Boating from Casey Key: Exclusive Barrier Island Living with ICW and Gulf Access

Casey Key is an exclusive, low-density barrier island roughly 8 miles long, stretching from Blackburn Point in the north to Venice Inlet in the south. Many homes span the full width of the narrow island with Gulf beach on one side and an ICW dock on the other. This dual-waterfront configuration is extremely rare in Florida. Here is the boating overview for Casey Key.

Getting to the Gulf of Mexico

From a Casey Key ICW-side dock, expect approximately 20 to 25 minutes to reach open Gulf water via Venice Inlet, which is roughly 2.1 nautical miles from the south end of the island. From the northern end near Blackburn Point, the transit to Venice Inlet is longer. There are no locks or lifts.

Bridges and Clearances

Albee Road Bridge (south end, connecting to Nokomis) — Bascule drawbridge with a charted clearance of 14 feet when closed, though boater reports have noted actual clearance at high water may be lower. Opens on demand. VHF Channel 09. Horizontal clearance is 90 feet.

Blackburn Point Bridge (north end, connecting to Osprey) — Historic swing bridge built in 1926. Clearance when closed is 9 feet. Opens on schedule at the top of the hour, 20 past, and 40 past during weekday daytime hours, and on demand at other times. This bridge is only relevant if heading north on the ICW.

Both bridges are moveable, so no fixed bridges restrict access along Casey Key's ICW frontage.

Channel Depths

The federal ICW project depth along Casey Key is 9 feet with a 100-foot channel width. Actual depths outside the marked channel can drop to 4 feet. Venice Inlet, the primary Gulf access point, has an authorized depth of 7 feet MLLW in the jettied channel. Always consult current NOAA charts, as hurricane-related shoaling has affected this area.

Closest Public Boat Ramp

Nokomis Beach Public Boat Ramp at 100 Casey Key Road in Nokomis. Two lanes with courtesy docks, parking for 25 to 30 trailers, open 24 hours.

Fuel and Repairs

Casey Key Marina at 482 Blackburn Point Road in Osprey, located at the north end of the island at the Blackburn Point Bridge on the ICW. They offer gasoline, diesel, and maintenance and repair services.

The Boating Lifestyle

Casey Key is about seclusion and privacy. There are no high-rises and very little commercial development. Most bay-side homes have private docks with direct ICW access. The dual-waterfront lots where you can walk from your Gulf beach to your bay-side dock are among the most unique properties on Florida's west coast.

Boating here is a daily convenience, not a weekend event. You can cruise north toward Sarasota Bay or south toward Venice, with Venice Inlet about 20 minutes from the south end. The ICW provides protected cruising in both directions. For buyers seeking an exclusive island address with direct water access and genuine privacy, Casey Key is in a class of its own.

John Belt, REALTOR® | Keller Williams On The Water | 941-720-1200 | johnbeltrealtor.com