naples boat and yacht club

Welcome to Naples Boat Club

Naples Boat Club

Located in the historic heart of the Olde Naples waterfront, Naples Boat Club offers a full service, state-of-the-art marina, with a touch of class and personal attention seldom found elsewhere.   Naples Boat Club encompasses a 167 dry rack boat storage boathouse, 47 wet slip marina, residential condominiums and commercial enterprises that includes The Syren Oyster & Cocktail Bar, Molly's Marine Service, Allied Marine, Formula Boats, Naples Yacht Brokerage, Freedom Waters Foundation, Burkard Yacht Sales and Naples BoatSlip Realty.   Just blocks aways from Fifth Avenue shops and restaurants.    

Naples Boat Club has received the 2012 BEST OF NAPLES AWARD.

"Each year, the Naples Award program identifies companies that have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category.

These local companies enhance the positive image of small companies business through

SERVICE to their customers and community" Naples Award Program. The Naples Boat Club also received an award from Active Captain for the 1st CHOICE MARINA for 2013/2014 for having all 5 Star reviews.

We are located at:

909 10th Street South

Naples, FL 34102

Call: (239) 430-4994

909 10th Street South, Naples, FL 34102

(239) 430-4994

Copyright © 2021 Naples Boat Club - All Rights Reserved.

8 Boat Clubs In Naples, Florida You Should Know (Must-See!)

Naples, Florida, is a beautiful and bustling city with plenty of boat clubs that allow you to enjoy everything the Naples Bay has to offer.

People join boat clubs for access to a fleet of boats rather than purchasing a boat of their own or renting every time they want to go out on the water. Florida, among many tropical paradises, is the perfect place to try out owning a boat club membership!

We’ve researched the premier boating and yacht clubs in Naples, Florida. Our findings of the pros and cons of each club are listed below.

Table of Contents

Freedom Boat Club – Naples Bayfront

Freedom Boat Club is one of the largest franchise-based boat clubs in the United States. These clubs are known for their excellence in service and fleet selection.

Guaranteed levels of Freedom Boat Club membership allow you to enjoy boat club locations around the country, including one of their several sites in Naples.

• Scenic marina located within the Naples Bayfront
• Within walking distance of restaurants such as Pelican Bend and The Boat House
• The Naples Bay location offers easy access to Keewaydin Island
• Provides a variety of fun social events beyond boating, like bowling
• The fleet does not feature a small boat for intimate groups
• May not be the best option for boaters looking for a small club

Related Article: Boat Club Rules: 10 Thing to Know Before Joining

Naples Sailing & Yacht Club

Naples Sailing & Yacht Club has been serving the beautiful Naples bay area since 1964.

In addition to the extensive fleet offered by the club, over the years, it has become known for being the home of one of Naples’ most excellent dining establishments overlooking the bay.

• Located in the Yacht Basin overlooking Naples Bay
• This club features a variety of clubs within the club, such as Wine Club and Bridge Club
• The dock is monitored via security cameras and the dock master seven days a week
• Members can enjoy an exceptional dining experience in a variety of locations within the club
• During the off season, members lose access to perks such as the fine dining
• Members are asked to adhere to a dress policy within certain member areas

Related Article: 7 Boat Clubs in Florida You Should Know (Before Choosing)

Naples Boat Club

Naples Boat Club offers members access to a boathouse with space for over 150 boats.

In addition to the vast expanse of the club’s marina, there are also residential condos and exceptional dining experiences located within walking distance.

All of the amenities are located in the historic, Olde Naples waterfront.

• Members receive a variety of perks such as fuel discounts
• The marina features Molly’s Marine Service, a service shop for your personal boat
• The clubhouse features a variety of amenities, like the pool and members-only areas
• The onsite restaurant is open to the public as well as club members
• The club is located in a bustling area of Naples

Destination Boat Clubs – Naples, FL

Destination Boat Clubs looks to take the high initial cost out of boating by offering affordable options to join their boating club.

With several locations, including the beautiful Naples marina, this boat club is designed for the boater looking to grow with their boat club.

