Sarasota Boating Speed Zones

No person shall operate any watercraft in excess of IDLE SPEED within 300 feet of any land in Sarasota County fronting on the Gulf of Mexico.
No person shall operate any watercraft within a swimming area which has been marked with buoys, nor within 500 feet of any public beach on the Gulf of Mexico.
         
Normal Safe
Operation
Idle Speed
No Wake
Slow Speed
Minimum Wake
Sports Area
35 MPH
25 MPH
Idle Speed, No Wake is that speed which is necessary to maintain steerage. The speed which you dock your boat is idle speed, no wake. Generally this is a speed of 1 to 3 miles per hour. Slow Speed, Minimum Wake is that speed which allows your boat to be completely settled in the water with very little or no wake. Your boat is not on plane. Generally this is a speed of 5 to 7 miles per hour.
CAUTION: Endangered manatees inhabit these waters. Please observe all posted speed limits for your boating safety and manatee protection. For more information call the Sarasota County Natural Resources Department at 941-378-6142.
Click Here for maps south to Venice.

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