Good marina/resort within 100 miles of Tampa???

[Ashlexadd]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a resort with marina either North or preferably South of the Tampa area? I'd be willing to go as far South as Naples or as far North as Crystal river. We took a group of boats South last year and stayed at Tween Waters for 3 nights (which I liked), but we are looking for an alternative for this coming spring.

We stopped by South Sea's on Captive last year, but if we are going to the same area I'd probably go back to Tween Waters.

Searching the internet I found a place called Castaway's on Sanibel but I don't anything about it. One of the guys in our group suggested a place called Naples Bay Resort but that doesn't look to kid friendly for my 3 mongrels (I mean daughters).:smt021

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[cod]

Useppa Island is very nice with an "old Florida" feel. Also look up the Gasperilla inn on Boca Grande. Both are just north of Captiva Island.....

 

[ChuckW]

Ussepa, as mentioned earlier, can be nice but it needs maintenance. Here's my review... http://www.wilkey.org/blogs/alegrias/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=151

Boca Grande is good.

Naples Bay is upscale and plenty to do. You are correct about kids though. http://www.wilkey.org/blogs/alegrias/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=101

Palm Island Marina in Placida is very good as well, but little in the way of "resort".

We like to spend a weekend each season at the Hyatt in Sarasota, too. Docks are great, pool is a hit with the kids (they do a movie at the pool for kids on Sat nights). City life at hand for entertainment.

Longboat Key Club in Sarasota is very good as well.

Matanzas at Ft Myers Beach is nice. http://www.wilkey.org/blogs/alegrias/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=134

As any destination goes it depends upon what activies and atmoshere you seek. All these locations have easy to get to beaches/islands for day tripping as well.

Chuck

 

[Big Daddy II]

My favorite is Tween Waters, alot to do around there and protected dockage as you know. Long Boat Key Moorings has great docks and you can use all the facilities of the club. Boca Grande marina nice but small.

 

[Ashlexadd]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll check out Ussepa and Matanzas. Anything around sarasota or longboat is too close to home to make a trip out of.

If were just up to me I'd go back to tween waters (creature of habit when I find a place I like). The wives think we should try somewhere new.

 

[BritLady]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll check out Ussepa and Matanzas. Anything around sarasota or longboat is too close to home to make a trip out of.

If were just up to me I'd go back to tween waters (creature of habit when I find a place I like). The wives think we should try somewhere new.

If you are looking for accommodation too Tween Waters and Palm Island Marina may be good choices. Palm Island allows the use of their resort facilities across on the island if you are renting rooms. However, if you don't need to rent accommodation and as I note you are from Bradenton (don't know if you are a member or not) but if not, have ever considered joining Bradenton Yacht Club (BYC)? It’s one of the best most friendly and affordable yacht clubs in Florida, members can stay at all the yacht club’s transient moorings basically anywhere as all the clubs have reciprocity (some great ones between Tampa and Naples.) All the clubs are mostly very resort like, child friendly etc. first night is free moorage (pay for elec.) minimum charge thereafter.

They organize great events too; kids love it, check out: www.bradentonyachtclub.com. You can even have a two month temporary membership to try it out! Also they have reciprocity with a Golf and Country Club in the Bradenton area if you are a golfer!

If you are not a member and are interested in joining we have a free gift card for $1,000 off membership, valid to 1/31/12 which you can have (they are doing a promotion right now) or if anyone else wants one I think I can get others, the dues are very reasonable. PM me if you're interested, if you are not a member already and need more info. Joining BYC was the best thing we have done since boating. Before joining BYC we used to go to Palm Island and Tween Waters. Now we go to Captiva Yacht Club next door to Tween Waters (they have reciprocity with TW) plus all the other clubs in between. And, no I am not on the membership committee