5.0(3 Reviews)Boca Grande Combo Land & Sea Adventure Tour
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Combo of Land & Sea
Sixhour private boat trip to historic Cabbage Key IslandDolphin watching and sandbar swimming in Boca Grande watersProfessional captain guides groups up to six guests
Picture yourself cruising through crystal-clear waters around Boca Grande's barrier islands, watching dolphins play in your wake while heading to one of Florida's most unique destinations. This top-rated 6-hour private tour combines the best of both worlds - stunning marine wildlife encounters and exploring the legendary Cabbage Key Island, a spot you can only reach by boat. With Captain Steve at the helm, you'll discover hidden sandbars, hunt for shells, and experience the magic of Southwest Florida's pristine waters. Perfect for families, couples, or small groups looking for an authentic Florida adventure that goes way beyond your typical tour boat experience.
This isn't your average sightseeing trip - it's a fully customizable adventure that adapts to what your group wants most. The journey starts with a scenic 45-minute boat ride from Boca Grande, giving you plenty of time to spot dolphins, manatees, and other marine life along the way. Once you reach Cabbage Key Island, you'll have the freedom to explore at your own pace. Walk the nature trails, climb the historic water tower for panoramic views of the Gulf, and grab a cold drink at the famous restaurant where dollar bills cover every inch of the walls and ceiling. The beauty of this private tour is that your captain works around your group's interests - want to spend more time dolphin watching? No problem. Kids more interested in shell hunting at the sandbars? We've got you covered. Groups of up to six people get the full VIP treatment with a professional captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand.
Your captain meets you at the Boca Grande marina, where you'll board a comfortable vessel designed for both smooth cruising and easy water access. The boat's shallow draft lets you explore areas bigger tour boats can't reach, especially those pristine sandbars where the water stays crystal clear and knee-deep for hundreds of yards. Throughout the day, you'll use provided snorkeling gear to explore underwater treasures - think sand dollars, sea urchins, colorful shells, and maybe even some hermit crabs. The tour route changes based on weather, tides, and wildlife activity, but your captain always knows the best spots for dolphin encounters and the calmest waters for swimming. Safety gear and basic snorkeling equipment come standard, though you're welcome to bring your own if you have preferences. The boat stays close whenever anyone's in the water, and your captain often joins in to help spot the coolest finds or point out interesting marine life.
"We had an absolutely unforgettable time on our 4-hour boat tour with Captain Steve! The ride was so smooth and relaxing that one of our 9-year-old twins actually fell asleep — that's how peaceful it was. The highlight for all of us was playing with dolphins who swam in the boat's wake — truly magical. Captain Steve went above and beyond to make the day fun and engaging, especially for our very curious boys. He patiently answered their nonstop questions, explained everything in a way they could understand, and even jumped in the water to snorkel and hunt for shells with them. He helped them find some real treasures and made them feel like little explorers. It's not easy to keep two energetic 9-year-olds entertained for hours, but Captain Steve did it effortlessly. He made the day fun, educational, and completely stress-free for us parents. Without a doubt, this tour was the highlight of our trip. Highly recommend!" - Lacey
"We had an AMAZING time out on the water today! We loved the boat ride, searching for shells, looking for dolphins, and enjoyed time at the sandbar - got to hold a sea urchin, sand dollars, shells with things living in them, and clams." - Valerie
"Steve was a great tour guide. He knew the best areas to cruise through and found the best swimming areas! Highly recommend Salty Breeze Boat Tours." - Rob
Bottlenose dolphins are the stars of this show, and Boca Grande's waters provide some of the most reliable dolphin watching on Florida's Gulf Coast. These intelligent mammals are active year-round but especially playful during the cooler months from November through April when baitfish are abundant. You'll often see them riding the boat's wake, a behavior called bow riding that never gets old no matter how many times you witness it. Adult dolphins here typically measure 8-12 feet long and travel in pods of 3-8 individuals. What makes these encounters special is how curious and interactive Boca Grande's dolphins tend to be - they'll often approach the boat and put on quite a show with jumps, spins, and synchronized swimming. Your captain knows their favorite feeding and playing spots, timing the tour to maximize your chances of extended encounters.
West Indian manatees frequent these warm, shallow waters, particularly around the grass beds near Cabbage Key and the surrounding islands. These gentle giants can reach 13 feet long and weigh over 1,200 pounds, but they move through the water with surprising grace. Peak manatee season runs from November through March when they seek out warmer waters, though you might spot them year-round. They're incredibly docile and often curious about boats, sometimes surfacing nearby to check out their visitors. The seagrass beds around the barrier islands provide their primary food source, and watching a manatee graze underwater is like observing an underwater lawn mower in slow motion. Your captain maintains respectful distances while giving you the best viewing opportunities - these encounters often become the most memorable part of many guests' trips.
This customer favorite tour books up fast, especially during peak season when everyone wants to experience Florida's pristine waters and visit the world-class destination that is Cabbage Key. The combination of reliable dolphin encounters, pristine sandbar stops, and the unique island experience creates memories that last long
5.0 out of 5.0We had an absolutely unforgettable time on our 4-hour boat tour with Captain Steve! The ride was so smooth and relaxing that one o...
We had an AMAZING time out on the water today! We loved the boat ride, searching for shells, looking for dolphins, and enjoyed ti...
Steve was a great tour guide. He knew the best areas to cruise through and found the best swimming areas! Highly recommend Salty ...
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