When you are ready to put your boat in the water and tour the popular destinations near Lakewood Ranch, consider these top five boating destinations:
Related Blog: Advantages of Having a Private Dock vs. Keeping Your Boat in a Marina
Manatee River
Manatee River runs approximately 36 miles through a beautiful parks and wildlife area. It is a popular river for fishing, wildlife sightings, and along the river there are a variety of places to stop for lunch or shopping. The river leads out into the Gulf of Mexico giving you access to more spectacular beaches and islands.
Longboat Key
Longboat Key is a popular destination with its world-class beaches and eclectic variety of shopping options. They also have a large sea turtle population and when it is time for the hatchlings to make their way to the water, visitors are able to watch the march to the Gulf.
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is one of the most popular places to boat, because of the variety of fine restaurants and shops, as well as the hidden bays and rivers. When you discover the many places you are able to only access with a boat you may come across places like Shell Key.
- Shell Key offers a great place for primitive camping, fishing, and sunbathing. The beaches are stunning and the island offers an opportunity to observe the local wildlife.
Egmont Key
The Egmont Key Island is also a fairly primitive park and serves primarily as a wildlife refuge. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the pristine beaches, tour a lighthouse built in 1858, as well as other historic sites on the island. The island is a popular location for swimming, fishing and picnicking.
Bradenton Beach
Bradenton beach is one of the top ten beaches in Florida and is located on Anna Maria Island. When you are not sunbathing or picnicking on the beach, there are a variety of things to do. There are dozens of specialty shops and restaurants as well as art galleries to visit. You and your family will find bike rentals to tour the island, and kayaks or paddleboards for fun in the sun.
