Driving Directions
From Sarasota/North:
Take I-75 to Exit 191 (River Road). Take River Road South, cross 41 and continue to Winchester. Turn left on Winchester and continue to 776 (McCall Road). Cross McCall and continue on Winchester to Placida Road (775.) Turn left on Placida Road and continue to the Boca Grande Causeway. Turn right on the causeway and Eldred's Marina (where you park and catch the water taxi) is about 1/4 mile on the right.
From Ft. Myers/South:
Take I-75 north to Exit 170 (King's Highway). Exit left to first light, then right on Veteran's Boulevard. Continue several miles on Veteran's to 41. CROSS 41, you are now on 776. Continue on 776, go through the village of El Jobean and cross the Myakka River Bridge, then turn left on 771(Gasparilla Road). Continue on 771 to the Boca Grande Causeway and turn keep on to Eldred's Marina (where you park and catch the water taxi).
Where Do We Park?
You will park your vehicle at Eldred's Marina. The address is 6301 Boca Grande Causeway, Placida, FL 33946. Parking is $8/day. Please pay for your parking and place your parking pass in your vehicle's windshield before catching the water taxi to the island. If you arrive after dark and the marina is closed, please contact them the next day at 941-697-1431 and make arrangements to pay for your parking. Eldred's Marina is where you catch the water taxi. Your vehicle should be safe while left in the parking lot. If you are staying at one of the condos at Placida, you have free parking at their mainland lot and access to their free ferry..
How Do We Get From the Marina to the Island and our Rental House?
Phone number for Pirate's Water Taxi
941-697-5777
There is one water taxi that services the island, Pirate's Water Taxi. The taxi is available every day during daylight hours but will run later with a reservation. It is best to contact them at least a week or two in advance, especially if you need to travel very early, after dark, or on a holiday. Average cost for the water taxi is $15.00 per person but be sure to verify this as prices sometimes change depending on very early or especially after dark trips. (You can call him for a quote for early morning or late night trips.) There is also a minimum trip charge of $25. Children count as “people” but dogs do not. Be sure to let the water taxi know if you are bringing over extra gear (kayaks, etc.). It may be necessary to book the entire boat in that case, and your charge will be $60. There is a $10 charge each way for each bicycle, kayak or paddle board you bring over. Be sure to schedule your arrival after our 3 PM check-in time. THE WATER TAXI ONLY ACCEPTS CASH!
PLEASE try to arrive before dark!
It will also be necessary for you to contact the island concierge Bret to make arrangements for him to meet you at the dock and transport your luggage and groceries to the house. YOU must contact him to schedule this service. Tell him your arrival date, water taxi time and your dock number and he can meet you at the dock with his golf cart.