SWFL Boating Activities

Welcome to the Gulf Coast of Florida. By boat you have the opporunity to see many of the unique areas that make this a prime vacation spot. All of the below can be seen and enjoyed by boat. You can be the Captain of your ship or arrange for a fishing or sightseeing charter through Captain Mannis Executive Boat Rentals (239) 898-2496.

Beaches

Our area includes some of the most posting beaches in Florida. The outer barrier island are on of the best shelling areas in the world. Some outer barrier islands are only reachable by boat and are a unique experience in exploring, swimming and shelling.

Explore SWFL Outer Barrier Islands

Barrier islands (only boat accessible!)

CAYO COSTA: A wonderful island with 9 miles the finest sandy beach and fields of pine woods and palms, as well as mangroves. This offers a rare insight to Florida from hundred years ago.

If you spend the day in this 2,225 acre park: Shelling, snorkeling, swimming. Without a doubt you will watch a spectacular collection of coastal birds and wildlife. Native country for eagles, sea eagles, pelicans and sandpipers and Gopher tortoises.

CABBAGE Key: This small island hiding place is the Old Florida which was built in 1938 by the dramatist and novelist Mary Roberts Rinehart, on an old Calusa Indian shell mound.

Today it is a picturesque food spot which is wallpapered with thousands of personally signed $1.00 bills. Enjoy the lunch and then follow the footpath to the wooden water tower where one can enjoy an above-the-trees panaoramic view of Pine Island Sound.

One says that Jimmy Buffet was inspired to write the song "Cheeseburger in Paradise " when he visited this rural country property. To see this island attraction, it is only accessible by boat.

NORTH CAPTIVA ISLAND: It is also another nice island which can be reached with a short boat trip from the Intercoastal Waterway. You will be on "Island time ". Investigate the following beaches: The Dune's beach, Jose's Hideaway beach, North Beach.

You will watch dolphins play and soaringly eagles. The history of this island is that women were caught by the infamous pirate Jose Gaspar for ransom and were held here.

LOVERS KEY STATE PARK: Accessible by boat. Set your anchor and discover a distant and lonesome beach with white sand. It is a haven for the animal world: rose-coloured spoonbills, white lake head eagles and dolphins, as well as sea tortoises you observe with your binoculars.

Sensational trails are also offered here. Because it is a state park, the Lover's Key State park has picnic tables, showers, toilets plus you can rent bicycles and kayaks or hike the trails.

SANIBEL ISLAND: This island is connected with the mainland through a 3-bridge drive over the connecting keys. Travel by boat and use the whole length of this island and set out the anchor wherever you would want. It curves like the shrimp in the water which makes for great shelling; there is only one other island which shares this geological shape, which lies in Africa. Moreover, it is good to know that the island is very good for the fishing, for resorts close to the beach and animal hiding places and preserves (J.N. "Ding" Darling Nationwide Wildlife Refuge).

The Sanibel Lighthouse (which was completed in 1884) offers photo opportunities and artist's dreams. Come by the boat and enjoy this island. It is visited by many Dolphin and Atlantic Tarpon.

Fishing

We offer a flats (shallow water), and a center console Wellcraft boat for rent. You can fish offshore, inshore and nearshore back bay waters with our fishing boat rentals. Tarpon, Redfish, Snook, Trout, Grouper, Snappers are some of the many species to fish for. Fishing charters for nearshore and backwater are offered with a captain with over 20 years of guiding in this area. We have been providing exciting fishing adventures for over 10 years.

Sunsets

The Gulf of Mexico offers some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world. Seeing sunsets by water give a special view and memories.

Shelling

Our area is consided one of the top two areas in the world for sea shells. Walking along the white sand beaches with warm water is a most relaxing experience. All ages of the family will enjoy the "Treasure Hunting" experience and leave with souvieners that will make the experience memorable for years in the future.

Waterfront Restaurants

WATERFRONT RESTAURANT - ST. JAMES CITY, PINE ISLAND

At the Southern tip of Pine Island. You can arrive by boat (16 dock slips). Eat dockside on the patio or inside in the A/C. It is a casual fun atmosphere and the staff is friendly and efficient.

Local seafood is their specialty whether you enjoy Seafood Chowder, Local Steamed Clams, Chilled Shrimp and Blue Crab Salad or Grouper prepared to you liking you will not walk away disappointed. Regular fare and burgers available.

WOODYS WATERSIDE - MONROE CANAL - ST. JAMES CITY, PINE ISLAND

Another restaurant on the water tasty food and easy docking. From Green Marker # 13 head 340 degress to St james City Channel; make 2nd right onto the Monroe Canal. Good food and cold drinks that you will enjoy along with the daily specials.

NERVOUS NELLIES - SNUG HARBOR - FORT MYERS BEACH

Two levels of a crazy nautical themed restaurant in the historic Baywalk district. Free marina dockage with dock attendant's assistance. Largest menu for food and drinks around! They offer something for everyone. Daily music from local talents from 1PM to 5PM. Happy Hour All Day Every Day.

MANTANZAS INN RESTAURANT - FORT MYERS BEACH

Easy dockage and a wonderful menu for lunch or early dinner. Located along the Intercoastal Waterway, which separates Fort Myers Beach from the rest of Florida. This is a piece of paradise.

Wildlife

By boat you have the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife as you cruise; pods of Bottlenose Dolphin, Manatees feeding on seagrasses, and at the right season, Tarpon will be rolling in the Gulf waters. You will see a glimpse of the shiny silver scales gleam in the sunshine as the Tarpon roll. Sea turtles frequent this area and have their nests on the beaches. When they do come to shore to lay their eggs their sites are protected. As you cruise you will see the homes and a good variety of wading and shore birds including the Roseate Spoonbill, Bald Eagles, Osprey, Pelicans, Herons, Egrets, Ibis, Owls, Songbirds and Anhingas. It is a usual sight to see Osprey with fish in their talons heading to their homes. In the spring you will see Bald Eagles and Osprey with nest making material in their talons as they make their homes comfortable for their new offsrping. These animals thrive in these waters and you will no doubt have many encounters and photo opportunities. Alligators are in Florida; and you should be cautions around fresh bodies of water for them. Aquatic preserves of this natural heritage are entrusted to us, to explore, experience and protect for future generations. This boating experience will be one that makes many memories.