Tried booking a cruise to Cabbage Key on their website but experienced problems. Submitted an…read moreinquiry including my phone number asking for someone to call. The next day (2/16) Captain Will called, said he had room for us on the next day's cruise, and we made small talk about where I was staying in Bokeelia, how we both love ospreys, etc. He said he was driving and would write our name in his reservation book just as soon as he stopped. He asked for nothing further, only that we show up at 9:15. The next day (2/17) we show up for the cruise - lo and behold our name is not in the reservation book. Capt. Will didn't seem to recall talking with me ... I repeated some of our conversation which he seemed to vaguely recall (even though it happened only 24 hours prior). He said he was waiting for a group of people who booked through GetYourGuide (which means more money for him) and didn't have room for us. He gave us the name of another boat captain to contact, but that doesn't negate the fact that he screwed up our reservation. Capt. Will responded to my Google review, basically calling me a liar & saying we spoke several days in advance (which I can refute with the attached photo), saying he asked for a text and deposit which he most certainly did not.

This is the best! Captain Will is amazing! Kind, knowledgeable, friendly and loves what he does. He…read moretook us to Cabbage Key, had us seeing dolphins, a few stops to take photos on islands and so much more. I was hesitant to write a review as I don't want this secret about how great he is to get out. (Ha ha!) But I just had to share my rave review! Thank you Captain Will! We can't wait to join you again!

Wouldn't recommend! Unprofessional uptight captain who cusses at women and children because he had…read moreto load their stuff that he had been paid to do! Use anyone but them! Dude is suffering from LDS to talk to women and children that way!

A great trip to Cabbage Key with Island Girl. On time, great staff, excellent boats & a friendly…read morefun ride. I hope people tip big, as these guys work hard with Everything people bring....so much stuff. We will use Island Girl again, on our next Cabbage Key Vacation .

Caveat Emptor - Extremely Disappointing Experience with Tropic Star (Pine Island, FL)…read moreIf you're considering booking a "private nature tour" with Tropic Star, I strongly suggest you think twice. On March 23rd, my group paid $350 for what was clearly marketed as a private, multi-hour nature tour experience: lunch at Cabbage Key followed by a relaxing nature cruise with stop at Cayo Costa, wildlife viewing, dolphins, and a scenic return to the dock around 2-2:30 PM. What we got instead felt like a complete bait-and-switch. The ride to Cabbage Key was rushed, and after lunch, we were picked up at 1:00 PM only to be sped straight back to the dock at full throttle--arriving before 1:30 PM. No nature tour. No stops. No wildlife. No relaxation. Just a high-speed return trip where we were bracing ourselves on coolers and folding chairs instead of enjoying anything remotely close to what was promised. Prior to leaving the dock, my friend heard Captain Steve had multiple other groups scheduled and needed to rush back. So much for a "private" experience. It was clear our trip was cut short to accommodate their overbooking and miscommunication from staff. Customer service was just as frustrating. After multiple attempts to get a response from Vincent, the owner, we finally received a generic apology with "We have a great reputation and it's rare that I get confronted with any negativity and I sincerely apologize. We have not been able to run our big boats since Hurricane Ian 3 years ago. We're doing our best to accommodate some passengers with our smaller boats" and a vague offer for "free passage next time." When I asked for clarification--no response. I then requested a full refund to resolve the issue privately and avoid posting a review... and completely ignored. At this point, it's not just about a bad tour--it's about misleading advertising, poor communication, and zero accountability. Save your money and your time. There are plenty of reputable operators in the area who actually deliver what they promise.

What a great crew, what a great experience. The vote was comfortable and easily accessible. Finding…read morethe place was a little bit of a challenge. However, when you make the reservation they do fill you in on the GPS coordinates, and tell you that they are not necessarily correct. I would definitely do this again but I would spend all day at the beach I would not bother to go to the restaurant on the itinerary.

Our family of 5 had an absolutely wonderful experience with Captain Jessica and the Island Time…read moreDolphin & Shelling Cruise! Our four-hour trip was the perfect mix of relaxation, wildlife, and adventure. Captain Jessica and her crew went above and beyond, providing iced drinks, snacks, and buckets for collecting shells. They took us to Old Hickory Island, where we found some amazing shells, a Pygmy octopus, conch, and a sand dollar. Throughout the trip, Captain Jessica shared her knowledge about the local ecosystem, answering all of our questions about the dolphins, manatees, mangroves, and the area. One of the highlights was when she spotted a pod of dolphins. She carefully brought the boat alongside them, and we got to watch them swim and jump in our boat's wake--it was unforgettable! Communication was outstanding from start to finish. We had to reschedule twice due to weather. Captain Jessica made the process incredibly easy and stress-free. She is friendly, welcoming, and shared lots of great local recommendations for places to visit and things to do. If you're looking to support a fantastic local business while having an unforgettable day on the water, I can't recommend Captain Jessica and Island Time Dolphin & Shelling Cruise enough. It was truly one of the highlights of our trip!