• Offers a variety of boats to members, from pontoons to center console boats
• Members are allowed to have four different boat reservations in the system at a time
• Membership at one location provides access to all the Destination Boat Clubs
• The club maintains a strict 10:1 member to boat ratio
• Has yet to offer a wide variety of locations to members, with only 3 locations
• Additional insurance coverage is required to take boats more than 10 miles offshore

Hamilton Harbor Yacht Club

Located in an iconic Florida style clubhouse, Hamilton Harbor Yacht Club seeks to bring a premium experience to its members with a relaxed and friendly vibe.

Members have access to a plethora of exclusive social clubs and amenities.

Whether you plan to spend all day out on the water or come back for a bit of fine dining, this club wants to be your new home base for the boating and yacht lifestyle.

• Fishing guides and captain’s service means members can access guidance as needed
• Members have exclusive access to social clubs and benefits
• The clubhouse features a full-service bar and restaurant for when you come ashore
• Hamilton Harbor is certified by the state of Florida as a Clean Marina
• Some memberships require a sizeable non-refundable deposit
• The fuel dock is open to the public

Related Article: Boat Clubs In Tampa, Florida: 7 Clubs You Should Know

BayWater Boat Club

Opened in 2006 by experienced business owners and passionate mariners, BayWater Boat Club has grown to become one of the area’s premier boating clubs.

With 40 boats available to members in the beautiful family-owned marina between Fort Myers and Naples, there is something for everyone in this fast-growing boat club.

• BayWater’s contracts lock in their 10:1 boat to member ratio
• There are eight deckhands and two experience dock masters at the ready to help members
• For those times you don’t want to drive, the club offers the services of a captain
• The club offers a variety of pontoon, center console, and deck boats
• Does not offer as many social aspects as other boat clubs
• Members must use two back-to-back reservations in order to keep boats past 5 p.m.

Naples Yacht Club Inc.

Naples Yacht Club has served the friendly and beautiful community of Naples since 1947. With a focus on building lasting relationships for its passionate yachtsmen, the club offers a vast array of social clubs and events.

Out on the water, club members can enjoy premium yachting and sailing.

• Members have access to an exquisite fine dining experience in the club
• Club members can receive guidance from a club with over 50 years experience
• The club places pride on its extensive social calendar
• Members are expected to adhere to a formal dress code
• The club’s website offers little information regarding membership benefits and costs

Pelican Isle Yacht Club

Pelican Isle Yacht Club is recognized as one of the premier private yacht clubs in Naples. The club focuses on providing an exclusive feel while still remaining friendly and helpful.

Certified as a Clean Marina by the state of Florida, this club is designed for those who want all the benefits a club can offer.

• Clubhouse tours are offered to potential members
• The marina is located five minutes away from the Gulf of Mexico
• On-site laundry and showering facilities allow you to leave the sea at the club
• The club offers an on-site dining experience
• During the offseason members have less access to on-site activities
• The marina is located on a scenic, yet out of the way island meaning that members should come fully prepared for a day out on the water

Final Thoughts

Naples is home to a variety of boat and yacht clubs . Whether you are searching for an exclusive and tightly knit community within a club, or simply there for the boating experience, there is a boat club for every type.

Each boat club on this list offers a different set of social, fine dining, and boating experiences. The right boat club for you will depend on your priorities and needs.

Before joining a boat club, you should contact the membership director of each club you’re interested in.

Shop around and compare the prices, features, and boat selection of each club. Make sure you consider the location of the club when making your final decision.

References:

Freedom Boat Club – Naples, Florida

Click to share...

Naples Model Yacht Club

Sailboat racing is in our blood.  feel the same come and see us in action or bring your boat and race with us.

If you're new to radio controlled sailing or sailing general, the "Beginner's Guide" is an education tool that provides an explanation of sailing rules and helpful hints .

