My brothers family and I had a great day out with Capt. Putnam. It was nice to have personalized trip snorkeling and paddleboarding instead of going on one of those big dive/snorkel boats with so many people. In fact, we arrived at the reef with the Christ statue when one of the crowded boats was leaving and left about an hour later one another one arrived. We practically had the place to ourselves. After snorkeling the two reefs we ate lunch and paddle boarded. It was a great day spent on the ocean. If you want a comfortable relaxing time and nice personalized experience out on the water, I highly recommend Capt. Putnam's boat. He is very friendly and truly accommodating to what we wanted to do. I definitely give this experience a 5-star rating! read more

Captain Spurgeon is the best! My friends and I had the best time. Picture it Key Largo, last week, five women decide to go on a nautical adventure. Three of them are prone to sea sickness, one has anxiety about being on boats, one has anxiety about getting into the ocean, one has had eye surgery and yet another is afraid she won't be able to get back in the boat if she gets off. We all got in the water (and successfully got back in the boat!) We we're able to fully enjoy the beauty of the ocean all while sounding like a bunch of cackling hens. Spurgeon had the patience of a saint, which allowed us to sit back and relax. He talked us all through our fears, gave us great instruction, was full of interesting information. I highly recommend chartering with Nautical Adventures and Captain Spurgeon! read more

Nautical Quest Adventures - The new age Golden Girls in the ocean courtesy of Captain Spurgeons amazing instruction and patience - Fishing Near Me

It turned out that this is a virtual place. We had to make phone calls and ended up not being able to connect.

After renting a literal sinking ship from what I thought was a reputable rental company, Capt. Spurgeon was a breath of fresh air! A few of us had a full day of fun on the water which started with snorkeling at the Hen and Chickens and Christ of the Abyss, then anchoring near Rodriguez Key to eat, drink and play with all the water toys. Finally, our trip ended with a cruise through mangroves. As a Florida native, with little knowledge about the waters in the Keys, I highly recommend a chartered boat because you won't have to worry about anything. Our experience was completely stress-free (a stark contrast to how we started our vacation) and isn't that what vacation is all about?! If you want a full and fun day on the water, call Capt. Spurgeon! read more

What a wonderful afternoon on the water! Captain Spurgeon picked up our family of 6 from the dock at Playa Largo resort. We spent an amazing day exploring Key Largo, winding through the mangroves, BBQ'ing at the sandbar, paddle boarding, and snorkeling in the beautiful jade green water near the reef. Captain Spurgeon was wonderful and informative, and his priority was making sure we had a great day, while also keeping everyone safe. Thanks for making our family vacation the best one ever! 5 star service! read more

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We had the BEST time ever! I researched a ton before choosing Nautical Quest and I'm so glad I did. Our day with Captain Spurgeon was perfect! I knew my kids would do best with a charter that had multiple activities. This was exactly what we needed. I felt like we got 5 days worth of activities! We went fishing, snorkeling, sightseeing, paddle boarding, had lunch, played at the sand bar. The best part was that we went to all these amazing locations, but stayed away from the crowds. Our friends had picked a different charter and all of their pictures are crowded with a ton of people and other boats in the background. Captain Spurgeon took us to our own secluded areas of paradise! Clear turquoise water without another person in sight! We are experienced boaters, but wanted a relaxing day to kick back and let someone else do the driving. The seas were a bit choppy but Captain Spurgeon is a great driver and provided us with a smooth ride. Thank you so much for helping our family make some lifelong memories! read more

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The day we spent with Nautical Quest was the highlight of our Keys trip! Way more than we really expected. His motto "your day your way" was fantastic. We were able to keep 2 kids happy, fishing, seeing dolphins & rays. Getting to try paddleboarding at the sandbar was my wife's favorite and Capt Putnam was on point with lunch and refreshments. Will never sign up for another cookie cutter excursion after this experience. Like owning a boat without the hassel! Looking for fun in Keys? Book Nautical Quest cant say enough good things. Best day of the vacation! read more

