The Florida's Big Bend offers Many Boaters and Great Loopers with a NEW challenge.

You CANNOT simply follow the coastline. Florida's Big Bend has extremely shallow and rocky water. If you have a very shallow draft there are a few nice fishing ports along the Florida GOM big bend coastline such as Cedar Key, and Steinhatchee but larger boats are not advised. If you decide to go for it, call ahead to see what fuels are available.

In Most Cases Its Going to Be Necessary to Make a Crossing!
You will cross the Gulf of Mexico from Carrabelle Florida (first and last fuel) on the Florida Panhandle TO The Florida west coast Ports of: Crystal River, Tarpon Springs, Clearwater or ST Pete / Tampa .

I recommend Tarpon Springs /Carrabelle for most boats under 50 ft. crossing the GOM as a departure or arrival point, its approximately 145 nautical miles from fuel to fuel. Tarpon Springs has gas and diesel fuel and is the northern most point on the Florida west coast that you can start running inside the barrier islands or Intracoastal waterway GICW.

STAY IN CHANNEL POSSIBLE ROCKS ALL ALONG COAST Vessels over 50 ft. could continue more southernly to Clearwater or Tampa, St. Petersburg

Crystal River is a slightly shorter gulf crossing distance at approximately 132 nautical miles Fuel to Fuel. Crystal River is also the northern most port on Florida's west coast where smaller vessels would be able to dock, fuel and arrive or depart. However, Crystal River is SHALLOW and has a long narrow entrance channel and while doable it is not ideal. And may be difficult to find dockage for boats over 40 ft. If you do Go Via Crystal River it is a nice town with Grocery, Restaurants and Bars within a short Uber ride.

Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg Ok, FIRST Tampa is 20+ miles inland and yes ships do use the port of Tampa, but you are not likely to. It’s more likely you would cross from Clearwater Pass in Clearwater or use Tampa Bay entrance to St Petersburg or other points it is slightly further but offers all the amenities and deeper water.
Crossing from Carrabelle to Clearwater Fuel to Fuel is approximately 154 nautical miles St Pete and Tampa are further.

Regardless of the route you choose at some point your going to be at least 65+ miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Cell phones stop working at somewhere between 5 to 7 miles offshore and that varies depending on area. VHF radios only have a range of 20 miles. There will be several hours depending on boat speed. You WON’T SEE LAND all day and longer for slower boats. YOU will be out of contact with EVERYONE including 911.

NOTE: (IF you are offshore on a boat and need help DO NOT call 911).

FIRST CALL the US. Coast Guard on VHF 16 or 22A. The Coast Guard has boats and helicopters on standby and ready for use in emergencies and extremely well-trained professionals. The local police and ambulance are not normally set up for at sea rescues. Calling 911 at sea could literally slow the rescue response time because of the fact they will now relay the message to the Coast Guard.
We carry a 406 MHZ (satellite) personal EPIRB which is a form of EMERGECNCY POSITION INDICATING RADIO BEACON. I think it’s a good idea for anybody that goes offshore to have a locator beacon / EPIRB.

If you would Like an EXPERIENCED Captain to accompany you along your journey or crew the boat across for you, I would be happy to help (Weather Permitting).

*NOTE (Carrabelle FL. Only because of its remote location) In the past we have met the vessels at departure marinas with a car for the vessel owners to drive to the arrival marina while we piloted the vessel across the Gulf Of Mexico for them.