Our Code of Conduct

1.  Learn and sail by the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS)

2. Always call infractions by hailing twice "66 protests 55", "66 protests 55".

3.  Acknowledge protests and perform penalty turn(s) as soon as possible.

4.  Follow the Corinthian Spirit and do penalty turns, even when not protested.

5.  Refrain at all times from making derogatory or demeaning remarks, be friendly and courteous.

6.  Help new or less skilled members with sailing technique, technical problems, or understanding the RRS.

7.  Remember to be a good sportsman at all times, because this is a fun sport.

Top 10 Basic Rules of Sailing

1.  When boats are on opposite tacks, the port tack boat must keep clear of the starboard tack boat.

2.  On the same tack and overlapped, the windward boat must keep clear of the leeward boat.

3.  On the same tack and not overlapped, the boat clear astern must keep clear of the boat clear ahead.

4.  A boat that begins the process of tacking or gybing must keep clear of boats that are not tacking or gybing. If you are tacking you lose your rights until you are settled on a close-hauled course.

5.  When a boat acquires the right-of-way (such as gybing her boom to a starboard tack), this boat must initially give the other boats room to keep clear.  After a brief period of time, the boat can exercise her newly acquired rights.

6.  When a right-of-way boat changes course (even a little bit), this boat must initially give the other boat room to keep clear. You cannot quickly change your course to force another boat into a foul.

7.  If a boat comes from behind you and begins to overtake your boat from the leeward side, and if that boat is within 2 boat lengths off your leeward side as it begins to overlap you, that boat is not allowed to sail above its proper course.  In other words, it is not allowed to push you up into the no-go zone.

8.  When boats are overlapped approaching a turning mark, the outside boat must give the inside boat enough room to round, provided that the overlap was established before the lead boat entered the 4 boat-length zone.  This rule does not apply at a starting mark as boats are approaching the start.  The inside overlap boat does not have rights to room at the starting mark.  This rule does apply at the finishing mark.  A boat that has established inside overlap prior to the 4-boat-length zone must be given room to finish.

9.  You must round all marks in the direction specified by race committee, and you must not touch a mark.  The committee boat is considered a mark.  The penalty for touching a mark is one full penalty turn (360). 

10.  Fouls should be exonerated on the course by getting clear of other boats, and doing two full penalty turns (except #9 above which is one full penalty turn). A boat must conduct her penalty turns before reaching the next mark of the course.

• General Information: 239-261-1616
• Assisted Living & Memory Care: 239-261-1616
• Outpatient Therapy: 239-919-1755
• Skilled Nursing: 239-643-9133

The Center for Healthy Living

• Physicians Services

Outpatient Therapy

• Assisted Living & Memory Care
• Skilled Nursing

Home Health

• Moorings Park
• Moorings Park at Grey Oaks
• Moorings Park Grande Lake
• Photo Gallery
• Video Gallery
• Information Kits
• There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

N EWS & U PDATES

The best yacht clubs in naples, florida.

If you’re one of the lucky boaters cruising the gorgeous waters off Naples, you may want to consider joining a local yacht club. There are many benefits of becoming a member, including having a safe place to dock your boat and an excellent opportunity to socialize with other club members as you share your vessel and enjoy the sails. Membership also provides the added bonus of unlimited access to a variety of amenities, such as the club’s pool, restaurants, and gyms.  

There are many great clubs to choose from, but we’ve made it easy by putting together a list of the best yacht clubs Naples, Florida has to offer. 

The Naples Sailing & Yacht Club 

Located at 896 River Point Drive, Naples, FL 34102, The Naples Sailing & Yacht Club is one of the best clubs for sailing enthusiasts. It was founded by Commodore Emeritus Jack G. Messmer, who invited 18 sailing enthusiasts to his home for a meeting to make the first move towards establishing a club. The Naples Sailing & Yacht Club has a ship store open every Wednesday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The store offers members and guests a wide range of merchandise, from customized apparel and accessories to entertainment items to enjoy on the boat.  Once you enroll as a club member, you automatically become a member of the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs. Another perk of membership is being able to enjoy all of the club’s restaurants, including the Riverside Dining Room, the Bayside Dining Room, the Main Dining Room, or casual dining in the Lighthouse Lounge.

Naples Yacht Club 

Founded by B. W Morris Jr., Stephen F. Briggs, and J. G. Sample, Naples Yacht Club is notable for being the first private boating club and social organization in Naples. The club specializes in both fine and casual dining, yachting and sailing, holiday parties, dinner and dancing, happy hour, and much more. Members enjoy fantastic dining options, an active social calendar, beautiful views, a tight-knit boating community, and a host of great amenities.

