Boat Ramps In Wakulla County: Open Or Closed?

Wakulla County in Florida offers a range of boating and fishing experiences, with eight full-service marinas along its coastline and inland. The county has several boat ramps, including the Wakulla Beach Boat Landing, which is an unimproved boat landing with a gentle coastline beach. The county also offers an annual boat launch permit that allows access to all of Wakulla County's boat ramps. Recently, the county has seen the reopening of the Lower Bridge Boat Ramp, which is expected to bring more visitors and bigger boats to the area, benefiting local businesses.

Wakulla Beach Boat Landing

Wakulla County in Florida is a great destination for boating and fishing adventures. The county offers eight full-service marina locations along its coastline and inland waterways. An annual boat launch permit can be purchased to access all of Wakulla County's boat ramps.

The county-owned and maintained boat ramps in Wakulla include:

• Wakulla River Upper Bridge Boat Ramp
• N T Smith Boat Ramp
• Sopchoppy Bottoms Road Boat Ramp
• Lake Ellen Boat Ramp (with horsepower restrictions and no jet skis)
• Levy Bay Boat Ramp
• Mash Island Park Boat Ramp
• Newport Park Boat Ramp
• Rock Landing Boat Ramp
• Shell Point Boat Ramp (with restrictions for kayak and Hobie-Cat only)
• Shell Point Boat Ramp (general access)
• Wakulla River Lower Bridge Boat Ramp

The lower bridge boat ramp next to the Highway 98 Bridge crossing the Wakulla River was recently renovated and reopened, providing deeper water access for larger boats. This upgrade is expected to bring more visitors and economic benefits to the county.

Shell Point Boat Ramp

The Shell Point Boat Ramp provides easy access to the water for both motorboats and kayaks. The renovated boat ramp benefits the local community and businesses by attracting more visitors to the area. The improved ramp can accommodate bigger boats, which, in turn, brings more people to the county, resulting in increased spending in local restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses.

For those interested in kayaking, it is worth noting that there may be concerns about launching kayaks next to increased motorboat traffic. However, with proper management and safety precautions, this can be a non-issue. Overall, the Shell Point Boat Ramp serves as a convenient gateway to Wakulla County's wondrous waterways, offering endless possibilities for exploration and enjoyment.

Blue Dolphin ramp

The Blue Dolphin ramp is a public boat ramp in Wakulla County, Florida. It is located in Crawfordville, with the closest intersection being Kornegay Way & Blue Dolphin Drive. From this intersection, the ramp is 100 feet down Blue Dolphin Drive. The GPS coordinates for the waters edge at the ramp are 30° 04'13.00" N 84° 18'11.61" W.

The Blue Dolphin ramp offers a single launching lane, a floating dock slightly off to the side, parking for approximately 5 boat trailers, and portable restrooms. It is important to note that users should be cautious when entering or exiting the driveway.

The Blue Dolphin ramp is one of many boat ramps in Wakulla County. Other ramps include the Wakulla River Upper Bridge Boat Ramp, N T Smith Boat Ramp, Bottoms Road Boat Ramp, Lake Ellen Boat Ramp, and Levy Bay Boat Ramp, among others. These ramps offer various features, such as multiple launching lanes, courtesy docks, parking spaces, and restrooms.

In addition to its boat ramps, Wakulla County also offers a range of supplies for boating and fishing enthusiasts, including rods, reels, bait, and safety equipment. Annual Boat Launch Permits can be purchased to access all of the county's boat ramps.

Mashes Sands boat ramp

Mashes Sands Beach is located at 901 Mashes Sands Road, Panacea, Florida, and is one of Wakulla County's hidden treasures. This secluded beach is surrounded by saltwater marshes and an abundance of wildlife. It is also a great place for fishing or watching the sunset. The beach has limited amenities but does feature a mobile restroom facility on site. The Mashes Sands Boat Ramp is accessible at 801 Mashes Sands Road, providing access to Ochlockonee Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. There is a small launch fee charged.

The Mashes Sands Boat Ramp offers two launching lanes, courtesy docks, about 22-24 paved boat trailer parking spaces, and restrooms. There is also a dedicated hand launch area on the opposite side of the water at the ramp. A fishing pier is also on site. The pier is currently under construction and being rebuilt after being destroyed by Hurricane Michael. Funding recently became available, and visitors are looking forward to enjoying the fishing and views again.

The Mash Island Park Boat Ramp is located at Mashes Sands Road, Ochlockonee Bay. The Park Hours at Mashes Sands Beach and Mashes Sands Pier are 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. An annual boat launch permit is available for purchase at the Wakulla Community Center, 322 Shadeville Road, or one of several other locations.

Wakulla River Upper Bridge Boat Ramp

Wakulla County in Florida is a great destination for boating and fishing enthusiasts, with eight full-service marina locations and numerous boat ramps. One of these is the Wakulla River Upper Bridge Boat Ramp, located on Shadeville Road in Crawfordville. This boat ramp is one of several in the county that can be accessed with an Annual Boat Launch Permit, which costs $40 for the general public and $25 for seniors, active military, veterans, persons with disabilities, and commercial fishermen.

The Annual Boat Launch Permit grants unlimited boat launches for one year from the date of purchase. It can be purchased in person at several locations, including Crum's Mini Mall in Panacea, Rocky's Wakulla in Medart, the Parks & Facility Management Office in Crawfordville, and the Tax Collector's Office, also in Crawfordville.

The Wakulla River Upper Bridge Boat Ramp is one of the larger boat ramps in the county, accommodating a variety of boat sizes. It is a great option for those looking to explore the Wakulla River and its surrounding waterways. The boat ramp is likely to be open, as there are no reports of its closure. However, it is always a good idea to check with the Parks Department or local businesses for the most up-to-date information.

The boat ramps in Wakulla County, including the Wakulla River Upper Bridge Boat Ramp, offer significant benefits to the local community. They attract tourists and fishermen to the area, boosting the local economy. The upgraded ramps can accommodate larger boats, which, in turn, brings more people to the county, where they spend money in local businesses, such as restaurants and grocery stores.

Frequently asked questions