GoBoatingFlorida

10/16/2026

Boat show season is fast approaching! Before you find the boat you can’t leave without, take some time to understand your financing options.

This guide from Boating Magazine can help you arrive informed and ready to shop.

From home equity to credit unions, there are a number of ways to secure a boat loan. Find out which financing option suits your boat buying needs best.

10/15/2026

Start them young, and they’ll be hooked for life.

Melbourne, Florida circa 1956

Original photo: State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. Digitally restored and colorized.

10/13/2026

One month to go!

The 54th Annual Fort Myers Boat Show returns to downtown Fort Myers November 12–15! Explore boats of all types and sizes, marine accessories, fishing and boating seminars, food, live entertainment, and much more; all in the heart of the River District.

Take a closer look at all the new makes and models in boats, personal watercraft, and more. Come see us at the Fort Myers Boat Show anytime between November 12th - 15th, 2026.

10/12/2026

Put your support for Florida’s boating community on display!

Reserve your Boating Capital of the World specialty license plate voucher and help create new opportunities for Florida’s youth. Proceeds directly support maritime education, job training, career pathways and environmental education across the state.

Florida needs 3,000 voucher reservations to put this plate into production. Reserve yours today for $35 and help the next generation build a future on the water.

Support How you can help! Support Florida’s vibrant maritime culture and Steering Toward Success with the new Boating Capital of the World license plate, now available for pre-sale through Captain Sandy Charities. Every donation counts! All proceeds support inspiring programs that introduce Florid...

10/09/2026

Safer boating starts before you leave the dock.

The new BEACON Boat Safety app helps boat owners create a digital vessel profile, keep important documents organized, track onboard safety equipment, and monitor expiration dates—all in one place.

Before your next day on Florida’s waterways, learn how this new tool can help you stay organized and prepared.

A new boating app, BEACON Boat Safety, helps boaters stay organized and keep track of safety gear and more.

10/08/2026

Meet Walker's Marine Sales and Service of Cape Coral, a proud member of the Go Boating Florida Marine Experts Network!

With locations throughout Southwest Florida, Walker’s Marine is your gateway to the water. Explore a curated selection of new and pre-owned boats, pontoons, and yachts, backed by knowledgeable guidance, flexible financing, marine insurance, and factory-certified service. Whether you’re buying, selling, trading, or maintaining your boat, Walker’s Marine offers the expertise and full-service support you need to enjoy life on the water.

Shop new and used boats at Walkers Marine. Browse inventory, service, and financing options.

10/07/2026

Congratulations to Edison Sailing Center, the Marine Industries Association of Southwest Florida’s 2026 Member of the Year!

For more than 50 years, Edison Sailing Center has introduced thousands of young people to sailing, seamanship, responsible boating and the importance of protecting our local waters.

We’re proud to recognize their lasting impact on Southwest Florida’s youth, boating community and marine environment, and grateful for their commitment to inspiring the next generation of boaters.

10/05/2026

Better by Boat: Did You Know?

Stretching for eight miles between Naples and Marco Island, Keewaydin Island is one of Southwest Florida’s largest unbridged barrier islands—and the only way to reach it is by boat.

Known locally as Key Island, Keewaydin offers visitors a glimpse of Florida’s natural coastline. Its Gulf-facing beaches are popular for swimming, shelling and relaxing, while the protected waters along its eastern shore invite boaters to explore a landscape of mangroves and quiet bays.

The island is also an important wildlife sanctuary. Loggerhead sea turtles nest along its sandy shoreline, and least terns and other shorebirds depend on portions of the island for protected nesting habitat. Seasonal closures help give these animals the space they need to raise their young.

With no roads or bridges connecting it to the mainland, every visit to Keewaydin begins with a journey across the water. Boaters can help preserve this special destination by observing posted nesting areas, packing out everything they bring, and leaving the island as beautiful as they found it.

10/02/2026

Last night, Go Boating Florida joined the Marine Industries Association of Southwest Florida for its Annual Dinner Meeting at the Caloosa Convention Center in Fort Myers!

It was an evening filled with marine industry and legislative updates, previews of upcoming Go Boating Florida boat shows, and plenty of time to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.

A special congratulations to the 2026 MIASWF Scholarship Award winners! Your hard work and passion represent a bright future for Southwest Florida’s marine community.

Thank you to MIASWF for bringing our boating community together for such a memorable evening. We’re proud to support an industry that means so much to Southwest Florida’s economy, lifestyle, and waterways!

10/01/2026

A day on the water aboard the Boby, out of Fort Myers, Florida; a timeless scene that reflects Southwest Florida’s deep connection to fishing, boating, and life along the coast.

Original photo: State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory (C033650). Digitally restored and colorized.