Destination Boat Clubs 

With a wide variety of vessels available at Destination Boat Clubs , members are free to choose a boat that suits their daily needs, be it water sports, sailing, fishing, or just relaxing on the water. Destination Boat Clubs has well-maintained and fully equipped boats for any occasion, ranging from walkarounds, pontoons, deck boats, dual consoles, bay boats, and catamarans.  Whether you’re a seasonal or full-time Naples resident, Destination Boat Clubs can customize a membership plan that is right for you. In addition, Destination Boat Clubs administers a Safe Boaters' Course to educate their members on how to stay safe on the water, which all new members must take and pass. Payments for all members are made monthly, with prices as low as $235 per month.

Hamilton Harbor Yacht Club 

Located in a secure haven alongside the beautiful Rookery Bay, Hamilton Harbor Yacht Club has the most convenient entrance to the Gulf of Mexico from Naples Bay.  With the impressive lifestyle and dining options offered at the Hamilton Harbor Yacht Club, you won’t need a warm, sunny day in the water to work up an appetite. The club offers an ideal combination of cuisines and spectacular views of sunsets and bay waters.  Its sophisticated services are designed to appeal to all members, and their menus feature the very finest ingredients from both land and sea. Hamilton Harbor Yacht Club offers three membership options:

•    Dry slip: Members enjoy the club's first-class amenities and services, discounted fuel, and on-site maintenance and repair services. •    Wet slip: Members in wet slip receive all of the dry slip amenities and services. In addition, each floating or fixed dock includes a dock box, dockside pump-out, and shore power.  •    Social membership: Benefits for this membership include on-board catering, access to professional captain's fishing guides and services, slip leasing, discounted marine fuel, and the use of club kayaks and vessels.

 Joining a yacht club allows members to partake in the long, beloved history of Naples sailing enthusiasts and boat owners. If you are passionate about sailing, a yacht club has a lot to offer. You will have a safe place to keep your boat and a club to meet and socialize with your fellow sailors. You can also engage in racing competitions or enjoy a cruise with your friends. For sailing enthusiasts, a great yacht club is worth joining.  Moorings Park is conveniently located in Naples, so contact us today to discover more about our community, where you’ll have easy access to yachting and sailing on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.  

Moorings Park® Communities, with its three beautiful campuses, is widely known as the premier provider of active retirement living in Southwest Florida. With a wide variety of luxurious residences and unrivaled access to upscale and casual dining, comprehensive physician services, state-of-the art fitness centers and engaging social activities, Moorings Park Communities provides Simply the Best® facilities and services for successful aging. As a Life Plan provider (formerly known as Continuing Care Retirement Community or CCRC), we offer peace of mind, security and knowledge that - should the need arise - the highest quality of healthcare is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Residents, members and even those in the general public, receive compassionate care by an experienced team on a daily basis.This new community with lake and golf views takes the concept of retirement living to "grande" heights. Providing the ultimate in personalized healthcare services, along with unparalleled craftsmanship and design from developer and project partner London Bay Development Group. Moorings Park® Communities, with its three beautiful campuses, is widely known as the premier provider of active retirement living in Southwest Florida. With a wide variety of luxurious residences and unrivaled access to upscale and casual dining, comprehensive physician services, state-of-the art fitness centers and engaging social activities, Moorings Park Communities provides Simply the Best® facilities and services for successful aging.