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With so many great places to rent a boat in the keys, do yourself a favor and avoid this guy! We had a terrible experience with an aggressive and threatening owner....from people who rent boats often: My husband and I rented a 22ft Bay liner Mercury for a full day from Nautical Quest Adventures and it was a terrible experience: 1. We arrived (with warning) at 9:15 and the boat wasn't in the water yet 2. We noticed that the boat was from lake Lanier (fresh water man made lake) in GA but have had great keys boat rental experiences so paid it no mind. This was not an appropriate boat for the open waters of the FL Keys 3. The owner was there and explained that the throttle was a little bit funny and you'd have to go full speed then dial it back to find your desired speed. We accepted this but once in the water it was a much different scenario. We followed his advice as experienced boater, but even once setting the throttle the RPM would fluctuate between 3200 and 4800 with absolutely no warning. When we would adjust the throttle to compensate for these changes the engine would react harshly. All of this happened regardless of the trim setting. 4. After a few hours of fighting the boat We texted the owner saying we were heading back due to trouble with the the throttle (see above) all he said was he was at least 30 minutes out and we'd have to wait. 5. Once he arrived, we greeted him and instead of greeting us back he said in an incredibly aggressive tone "get back in the boat! We're going for a ride" my husband and I both were stunned at his aggressive nature and said we are not getting in the boat. He looked at my husband and said "we will go with our her. Get in the boat. If you want your money back get in the boat!" At that point, no one in their right mind would get in a boat with an aggressive person like that. 6. To be clear, we had never asked for our money back at this point and I said let's go inside and discuss this. He made said that the boat was his office and he was not affiliated with the Mariana. I said lets discuss this in terms and of a business relationship and not be so emotional. He got more aggressive and i said fine, telling him I'd dispute it with the cc company. He said "just try, my customers do it all the time and never win. Just once out of 51 times." At that point we felt threatened enough where I told him I'd deal with it and leave a review. Then we left. With so many great places to rent a boat in the keys, do yourself a favor and avoid this guy read more

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A BOAT CHARTER IN KEY LARGO DONT LOOK ANYWHERE ELSE!!! Paddleboards, snorkeling, fishing gear, grill, coolers; this boat had everything. Nautical Quest Adventures made our day trip. Capt. Putnam was more than accommodating to my family and our needs. This was the first real boat trip for our almost 4-year-old twins and he was patient and great with kids. The grilled lunch on the paddle boards at the sandbar was perfect for relaxing. Drinks were kept cold and the food was served hot. We got all the photos taken that we wanted and he also shared neat snorkeling and fishing reefs that really made the entire boat charter well-rounded experience. This is the best boat in Key Largo. read more

This is the best snorkel trip EVER !! Don't hesitate on this company to book your adventure. Capt. Spurgeon was so helpful and knowledgeable on where to go and what to do. Boat is pristine and has all the gadgets to make your experience even better....paddle boards attached....awesome stereo system and lots of room whether it's friends or family. And most important he was safe! Highly recommend this guy x 10!! Definitely going to use him again! read more

Nautical Quest Adventures - Fishing Near Me

What a great day! We took my kids and mother in law out and did fishing and paddle boarding. Winds were up so we did not snorkel but we had a wonderful day. We are divers and used to weather so we enjoyed the day cruising around. Highly recommend Captain Spurgeon. Boat is sparkling clean and comfortable with ample shade as well with the front cover up. We will come back! read more

If you have the opportunity to take a trip with Capt. Spurgeon, DO IT! From the moment we met him and saw his boat, we knew we made a great call. He is such a great guy and his gorgeous boat was pristine. My husband booked an all day adventure kind of last minute to cap off our Keys vacation that coincided with our anniversary. We started out the day with a little fishing, got to see lots of beautiful scenery and spent a couple hours floating in the gorgeous blue-green waters in The Everglades. Capt. Spurgeon made us a great lunch and some rum punch that we ate floating in the water. The entire day was amazing!!! read more

If you're looking for a great time on the water in the Florida Keys, be sure to book with Nautical Quest Adventures! This boat is rigged up with everything fun on the water... snorkel, dive, fish, lobstering, paddle boards, grill, stereo and a tower for excellent views of the turquoise waters and reef!!! Our Captain (Spurgeon Putnam) was awesome! You can tell he takes great pride in his boat and equipment! My friend and I wanted a fun day snorkeling in the keys, and Spurgeon took great care of us! He took us to some great reefs and made sure we felt comfortable and safe while we were out snorkeling! He's a laid back guy and insures you have an excellent experience! We appreciated all the details and the thoughtfulness! We'll for sure be back, and we are telling our friends to book with Spurgeon! (And yes, that's his real name! Unforgettable, much like our fun "girl day" trip in the Keys with Nautical Quest Adventures!!!) read more

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We have used Capt. Putnam and Nautical Quest Adventures two years in a row, now. His personalized trips are way better than group charters. His knowledge of the area and being able to take you to different places where there are not a bunch of people is awesome. You get to dictate what you want, weather allowing, as opposed to having to do a preplanned charter with 20 other people. I highly recommend Nautical Quest Adventures for your private and individualized charter for the day. read more

