BY AIR
Sarasota-Bradenton International (SRQ) (51 miles)
Southwest Florida International (RSW) (Fort Myers) (68 miles)
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International (PIE) (92 miles)
Tampa International (TPA) (100 miles)
Orlando International (MCO) (166 miles)
There are also small airports in Venice (45 minutes) and Punta Gorda (PGD) (29 miles – 50 minutes). Allegiant and Frontier fly into PGD. An Uber from Eldred’s Marina to PGD is approximately $60.
You can either rent a car (recommended for lower cost) or hire ground transportation to get to the Marina near LGI. Ground transportation from Fort Myers (RSW) airport is $139 one way (dated Dec 2020) by Palm-Air Transportation. Call Blue Sky Airport Limo Service at 1-800-637-6358. AAA Taxi by Roland connecting to all airports including Orlando and Miami at 1-941-451-3990. An Uber from Eldred’s Marina to RSW is approximately $100 (Call Trish at (941) 320-8636). Shoreline Airport Transportation and d’Elegance Driver Services also services the area.
BY ROAD
FROM THE NORTH ON I-75: Take exit #191 (old #34) marked River Road/Manatee Community College/Englewood. Proceed West 6 miles to US 41. At traffic light proceed STRAIGHT ACROSS US 41. Go 6.3 miles to the next traffic light @ Pine Street. TURN LEFT at Pine Street and proceed to the traffic light @ Pine Street and SR776. Proceed ACROSS this intersection on to SR775 (Placida Road). Continue on SR775 (Placida Road – 9 miles to Boca Grande). Two miles before reaching Boca Grade, stop at PUBLIX supermarket for your shopping. Then continue along Placida Road and follow signs to Boca Grande Causeway and turn right on this Causeway. Go 1/4 mile and turn right into Eldred’s Marina. Park your car anywhere in the lot after unloading luggage near docks. There is a $8 per day parking fee.
FROM THE SOUTH ON I-75: Take exit #170 marked Port Charlotte/Kings Highway. Make a left at the exit ramp on to Kings Highway. Go a short distance to the first traffic light then make a right on to Veterans Blvd. After about 7 miles, you will see many stores and Hwy 41 intersection. Proceed across this intersection heading straight on to SR776. After another 6 miles, you will go over a bridge. Go another 2 miles to a traffic light and go left (South) on SR771. Stop at the PUBLIX grocery store to call boat taxi, check-in crew and complete your shopping. Continue on SR771 another 7 miles where you will go over a small bridge and around a “hair-pin” turn. At the next light, take a left on to Boca Grande Causeway. Go 1/4 mile and turn right into Eldred’s Marina. Park your car anywhere in the lot after unloading luggage near docks. There is a $6 per day parking fee.
BY BOAT
There is a shared boat dock just 2-3 minutes walking distance from our house. We have one space available for our renters – dock #78 or #79 and we will provide you with the yellow parking metal plate to display on your boat so that it is not towed away. No boat larger than 24 feet can be accommodated.
If you are bringing your own boat, there are many options to launch it. We recommend Eldred’s Marina. Eldred’s is close to LGI and Publix. They only charge $8.00 to use the boat ramp and your car and trailer can be parked there overnight. There is a free public boat ramp next door to Eldred’s but the free public boat ramp charges for parking. Be advised that Eldred’s takes a dim view of someone using the free public boat ramp and then parking at their marina. Other local marinas offer boat ramps and parking.
PARKING
Suggest that you park at Eldred’s Marina where you can also hop on the water taxi. Eldred’s is a small mom and pop marina that mainly sells bait while also providing a boat ramp and parking for cars and trailers. Pay for your parking upon your arrival. They charge $8.00 per day (plus 7% tax) to park your car either with or without a trailer ($10 with trailer). If you have your own boat, Eldred charges a $8.00 launch fee which includes the first day of parking.
WATER TAXI – GETTING ACROSS TO THE ISLAND
Crossing the mainland to the island takes 4-5 minutes. There is a water taxi that services the island; it runs every day during daylight hours but will run later with a reservation. It is best to contact the operator well in advance (two weeks) especially over public holidays or if you need to travel very early, after dark. Average cost for the water taxi is $10.00 cash per person but be sure to verify this as prices sometimes change depending on the time of day you need to cross the bay…after dark costs extra. There is also a minimum trip charge of $20. PLEASE try to arrive before dark! Dock #75 is where you want to alight. Phone: (941-697-5777)
FROM DOCK #75 TO THE HOUSE (Currently dock 78/79 while construction is taking place on dock 75)
The house is a leisurely 3 min walk from the dock. Check-in is any time after 3 pm. If you have rented a golf cart, we will endeavor to have it waiting at the dock for your arrival (if you give us your estimated time of arrival). If you have not rented a golf cart, it may be possible for us to meet you at the dock and help transport your belongings – just let us know in advance. The beach is an easy 2 min walk from the house (or 3 min walk from dock).