The South Venice Beach Community Beach Ferry is all electric and is driven by 20 HP equivalent DC electric motor.  It is very quite and does not disturb the wildlife.  Dolphins, manatees, otters, alligators, and other aquatic life can be observed while riding the Ferry.  There is also an abundance of birds, including pelicans, eagles, osprey, egrets, and herons. Check out the pictures in the gallery!

The Ferry can seat 22 and is licensed annually by the United States Coast Guard. Seating is first come first serve and, on busy days, you may be required to wait 30 minutes until the next Ferry.  Riders are limited to South Venice Beach Community resident members, along with a limited number of non-residents, and this helps minimize having to wait for the next Ferry.

The Ferry shuttles riders from the Ferry Dock House on the mainland, a few hundred yards across the intracoastal waterway to a private dock on SVBET property on Manasota Key.  From there, riders can walk on a private boardwalk to the beach.

The Ferry Captains have USCG licenses and also have Red Cross CPR and AED training.  AEDs are located at the beach boardwalk and at the Ferry Dock House. There is also a first aide kit on the Ferry. The Ferry Captain can take life-saving measures and contact EMS.

The Beach Ferry operating schedule is daily (including all holidays), 9:30 AM to sunset from October 1 to May 31 and 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM from June 1 to September 30, every 30 minutes.  The Captain’s lunch time is from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM, with no Ferry service to or from the Beach at 1:00 PM.

From time to time, due to weather or maintenance, the Beach Ferry is closed.  See the top header of this website for Ferry current running status.  We will attempt to keep this updated but can’t guarantee it’s accuracy. Also, when purchasing a Beach Ferry membership, you have the option of getting text message notifications of closure.

The SVBET’s goal is to make is as easy as possible to purchase BEACH FERRY PASSES.  Currently, you can come to our office at 720 Alligator Dr., Venice, Florida  34293 on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays from 9:00am to 1:00 pm. You will be required to fill out a simple application, sign a hold harmless agreement, produce an ID and have your residency verified, read and agree to the rules and regulations, have your picture taken, and pay by check or credit card.  You will be given a receipt that you will use temporarily as a Ferry pass until your pass is ready to be picked at the Ferry Dock House located at 4800 Lemon Bay Dr., Venice, Florida  34293.

See the membership fees page for current fees, residency information, additional membership information and more detailed instructions. In the future, you will be able to purchase membership fees online in our Shop. For now, you can complete the simple application online before you visit us in our office.

Come visit your own piece of paradise! Pristine beaches, natural landscape, and quiet surroundings are what you will find on your own private beach. Please keep our beaches clean. What you bring with you, take home with you. Let our nature stay beautiful.  See you at the beach!