Schedule a Visit to one of our Campuses

Want to learn more about Moorings Park and our three stunning campuses? Schedule a visit to see for yourself.  Schedule Now

Download our Retirement Information Kit to Learn More

Communities

Moorings Park 120 Moorings Park Drive 239-643-9111

Moorings Park at Grey Oaks 2591 Rue du Jardin 239-919-1711

Moorings Park Grande Lake 7410 Little Lane 239-919-1620

Orchid Terrace

The Chateau  

Helpful Links

Future Residents Upcoming Events Schedule a Visit View Information Kits Contact

Connect With Us

Stay Up-To-Date

Subscribe to our email updates

120 Moorings Park Drive | 239-643-9111 | © 2023 Moorings Park | All Rights Reserved | Terms of Use.

Licenses: #88033 | #SNF1357096 | #AL9199 | #AL13027 | #299992880 | #HHA299991484

South Pointe Yacht Club and Marina  

Click Here for Marina Website

A Private Yacht Basin Located within Windstar on Naples Bay. Windstar on Naples Bay is nestled along 2 miles of Naples Bay eastern shore and Haldeman Creek frontage. By land, we are just seven minutes to Old Naples and by sea just one mile across the Bay to Naples Dock and Marina where world class shopping and dining awaits. To the west there is immediate access to Gordon Pass into the Gulf of Mexico along the Port Royal corridor or to a southbound inland waterway passage to Keewaydin Island and Marco Island. 

The Windstar Marina has been a member of the Clean Marina program for the full 10 years of the initiative. What is a Clean Marina? The Florida Clean Marina Program is a voluntary designation program with a proactive approach to environmental stewardship. Participants receive assistance in implementing Best Management Practices through on-site and distance technical assistance, mentoring by other Clean Marinas and continuing education. To become designated as a Clean Marina, facilities must implement a set of environmental measures designed to protect Floridas waterways. These measures address critical environmental issues such as sensitive habitat, waste management, stormwater control, spill prevention and emergency preparedness. Designated facilities and those facilities seeking designation receive ongoing technical support from the Florida Clean Marina Program and the Clean Boating Partnership.

For more information please contact Southpointe Marina at [email protected] , 239-774-0518.  

Video shows mischievous (but cute) bear on luxury boat at Naples, Florida yacht club

A bear on a boat.

That's really all you need to know.

It's a Florida thing, or a Naples, Florida thing in this particular case.

Naples is known for its luxurious surroundings − the beautiful homes, the gorgeous beaches, the five-star restaurants and the priceless sunsets.

Apparently, the wildlife living near the city on the Gulf Coast want to fit in and do their part to uphold the lifestyles of the rich and famous brand. So, no one should be surprised that a Florida black bear was caught hanging out on a 50-foot sailing catamaran docked at the Naples Sailing and Yacht Club this week.

Captain Todd Dillman, the owner of TowBoatU.S.-Naples & Marco Island happened to be in the right place at the right time on Wednesday (Oct. 4). He was driving by the yacht club in his boat when he spotted the bear walking around the catamaran deck.

More: Video: Watch a Golden Gate Estates home transform into a playground for bear cubs

"I thought I had seen it all in my line of work," Dillman said. "Snakes, gators, saltwater crocs, sharks ... never in a million years did I think I would see a bear."

Dillman said the bear swam across the harbor and got up on the boat.

He soon realized this was a video-worthy moment.

"I had to video it because no one would believe me if I told it," Dillman said.

TowBoatU.S.-Naples & Marco Island tows boats when they break down servicing the Naples bay and the surrounding waters.

Where is the bear caught on video on the Naples yacht now?

According to Dillman, the bear is "running around downtown" and the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) are monitoring the bear and trying to make sure it goes home.

Florida black bears are not uncommon to see in the Naples area and Collier County. There is a steady stream of videos posted on social media by residents showing bears roaming around yards and looking for food inside garbage cans. Recently, a mother bear and her cubs were frolicking in front of a house in Golden Gate Estates .

According to the FWC website, Black bears prefer  habitats  with a dense understory such as forested wetlands and uplands, natural pinelands, hammocks, scrub, and shrub lands, but will use just about every habitat type in Florida, including swamps. 

Or, million-dollar yachts.

Florida Black bear chills aboard luxury yacht in Naples: must-watch video

Watch: florida black bear chills on luxury boat.

A Florida Black bear found itself hanging out on a luxury boat at the Naples Yacht Club earlier this week. Todd Dillman, who owns TowBoatUS Naples, said he was towing a boat back to the docks when he spotted the bear. At first he didn't believe it -- and wasn't sure anyone would believe what he saw -- so he pulled out his phone and began recording.

