Dock, Yacht & Marina Homes
Pull up to your own dock, tie up, and walk inside. Search homes with boat lifts, Gulf access and no fixed bridges.
For many buyers, a dock with a boat behind the house is the whole reason to move to Florida. Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties are home to more than 70,000 registered boats, and the Venice area gives boaters the Intracoastal Waterway, Roberts Bay, Little Sarasota Bay, Lemon Bay, the Myakka River and the Gulf of Mexico.
Not every waterfront home is a boater’s home, though. Water depth, bridges, the route to the Gulf, seawalls and dock permits all matter, and the MLS doesn’t always make them easy to find. That’s where local experience helps.
I’m Bill Garrison, a RE/MAX Hall of Fame Realtor who has helped buyers in the Venice area for more than 25 years. This guide covers boating communities, marinas and boat ramps, what to check before you buy, and one-click searches of live MLS listings.
Search Boater Homes
Live MLS listings of single-family homes in Venice, Nokomis, Osprey and Englewood, updated throughout the day.
Boating Communities
SouthBay Yacht & Racquet Club, Osprey
About 360 custom homes on Little Sarasota Bay with one of the finest community-owned deep-water marinas on the Gulf Coast. Read the guide • See homes
Casey Key
A private barrier island between the Gulf and the bay, with estate homes, boat docks and some Gulf-to-bay properties. Read the guide • See Gulf access homes
Venice Island
Canal and bayfront homes around Roberts Bay and the Intracoastal, minutes from the Venice Inlet and the Gulf. Read the guide • See homes
Englewood & Manasota Key
Lemon Bay and canal homes with easy access to the Gulf, plus beachfront living on Manasota Key. Read the guide • See homes
Nokomis
Bayfront and canal homes near Dona and Roberts Bay, close to Nokomis Beach and the Venice Inlet. Read the guide • See homes
Luxury Waterfront
Gulf-front and bayfront estates with deep-water docks and lifts. See luxury homes
Marinas, Ramps & Waterfront Dining
Public Boat Ramps
Marina Park, Snook Haven Park and Higel Marine Park are popular launch spots. See my boating guide
Marinas & Rentals
Crow’s Nest Marina near the Venice Inlet, plus boat rentals, charters and boat clubs if you want to try before you buy.
Boat-Up Dining
Tie up for lunch or a sunset dinner on the water. See my waterfront restaurant guide
Boater’s Checklist Before You Buy
Bridges. A fixed bridge between the home and the Gulf limits the height of your boat. Sailboats and larger boats need “no fixed bridges.”
Water depth. Ask about depth at the dock and along the route at low tide. Shallow canals can limit your boat size.
Time to the Gulf. Some canals reach the Gulf in minutes, others take much longer at no-wake speeds.
Seawall and dock condition. Repairs are expensive. Get a marine inspection and ask about the age of the seawall, dock and lift.
Permits and rules. Check dock and lift permits, HOA rules, and whether a community slip is deeded, assigned or rented.
Flood zone and insurance. Waterfront homes often sit in higher flood zones. Get insurance quotes before you make an offer.
Find Your Dock Home
Tell me about your boat (length, height and draft) and I’ll find homes that fit it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “no fixed bridges” mean?
Does “waterfront” always mean I can keep a boat?
Where can I launch a boat in Venice?
Is a community marina slip included with the home?
Can you help me if I live out of state?
Explore More
Ready to Find Your Dock Home?
Call Bill 941-400-2307 for fast, friendly, accurate information, or join the Venice Insider Plan (VIP). We Buy Our Clients A $500 American Home Shield® Warranty at Closing, when you buy with Bill & the Sandcastle Group.
Bill Garrison, CRS, GRI, RENE • RE/MAX Hall of Fame • Associate Broker, RE/MAX Palm Realty • Venice, FL