Things to do on and around Siesta Key
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On this cruise, you just can’t lose Cruisin’Tikis outings pack a punch of big fun on Siesta Key’s local waterways By Ned Steele
C
ruisin’ Tikis is the most fun per square foot you’ll ever have on the water. Barely a speck next to the gleaming yachts and large party boats on Sarasota Bay and just 16 feet across, it’s like the cozy cottage amid the row of mansions. The comfy family sedan cruising alongside the big SUVs. And when you charter her for a few hours with Capt. Bill Hogan at the helm, “The boat is yours,” says his business and life partner Marcia Bishop. Meaning, you’ll set the plan – sunset cruise, brunch cruise, sandbar-and-swim excursion, wherever in the bay you’d like. There is no fixed route. And, if you happen to have your own dock, Capt. Bill will pick you up there.
Capt. Bill Hogan and Marcia Bishop are all smiles on their beloved Tuff Tiki watercraft. (photo by Ned Steele)
Basically a compact, floating tiki bar, Cruisin’ Tikis is an intimate, private charter experience. You set out with your chosen loved ones or besties – as long as they’re older than the age of 10, and there’s no more than six of them. They don’t even have to be human. Hogan and Bishop will welcome your canine companion. Cruisin’ Tikis is a national franchise, and the partners have owned the Sarasota Bay location for two years. They’re reformed landlubbers -- he ran a convenience store; she worked part time in a golf club. They’ve fully renovated the vessel, which they named Tuff Tiki after it survived two hurricanes. Despite their slogan, (“Why go bar hopping, when you can hop on a bar?) this is not a “booze cruise.”
Cruisin’ Tikis is strictly BYOB and, if you overindulge, Capt. Bill will “86” you. (It’s only happened once.) That said, you are encouraged to bring anything you can drink responsibly. Food? Bring whatever you’d like. Pizza and wings are the most popular, but anything goes. Once a group of Philadelphians boarded with cheesesteaks flown in that morning from their home town. Music? Bring your playlist. Who does a Cruisin’ Tiki charter, and why? Bachelorette parties lead the list -- about 75 of them a year. Then there’s birthdays, anniversaries, and family gatherings. Twice in two years, the Tuff Tiki has been the site of a marriage proposal. Continued on page 14V
Doing good while looking great Part of Silver City’s beach-themed jewelry collection supports Mote Marine research By Jane Bartnett “Who doesn’t cherish the beauty of our gulf waters?” says Monica Galfre, owner of Silver City Sarasota jewelry in Southbridge Mall. When the devastating red tide bloom came ashore in 2018, Galfre wanted to find a way to support Mote Marine Laboratory’s research efforts and increase awareness. “Silver City is only blocks away from the beach and we were very aware of this terrible event. Red tide impacted everyone
on Siesta Key,” she said. “I got my team together and we designed the first item in our Tide Away collection. In 2019, we began selling our Tide Away stainless-steel keychain and donating 25% from the sale of each item” to Mote. “I’m proud to report that in the five years that we’ve been selling our Tide Away collection that has grown to include a total of nine popular items, Silver City has donated over $9,000 to Mote,” Galfre added.
The success of the original Tide Away keychain that depicts a frolicking dolphin, manatee, and sea turtle in the water led Galfre decided to design more items and create a full line. She soon trademarked “Tide Away Save Our Beaches.” The collection now includes two different bracelets, earrings, a Tide Away pendant, a blue-green bead, a gift set, and a blue-green Continued on page 11V
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Our captain shares his local fishing tips
Pick your Beach University topic
Details on local Easter services
Tune-in to where the tunes are at
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