NAPLES, Fla. - A Florida Black bear seemingly left the woods and decided to give itself a luxury "daycation" aboard a sailing yacht in Naples this week.

Todd Dillman, owner of TowBoatUS Naples & Marco Island, was finishing a job towing another boat on Thursday in Royal Harbor when he spotted the bear on the 50-foot catamaran, named "TomCat," docked at the Naples Sailing and Yacht Club.

"I was thinking, I'm not much of a filmer. And I was like, ‘I probably should film this' because if I tell people this story, they're not going to believe me," he told FOX 35 Friday in a Zoom interview.

"Definitely chose a nice boat to get on."

DOWNLOAD THE FOX 35 NEWS APP

The bear could be seen taking in the views of the water in the back of the boat, sniffing around, and then exploring the rest of the boat, possibly in search of food or a way off. It wasn't immediately clear what led the bear to the boat or where it came from.

Dillman said he has seen a lot of wildlife during his time towing boats, but to see a bear, let alone one on a boat, was a first for him. 

"We see, you know, the saltwater crocs, the alligators, the sharks, the rays, all of that. So, I mean, wildlife is an abundance around here, but a bear  not too often," he said.

"This is definitely a new one," he added.

Eventually, the bear made its way off the boat, but it's not exactly clear where it went next. The FWC said it was aware of the bear and the videos circulating online, and that its bear biologists were monitoring its movements.

The FWC asked that people give this particular bear – and any other bear they see – some space.

Bears are most active in the spring and the fall in search of food. In the spring, the bears are coming out of the winter months and are also teaching their cubs how to find food. In the fall, the bears look to consume more calories ahead of the winter and may search for food in unusual areas, the FWC said.

If a bear cannot find easy food, such as outdoor pet food, bird seed, or trash, it will move on to other areas.

It's one of a number of bear incidents we've reported on recently.

Earlier this week in Sanford, Andrew Scheirer spotted what appeared to be a well-fed bear in someone's garage within the Preserve at Astor Farm subdivision. His video showed the bear munching on some sort of snack.

"They are a part of the neighborhood. Not aggressive and not scary or threatening. We love our bears. Wish development would stop encroaching on their natural habitat." Scheirer said.

Chunky bear grabs lunch inside garage

A bear made a pit stop inside a Sanford home's garage. It was all captured on camera

Over the last few months, a popular three-legged bear, aptly named "Tripod," has been spotted throughout neighborhoods in Seminole County. In one case, be broke through someone's screen porch and roamed around an outdoor kitchen, but ultimately left empty-handed.

3-legged bear returns to another home

Tripod, the 3-legged bear who went viral for opening up a fridge outside a Florida home and taking a white claw has returned to another Florida home -- yes he opened their fridge as well.

In September, Tripod managed to get into the porch of another home where he found the fridge, reportedly stocked with White Claws and other beverages.

"Oh my God, look at him," Josaury Diglio's son could be heard saying in one of the videos as the bear rummaged through a cabinet by the pool. "This is crazy!" he added, capturing the bizarre encounter on his cellphone.

She said Tripod managed to get three White Claws out of the fridge.

There are estimated to be more than 4,000 bears throughout Florida. The last count was conducted in 2015. The next count is scheduled for 2025.

Reset it by entering the email associated with your Concierge Plus account below.

WELCOME TO VENETIAN BAY YACHT CLUB CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC.

Association documents disclaimer.

All documents and information are provided for convenience only without guarantee or warranty of any nature whatsoever as to the completeness or content.  

Documents and Files

Welcome to venetian bay yacht club.

Venetian Bay Yacht Club is located at 4090 and 4190 Gulf Shore Blvd N., Naples, FL 34102 and is a 70 slip marina.

The Venetian Bay Yacht Club Association directors are:

• James Guidone - P
• Michelle McLeod - T
• George Papadopoulos - S

Venetian Bay Yacht Club is managed by:

Golden Property Management Services, LLC.  

4099 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 403

Naples, FL 34103

239-455-0459

[email protected]  

Contact Information

Venetian Bay Yacht Club requires all buyers and rentals to submit an application to the board for consideration and approval to own or rent.   You can submit your VBY - Sale-Lease Application.pdf by emailing [email protected]    and mailing the required application fees to Golden Property Management Services, 4099 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 403, Naples, FL 34103. 

