Why you should take a boat Cruise in Southwestern Florida
The Floridian Gulf Coast is known for stunning sunsets, beautiful beaches and countless of small islands just waiting to be discovered. Exploring the Fort Myers and Sanibel area by boat will give you a new perspective and you will learn that this is so much more than a beach destination. You will see beautiful homes along the waterfront, discover fishing communities and experience some fascinating wildlife.
Today I’m sharing the highlights of my sunset cruise in the Sanibel area, and why you should take a cruise on your next visit.
Why you should take a cruise
Booking a cruise is probably the most simple way to explore the Sanibel and Fort Myers area by boat. There are many tour operators available, but on my recent visit, I chose Adventures in Paradise. They offer plenty of cruises daily, and the availability was great as well. The cruise I took was the Sunset Dolphin and Wildlife cruise, which was absolutely gorgeous.
Taking a cruise to see more of this area is a great way to explore it from a new perspective. It is stress-free and you won’t have to deal with crowds or cars. Instead, you will get to enjoy the serenity out on the water while admiring all the gated community-homes that you’d never get to see from the streets.
Experience the sunset
On of the perks with the sunset cruise is that if you pick the right evening, you will share the waters with an absolutely amazing sunset. Since you’re in southern Florida, you won’t have to worry about freezing either.
The flora and fauna
While on your cruise, you will encounter plenty of animals. The guide will tell you about the flora and fauna of the region, and you will get to watch the animals in their natural habitat. There will also be plenty of mangrove trees and birds. If you’re lucky, you’ll see dolphins. They usually come up close to the boats and sometime even follow them.
Search for seashells
If you’re an avid seashell hunter, you’ll be happy to learn that there are seashell tours if you want to explore hidden beaches and go shelling. The two islands of Sanibel and Captiva are almost entirely made of seashells. They are known to be among the best destinations in the world for this particular activity. If you’re especially interested in shelling, you can also visit the Bailey Matthews National Shell Museum.
Learn from the tour guides
Make sure to learn from your tour guide and ask questions. They are knowledgeable and more than happy to answer. They have usually been in this particular business for a long time and will show you parts of the region that you’ve never previously heard of. Did you, for instance know that the US has a marine highway that stretches along pretty much the entire East Coast, around Florida and all the way to the waters of Texas?
Practical tips for your cruise
- Bring bug spray, especially if you’re taking a sunset or evening tour. Bugs and mosquitos are frequent in the area, and especially near the water.
- Each tour operator operates from different harbours and docks in the area. Double check where your particular tour operator departs from, and make sure to be 15 minutes early as you don’t want to miss your tour.
- Bring sunscreen if you’re going during the day. The sun is harsh out in the waters.
- Tours start at around 30 USD and can range up to the hundreds, depending on the concept
- Bring a coat if you’re going during the evening, it can get quite cold in the wind. This is especially true if you’re visiting during the Florida winter.
What are your favorite ways to explore a new destination? Let me know in the comments!
