Laishley Park Marina
The Laishley Park Marina is a public marina operated by the City of Punta Gorda. It is a great jumping-off point for adventures on the Peace River, Charlotte Harbor, and Boca Grande (Long run).
Punta Gorda, Florida sits on the east side of Charlotte Harbor in Southwest Florida. The Peace River opens up into the harbor right where Punta Gorda sits. That makes Punta Gorda and the Laishley Park Marina prime real estate for those looking to launch a boat or an adventure into Charlotte Harbor.
The Ramp
The boat ramp at the Laishley Park Marina is a 2-lane ramp with docks on each side. There is also a long dock off to the left side for docking boats on the way in or out. This is a great feature for this ramp since there are only 2 lanes for launching and retrieving.
Parking can be a challenge on weekends and holidays with about 45 trailer spaces. On busy days, there are trailers parked on grassy areas and anywhere they will fit. This can make navigating the parking lot a challenge.
We used the ramp for demos of our Atlas Boatworks 23F bay boat. We were there mid-week and had no issues with parking or space.
Conclusion
Unlike most public boat ramps in Southwest Florida, the Laishley Park Marina is an actual marina. It has overnight and long-term slip rental as well as snacks, fishing supplies, and bait. Many charter captains also use it as a meeting point for their clients.
The ramp, parking lots, and facilities are in great shape. It is a nice place to launch and a convenient place to access the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor. The channel in and out of the marina is well-marked and easy to navigate. Overall, it is high on our list of boat ramps in the Southwest Florida area.