Joy@Sea. Not only does this aptly describe our recent cruising experience, but it was also the name of the vessel we chartered for an island hopping adventure in a tropical paradise. The 42-foot Grand Banks trawler is part of the Southwest Florida Yachts' fleet, based in North Fort Myers, Florida, an easy to reach location. A getaway like this could be the ideal cure for the Midwest mid-winter doldrums.
Cruising in Southwest Florida is among the finest anywhere. This area of Florida's Gulf Coast offers excellent stopovers that vary from remote islands to luxury resorts and marinas; all with lush tropical foliage and sugar sand beaches bathed in sunlight.
When we arrived, the Southwest Florida Yachts staff gave us a thorough briefing on the boat's systems and amenities, as well as local navigation knowledge. The marina is close to local shopping for provisions, but we bought little, as the staff gave us information on many fine restaurants we could visit along the way. SFY offers a cruising concierge service and will make all of your marina and dining reservations while cruising.
We watched a gorgeous Florida sunset from Joy@Sea's cockpit the first night and the next morning we traveled down the Caloosahatchee River to the Intracoastal Waterway through Pine Island Sound. Along the ICW, we were frequently followed by pods of dolphin that played in our wake and swam alongside us for miles. It was spectacular to see them jumping, sometimes as high as our side rails. Although Joy@Sea is capable of 18-plus knots, we decided on a more leisurely, relaxing pace. When cruising, enjoying "along the way" is just as important as enjoying the waypoints.
Boca Grande Marina on Gasparilla Island is typical of the facilities you'll find in this area. Originally established in 1952 as Miller's Marina, it was completely rebuilt after being destroyed by Hurricane Charley in 2004. There's a well-stocked ship's store and a dockside restaurant. Golf carts are available for rent to explore the island. The town itself is filled with the charm of "old Florida." From the stately Gasparilla Inn to the local ice cream shop and Fugate's, the corner variety store, Boca Grande is like a village stuck in time. Boca Grande's fishing tournaments attract anglers from all across the country. There is an abundance of backwater species such as snook and redfish as well as offshore species such as tarpon, grouper, and snapper.
To us, the most interesting and fascinating stop was at the Useppa Island Club, a historic island retreat. It maintains a private club status, but by chartering through Southwest Florida Yachts you can obtain guest privileges. Useppa Island is rich in history and features a not-to-be-missed museum that displays relics dating back to the island's early residents more than 10,000 years ago. Around the end of the 19th century, Useppa was the private vacation estate of publisher and wealthy Florida landowner Barron Collier. Collier's home is now the restored Collier Inn, which serves lunch and dinner daily, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Overnight charter guests have access to the island's private pool, tennis courts and first-rate shower facilities.
For another genuine piece of old Florida, rustic and charming Cabbage Key is a must on the itinerary. There's docking for lunch or overnight stays. Check out the famous Dollar Bill Bar, where the walls are papered with - you guessed it - dollars signed by patrons over the years.
Sanibel and Captiva are the two main barrier islands that run along the coast here and they offer an abundance of marinas and stopovers. More than half of the two islands are preserved in their natural state as the J. N. ("Ding") Darling National Wildlife Refuge. You can walk, bike, or kayak through. Native bird species include bald eagles, loons, herons, egrets, ibis, cormorants, pelicans and ospreys.
Another excellent marina facility, 'Tween Waters Inn and Marina on Captiva is, as the name implies, located on a thin strip of land between the ICW and the Gulf of Mexico. Kayaks and bicycles are available for rental at the marina store for the activity seeker, or you can pamper yourself at the Inn's day spa. The charming Old Captiva House restaurant is known for its gourmet cuisine in an enchanting tropical setting. The Crow's Nest Lounge offers a bar and less formal fare for casual dining.
Of course, there are plenty of secluded coves where you can spend an overnight "on the hook" if you like. The beauty of cruising this part of Florida is there are many choices. You can be as close or as far from civilization as you like, but you're really not that far away at all. Our entire trip covered less than 100 miles, but we felt at times as though we were a thousand miles away from the rest of the world. And there's nothing like a radiant Florida sunset to end a perfect winter's day.
The owners of Southwest Florida Yachts, Barb and Vic Hansen, have been helping people enjoy a piece of paradise for 23 years. Charters can run from one day to several weeks, with or without a captain. The powerboat fleet consists of trawlers from 32 to 43 feet and is based in North Fort Myers, Florida. The sail fleet is in nearby Punta Gorda and ranges from 24 to 34 feet.
In addition to the charter rentals, the Hansens also operate the Florida Sailing and Cruising School. Certified by the American Sailing Association, courses include classroom and on the water instruction such as bareboat chartering and coastal navigation. The school also offers hands-on power boat training. All courses include live-aboard privileges.
