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Lake Okeechobee and the Okeechobee Waterway is your "shortcut" across Florida. Located in central
southern Florida, the 451,000 acre lake and 154 mile long Okeechobee waterway extends from the Atlantic
Ocean at Stuart Florida, to the Gulf of Mexico at Ft. Myers, Florida. The Okeechobee waterway runs through
Lake Okeechobee and is made up of two rivers, the Caloosahatchee River to the west of the lake and the St.
Lucie Canal east of the lake. The lake itself is 33 miles wide from north to south, and 30 miles wide from east
to west.
The US Army Corps of Engineers strives to maintain the lake between 12.5 and 15.5 feet. However, they can't
control the rain. Often the lake levels vary seasonally between elevations of 9 feet to as low 6 feet in the main
navigational routes.
A series of 5 locks helps boats through the 154 mile long waterway. The canal depth of the waterway is
approx. 8 feet, and the width of the canal varies from 80 to 100 feet. Many cruisers access the waterway from
the ICW through Ft Myers, shortening their trip to the east coast of Florida and bypassing the Florida Keys.
Pursuant to operating procedures, once Lake Okeechobee reaches 12.5 feet the Corps will begin
implementing lockage restrictions on the Okeechobee Waterway at the W.P. Franklin Lock (west) and the St.
Lucie Lock (east). This means the locks will be closed to all traffic.
As beautiful as it may be on a nice day, this little lake is no cake walk to cross for anyone sailing or with a draft
of 5' or more in anything other then perfect weather. We've sailed it when winds kicked up a 3' chop and our
keel came down and hit the sandy bottom on many more occasions then I care to remember. Visions of my
boat ripped to pieces with me and my crew wearing USCG approved PFDs in a pool of starving hungry
alligators flashed through my mind the entire time across.
Therefore, (seriously) anyone planning their Great Loop route using the Okeechobee Waterway, it is advisable
to stay in touch with the Army Corps of Engineers for lock status, lake levels, wind & weather. We have
furnished links below that provide current updates for this information.
southern Florida, the 451,000 acre lake and 154 mile long Okeechobee waterway extends from the Atlantic
Ocean at Stuart Florida, to the Gulf of Mexico at Ft. Myers, Florida. The Okeechobee waterway runs through
Lake Okeechobee and is made up of two rivers, the Caloosahatchee River to the west of the lake and the St.
Lucie Canal east of the lake. The lake itself is 33 miles wide from north to south, and 30 miles wide from east
to west.
The US Army Corps of Engineers strives to maintain the lake between 12.5 and 15.5 feet. However, they can't
control the rain. Often the lake levels vary seasonally between elevations of 9 feet to as low 6 feet in the main
navigational routes.
A series of 5 locks helps boats through the 154 mile long waterway. The canal depth of the waterway is
approx. 8 feet, and the width of the canal varies from 80 to 100 feet. Many cruisers access the waterway from
the ICW through Ft Myers, shortening their trip to the east coast of Florida and bypassing the Florida Keys.
Pursuant to operating procedures, once Lake Okeechobee reaches 12.5 feet the Corps will begin
implementing lockage restrictions on the Okeechobee Waterway at the W.P. Franklin Lock (west) and the St.
Lucie Lock (east). This means the locks will be closed to all traffic.
As beautiful as it may be on a nice day, this little lake is no cake walk to cross for anyone sailing or with a draft
of 5' or more in anything other then perfect weather. We've sailed it when winds kicked up a 3' chop and our
keel came down and hit the sandy bottom on many more occasions then I care to remember. Visions of my
boat ripped to pieces with me and my crew wearing USCG approved PFDs in a pool of starving hungry
alligators flashed through my mind the entire time across.
Therefore, (seriously) anyone planning their Great Loop route using the Okeechobee Waterway, it is advisable
to stay in touch with the Army Corps of Engineers for lock status, lake levels, wind & weather. We have
furnished links below that provide current updates for this information.
Full Service Marina
located at:
26° 32" 14' North
82° 00" 06' West
Where the Caloosahatchee River empties into the
Bay and Gulf of Mexico.
http://www.tarponpoint.com/locatiion.php
Cape Coral Marina - Florida Parks &
Recreation
Full Service Marina
In addition to the above, the Cape Coral Marine
Services Division manages the Chiquita Boat
Lock, and, Rosen Park, which includes a 20-slip
Marina for live-aboard vessels up to 40’ in length.
http://capecoral.net
For complete rules and regulations concerning
recreational boating in Florida visit the website of
the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission at:
http://www.myfwc.com
City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin
Mile Marker 135 on the Okeechobee Waterway,
15 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico, Fort
Myers Yacht Basin is a well designed and
protected.
