Sailboat and Big Boat Navigation on Charlotte Harbor
Often mariners interested in owning a home in the Punta Gorda – Port Charlotte area ask me about navigation on Charlotte Harbor. At first glance many think the waters are very shallow and navigation is tricky. Charlotte Harbor does have plenty of shallow waters less than 5 feet however when it comes to navigation you can rest easy once you know a few basic areas to avoid.
Using Fisherman’s Village as a point of reference of take off, I will take you through the harbor and into Boca Grande Pass and point out a few things to be aware of. Starting from Marker G3A, (a green day marker) you have 7-8 feet of water on most tides. This marker is at the outside entrance to the channel leading to Fisherman’s Village. Perhaps more important to you, if you are considering Punta Gorda Isles as your neighborhood you can exit into the Peace River, and once outside the canals generally you have 6-10 feet depending on tide.
From either of these two locations you will have 7-15 feet of water in most places if your heading is towards Red #2 which is northwest. You really don’t have to cut really close to the markers as there is plenty of water around it and most markers for that matter. Different then the Caribbean or the keys where if you get outside a few meters away from the marker you hit coral, here there is plenty of room with no underwater obstructions.
From Marker 2 go basically West SW towards Green day marker 1, located at the mouth of the Peace River. Both markers 1 and 2 are flashing 4 second markers for night time navigation.
At this point I will mention that night time navigation on the harbor is only for someone experienced with it during the day time. Surprisingly there are a number of public fishing reefs and other obstacles quite visible during the day (and with day markers) however at night there is no evidence they are there. I have never understood this but caution is advised until you have done it during the day. A few times around the harbor and then you will have waypoints for the various locations to use extra caution under low light situations.
For a point of reference to many public reefs and general navigation, click on this link which will take you to a free electronic chart: http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/11426.shtml
I do recommend you never go into unfamiliar waters without first studying a paper chart and of course, have it aboard. Chart Plotters are nice but a chart can save you if your plotter goes down and gives you a bigger picture all at one time.
So back to navigation for the sailor or for that fact, any mariner. From Marker 1 at the entrance to the Peace River take a heading towards Marker 5. Marker 5 is the MOST IMPORTANT navigational aid on the harbor. It is located off of Cape Haze Point which has an under water bar that goes for a long way from the obvious land point. Green Marker 5 is at the southeast tip of the bar and your goal is to stay on the southeast side of it. Shallow draft boats will have no problem going on the inside in many places from Marker 5 to the actual land point (there are a few places to avoid on the bar especially on low tides, so shallow water explorers use caution). Outside of Marker 5 is 10-11 feet and anywhere between Red Marker 6 and Green Marker 5 is plenty of water for the sail boater or large power craft.
Once you round the corner at number 5 you can take a general westerly heading straight to Boca Grande Pass. There is plenty of water depth in the middle of the harbor. I would caution you to stay well away from the north end of Bokeelia Island (the north end of Pine Island is known as Bokeelia). There is Jug Creek Shoals which is a tow boats dream! Totally covered on high tide with no markers. If you set your heading to Red Marker 4 you will be in good shape.
In reality once you have gone around the harbor a few times, you will lost any fear of running aground and quickly realize there is lots of water for easy sailing. Charlotte Harbor has been recognized by Sailing Magazine as a top sailing destination and sailing regattas are a way of life here so hopefully that will put you at ease as well.
If you are accustomed to fresh water lakes that are very deep without any worries I hope this helps you feel a bit more at ease.
If you have any other questions on navigation, canal depths or water depths, check my website or call/email me.
