Paddle launch · Bonita Springs · Lee County

Big Hickory Island Water Tower - Gulf Side Kayak Access

Estero Bay · Bay or lagoon · Salt or Brackish Water

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FeeFree

WaterSalt or brackish

ConditionNeeds Repaired

Manatee protection zone on the water here

Slow Speed (Apr 1 - Nov 15) 25 MPH (Nov 16 - Mar 31) Ex portions of the marked channel as described · Rule 68C-22.005(2)(f)3.

State zones from the FWC. Federal and local speed zones can also apply: follow the posted signs.

Florida FWC boat ramp inventory

About Big Hickory Island Water Tower - Gulf Side Kayak Access

Aerial view of Big Hickory Island Water Tower - Gulf Side Kayak Access — The ramp, seen from above · Imagery: USDA NAIP via USGS The National Map (public domain)

About this ramp

Big Hickory Island Water Tower - Gulf Side Kayak Access is a hand launch site for kayaks, canoes and paddleboards in Bonita Springs, Lee County on Estero Bay, a bay or lagoon with salt or brackish water. It is publicly owned and open to everyone and managed by Lee County.

Launching

The ramp has a launch with a sand surface. The FWC rates its condition as needs repaired. There is no dock.

Fees, parking and hours

Launching is free. Parking: 24 car spaces, not paved - gravel/limestone/packed soil. Hours: Dawn to Dusk.

Facilities

Restrooms: No Toilet. Accessibility: No Accommodations for Accessibility.

Notes from the FWC

Not a developed site, no facilities. Located along Estero Boulevard south of Lovers Key State Park and north of Bonita Springs. Under the Bonita Springs water tower, north of the small creek, on the west.

Official page

Fishing

34 artificial reefs within 10 miles of the ramp, from the FWC artificial reef program.

May Reef

3.9 mi

Depth: 22 ft
Relief: 10 ft
GPS: 26° 22.377' N, 81° 55.112' W
Material: Boxes

May Reef

3.9 mi

Depth: 22 ft
Relief: 10 ft
GPS: 26° 22.379' N, 81° 55.112' W
Material: Boxes

M.A.Y. Reef

4.2 mi

Depth: 20 ft
GPS: 26° 22.731' N, 81° 55.383' W
Material: Rubble

Rock Reef 3

4.2 mi

Depth: 24 ft
Relief: 10 ft
GPS: 26° 18.452' N, 81° 52.377' W
Material: Limestone Boulders (65)

Show all 34 reefs

Reef	Distance	Depth	GPS
May Reef	3.9 mi	22 ft	26° 22.377' N, 81° 55.112' W
May Reef	3.9 mi	22 ft	26° 22.379' N, 81° 55.112' W
M.A.Y. Reef	4.2 mi	20 ft	26° 22.731' N, 81° 55.383' W
Rock Reef 3	4.2 mi	24 ft	26° 18.452' N, 81° 52.377' W
Rock Reef 1	4.3 mi	24 ft	26° 18.412' N, 81° 52.456' W
ECA Reef	4.3 mi	24 ft	26° 18.369' N, 81° 52.354' W
Rock Reef 4	4.3 mi	24 ft	26° 18.326' N, 81° 52.286' W
Wiggins Pass 3 Mile C & D	4.4 mi	27 ft	26° 18.324' N, 81° 52.426' W
Rock Reef 2	4.4 mi	24 ft	26° 18.286' N, 81° 52.376' W
G-H Reef	5.7 mi	27 ft	26° 20.670' N, 81° 56.698' W
G-H Reef	6.1 mi	28 ft	26° 20.743' N, 81° 57.190' W
G-H Reef	6.2 mi	30 ft	26° 20.591' N, 81° 57.239' W
Lee-Collier	6.5 mi	35 ft	26° 17.430' N, 81° 55.050' W
Wiggins Pass 4.5 Mile Reef	6.5 mi	31 ft	26° 17.469' N, 81° 55.165' W
G-H Reef	6.5 mi	28 ft	26° 20.656' N, 81° 57.518' W
Big Carlos Bridge	6.5 mi	25 ft	26° 22.841' N, 81° 57.671' W
Big Carlos Bridge	6.6 mi	25 ft	26° 22.842' N, 81° 57.690' W
Big Carlos Bridge	6.6 mi	25 ft	26° 22.846' N, 81° 57.738' W
Big Carlos Bridge	6.6 mi	25 ft	26° 22.838' N, 81° 57.740' W
Big Carlos Bridge	6.6 mi	25 ft	26° 22.853' N, 81° 57.765' W
Big Carlos Bridge	6.6 mi	25 ft	26° 22.859' N, 81° 57.772' W
Wiggins Pass 5 Mile	6.9 mi	30 ft	26° 17.476' N, 81° 55.811' W
Wiggins Pass 5 Mile	6.9 mi	30 ft	26° 17.474' N, 81° 55.808' W
Village 3	7.4 mi	30 ft	26° 19.860' N, 81° 58.141' W
Village 6	7.4 mi	30 ft	26° 19.827' N, 81° 58.132' W
Village 5	7.4 mi	30 ft	26° 19.824' N, 81° 58.178' W
Village 2	7.4 mi	30 ft	26° 19.859' N, 81° 58.202' W
Village 1	7.5 mi	30 ft	26° 19.860' N, 81° 58.269' W
Village 4	7.5 mi	30 ft	26° 19.823' N, 81° 58.255' W
Clam Pass 3 Mile - 03	9.7 mi	25 ft	26° 13.588' N, 81° 52.212' W
Clam Pass 3 Mile - Pile	9.7 mi	26 ft	26° 13.574' N, 81° 52.074' W
Clam Pass 3 Mile -01	9.7 mi	25 ft	26° 13.572' N, 81° 52.074' W
Clam Pass 3 Mile -C & D	9.9 mi	–	26° 13.445' N, 81° 52.229' W
Clam Pass 3 Mile -02	9.9 mi	25 ft	26° 13.390' N, 81° 52.051' W