AQUATIC ADVENTURES

By Heather Turk

Those visiting Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach this spring hoping to spend some quality time out on (or even in) the water will find no shortage of incredible water activities to enjoy close by.

For the past 40 years, one of the most popular ways to experience Charlotte Harbor has been aboard one of King Fisher Fleet’s Sunset Cruises. Open to guests of all ages, the 90-minute cruise departs nightly from Fishermen’s Village and takes up to 130 passengers on a relaxing tour of upper Charlotte Harbor and around the mouth of Peace River. As guests watch the stunning sunset, they’ll often see dolphins and seabirds nearby. Children are frequently invited into the wheelhouse to steer the boat with the captain as well, further adding to the unforgettable experience. kingfisherfleet.com

While narration is limited on King Fisher Fleet’s Sunset Cruises so that passengers can enjoy the relaxing evening with their friends and family while listening to some music, Babcock Ranch’s Swamp Buggy Eco-Tours are great for those who want a more educational excursion. The 90-minute narrated tour takes passengers through Punta Gorda’s historic Crescent B cattle ranch, where they will learn about the history of the property and the various Florida ecosystems found on it. Along the way, passengers will not only get to ride through an actual cypress swamp twice, but also see a variety of wildlife near the water, such as alligators and softshell turtles. babcockranchecotours.com

For a more active aquatic adventure, SUP Englewood offers a variety of guided stand-up paddleboard and kayak tours that range from two to four hours. Guests can paddle to places in the Greater Englewood area like Don Pedro Island and Boca Grande while being led by a certified Florida Master Naturalist, who will educate paddlers on any wildlife seen along the way. In addition to dolphins and manatees, smaller marine life like sea urchins and hermit crabs are often spotted on tours. Rentals are also available for more skilled paddlers who would rather venture out into the water on their own. supenglewood.com

Nature fans can get an even closer look at some of the area’s marine life by booking a Seagrass Wading Trip at Cedar Point Environmental Park. Guided by a naturalist, the free monthly wading adventure invites guests to go into the

Lemon Bay estuary with dip nets and buckets to explore its seagrass meadows and catch (and release) some of the creatures that live there. Frequent sightings include pipefish and live conchs. While each trip is limited to just 12 participants, private and nighttime wading trips can also be booked in advance for only $15 per person. checflorida.org

Visitors can spend a full day exploring Southwest Florida’s waters as well by booking a private VIP boat charter with NAUTI Aquatic Adventures LLC. The ultimate sightseeing adventure, NAUTI Aquatic Adventures LLC works with guests to make their wildest vacation dreams come true, whether it’s going SNOOBA diving for shark teeth, shelling on a remote island, snorkeling with manatees or all three. Having logged more than 6,000 nautical miles on Florida’s Gulf Coast waters, Captain Buck Mosher and his team know just where to find dolphins and other marine life off the beaten path so that guests can experience up-close, Sea World-like animal encounters in the wild. Passengers are given the VIP treatment from the moment they step aboard, too, with their own valet to serve their every need — including taking videos and photos throughout the day so they can enjoy every moment to its fullest! nautiauqatic-adventures.com

Fishermen looking to test their luck out in the Tarpon Capital of the World, meanwhile, can book a private fishing charter in Boca Grande or Charlotte Harbor with Silver Lining Charters. Offering something for every angler, the company not only lets guests choose what type of experience they’re interested in — from inshore backcountry fishing for tarpon, snook and cobia to nearshore fishing for grouper, snapper and king mackerel — but also which vessel they want to book: the 2023 Maverick HPX-S, which is better for shallow waters, or the larger 2023 Pathfinder 2500 Hybrid. Either way, under the expert guidance of “GuideLines” TV host Captain Jay Withers, anglers are guaranteed a fruitful time out on the water. captjay.com