All estoppel requests must be pre-paid.  Contact the Estoppel team by emailing [email protected]   for estoppel ordering and payment instructions.

Authorize User

Request account.

Create an account to connect with your community, management, association or board and easily stay on top of news and notices.

A Florida black bear was caught on video hanging out at Naples yacht club

A Florida black bear was spotted aboard a yacht earlier this week.

It seems like the wildlife living near Naples want to fit in and do their part to uphold the lifestyles of the rich and famous brand. 

The black bear in question was caught hanging out on a 50-foot sailing catamaran docked at the Naples Sailing and Yacht Club. 

Captain Todd Dillman, the owner of TowBoatU.S.-Naples & Marco Island , a tow service that tows boats when they break down, happened to be in the right place at the right time on Wednesday. He was driving by the yacht club in his boat when he spotted the bear walking around the catamaran deck.

Let’s just say seeing the black bear was a bit of a surprise for Dillman, who thought he had seen it all in his line of work. 

"Snakes, gators, saltwater crocs, sharks ... never in a million years did I think I would see a bear."

Dillman said the bear swam across the harbor and got up on the boat.

"I had to video it because no one would believe me if I told it," Dillman said.

Where is the bear now?

Despite the bear abandoning its post, the bear is still “running around downtown,” Dillman said.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commision are monitoring the bear and trying to make sure it goes home.

How common is it to see a bear running about?

There may not be a large quantity of black bears running around the Naples area, but it's not unusual to see on in your neighborhood from time to time. 

Residents have posted a steady stream of videos on social media showing bears roaming around yards and looking for food inside garbage cans, frolicking in front of a house , or on a million-dollar yacht for example. 

Black bears tend to prefer habitats with a dense understory such as forested wetlands and uplands, natural pinelands, hammocks, scrub, and shrub lands, but will use just about every habitat type in Florida, including swamps, according to the FWC website. 

What to do if you encounter a bear?

Since spotting a black bear in Florida from time to time isn’t unusual, there are a couple tips from The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission you can keep in mind if you ever see one while you are out and about. It might be rare for bears to seriously injure people, but bears have bitten and scratched people defending themselves, their cubs, or their food.

If you see a bear from a distance: 

• Enjoy the experience, but do not move toward the bear, if your presence changes the bear's behavior you are too close 

If you see a bear at a close distance: 

• Remain standing upright
• Speak to the bear in a calm, assertive voice
• Back up slowly toward a secure area, be sure you are leaving the bear a clear escape route
• Avoid direct eye contact - bears and other animals may view this as aggressive behavior
• Stop and hold your ground if your movement away seems to irritate instead of calm the bear

If a black bear does attack you, you are encouraged to fight back aggressively. People have been able to successfully fend off a black bear attack using rocks, sticks, or even their bare hands, according to the FWC.

More: Regarding Fat Bear Week: A letter from Fit Bears demanding equal representation

These 11 drone videos from Marco Island to Fort Myers Beach provide unique views

Just about anywhere you go in Southwest Florida, the views are spectacular. This includes high above the landscape.

In recent years, our Naples Daily News and the News-Press drone pilot, visual journalist Ricardo Rolon has flown our drown in a variety of locations. He has captured some unique views from Marco Island to Cape Coral. This includes what things looked like six months and one year after Hurricane Ian.

These 11 videos are some of the best in our archives and represent a wide-range of locations and news events.

No. 1 - A view above Marco Bay

No. 2 - cape coral yacht club beach, no. 3 - matlacha one year after hurricane ian, no. 4 - sanibel island one year after hurricane ian, no. 5 - fort myers beach one year after hurricane ian, no. 6 - delnor-wiggins state park, no. 7 - s.s. jolley bridge, marco island, no. 8 - tarpon club marina, naples, no. 9 - fort myers high school's new football field, no. 10 - toxic blue-green algae in a cape coral canal, no. 11 - submitted video of spotted eagle rays in north capitva.