Website Improvements
We are excited to announce the new and improved Florida By Water. Over the summer we have spent many hours ensuring that the award-winning site is ready to meet the demands of our users. During the process we felt it was important to keep the look and feel as close to the original as possible. Most content on the site can be easily located in 3 clicks or less. The following is a list of a few of the major changes.
1. Mobile Detection: If you open the site on your smart phone you will get the mobile version of the site. This will give you access to Destinations, Tropical Drink Recipes, Events, Articles, and even access to the "World of Boating" radio show archives which can be played right on your phone. Just click on the three little bars to the left of the hourglass to access the menu.
If there is one thing most boaters love to do, it is raft up. A formal definition is “the roping together of a number of small vessels to form a raft-like structure; a social gathering based upon such a structure.” However, over the years the term has come to focus much more on the social aspect rather than the roping together of boats. A raft up is about a destination. It could just as easily be called a party spot where boaters congregate. These pristine locations are usually sandbars or small islands that are only accessible by boat. They are perfect for relaxing, people watching, playing in the water and socializing. From time to time there are organized events, but for the most part it’s just the place to be.
As the days get longer and warmer and the smell of honeysuckle starts to fill the air, my mind start to drift away to the endless boating opportunities that await me this summer. Every year around this time I find myself planning for the perfect boating season. Let’s face it, even though here in Florida we can boat most of the year, many of us tend to take a break during the winter months. (Mostly due to the fact that we think anything under 75 is not suitable for outdoor activities!)
The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) between Stuart and the Jupiter Lighthouse is a ride of about 25 miles through towering mangroves and past the gorgeous mansions on Jupiter Island. This is the southernmost stretch of the Indian River Lagoon, one of the most biologically diverse waterways in North America. There are great bars and restaurants on either end of the run, including several where you can tie up in Stuart's Manatee Pocket. In Jupiter, make sure you check out the legendary Square Grouper Tiki Bar at Castaway's Marina. ( Article by Terry Gibson. 
The Lake Worth Lagoon runs from North Palm Beach to south of Boynton Beach. Preserves and habitat restoration efforts offer plenty for the nature lover to enjoy. Munyon Island is a great restoration success story that teems with fish, ospreys and manatees. Peanut Island is a great party spot and point of diverse interests just to the south of the Blue Heron Bridge, across from great waterfront dining at the Sailfish Marina. From there, heading south, the ICW will take you between the thriving City of West Palm Beach and the mansions of the Town of Palm Beach. Stop off at the Old Key Lime House in Lantana for drinks and great food. Article by Terry Gibson.