
Boating and fishing are popular activities in Brevard County, Florida, which is home to a variety of boat ramps that provide access to the Indian River Lagoon, Banana River, and the ocean. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Port Canaveral's public boat ramps remained open, with officials recommending social distancing for boaters. Brevard County offers a range of boat ramp facilities, from those with multiple launching lanes and ample parking to smaller, more primitive ramps suitable for kayaks, canoes, and small boats.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Date | March 20, 2020 |
Location | Brevard County, Florida |
Boat Ramps Status | Open |
Boat Ramps Location | Port Canaveral |
Social Distancing | Recommended |
Trailer Parking | Available at no charge at Rodney S. Ketcham Park and Freddie Patrick Park |
Marinas in Port Canaveral | 4 |
Additional Marinas | 2 along the Barge Canal |
What You'll Learn
Port Canaveral's public boat ramps were open in March 2020
Port Canaveral's public boat ramps were open to the public in March 2020. However, port officials recommended that boaters exercise social distancing when at the boat ramps. For those who trailer their vessels, public ramps were available free of charge at Rodney S. Ketcham Park and Freddie Patrick Park.
Rodney S. Ketcham Park offers two launching lanes, courtesy docks, 28 paved boat trailer parking spaces, picnic pavilions, shoreline fishing, and restrooms. It is approximately a 3.5-mile journey from the park to the open Atlantic waters.
Freddie Patrick Park offers eight launching lanes, 138 paved trailer parking spaces, courtesy docks, two small pavilions, a washdown area for boats, shoreline fishing, fish cleaning stations, and restrooms.
In addition to these two parks, there are four marinas located within the Port's harbor and two more along the Barge Canal. These marinas provide wet and dry boat storage slips for boat owners who desire easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway or the ocean.
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Social distancing was recommended at boat ramps
As of March 20, 2020, Port Canaveral's public boat ramps in Brevard County were open, but port officials recommended that boaters exercise social distancing when at the boat ramps. This was likely a measure to curb the spread of COVID-19.
At the time, there were four marinas located within the Port's harbor and two more along the Barge Canal. These marinas provided wet and dry boat storage slips for boat owners seeking easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway or the ocean.
While the boat ramps remained open, it is important to note that this information is from March 20, 2020, and the situation may have changed since then. It is always a good idea to check for the most up-to-date information regarding boat ramp openings and any recommended safety guidelines, such as social distancing, before planning a visit.
Brevard County offers a variety of boat ramps for residents and visitors to access the water. Each ramp has its own unique features and amenities, such as courtesy docks, picnic areas, and fishing piers. It is important for boaters to follow any recommended guidelines, such as social distancing, to help ensure the safety of themselves and others during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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There are free public ramps at Rodney S. Ketcham Park and Freddie Patrick Park
Boat owners in Brevard County, Florida, have a lot of options when it comes to accessing the water. There are four marinas within Port Canaveral's harbor and two more along the Barge Canal. These marinas provide wet and dry boat storage slips for easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway or the ocean.
For those who trailer their vessels, there are free public ramps at Rodney S. Ketcham Park and Freddie Patrick Park. Rodney S. Ketcham Park has two launching lanes, courtesy docks, 28 paved boat trailer parking spaces, picnic pavilions, shoreline fishing, and restrooms. It's a great spot if you're looking to venture out to the open Atlantic, which is only about a 3.5-mile boat ride away.
Freddie Patrick Park is another excellent option, boasting eight launching lanes, 138 paved trailer parking spaces, courtesy docks, two small pavilions, a washdown area for boats, shoreline fishing, fish cleaning stations, and restrooms. With so many amenities, it's a convenient place to launch your boat.
In addition to these free public ramps, there are numerous other boat ramps in Brevard County, both free and fee-based, providing a variety of amenities to meet the needs of boaters in the area.
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There are four marinas in Port Canaveral's harbour
Boat ramps in Brevard County, Florida, are open to the public. Port officials recommend that boaters exercise social distancing when at the boat ramps. There are four marinas located within the Port Canaveral harbour and two more along the Barge Canal.
One of the marinas in the harbour is the Cape Marina, which has been serving Port Canaveral since 1976. It offers top-notch marina services, accommodating vessels from 15 to 120 feet in length. The marina provides wet slips and dry-stack storage options, with 24-hour ocean and intracoastal access. Cape Marina also boasts an extensive ship store, a convenient 150-foot fuel dock, and environmentally friendly services, holding certifications as a Clean Marina, Clean Boatyard, and Clean Retailer.
Another marina in the harbour is the Ocean Club Marina, which offers 73 wet slips for vessels up to 110 feet in length. It provides daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal, and annual rental options. The marina is located in Florida's most protected port and offers state-of-the-art amenities, including concrete floating docks, a fuel dock, and a clubhouse with a pool and tiki hut.
The Port Canaveral Yacht Club is a non-profit, member-owned club with a 50-slip deep-water dock. It is located in Cape Canaveral, midway down Florida's Atlantic Coast, making it an ideal stopover for vessels transiting the Intercoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Seaboard. The club offers a full range of amenities and welcomes transient boaters.
These four marinas in Port Canaveral's harbour provide convenient access to the Intracoastal Waterway and the ocean, catering to various boating needs and offering a range of amenities for boaters and yacht enthusiasts.
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There are two more marinas along the Barge Canal
As of March 2020, Port Canaveral's public boat ramps are open, but port officials recommend that boaters exercise social distancing when at the boat ramps. For boaters who trailer their vessels, there are free public ramps at Rodney S. Ketcham Park and Freddie Patrick Park.
There are four marinas located within the Port's harbour and two more along the Barge Canal. These marinas provide wet and dry boat storage slips for boat owners who want easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway or the ocean.
The Barge Canal is one of many bodies of brackish and saltwater in Brevard County, Florida. The county is home to numerous public boat ramps, including those at Christenson's Landing, Claude Edge Front Street Park, and Eddy Creek. These ramps offer various amenities, such as launching lanes, courtesy docks, and paved boat trailer parking spaces.
Brevard County's public boat ramps provide access to a variety of waterways, including the Indian River, the Banana River, and the Intracoastal Waterway. Some ramps, like the one at Kennedy Point Park, offer additional features such as picnic pavilions, grills, and wildlife viewing areas.
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Frequently asked questions
Most boat ramps in Brevard County are free to use, but some require a small fee. For example, Parrish Park has a boat ramp that is open 24 hours a day and is free to use, whereas the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge requires a fee to use the boat ramps.
Yes, you will need to bring your own boat. There are many boat trailer parking spaces available at the ramps.
Yes, many of the boat ramps have additional amenities such as picnic areas, fishing piers, and restrooms. Some ramps also offer hand launching for kayaks and canoes.