Northward of Cape Romano the deep water approaches the coast much more closely than it does southward of the cape and the coast is quite regular in outline although broken by many small inlets. At a distance of 12 mile from the shore the depth is 12 feet (3.7 m) or more, except at the entrances of Big Marco Pass and Big Carlos Pass, where shoals extend 1 mile offshore. With the exception of Caximba, Big Marco, and Big Carlos Passes the mouths of the inlets are so small as to be difficult to recognize unless close to the shore. The only objects that can be readily identified by a stranger are the lighted beacon in the mouth of Caximba Pass, and another in the mouth of Big Marco Pass and several large buildings and a wharf on the Gulf coast at Naples, 24 miles below San Carlos Bay. Cape Romano Shoals, extending 10 miles in a general southerly direction from the cape, consist of a number of irregular patches with 2 to 11 feet (0.6 to 3.4 m) over them. These shoals are marked by Cape Romano Shoals Lighted Whistle Buoy 16, moored in about 4 fathoms off their southern end. There is a strong tidal current around the shoals, particularly during spring tides, and on the seaward side of the shoals. The flood current sets southward and the ebb northward.

Cape Romano Anchorage is eastward of Cape Romano Shoals and affords fair anchorage in 12 feet (3.7 m); vessels of less draft can stand well up and anchor in 7 to 8 feet (2.1 to 2.4 m), southeastward of the cape.

Proceeding northward behind Cape Romano from Indian Key, the highest point on the skyline in the direction of Caxambas furnishes a good leading mark for skirting the coast by one or two miles. This is an old building, surrounded by cocoanut palms on Laconda Heights about one mile southeast of Caxambas. As Gullivan Bay is approached, Coon Key Light and Coon Key will be picked up a little on the starboard bow."

Coon Key Light, a flashing white light mounted on a white, triangular, slatted structure, is located off the southern end of the shoal making southeast from Coon Key.

Coon Key marks the southern approach to Big Marco River and also the route through Caximba Pass. Approaching from southeastward, Coon Key can be seen from the deck of a launch at a distance of 7 miles. At that distance it shows clear of all adjacent keys, and Cape Romano can be seen only in a few detached spots near its western end. As the key is approached the land back of it becomes visible on each side, but Coon Key always stands well above all land in that vicinity. At low tide an extensive reef can be seen west of the key and a short stretch of yellow-sand beach about the south and southeast side of the key. When nearly up to Coon Key a narrow gap can be seen east of it between the back keys; this is the entrance to Big Marco River.

Caxambas Pass and Big Marco Pass and River (chart 1254) offer a safe inside route behind Cape Romano for small vessels. Guides for these passes can be secured at Everglades and Marco or at any of the resort towns along the coast of Florida between Miami and Tampa.

Caxambas Pass extends from the outside coast about 51⁄2 miles northwestward of Cape Romano to Coon Key Light. The western entrance is obstructed by a shifting bar over which the channel depth

is about 4 feet (1.2 m). The channel is marked by two buoys and Caxambas Pass Light 2.

Directions for Caxambas Pass.-Caxambas Pass is well marked and the beacons should be followed as found. The controlling depth through the inside passage was 3 feet (0.9 m) in 1935 and the distance from Coon Key Light to the western entrance to the pass is about 6 miles. The principal shoals and otherwise difficult sections are as follows; the arrangement is for proceeding northward.

Approach Coon Key Light on a course 305° true (NW. by W. % W. mag.) and sound across the shoal area.

Coon Key Light.-Pass not less than 100 yards to southward. The island shown southeast of Bn. 2 is the eastern end of extensive tidal flats.

Bns. 2 and 4.-Pass close-to.

From Coon Key Light to Bn. 4.-There are shallow oyster bars to the southward and a mud bank to the northward between Bns. 2 and 4.

Bns. 4 to 1.-Favor north shore.

Bn. 1.-Wide turn to northwest, about half way to north shore. Bns. 3 and 5.-Favor north shore.

Bns. 6 to 19.-Proceed slowly through this group of beacons. The intermediate beacons are quite close together and require a rather sharp S turn but are otherwise not difficult to follow. In 1935 the shoalest depths were 3 feet (0.9 m) just west of Bn. 9 and 32 feet (1.1 m) between Bns. 8 and 17.

Beyond Bn. 19.-Avoid oyster bars to the southward.

Proceeding from Caxambas through the western entrance to the pass, favor the north shore, as there are extensive flats and oyster bars to the southward of the beacons.

Bn. 4.-Immediately to the westward of this beacon, the channel tends sharply to the southward for a short distance.

Bn. 2 to Caxambas Pass Light.-Keep close along the sand beach of the key to the northward till past the light.

When past the light, head up for the mid-channel buoy and then for the red buoy, No. 4 (which leave to southward), keeping a sharp lookout for breakers and shoal waters. The channel on the outside is shifting constantly.