Fantastic experience!! Captain Spurgeon took my husband and I on a day full of beauty, romance and adventure! We had our private tour of prestine Key Largo waters (saw a group of spoted eagle rays as we pulled out of the canal). Snorkled multiple sites, seeing a huge amount of gorgeous fish and more aquatic life than I thought possible in one day (green turtle, nurse shark, sting ray, dolphin). We relaxed on a sand bar while our awesome captain mixed the best coconut rum runner concoction I've ever tasted. We went stand up paddle boarding in the calm waters of the mangroves, and rode back to shore on the crows nest of the boat (amazing views in crystal clear water). Captain Spurgeon was great company, and truly went above and beyond to make our day perfect. read more

For a great day on the water in the Keys, I would definitely go with Nautical Quest Adventures every time. Captain Spurgeon is excellent and customizes the trip to whatever the group enjoys whether it's snorkeling, paddling, or hanging out at the sandbar. He takes care of every detail to make sure the day is wonderful and his knowledge and love of the Keys is evident. I highly recommend this company. read more

My family booked a two day adventure with Nautical Quest Adventures and we enjoyed every minute. We began each day with breakfast at Harriette's Diner on the way to Garden Cove Marina. Garden Cove is a beautiful little marina hidden away in a quiet little Key Largo neighborhood. We met Captain Putnam there around 09:00 and after a brief safety meeting we embarked on our adventure. There was six of us; my wife Chasity, my son Chase and his girl friend Sarah, and my daughters Allie and Emily. Nautical Quest's motto is your day, your way and that is exactly how it happens. Because it was a little choppy on the Atlantic side, we choose to explore the leeward side of isle near the Everglades National Park. We made our way thru Blackwater Sound into the Gulf. My wife and Emily rode in the boat tower as we cruised along. Everyone was ecstatic. We found a deserted island for the kids to explore on the paddle boards. As the Captain prepared our lunch. My children viewed beautiful fish, birds and horseshoe crabs. We returned home to Garden Cove Marina just in time to enjoy a wonderful dinner at the Buzzard's Roost. The catch of the day was blackened Mahi Mahi. Chase and Allie had been promised a day of fishing, so day two was filled with casting near the reefs. My daughter baited her own hook with large shrimp and caught grouper, yellow tail, and a parrot fish. If your lucky enough to land a big catch, The Buzzard's Roost will prepare it for you. There was not enough hours in the day to see everything, I am so looking forward to coming back to snorkel the Christ of the Abyss Statue and dive the nearby reef in the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Or maybe I will have a leisurely day drinking at the sandbar. I haven't quite made made up my mind yet, but no matter when we go, We will be booking another adventure with Nautical Quest Adventures. read more

Just got off the water from an all day adventure with Spurgeon. We brought our 2 boys (ages 5 and 3). It was the highlight of our vacation! My wife and I got to cast out lines to try our hands at ocean fishing, then were able to snorkel and see a sunken Jesus statue. Everything was provided for us and the service was first rate! We then went to what seemed like our on private sandbar. Spurgeon grilled us lunch which we got to eat in the Ocean! We paddle boarded, snorkeled, and found sea shells. It was only 4-5 feet deep so we could easily stand when we wanted. We ended our trip with Spurgeon letting the boys drive the boat while my wife and I rode up on the top lookout. Throughout our adventure we got to see hawk rays, sea turtles, and even dolphins! I can't say enough about the service and friendliness we received. I will highly recommend this to anyone traveling in the Keys! Thanks again Spurgeon. We'll definitely be in touch the next time we're back! read more

Just had a great day on the water! Started with fishing and hooked a barracuda right away, then pulled in some smaller fish. Ended the day with some great snorkeling and then we ate the fish we caught for dinner near the marina. Capt Spurgeon is a great guy, and our whole family enjoyed this trip. How can you beat a day of fishing and snorkeling!! read more

Capt. Spurgeon is the man. Highly recommend. We had a group of 7 and had an awesome time. Snorkeling, fishing, paddle boarding, sand bar, etc...he's got it all. read more

My family and I had the greatest time with Capt. Spurgeon!! He knows all the best snorkeling spots in the area. He customized our day to fit our needs and our family. He was knowledgable in all the fish species and made our trip fun and educational. Will definitely call him again when we are back in the area. Thank you!!! read more