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Gulf Coast Sailing Club

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HomeCruising Overview
Gulf Coast Sailing Club

Cruising Program

Cruising with GCSC is about getting out on the water and enjoying it with friends.  We do four cruises a season, January through May, from a resort marina on Fort Myers Beach to an anchorage in the 10,000 Islands to a flotilla to the Dry Tortugas, Key West and Marathon, and they're open to sail and power boaters and to members of the other southwest Florida sailing clubs.

104days to Pink Shell
4Cruises on the schedule
19Nights on the water
1Cruise Director needed
Cruise Director wantedCayo Costa still needs a Cruise Director or it's at risk of not happening.  We'll be happy to sit with anyone and show them how it's been done in the past.
Not a boater?Some of the cruises have a land side component, like Pink Shell, Key West and Marathon.  If you want to help organize, there are definitely options to help plan.
Got a destination?If there is a place you'd like to see the club go where you have some experience, let us know and we can plan and organize the cruise.
2027 Cruise CalendarTap a cruise to register or email us about it
Next up: Pink Shell · Friday, Jan 15 · in 104 days

The cruising program

Good friends, great places, fun on the water

Every cruise comes down to the same thing, getting out on the water with fellow sailors and enjoying it together.  We anchor off beaches and raft up, have sundowners and bonfires on the beach, and there's usually a dinner or a party along the way.  Cruises are open to sail and power boaters and to members of the other southwest Florida clubs, and many of the events can be reached by car.

Ask about cruising
Cruisers on the beach at Panther Key GCSC cruisers together Dinghy ride Sunset at anchor

2027 Cruises

Four cruises, January through May
Pink Shell Resort and marina

Pink Shell

Pink Shell Resort & Marina · Fort Myers Beach

Cruise up to the Pink Shell Resort and enjoy all of the resort amenities, or drive up and join us for the Saturday dinner with live music.  Each boat gets access to the resort including their amazing pool, beach access and beach chairs, and the dock fees include breakfast for everyone on your boat and a dedicated bathroom and shower facility for marina guests.

  • FridayCruise up to Pink Shell
  • SaturdayBeach, pool and resort, cocktail party on one of the boats, dinner with live music
  • SundayLandside lunch on Fort Myers Beach, everyone is welcome!
  • MondayCruise back home or extend your voyage
  • Resort marina
  • Pool & beach
  • Breakfast with dock fees
  • Drive-up dinner
  • Land side option
  • Cruise Director: Bob Andreini
Fri–Mon, Jan 15–18, 2027RegisterPink Shell Resort
A club boat at anchor off Panther KeyBonfire on the beach at Panther Key

Panther Key

10,000 Islands · 25 nm south of Marco Island

Panther Key is a small, uninhabited island with a sandy beach about 25 nm south of Marco, and it's one of the club's most popular cruises.  Many cruisers sail to Marco the day before and stay overnight, then head down together on Saturday.  It's anchor out, beach time and a bonfire, and it's ALWAYS a fun weekend!

  • FridaySail to Marco and stay overnight at a marina or on anchor
  • SaturdayCruise to Panther Key, dinghy over to visit friends or join others on the beach
  • SundayBeach party, then sundowners and a bonfire on the beach
  • MondayReturn home or continue on
  • Anchor out
  • Uninhabited island
  • Overnight on Marco
  • Beach party & bonfire
  • Cruise Director: Peter Russo
Fri–Mon, Feb 19–22, 2027RegisterEmail us
Cayo Costa from the airCruise Director needed

Cayo Costa

Pelican Bay · Cayo Costa State Park

Cayo Costa is one of the largest undeveloped barrier islands in Florida, just south of Boca Grande and north of North Captiva.  We rally in Fort Myers Beach for a shoreside dinner on the water, then head up the ICW or go outside to anchor in Pelican Bay.

Entry into Cayo Costa isn't difficult but it takes some preparation, so skippers who sign up get the notes from those who have done it before.

  • FridayRally in Fort Myers Beach, shoreside dinner on the water
  • SaturdayICW or outside to anchor in Pelican Bay
  • SundayPicnic lunch on the beach
  • MondayReturn home or continue on
  • Rally dinner
  • Anchor out
  • State park island
  • Beach picnic
Fri–Mon, Apr 9–12, 2027Volunteer to lead it
Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas
Dry Tortugas
The Marquesas Keys from above
Marquesas
Key West Bight Marina
Key West
Marlin Bay Marina, Marathon
Marathon
Save the dates

Dry Tortugas, Key West & Marathon

Florida Keys flotilla · May 21 to 31, 2027

This is our big trip of the season and this year it goes farther.  We sail overnight to the Dry Tortugas, then work our way back east through the Marquesas, Key West and Marathon.  Join us for the whole trip or pick the segments that work for you.  If you're only joining us in Key West or Marathon, you'll get there on your own schedule, by boat or by car.

  • Dry TortugasMay 21–24Leave Friday evening for the overnight passage, then 2 nights on anchor off Fort Jefferson
  • MarquesasMay 24–262 nights on anchor
  • Key WestMay 26–282 nights at the Key West Bight Marina
  • MarathonMay 28–313 nights at Marlin Bay Marina, then head home on Memorial Day

Save the dates now, they're to be confirmed with the marinas.  If you're interested, please email us as soon as possible and let us know which segments you'd like to join, so we can get a count of how many slips to reserve in Key West and Marathon.  Please don't call the marinas directly, we're reserving the slips for the group.

  • Overnight passage
  • Anchor out
  • Marina nights
  • Join any segment
  • Cruise Director: Bob Andreini
Fri, May 21 to Mon, May 31, 2027Email your interestMarlin Bay Marina

Lead a Cruise

Be a Cruise DirectorFor the cruisers in the club, this is an opportunity to help with the club and organize very fun events you are likely to participate in anyway!  We have lots of documentation and processes for organizing and running each one and We'll be happy to sit with anyone and show them how it's been done in the past.
Help planThis is a great way to meet people and get involved in the club.  If you are not a boater but want to help organize, there are definitely options to help plan, especially for the cruises with a land side component.

Questions about cruising?  Email cruising@gulfcoastsailingclub.org.  Keep Sailing Fun!