Captiva Cruises
On the Water at Sunset
Captiva Fish House as seen from a Captiva Cruise (photo: Ella Nayor)
By Ella Nayor
I don’t exactly know when I fell madly in love with the Gulf of Mexico. But the mere sight of the rolling, azure Gulf waters causes my heart to capitulate and thump and then relax into slow, gentle beats – seemingly all at once. Perhaps it’s the slick, grey dolphins playing in the frothy foam or the clutches of white pelicans creating a snowy like canopy above the green mangroves. Or maybe it’s the honey dripping marmalade-hued sunsets that appear to sink into the sea. Quite likely it is all of these rich sensory things that have launched me into a full-blown love affair with the Gulf. But whatever it is I know I have Captiva Cruises to thank for the fateful meeting of woman and sea.
For the past five years I have written about Sanibel and Captiva I have experienced the islands in a variety of ways – each seemingly more stunning than the next. But for this writer the best mode of learning about the islands has been via Captiva Cruises. The nearly 30-year-old excursion company operates a fleet of sailing and powerboat vessels and features an array of educational and relaxing programs to learn about the Gulf.
The boats are comfortable and cozy and equipped with a bathroom, shaded areas to sit and relax with fellow passengers and of course a dynamic captain and educator.
Adam and Katie Tedder of Elgin, Ill., relax aboard Captiva Cruises’ Santiva vessel during the Sunset Cruise. (photo: Ella Nayor)
During many excursions, including a recent sunset cruise along the Gulf, I have had the fortune to travel with the affable and knowledgeable Richard Finkel, Captiva Cruises’s environmental educator. It is a seemingly impossible feat to not be enthralled by Finkel. His stories about the area and the ecology allure and make you feel a part of the environment. His wit and gentle humor draw you in to his world of pelicans scooping up silvery fish, stories of wild hurricanes, Native American history and local lore. During the recent sunset tour Finkel delighted the about 40 passengers with information about birds, wildlife and the historic fish houses jutting from the water.
But of all the wildlife, history and scenic vistas that popped up before us, the dolphins captivated most. Passengers from different parts of the country clamored to the edge of the vessel named “Santiva” to get a glimpse of the sea mammals as they were spotted frolicking about the boat. Finkel encouraged us to whistle, clap and cheer on the dolphins to get them to swim in the wake near the boat. After a chorus of hooting and hollering, a parade of shiny, grey animals emerged from the sea. And much to the delight of the wide-eyed passengers the pod of dolphins danced through the waves.
“It never gets old,” Finkel said with a chuckle over the din of flashing cameras.
Watching the world go by is a big part of the draw for guests aboard Captiva Cruises’ Sunset Cruise. (photo: Ella Nayor)
Kathy Sweat of Miami, Florida inched closer to the boats’s edge to capture a picture of the dolphins. Her face lit up like a Christmas tree at the sight of the sea creatures.
As soon as the dolphins ended their game of frolicking near the boat, passengers settled in their seats to listen to relaxing music and watch a Gulf of Mexico sunset.
And I am here to tell you, a marmalade-spreading sunset across the skies in the Gulf is akin to viewing a slice of heaven – if one could imagine that. As the sky shaded to gold, pink and fiery orange hues, a hush fell across the chatty boaters. It was as if the sky and sea joined forces to create an indigo and sienna silhouette of fire and water.
In talking with Captiva Cruises owner Paul McCarthy once before, he described the Gulf as the centerpiece of the area.
“If people come to Captiva or Sanibel, the most amazing place to visit is out on the water,” said McCarthy.
If you are planning a getaway or vacation to Sanibel and Captiva mark Captiva Cruises on your must-go list. Cost for tickets is reasonable and tours to various spots around Southwest Florida are available year round. Captiva Cruises is located at McCarthy’s Marina on Captiva Island. For more information or to make a reservation, go to their website at www.captivacruises.com or call 239-472-5300.
Contact Captiva Cruises:
- Founded in 1986, Captiva Cruises is an excursion boat company, which operates a fleet of vessels and an exciting program of tours and cruises from world-famous South Seas Island Resort and McCarthy’s Marina on beautiful Captiva Island, Florida.
- Phone: (239) 472-5300
- Online: captivacruises.com
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