Sarasota County Boat Ramps

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Sarasota County Boat Ramps

Out on the water in Sarasota County

It is not a secret that the sparkling waters around greater Sarasota County offers us superb boating and watersports. Sprinkled with boat ramps from Long Boat Key to North Port, it is very enjoyable exploring new waters and boater friendly dining spots. On the northern part of the county, Centennial Park and Ken Thompson Park boat ramps provide scenic views of downtown Sarasota and quick access to South Lido Beach Park and Siesta Key Beach. Heading south to Venice and Englewood, both Marina Park and Indian Mound Park ramps put you right out into some very interesting waters around South Jetty Park, Venice Beach, and Caspersen Beach Park. So many places, so much fun to be had!

Ramp Coverage: Our list is aimed at the boat ramps available for all. Excluded are private and neighborhood restricted ramps. We are focused on watercraft launching places that all of us can enjoy. If we missed a ramp, or if you have any questions or feedback, please shoot us over an email. We want to share our love of boating!

Sarasota County Boat Ramps

Boat Ramp	Location	Map	Photos
Centennial Park	1059 North Tamiami Trail Sarasota Florida 34236 941-861-7275	Map	View
Dallas White Park	5900 Greenwood Ave North Port Florida 34287 941-861-7275	Map	View
Higel Park Boat Ramp	1330 Tarpon Center Drive Venice Florida 34285 941-861-7275	Map
Indian Mound Park	210 Winson Ave Englewood Florida 34223 941-861-7275	Map
Ken Thompson Park	1700 Ken Thompson Pkwy Sarasota Florida 34236 941-861-7275	Map	View
Manasota Beach Boat Ramp	8570 Manasota Key Road Englewood Florida 34223 941-861-7275	Map	View
Marina Boat Ramp Park	215 East Venice Ave Venice Florida 34292 941-861-7275	Map	View
North Jetty Park Ramp	901 Casey Key Road Nokomis Florida 34275 941-861-7275	Map	View
Turtle Beach Boat Ramp	8862 Midnight Pass Road Sarasota Florida 34242 941-861-7275	Map	View
Vamo Primitive Ramp	700 Vamo Drive Sarasota Florida 34231 941-861-7275	Map

Fun-Florida-Getaways	.com

Sun and Fun in Florida!

Sarasota Boating

Venice South Jetty Park is the spot for fun, both by land and sea. The area has a bunch of neat islands to anchor and bayways to explore. (go)

We love the boating around Nokomis Beach. After a day of fishing, the city has a nice selection of boater friendly beach bars to enjoy. (go)

Here is one of the views of Downtown Sarasota that you get when launching from Lido Key's Ken Thompson Park. How about some bayside boating around a beautiful downtown area. You can also pull up and dock at Sarasota Bayfront Park. You get lots of good options at Ken Thompson Park. (go)

The Sarasota locals know the places to pull up and enjoy the area. South Lido Beach Park is a great spot to get out of the sun, have a picnic, or take advantage of the park's facilities. Just off Big Sarasota Pass is where you will find South Lido Beach Park. (go)

Sarasota Boating Questions or Comments

Sarasota Boating Information

Boating, kayaking, and canoeing is permitted in several of the Sarasota County Parks. Sarasota's subtropical coastal climate, Gulf waters, and expansive intercoastal waterways provide some of the best boating in Florida. For boat ramp hours or other details, please contact Sarasota County directly at 941-861-7275.

Waterfront Attractions

A super waterfront attraction sits waterfront on Sarasota Bay, it's Ken Thompson Park. My sister got married there and they set it up where she and her Dad arrived by boat, where the wedding ceremony then took place. It was a nice scene, and adding the boat as part of the wedding was just the best. It was held right at sunset. What a wedding.

Mark Fair, Longboat Boat Owner

Best Boating in Florida

How lucky are we, with more things to do and the best boating in Florida. For local boaters, why not try some new spots. We highlight the boating in Manatee County. We selected some of the best places to go, enjoy: Anna Maria Island, Beer Can Island, Holmes Beach, Coquina Beach, and the Palma Sola Causeway.

Overnight Trailer Parking

Q: Hello, We are planning on towing a boat down to Venice and travel down the inside to Captiva. Is the ramp area on E. Venice Ave OK with us leaving a car for a night? Also is it all no wake going south? Not sure about outside with the wind this weekend. Thanks for a great web site. Very helpful!

Scott F., Madeira Beach FL

A: Hi Dawn/Scott...Most of the ramps in Sarasota County and Venice allow you to park overnight, but do require you to pay the $5 charge for each day. You simply fill out the form and state the days you will be boating (parking your vehicle and boat trailer). The East Venice Avenue ramp does not have a gate, but is patrolled and you should be in good shape. I would double check by calling them directly, but I expect the answer to be "no problem". That was the way it worked last year.

As for the wake zones heading south...most of it is open inter-coastal and minimum wake under bridges. The Sarasota inter-coastal has more full speed boating, as compared to the inter-coastal waterways around Madeira Beach and St. Pete Beach.

Sure, hope that helps. Have a great time in Captiva. Regards, Stuart

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Boating Questions

Florida Boating Information

Q: Any suggestions for the best source to learn the boating laws? Just want to stay out of trouble, as I am kind of new to florida boating.

Thanks, Joe Mack (Bradenton Florida)

A: Here is the spot to learn a ton about Florida boating.

Boat Parking on Longboat Key

Is there a secured place at Ken Thompson Park that you can leave your boat/trailer or jet ski and trailer overnight? We are staying at the Diplomat on Longboat Key for two nights next weekend and we are having a hard time finding somewhere secure to park our jet ski and trailer.

Thank you, Rick Ferrell

Hi Rick, I always just keep my boat or waverunner parked at the hotel, right behind my vehicle. That being, we just pull the boat with us if we go out to eat around Longboat Key, Siesta, or St. Armands Circle. Being behind the vehicle, I feel the watercraft does not look abandoned as just parking the waverunner alone some where. I am not sure of a place to park it other than the Diplomat Hotel.

Good luck with Longboat Key boating!

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Sarasota News

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Sarasota County Boat Ramps