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.

This past year, Florida By Water (floridabywater.com) went in search of the most poplar raft up location in the Sunshine State. Not surprisingly, almost every city has its own special place. Therefore, we picked 10 of the most popular (based on a very unscientific survey) raft up locations for boaters.