LIFE

Best spots to view holiday light boat parades in Naples, Marco, Bonita

By Louis Berney
Special to the Daily News

Christmas is coming, and that means boaters in Southwest Florida soon will adorn their crafts with colorful, twinkling lights for the region’s traditional holiday boat parades.

It also means residents will have an array of water parade options to choose from after COVID put a damper on the pageants a year ago.

This month, most of the boat parades will be up and sailing again.

Following below is a list of a few holiday boat fetes in the region, along with their viewing particulars for those who might want to observe the spectacles.

First, though, FloridaRambler.com offers a few tips for people interested in attending one of the parades:

  • Drawbridges close to traffic for hours to allow boats to pass. If you need to cross a bridge, plan ahead.
  • Parks and restaurants with outdoor dining are great places to view parades. Make reservations early.
  • Expect fewer “party boats” in parades this year.
  • Wear a mask when mixing with other people.
  • Arrive early.
The Naples Christmas Boat Parade returns in 2021, on Dec. 11.

COLLIER COUNTY

Everglades City Boat Parade: 5:30-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. Parade starts at the mouth of the Barron River and motor toward the Everglades City School,  415 E School Drive, Ochopee. Open to all holiday decorated boats; meet just outside of Outward Bound in the river. The parade will start at sunset. Public viewing along Barron River.  

Naples Christmas Boat Parade: 6:15-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. The parade will begin at Naples Bay and the theme of this year’s gala is a salute to America and its armed forces. About 30 boats of all sizes, festooned in lights, are expected to participate.

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Prime viewing spots include Pincher’s Crab Shack, Riverwalk Restaurant, Naples Landing, Kelly’s Fish House, The Boat House Restaurant and Bayview Park. Visitors are advised to arrive early to secure a good viewing spot.

All proceeds from the boat parade will go to the Ricky King Foundation, an organization that supports and enriches the lives of disabled children.

Isles of Capri Boat Parade: Begins around sunset Saturday, Dec. 11, by the Island Gypsy Cafe and Marine Bar. A boat from the Greater Naples Fire Rescue District will lead the water parade, which usually includes 10 to 20 vessels. The boats sail around the island and into its various bays and end their journey at the Pelican Bend cafe, 219 Capri Blvd., Naples. A party is after the parade with awards handed out.  

Marco Island Christmas Style Boat Parade: Begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, and organizers urge visitors to arrive about 1½ hours beforehand. Parking limited. Prime viewing spots, according to Gene Burson, the parade chairman, include the Snook Inn, the Esplanade along Smokehouse Bay, and (for those with access) the Marco Island Yacht Club. Up to two dozen boats are expected to participate, including police and fire boats.   

Boats packed with people lights meander up the Imperial River during the annual parade.

LEE COUNTY

Bonita Springs Boat Parade: Launches at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at the Bay Water Boat Club, 5124 Bonita Beach Road SW, and proceeds to the Imperial River. The boats will return to the Fish House Restaurant, 4685 Bonita Beach Road SW. Prime viewing is from the U.S. 41 Bridge and Riverwalk Park.

Fort Myers Beach Boat Parade: 33rd annual event launches at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, from Salty Sam’s Marina. The boats will pass by restaurants along the back bay and head through Matanzas Harbor and the two first canals at Siesta Isles.

Organizers recommend setting up lawn chairs for those watching the parade at Siesta Isles. Another good spot to watch is Bayfront Park by Nervous Nellie’s. Fort Myers Beach has been cited by several national groups as having one of the finest holiday boat parades in Florida and the country.

Cape Coral Holiday Boat Parade: Begins at Four Freedoms Park on Cape Coral Parkway at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 18. Event also includes food, Christmas music, a movie on a big screen and appearance by Santa Claus. The boats can be viewed lining up along Bimini Basin. The parade begins by the beach at Freedom Park and weaves through various canals in South Cape Coral. Visitors advised to bring lawn chairs.

Punta Gorda Boat Parade: Launches at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at Punta Gorda Isles off Almar Drive. Lighted boats, usually about 40, sail south and, then west along the keys and complete their sail at Yellowfish Lagoon. Good observation points are from Almar Drive and on residential properties at the end of the keys along the parade route. The boat parade is sponsored by PGICA Civic Association.