Captain Jessica is a wealth of knowledge about local wildlife and history and knows how, when and…read morewhere to find the Dolfins. It was a great thrill to see them playing and leaping in our wake and was definitely the highlight of our vacation! Don't miss It!

Austin took us to multiple islands in PI sound. We went to the beach at Cayo Costa,checked out…read moreCabbage Key, lunch at Mangos. It was very easy to get on and off the boat. Austin is very knowledgeable about the area and is a fantastic captain! We will be doing this again. Our out of town guests loved it!!

If you're looking for something that's equal parts chill and a little adventurous, this sunset…read morecruise with Beyond Boundaries Excursions is exactly that. Whether you're out with friends or family it feels like the perfect way to wind down. The crew was super friendly and made the whole vibe feel easy with no pressure, no rush, just good energy and a great time. It didn't feel like a tour, more like a relaxed evening out on the water with people who love what they do. Honestly, I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

We had an amazing experience on our dolphin tour with Captain Karl. We saw at least a dozen…read moredolphins, a couple turtles and thousands of fish. We were not fishing but Captain Karl deffinatly knows where the fish are at! This was one of our most memorable experiences in Matlacha. Florida. We went on Monday and then went back on Wednesday and rented Kayaks and had an awesome time exploring on our own. Matlacha Boat Rides and Rentals not only does boat tours, dolphin watch tours, but they also rent kayaks, stand up paddle boards, sail boat rentals, and skiff rentals. They also do fishing trips for beginners to experienced anglers. Captain Karl was so knowledgable and even showed us private beaches that had no people on them! How cool is that? Matlacha Boat Rides and Rentals boats are super clean, and well maintained and have a great selection of boats to rent. They also let you request the type of tour and they will customize one for you. They are located at Angler's Inn on Matlacha, Florida. We loved the time we spent on the water. We will defiantly come back. Captain Karl and his wife treated us like we were old friends of theirs. We loved it.

Karl and Janette are wonderful hosts! Their room rentals come with a kitchen and lanai AND they…read moreprovide complimentary kayak rentals for people staying with them. I went on a last minute boat tour with them on my birthday and had a blast. They're genuine people who provide great service.

Coastal Friends Boat Tours was an absolute highlight of our visit to south west Florida…read more My wife and our friends decided to take a sunset tour on Sunday. The boat was spacious and comfortable, very stable even amid the small swell and wakes of other boats (my wife has gotten seasick in the past, but had absolutely no problem with this trip due to the stability of the boat and the skill of Aldo the Captain/pilot). We enjoyed seeing Dolphins and Pelicans, and even a ray just after sunset.The sunset was amazing and memorable, but not the best part of our tour. What was the best part? Being hosted by the owner and captain Aldo, and his first mate (wife] Demaris. They are happy and friendly, and very skilled at operating their boat. But more than that, they are excellent hosts. We had a lot of laughs, and a very enjoyable afternoon. The opportunity to meet Aldo and Demaris, and enjoy their hospitality shouldn't be missed. You'll be glad you chose this company for your boat tour! TLDR; Relaxing and fun way to spend the afternoon. Aldo and Demaris are great people, enjoyable to be around and skilled in their business I highly recommend them as hosts and tour guides!

From the owner: Coastal Friends Boat Tours offers family-friendly boat tours in Southwest Florida, specializing in…read moredolphin-watching, sunset cruises, island hopping, beach-hopping, and waterfront dining excursions. Our tours provide unforgettable experiences with a focus on comfort, safety, and creating cherished memories. Based in Cape Coral, we cater to locals and visitors looking to explore Florida's beautiful waterways.

Captain Nick was very easy to work with. This charter was reasonably priced and customizable…read more Captain Nicks boat YOLO was in immaculate condition. My family had an amazing time.

We had a great day on the water with Captain Nick. Very knowledgeable of the area. We saw manatees,…read morewalked some of the most beautiful beaches and got to do some great shelling, learned the history of some of the islands, and had a great lunch at a local spot. Just a perfect day. We would definitely recommend Captain Nick.

Super knowledgeable and thoughtful tour guide. Put together an island-hopping tour that fit our…read morerequests perfectly. Will certainly be booking again. Thanks, Emily!