Ferry Service Eyes Holmes Beach Landing at Waterline Marina
Manatee County’s Gulf Islands Ferry service may soon add a new stop in the heart of Holmes Beach, offering increased access for island visitors and residents.
A test run is set for the week of March 24 to explore the feasibility of using a slip at Waterline Marina, located at 5325 Marina Drive. The property, owned by local businessman Jake Spooner, is being considered as a temporary landing site for the county-operated ferry service.
The Gulf Islands Ferry, which operates Wednesday through Sunday, connects downtown Bradenton’s Riverwalk Pier with the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach. Two 49-passenger open-air catamarans currently serve the route, with county plans to expand the fleet to include a larger, enclosed vessel and more stops.
Because the ferry must dock on public property, a formal agreement would be necessary between the county and Spooner to use his privately owned slip. Spooner also owns the adjacent property at 5327 Marina Drive, a former bank site that is being redeveloped into a mini-golf course, retail store, ice cream shop, arcade, and rooftop restaurant and bar.
The proposed landing would provide direct access to this new commercial development and nearby trolley stops and other attractions in the city’s central district. While the existing slip is expected to accommodate the smaller catamarans, county officials note that the channel might require dredging to support the future larger vessel.
Officials view this location as a temporary solution while long-term docking plans—possibly at the Kingfish Boat Ramp—are evaluated. Discussions have also included the potential construction of a structure near the slip to shelter passengers waiting for the ferry.
