Planning only
Bridge clearance, tide predictions, wind, waves, load, and instrument error can all change real-world clearance. Verify before navigating.
Bridges, Tides & Local Waterways
Plan Marco Island bridge clearances around the tide.
Match your route to Marco Island's bridges, compare listed openings, and use nearby NOAA tide predictions to estimate when your boat may have enough clearance.
Bridge Clearance Planner
Estimate clearance and find the bridge on the map.
Use the numbered markers to identify the bridge, then click a marker or list row to load that bridge into the clearance estimator. Markers are plotted from bridge latitude/longitude reference data where available.
Estimated clearance
Select a bridge and time
The estimate will adjust the brochure clearance using the nearest NOAA tide prediction.
Bridge Map
Match the map number to the bridge clearance tool above.
Click a marker or list row to load that bridge into the estimator above. Verify bridge identity, route, and clearance before navigating.
Know your true air draft
Measure to the boat's highest fixed point as loaded, including antennas, towers, outriggers, lights, and anything that cannot be lowered.
Boating Conditions
Check tides, daylight, weather, and fishing notes.
Use this planning snapshot alongside the bridge tool. Tide, wind, weather, daylight, and local water conditions can change quickly and should be verified before departure.
Loading daylight times for Marco Island.
Loading temperature and sky conditions.
Loading wind and marine conditions.
Loading a practical tide and weather read.
The lowest bridge sets the route.
A route can cross several bridges. Plan around the most restrictive opening—not simply the bridge closest to your starting point.
Before You Leave
Work from boat height, bridge opening, and tide window.
Measure the boat as it will travel
Use the highest point above the waterline with normal fuel, passengers, gear, antennas, and canvas accounted for.
Identify every bridge on the route
Use the numbered map and bridge list to find each opening between your starting point and destination.
Leave a conservative safety margin
Published dimensions and tide predictions are not guarantees. Allow for wakes, waves, load, wind, and measurement error.
Island Map
Visualize the boating side of Marco Island.
Use these maps as broad orientation points, then verify the exact route, bridge identity, tide, water depth, and current navigation conditions.
Waterways
Canals, bays, and Gulf access
Your starting waterway affects bridge exposure, no-wake travel, route complexity, water depth, and access to the Gulf.
Tide Reference
NOAA tide station areas
The clearance estimator uses Big Marco River station 8724991 for north-side routes and Caxambas Pass station 8724967 for sound-side routes.
Quick Planning Sequence
Bridge first, tide second, conditions last.
Find every bridge on the route, compare your air draft with the listed opening, choose a tide window, then recheck weather and water conditions before departure.
Boating Questions
Ask about a bridge, tide window, or Marco Island route.
Share the boat's approximate air draft, the bridge or waterway, and the date and time you are considering. We will point you toward the most useful next check.
Marco Island & Southwest Florida
Published bridge openings, tide predictions, map positions, weather, route notes, water depth, and local restrictions can be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Confirm anything important with NOAA, the U.S. Coast Guard, local authorities, current charts and notices, and qualified marine professionals before navigating.