From Marco Island northward the west coast sees increasing development, boat traffic, marinas and shore activity. The wilderness that defines the Everglades shoreline is relegated to protected pockets and south Florida’s dominant mangroves increasingly give way to extensive shoreside development.

The tropical barrier islands emerge at San Carlos Bay. Deep water moves in closer toward shore and resort communities begin to appear. Mile 0 of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) whets the appetite for travel at the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River, where the Okeechobee Waterway ends for westbound traffic and begins for those heading east.