CITRUS COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – This will be the first weekend boaters and fishers will be able to launch their boats from Fort Island Gulf Beach.

Hurricane Idalia wiped out the boat ramp when it hit Florida’s Gulf coast in late August.

This is what the floating dock and boat ramp looked like just after Hurricane Idalia hit the Crystal River area in August of 2023. Courtesy: CCBOCC
Crews work to repair the floating dock at the Fort Island Gulf Beach boat ramp. Courtesy: CCBOCC
The Citrus County Parks & Rec Department says the boat ramp had to be closed until the floating dock could be replaced so that boaters could safely get in and out of their boats. Courtesy: CCBOCC
The boat ramp and dock at Fort Island Gulf Beach near Crystal River is ready to welcome boaters back. Courtesy: CCBOCC
The floating dock at Fort Island Gulf Beach has been replaced less than three months after Hurricane Idalia wiped it out. Courtesy: CCBOCC

The Citrus County Parks & Recreation says the boat ramp at Fort Island Gulf Beach which is located at 16000 W Fort Island Trail officially reopened on Thursday.

County officials say the ramp’s floating dock was swept away with the hurricane’s storm surge.

Without the floating dock, boaters were unable to safely get in and out of their vessels, so the ramp remained closed until now.

The county says the floating dock has been replaced and the railings repaired and it’s ready for use.

County officials say the Fort Island Gulf Fishing Pier and Boardwalk remain closed until “further inspections can be completed and required repairs made.”