Southwest Florida has great cruising grounds. There are a myriad of ports of call within a day's sail from Venice. It is a great jumping off point to go either North or South. Because most of our fleet is moored near the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), there is easy access to the Gulf or protected passage via the ICW. What better place is there for cruising!
We have experienced cruisers who ply the waters on the Southwest Coast of Florida, venture up the East Coast to Maine, West Coast to Seattle and beyond, and cruise the Bahamas and the Caribbean Islands These folks have become very experienced and provide a wealth of knowledge to our members and other cruisers.
We typically schedule about seven cruises annually to ports of call on the Southwest Coast which last 2 - 10+ days. Sometimes our destinations are jumping off points to longer cruises for those that are planning on staying out longer. There are some nice islands and marinas where we enjoy the outdoors and camaraderie of our fellow sailors. Over the last two seasons we have organized cruises to The Bahamas and Bareboat cruises in the Caribbean
Planned Cruising Activities for 2024-2025!
The cruises we have planned so far for this season are of different levels to allow participation of the members without boats, members with boats but looking for shorter local cruises and members with boats looking for longer term cruises and a taste of the cruising life:
Mon Oct 28, 2024 to Nov 5,2024- Gulfport, Bradenton and Hart's Landing via Egmont Key and Bradenton Pier Anna Maria Island. The "CruiseMaster" for this event is Brian Taylor. Event was cancelled due to damages sustained from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Fri Nov 15, 2024 - Sunset Sail and "Docktails" at Harbor Lights. This event is open to the general membership and a sign-up sheet will be available at the October VSS Meeting. "Cruise Master" is Peter Tack (Destiny). Available spaces will be determined by how many boats participate.
Fri Feb 7, 2025 - Sunset Sail and "Docktails" at Harbor Lights. This event is open to the general membership and a sign-up sheet will be available at the January VSS Meeting. "Cruise Masters" are Kama & Jerry Sanchy (Luna Bella). Available spaces will be determined by how many boats participate.
Mon Feb 24, 2025 to Mon Mar 3, 2025 - Bareboat cruise in St Martin. We have a 50' Leopard Catamaran lease for a week and all berths are taken currently. Leaving from Fort Louis we hope to sail to St Barthelemy and Anguilla depending on wind and weather. The "Cruise Master" is Peter Tack.
Mon March 10, 2025 to Wed May 14, 2025 - Cruise to Andros/ Exumas/ Berry Islands & Bimini, Bahamas via Marathon. Destiny will lead this cruise and the "Cruise Master" is Peter Tack. The duration is set by The Bahamas Cruising Permit of 90 days, but other VSS/VYC boats are welcome to join for shorter periods. On return to "No Name" harbor in Cape Florida we plan visit the Florida Keys to explore the reefs in the Hawk Channel and return to Marathon & Key West. Weather permitting our final stop before returning to Venice will be Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas Fellow Cruisers with their own boats can do the whole trip or just meet us in the Keys for that segment of the cruise!
Fri May 16, 2025- Sunset Sail and Docktails at Harbor Lights This event is open to the general membership and a sign-up sheet will be available at the May VSS Change of Watch. Cruise Master is Peter Tack. Available spaces will be determined by how many boats participate.
All dates and destinations are dependent on weather conditions so maybe adjusted by the Cruise Master as required!
If you would like more information, please our Fleet Captain Cruising, Peter Tack at cruising@venicesailingsquadron.org. We look forward to seeing you in the near future.
List of Preferred Marinas, Yacht Clubs, and Anchorages - North to South
Click here
CRUISE REPORTS:
All cruise reports are available under the "Documents/Cruising Tab" which can be accessed from the home page.