Connect with nature as you cruise the Gulf of Mexico coastline and explore our beautiful mangrove-rimmed bayous. Our listings of local boat ramps, marinas, and services will help you set sail for aquatic adventures on our rivers, lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico.
ENJOY A WATER DAY, YOUR WAY
Our spectacular region of the Gulf of Mexico is inviting to boaters from all over the world. Its shallow-water and clarity are ideal for fishing, scalloping, snorkeling or just exploring. Great for skinny water fishing, Hernando County’s Gulf region boasts water depths best-suited for shallow draft vessels. Offshore, healthy seagrass beds are habitat to a biodiverse array of marine life including fish, sea turtles, invertebrates and, everyone’s favorite bivalves between July and September: scallops.
Launch your own vessel, arrange a rental from local marinas, or charter a trip with a local guide. Book an eco-tour or sunset cruise. Interested in doing extensive boating without ownership? Consider a membership to Freedom Boat Club in Hernando Beach.
Available for larger sized power boats are public boat ramps at Hernando Beach and Bayport Park. Both feature poured multi-lane concrete ramps rated in good to excellent condition with adjacent boat trailer parking. Gulf-access boat ramps suited for smaller vessels are located at Jenkins Creek and Rogers Park. Paddlers will enjoy dedicated launches at Bayport and Linda Pederson Park.
FLOAT YOUR CARES AWAY ON THE HERNANDO BEACH FLATS
Bath-like warm waters near small, rocky barrier islands are a gathering hotspot for social boaters. Known informally as The Hernando Beach Flats, most summer days find the waist-deep waters filled with a mix of anchored or rafted up boats, many of which are pontoons, surrounded by inner tubes, floats and umbrellas.
While there is no actual beach in Hernando Beach, the sandy bottom and warm, clear, shallow waters of the sprawling nearby Flats are a great choice for summer blue sky days or as a front-row seat to spectacular sunsets.
There are plenty of sights to see as you cruise along the saltmarsh shoreline or follow the channel to favored fishing spots offshore. While gazing out over the vast open water, watch for dolphins as they leap gracefully along their way. Watch the shoreline and treetops for wildlife and possible sightings of bald eagles, manatees, river otters, a variety of shorebirds, and more.
MARINAS, BOAT RAMPS AND CHARTERS
find where to go boating
BEST PRACTICES FOR BOATERS
PROTECT OUR WILDLIFE & WATERWAYS
• Manatee slow speed zones are in effect between October 1 and April 30 each year. Manatees have a low metabolic rate, which forces them to find warmer waters to survive in the Winter, such as the Weeki Wachee River. Unfortunately, this makes manatees more vulnerable to boat collisions and human interactions. You can help protect Manatees by being aware of speed zones, shallow areas and always giving Manatees space.
• Be ‘Seagrass Safe‘ and avoid motorboating in shallow areas. Become familiar with local nautical and tide charts to avoid the shallow, seagrass areas. When under power, utilize navigational channels and deeper water. Be aware of shallow area markers and keep a lookout on the water. When operating in seagrass meadows, trim up the boat motor and idle to deeper waters. If you do run aground, stop the engine and push the boat to deeper water.
• Use oil absorbent pads to clean up any oil leaks or spills. These absorbent pads can be purchased at most boating stores and easily kept on board to prevent and contain spills. Never use household detergents, as they may harm sea life and you can incur large fines. To learn more, visit: https://gulfseagrant.org/oilspilloutreach/
• Dispose of boat sewage using a pumpout. To find a public pumpout you can download the Pumpout Nav app on Google Play or in the app store.
For more information about this and other coastal topics, contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hernando County at (352) 754-4433.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
• Boaters using the Hernando Beach Channel can rely on a controlled depth of six feet but must be mindful of low tide and rocky obstacles. Near the coastline around Hernando Beach and Bayport channels, water is roughly two-to-three feet deep and four-to-six feet a couple of miles offshore. Beyond the channel entrance, the Gulf is approximately six-to-eight feet deep, dropping about one foot for every mile of distance.
• Boaters, both new and experienced, have access to valuable training locally. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 15-8, in Hernando Beach offers courses for many types of boaters, boats, age groups, and scenarios.
• It is vital to have basic training and learn local navigational routes and challenges. When renting, be sure you understand the area signage and no-wake zones. Preparation, planning, and a boat driver’s skill review will assure a wonderful adventure and tired-but-happy smiles on everyone’s faces upon return. Learn more about local navigational markers, important phone numbers and required boating safety equipment.
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