Caxambas (meaning "place of wells") is a small fishing village on the north shore of Caxambas Bay. There is a post office, a telephone, a clam factory, and a store where small quantities of supplies can be obtained. A third-class highway through Marco connects with the Tamiami Trail to Fort Myers and Miami. Fresh water, gasoline, and oil may be obtained. A launch carrying gasoline and freight makes triweekly trips to Punta Gorda and Everglades.

Big Marco Pass and Big Marco River together offer a convenient and safe passage for small vessels past Cape Romano and are much used by yachts and small craft. Big Marco Pass, 8 miles northward of Cape Romano and 33 miles southward of San Carlos Bay, is marked by Big Marco Pass Light 1 inshore on the north side of the pass. The channel across the bar changes from time to time and in 1935 had a controlling depth of about 6 feet (1.8 m) at low tide. It is marked by buoys which are shifted as often as practicable to conform to changes in the channel. Big Marco Sea Lighted Buoy 2

marks the entrance and two black and white vertical striped buoys mark the channel, the outer a second-class can in 16 feet (4.9 m) and the inner a third-class nun in six feet (1.8 m). Shoals extend 112 miles seaward on each side of the channel and are generally indicated by breakers or by discolored water.

Big Marco River trends eastward and then southward from Big Marco Pass to the Gulf at Gullivan Bay, 4 miles northeastward of Cape Romano. The river is about 8 miles long and affords a through passage for a draft of 22 feet (0.7 m) at mean low water. The channel is very narrow and crooked but is well marked by beacons. The southern approach is across a shoal having a least depth of 4 feet (1.2 m) at mean low tide and is marked by Coon Key Light, off the southeast end of Coon Key. It is protected from all directions except between southeast and southwest, and a wide expanse of gradually shoaling depths greatly reduces any possible sea from these directions. At high tide a draft of 42 feet (1.4 m) can be taken through the river, but good local knowledge is necessary.

Marco is a small settlement on the south bank of Big Marco River 1 mile in from the light. It is a distributing point for this vicinity and has a small hotel and a general store where gasoline, water, and some supplies, including ship chandlery, can be obtained. There is a post office, telephone, and a large clam canning factory. One road leads to Caxambas and another to the Tamiami Trail connecting with Fort Myers and Miami. There is no highway bridge across the river and passengers and vehicles are ferried across on signal. The wharf is on the east bank of Collier Creek leading to Smokehouse Bay; about 3 feet (0.9 m) can be taken to this wharf at low water. When entering the creek, pass to the west of Beacon 6 as there is a shoal reaching out to the beacon from shore. Local guides can be secured at Marco. A railroad bridge, swing span, opening 50 feet wide, crosses the river at Bear Boint to the center of Marco Island and the town of Collier City which is the railroad terminus.

Directions for Big Marco River and Pass.-The pass is well marked and the beacons should be followed as found. The controlling depth through the inside passage was 212 feet (0.7 m) at low water and 42 feet (1.4 m) at high water in 1935. The distance from Coon Key light to the western entrance to the pass is about 11 miles. The principal shoals and otherwise difficult sections are as follows; the arrangement is for proceeding northward.

Approach Coon Key Light on a course 324° true (NW. 5% N. mag.), heading for the northern end of Coon Key and passing 400 yards to the eastward of Coon Key Light. Proceed slowly across the bar here, sounding continuously until past the south end of the key and in deeper water. Gradually approach the north end of the key and then pass over to the north shore. From Bn. 2 to Bn. 3 there is relatively deep water.

Bns. 3 to 3A.-Channel on east side.

Bns. 3A to 10A.-Channel along south and west shore.

Bns. 10A to 3B.-Proceed slowly. A shoal narrow channel along the west side of a small island. A 212-foot (07 m) spot was the shoalest point in the passage in 1935.

Bns. 12 to 14.-Channel along south side.
Bns. 14 to 16.-Channel along north side.

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Bns. 16-7-18.-Narrow channel passing to the east side of small island. Depth of 41/2 feet (1.4 m) in 1935.

Bn. 20.-Large shoal area to northward.

Bns. 9 to 11.-Favor north shore; large shoal to southward. There was a depth of 5 feet (1.5 m) opposite Bn. 11 in 1935.

Between Bns. 11 and 22 there is a railroad drawbridge which is usually open. It has a swing span with a 50-foot opening.

Bn. 22 to cannery.-Head for the cannery stack with the north side of the draw astern (or vice versa in the opposite direction). Pass south of Bn. 22 which is a little south of the range.

Pass close by the cannery wharf.

There is deep water in the river from this point to the pass.

When leaving Marco, pass to the westward of Bn. 6 at the entrance to Collier Creek, thence north of Bn. 4, south of Big Marco Pass Light and north of Bn. 2. From the last beacon, follow the two channel buoys to Big Marco Sea Lighted Buoy 2 but be guided by breakers and discolored water. There was a controlling depth of about 6 feet (1.8 m) at low water in a narrow channel over the bar in 1935. This channel frequently changes, and the buoys are shifted as often as practicable to conform to the changes.

