Lovers Key

Mbart · 12-17-2009, 11:12 AM

Heading down to Ft. Myers tomorrow with a couple of skis. Weather isn't looking so good and will only be down until Christmas. I have rode in the gulf and river and would like to try Lovers Key after seeing some of your guys pictures. Any advice? Would I be better off launching further north (as in Sanibel) and riding down or trailering to the key? Is the water cold (keep in mind its 25 outside here)? I doubt I will get much riding in this trip but would at least like to get acquainted with the area. Will likely be back down in a month or so.

seats · 12-17-2009, 04:08 PM

Lovers Key has a large, newer, FREE launch with plenty of parking, and it's just south of the Lovers Key Resort (which is on the pass that connects Lovers Key to the city of Ft. Myers Beach).
In the summer, the backwaters can be fun....but as of I think November 1st it's Manatee season (and I don't mean hunting), and the speed limits are WAY down, and the water cops are constantly looking to ticket people and slow the water traffic down to a crawl. In other words, IMO, the backwaters there are a whole lot more fun in the summer.

When you launch, head out in the back bay and head north about maybe a mile-ish toward the large building that says "Lovers Key Resort" on top (can't miss it). They have a nice reasonably priced restaurant and bar right on the water where you can just beach the skis right there. Lots of dolphin activity. It's cool. I stop there for iced tea quite a bit when testing skis. Just don't use the pool. They frown on that.
Anyway, right after the resort you'll see the pass on the left going out to the gulf. South you head past the preserve, and down toward Naples. About 15 minutes into the ride, you'll see on the beach a jet ski / watersport rental area. Beach (or anchor) just a few steps north of where you see the the skis, and that is a beach bar/restaurant called Doc's Beach House. Awesome pizza. Best in town. Immediately south of that is the public beach Bonita Beach, then south of that is Barefoot Beach (ranked the #1 beach in the country in 2006 I think).
Continue south about 20-25 minutes and while you ride you can view all the mansions. The closer you get to Naples, the larger the mansions get. It's cool if you're into that kind of thing. As you get down into Naples, you'll see the Ritz Carlton hotel. Anchor the skis just north of there before all the rental crap, and stop for a drink at their beach side bar. They've got the best sand beach (or beach sand) in town. By far. Worth the stop. And you may see a celebrity or two. Plenty live in the connected neighborhood there.

If you head north out of the pass toward Ft. Myers Beach, it's about a SOLID 25 minute ride up to where everyone hangs out, just before the pier. Stay away from the marked swim area (they are strict about that). Anyway, the green hotel with all the music is the Lani Kai.
Lani Kai = Saddam and Gammora (but not so much during the day). Right next door to the north of the Lani Kai is a beachfront bar/restaurant with about 3 different areas of seating. Food is good but portions are small. If I were you, I'd anchor the skis by the Lani Kai, then walk up the beach to the pier, then right behind a bar called Top o Mast there are plenty of good, cheap little places to eat, etc.
Sanibel is just north and west of the pier at Ft. Myers Beach. That's a tricky area, due to manatee zones, water cops, and the fuel you'll need. Decide for yourself, but keep in mind the really nice beach areas on Sanibel and Captiva are on the west side. It's absolutely beautiful, but....if you're not from around here it might be a little difficult riding around without getting hassled this time of year and not running low or out of fuel. However, there is incredible dolphin activity east of Sanibel, which for me is worth the trip EVERY time. It's not uncommon to see them jump 6-7 feet out of the water consistantly out by Picinic Island (just a few minutes east of Sanibel), which, if you're into that kind of thing (like I am), is just about the coolest thing I can think of out in nature.

Hope that helps some.

seats · 12-17-2009, 04:22 PM

To you, the water will seem warm.
I'm still riding a couple times a week, with a shorty. It's not bad. Today was cold, but if it's close to 80 or more, you'll be fine. If I ride a couch out, I throw a thin sweatshirt in the storage just for when I stop. It's chilly, not horrible.

I forgot ONE thing: when you head south from the pass, Lovers Key state park in on your left. You'll be able to tell. You'll see a couple white marker bouys that are WAY TOO far apart, but make sure you note where they are and say at least a bit out from them. It can get pretty shallow at low tide around that area, with lots of trees and branches and crap......(also, look for sharks in that area. I see them quite a bit when I'm out there wave jumping in the shallows by the point).

LisaLisa · 12-17-2009, 06:09 PM

I totally agree with Seats....all I can add is you will LOVE riding in that area, and Lovers Key is tip top fun...especially with pwc.

Enjoy!
LP

Boris · 12-17-2009, 06:15 PM

What skis will you be riding ?

The mangrove trails are a blast even with the swimming cow zones. You just have to look out for po-po.

seats · 12-17-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boris

What skis will you be riding ?

The mangrove trails are a blast even with the swimming cow zones. You just have to look out for po-po.

Yeah, Boris, your right; I think if he rides during the week, and especially if the weather is bad (windy, cloudy, raining a little or something). you can scream through there and the po-po aren't around much if at all.

Weekends are a different story.

But it is a little tough to explain the mangrove trails if you've never ridden them before or arent from around here.
Tool around back there a little...then only go where you feel comfortable.
I LOVE trail riding myself. It's a blast.

Boris · 12-17-2009, 06:48 PM

It's a blast indeed and I plan on doing it all day Sunday.

I hear the race track calling my name.

Spim · 12-18-2009, 02:37 AM

i don't recommend messing around the mangrove trails any where near low tide or alone. It can be VERY shallow. Not worth the risk of getting stuck in the mud

Mbart · 12-18-2009, 10:50 AM

Seats, thanks for the great write up! It's a big help. Thank you Lisa, I love riding down there, big change from the mud lakes around here. Boris - I am bringing a couple of blue Hondas. I want to bring a standup this time around but I am not set up to squeeze one on this trailer. I have launched at Punta Rassa and rode around Sanibel / Ft. Myers Beach. Beached on Sanibel, wasn't sure if I was allowed to on Ft Myers so I didn't. How do you tell where you can pull a boat up? I have also launched in CC and played around on the river. Everytime I have ridden down there I have done so conservatively because I have had no idea where I could/should be. I didn't want to be the tool breaking all the rules. Still trying to learn the area, much more confident now. It's pretty intimidating at first, at least for someone who spends all his time on lakes. I would like to at least figure out where to launch at Lovers Key and get to know the area by water a little bit. Doubt I will explore to much without having someone with me that knows the area. I wanted to run down sometime when they were having a ride there but have not been able to make it yet.

Boris · 12-18-2009, 05:37 PM

You can beach skis on FT Myers but idle in from 500 yards out.

Summer high tides will allow your Hondas through just about all the trails and rivers no problem. Some local knowledge is helpful for sure but not mandatory. Just stick to marked waterways and watch out for speed zones. You could always pick up a chart at any fish head store.

The boat ramp at Lovers Key State Park is a good one. If the gulf is calm you can be at FT Myers beach in less than 1/2 hour, Sanibel takes about an hour cruising.
If the gulf is too rough, you can keep to the inter-coastal waterways and head north to FT Myers beach or south all the way to Wiggins pass. 25MPH in marked channels, idle speed outside the markers is the general rule with a few clearly marked exceptions.

This front might bring in a bit of surf so the inlets should be fun.