Treat Dad With a Day on The Water This Father’s Day
May 30, 2022 04:42PM ● By Stephanie Hatley
Photo Courtesy of Sanibel Marina's website
Father’s Day will soon be upon us, and while mothers enjoy being treated to a nice Sunday Brunch, fathers often enjoy outdoor recreation on their special day. If you’re looking for ways to spend quality time with your dad, check out these fishing charters, guided tours, and other fun adventures in the southwest Florida area.
Captiva Cruises
Family owned and operated since 1986, Captiva Cruises provides day cruises from two locations - McCarthy’s Marina or South Seas Island Resort. Voted "Best of the Gulfshore" in 2022 by Gulfshore Life, Captiva Cruises employees experienced USCG Certified captains to provide a safe and enjoyable tour of the islands. Choose from a dolphin and wildlife cruise, a sunset cruise, a sailing cruise, or numerous other options. Explore the hide-a-way of Cabbage Key or go shelling at Cayo Costa State Park.
To book your reservation or find out more, check out Captiva Cruises online today!
Captiva Cruises
To book your reservation or find out more, check out Captiva Cruises online today!
Tarpon Bay
Tarpon Bay Explorers provides nature tours and rentals for Floridians near Sanibel Island. Take a Wildlife Refuge Tram Tour, a Nature & Sealife Cruise, or Kayak Trail Tour. Fishing charters and pontoon rentals are also available. For dads who love birding, book the Sunset Rookery Paddle where guests are led by a guide around Tarpon Bay to watch dozens of birds swoop in to roost for the night. For early risers, book the Breakfast Nature Cruise to experience 950 acres of beautiful scenery and varied wildlife while sipping coffee and savoring pastries. There are so many options to spend quality time with Dad this Father's Day!
Sanibel Marina
Sanibel Marina offers sightseeing cruises and fishing excursions. The sightseeing tour aboard the Stars & Stripes is available at 11am, 1pm, 3pm, or 5pm and lasts for 90 minutes. It’s the perfect outing for a relaxing time with Dad and a chance to see all of the wildlife off the coast of Sanibel Island. The Sanibel Thriller tour offers a much different experience aboard the 55ft motor yacht. If Dad loves adventure, the Sanibel Thriller is the perfect Father’s Day outing. Finally, half day, 6-hour, and full day private fishing charters are available for up to six people. Get all of the siblings together and treat Dad to a day at sea. When you return, grab dinner at Gramma Dot’s at the marina and enjoy fresh seafood and sandwiches.
Whitney's Bait & Tackle
Bonita Springs Fishing Charters
Bonita Springs Fishing Charters provides guests with rods, reels, lures, baits, and everything else needed for a successful fishing trip. They offer inshore fishing charters and night fishing charters as well as tarpon and snook fishing charters. Some of the largest population of tarpon is found in the Bonita Springs area, and many fishermen have catching a tarpon on their bucket list. Captain Eric Anderson has been leading saltwater tours and charters since 1995, so you can trust he’ll take to you the prime fishing locations. If you want to take Dad out for a fun experience - and perhaps the catch of a lifetime - check out Bonita Springs Fishing Charters.
Master Bait & Tackle
Since 1994 Master Bait & Tackle has been helping the southwest Florida community catch big fish and equipping locals with humorous shirts and hats. Pick up a UPF50+ Dri-Fit shirt or patch hat for Dad this Father's Day. The tackle shop has light duty fishing accessories to heavy duty offshore reels. Whatever type of fishing he does, you'll find equipment at Master Bait & Tackle. There’s also a rod repair shop so you can get Dad’s old fishing rod repaired in about a week. If you’re looking for a charter, call the shop. You can create a custom trip and the captain will take care of the rest.
For more information or to order from the shop, visit Master Bait & Tackle online!
From tarpon to snook to sea trout to black drum, Blue Line Fishing Charters gives guests the chance to catch a variety of saltwater fish. But it’s not just the fishing that’s top-notch. The aquatic life and abundance of bird species around Cape Coral make a fishing charter also a nature tour. Captain Keith Edinger is a Florida native and second generation fishing guide. Charters are priced for four people, but larger groups can be accommodated. Tarpon fishing charters are available April-June, so if you want to get Dad on the water for Father’s Day, make your reservation now!
The Bait Station
With weekly bait deliveries, The Bait Station is always stocked full of live freshwater and saltwater bait such as fat head minnows, nightcrawlers, shrimp, and blue crabs. Plus, you’ll find rods and reels, lures, fishing line, and all kinds of other fishing gear. Stop by the shop and pick up a Father’s Day gift and ask the team where the fish are biting. Take out Dad on your own boat and let the team at The Bait Station help you plan your fun outing.
Bonita Springs Fishing Charters
Like Bonita Springs Fishing Charters, Fort Myers Fly Fishing Charters offers night fishing, tarpon fishing, and snook fishing charters led by Captain Eric Anderson. The Fort Myers location also offers great opportunities for fly fishing. These charters tend to start early in the morning. If you want to treat Dad to a day on the water, make sure both of you are comfortable casting an 8wt or 9wt fly rod 50-60 feet.
Kathys Bait and Tackle
Kathys Bait and Tackle, a mom and pop’s type fishing store in Fort Myers, has live bait including large shrimp, shiners, nightcrawlers, and wigglers. Frozen bait options include squid, mullet, ladyfish, and shrimp mullet. If you’re new to the area, the staff can let you know where the fish are biting and get you up to speed on fishing regulations. The shop also offers workshops for kids. If you have a dad who loves to fish, head over to Kathys Bait and Tackle to get ideas for a Father’s Day gift this year.
Salty Sam's Marina
Head over to Salty Sam’s Marina where numerous fishing charter expeditions begin. Hop on board a 41-ft Tiara Sport Fish with an air conditioned cabin and let Captain Neil take you out for a day of fishing off the Gulf Coast. Or step onto a new 26-ft Twin Vee with Captain Joe Greco for a back-bay charter. Captain Marc with Maritime Charters South also offers back-bay charters. From June-September, book a shark fishing charter with Captain Jay. If you’re looking for experience, Captain Mike has been fishing the Florida waters since 1984. There’s no shortage of charters available at Salty Sam’s Marina!
To find out more information and choose the charter that’s right for you and Dad this Father’s Day, check out the website today!
From fishing charters to sightseeing cruises to eco shelling tours, Pure Florida has anything you need to make Father’s Day special for Dad this year. The nature enthusiast will love the dolphin watch and eco shelling tour with a stop on Keewaydin Island. The sunset cruises are also very popular as guests relax, sip beverages, and enjoy the stunning colors of dusk. You can also rent boats and ski jets if you’re looking for more one-on-one time with Dad.