Inside Passage from Marco to Naples.-A shallow inside passage extends from Marco to Naples. The southern entrance is north of Bn. 4 in Big Marco Pass, whence the passage extends northward through creeks and small dredged channels. A low-water depth of about 4 feet (1.2 m) can be carried as far as Little Marco Pass but barely 2 feet (0.6 m) from there to Gordon Pass. The passage is not marked and is quite difficult to follow; it should only be attempted with local information. The outside route is generally used between Big Marco Pass and Gordon Pass.

Little Marco Pass, 311⁄2 miles north of Big Marco Pass, generally has a depth of 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 m) at high tide. It is identified by a growth of tall Australian pine just to the northward of the pass.

Gordon Pass, 2 miles south of Naples, is not marked. In 1935 the bar extended off the north point to beyond the line of old piling; the entrance channel followed along the south side of this bar in a general northeasterly direction. There was a controlling depth of 5 feet (1.5 m) at high tide and 3 feet (0.9 m) at low tide. Just inside the north point of Gordon Pass there are a few dwellings and a small store; gasoline and oil are obtainable.

Gordon Pass to San Carlos Bay. There is no inside passage from Gordon Pass to San Carlos Bay. Boats proceeding along the coast must pass outside.

Naples, a small town 10 miles north of Big Marco Pass, is a terminus of the Seaboard Air Line Railway. The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad continues through Naples to Collier City on Marco Island. There is a post office, telegraph office, a hotel, several general stores, and an ice and power plant. A long fishing pier, with 15 feet (4.6 m) of water at the end extends into the open Gulf off the town. There is a tall water tank on the south side of the town which can be seen for a considerable distance along or off shore. On Naples Bay, on the east side of the town, there are small ways for hauling out boats up to 40 feet long and 4 feet (1.2 m) draft. Gasoline, fresh water, ice, and a limited amount of general supplies and pro

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visions can be obtained. There is a machine shop which can handle usual small boat repairs. Naples is on the Tamiami Trail connecting with Fort Myers, Everglades, and Miami; there is also road connection to Marco. There is telephone connection with Fort Myers, Marco, and Everglades.

Naples Bay is a yacht harbor and anchorage for small boats behind the town of Naples. The entrance is through Gordon Pass. At high tide about 5 feet (1.5 m) can be carried through Gordon Pass and 42 feet (1.4 m) through the inside passage to Naples Bay. The tidal range is about 2 feet.

Big Hickory and Big Carlos Passes, 9 and 6 miles, respectively, southward of San Carlos Bay, are used to some extent by small local boats, but are shallow and subject to frequent changes. They are not marked and should not be attempted by a stranger.

Estero Pass opens into the eastern end of San Carlos Bay 3 miles east of Sanibel Island Lighthouse. Small vessels can find secure anchorage just inside the pass. The channel is narrow at the entrance which is marked by Estero Pass Light. Beyond the light, the channel widens and is not difficult to follow for a considerable distance into the pass.

A concrete highway bridge with swing draw crosses the pass. The draw span is 57 feet wide with a clearance, when closed of 10 feet (3.0 m) at mean low water. A draft of 9 feet (2.7 m) can be taken to a safe anchorage inside the entrance and about 4 feet (1.2 m) can be carried through Matanzas Pass and Estero Bay and out Big Carlos Pass but strangers should not proceed further than a mile or two inside the bridge. Beyond this point the channel is narrow and crooked and local information is necessary. There are several landings and a couple of small stores just inside the bridge. The highway leads to Fort Myers.

Sanibel Island Lighthouse (Lat. 26°27'.2; Long. 82°00′.8) is a brown skeleton tower inclosing a stair cylinder, on Point Ybel, at the westerly side of the entrance to San Carlos Bay. The light is a group flashing white (2 flashes every 10 seconds), 98 feet (29.9 m) above the water, and visible 16 miles.

DIRECTIONS, KEY WEST TO SAN CARLOS BAY

Vessels of moderate draft can take a direct course between Smith Shoal Light and Sanibel Island Lighthouse. From a position 14 mile east of Smith Shoal Light, a course 357° true (N. 12 W. mag.) for 95 miles leads to a position with Sanibel Island Lighthouse directly ahead and distant 9 miles and with Caloosa Lighted Bell Buoy 2 (Position No. 26 below) bearing 38° true (NE. 7% N. mag.) and distant 7 miles. Or a course 0° true (N. 1/4 W.) for 101 miles will lead directly to the bell buoy. Directions for Northwest Channel are given on page 72 and for Caloosahatchee River on page 100.

Vessels of 6 feet (1.8 m) or less draft can follow the keys, either north of them or through Hawk Channel from Key West to Moser Channel and thence to Cape Sable and follow the coast to San Carlos Bay. Courses and distances for the Hawk Channel route are tabulated below. The route via Cape Sable greatly reduces the distance