boom” festival may deserve the blue ribbon for the most boater-friendly venue. By the hundreds, boats raft up around the Cape Bridge that connects to Fort Myers. Remember, the bridge will be closed all day, so plan for other travel routes.

By Bill Aucoin, Southern Boating June 2018

More Gulf Coast Updates:

Underwater Music Festival

Corpus Christi Marina

The Corpus Christi Marina now has 600 slips, cruiser’s facilities, three yacht clubs, and a massive public boat ramp. The improvements to the marina district have inspired a Greater Downtown Area of culture, sports, convention and hospitality venues.

The premier boating destination on the Texas Gulf Coast, caps a successful summer of expansion with the dedication of 35 more slips for boats 30 to 45 feet in length—the seventh major addition in the past 16 years.

Infrastructure Improvements

Since 2000, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has provided $1,764,050 in federal funds via Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) grants specifically targeted at an improved marina infrastructure, access for boaters and improved sanitary facilities to maintain clean water.

The grant monies, matched by the City of Corpus Christi and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, have built modern septic pump-outs, restrooms and showers, a laundry, meeting rooms, a four-lane boat ramp, and more than 80 slips for boats greater than 26 feet in length at the Corpus Christi Marina.

“This marina is hugely important to both boaters and anglers on the Texas Gulf Coast, and exemplifies how the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program works in partnership with others to improve boating access and infrastructures,” says Cliff Schleusner, Chief of WSFR in the Southwest Region. “Boaters and anglers paid for it in excise tax, and now they and others reap the benefits.”

The new infrastructure replaces outdated and decayed materials and should better withstand the forces of future hurricanes. A part of the infrastructure upgrades includes Internet systems needed for navigation.

While the marina is the anchor on the Bayfront, civic leaders and business owners continue to expand what’s known as the Marina Arts District. The area features a vibrant nightlife, music scene, art galleries and outdoor art, along with many weekend festivals. marinaarts.com

By Alan Wendt, Southern Boating December 2016