It is owned and operated by the City of Fort
Myers. There is 10 feet of water in the approach
and 6 feet of water at the docks. Prices here are
more reasonable and competitive.
The Marina's water location is on the south side of
the Caloosahatchee River between the Edison
Bridges and the Caloosahatchee Bridge in
downtown Fort Myers. There is little or no current
in and around the marina.
http://www.cityftmyers.com
Roland Martin Marina
Mile 75.6 (about halfway point)
Okeechobee Lake
Latitude: N 26 45.450'
Longitude: W 080 55.130'
Clewiston, Florida
Full Service Marina
http://www.rolandmartinmarina.com/
Indiantown Marina
located on the St. Lucie Canal
which links Stuart to the East Coast ICW
Latitude: N 27 00.500'
Longitude: W 080 28.080'
Full Service
Mast Stepping
http://www.indiantownmarina.com/
located at:
26° 32" 14' North
82° 00" 06' West
Where the Caloosahatchee River empties into the
Bay and Gulf of Mexico.
http://www.tarponpoint.com/locatiion.php
Cape Coral Marina - Florida Parks &
Recreation
Full Service Marina
In addition to the above, the Cape Coral Marine
Services Division manages the Chiquita Boat
Lock, and, Rosen Park, which includes a 20-slip
Marina for live-aboard vessels up to 40’ in length.
http://capecoral.net
For complete rules and regulations concerning
recreational boating in Florida visit the website of
the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission at:
http://www.myfwc.com
City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin
Mile Marker 135 on the Okeechobee Waterway,
15 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico, Fort
Myers Yacht Basin is a well designed and
protected.
It is owned and operated by the City of Fort
Myers. There is 10 feet of water in the approach
and 6 feet of water at the docks. Prices here are
more reasonable and competitive.
The Marina's water location is on the south side of
the Caloosahatchee River between the Edison
Bridges and the Caloosahatchee Bridge in
downtown Fort Myers. There is little or no current
in and around the marina.
http://www.cityftmyers.com
Roland Martin Marina
Mile 75.6 (about halfway point)
Okeechobee Lake
Latitude: N 26 45.450'
Longitude: W 080 55.130'
Clewiston, Florida
Full Service Marina
http://www.rolandmartinmarina.com/
Indiantown Marina
located on the St. Lucie Canal
which links Stuart to the East Coast ICW
Latitude: N 27 00.500'
Longitude: W 080 28.080'
Full Service
Mast Stepping
http://www.indiantownmarina.com/
| Scotty's Tiki Bar at Roland Martin Marina offers some good food & drinks as well as a good evening of entertainment. It is as near the 1/2 way point across the It is located right on the water on Lake Okeechobee at Clewiston. You can dock right there. |
Franklin Lock to Ortona Lock - 27.9 miles
Ortona Lock to Moore Haven Lock - 15.5 miles
Moore Haven Lock to Port Mayaca Lock
Port Mayaca Lock to St. Lucie Lock - 23.7 miles
St' Lucie Lock to Atlantic Intracoastal - 15.1 miles
Ortona Lock to Moore Haven Lock - 15.5 miles
Moore Haven Lock to Port Mayaca Lock
Port Mayaca Lock to St. Lucie Lock - 23.7 miles
St' Lucie Lock to Atlantic Intracoastal - 15.1 miles
| The Lake Okeechobee Waterway |
It is 154 miles long and extends from the Gulf of Mexico at Ft. Myers, to the
Atlantic Ocean at Stuart Florida. It is (for obvious reasons above) where most
Great Loopers (including me) remain in our boats. LOL
Atlantic Ocean at Stuart Florida. It is (for obvious reasons above) where most
Great Loopers (including me) remain in our boats. LOL
| Marinas on the Okeechobee Waterway |
US Army Corps of Engineers
Lake Okeechobee water levels:
http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/reports/r-oke.txt
Water Levels & Navigation:
South Florida Water Management
Lake Okeechobee water levels:
http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/reports/r-oke.txt
Water Levels & Navigation:
South Florida Water Management
| There are many closed RR bridges across the waterway. Hail these on channel 9 to open. After hours openings require three or four hours there is one lift bridge which has a maximum opening of 49 ft which is the limiting height for masts. Notice: As with all things boats & boating, while we have "been there & done that" you should never take changing water levels and bridge heights. So Remember: With ever drop of rain that falls, your draft gets deeper, but your bridge clearance gets lower. Water levels: You can check for updated and current water levels at the US Army Corps of Engineers site below. |
| Bridges on the Okeechobee Waterway |
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| Capt John's America's Great Loop |
