Minutes away from North Port, Placida, Manasota Key, Port Charlotte and Venice, a 30-foot pontoon tour boat waits patiently for its next adventure at Cape Haze Marina.
Gasparilla Boat Tours offers year-round dolphin, sandbar and sunset tours — both private and public —that showcase the quiet, captivating beauty of Englewood’s coastal landscapes.
The small woman-owned business is led by local entrepreneurs Sue Nerud and Adrienne Cardinale, who both share a passion for Englewood and its tourism industry.
“We don’t just take people on a boat ride,” says Adrienne. “We want it to be the highlight of their trip. That mindset is the foundation of how we design our tours and customer experience.” With her background in recreation and Capt. Sue’s years of experience on the water was a perfect fit to team up to own and operate Gasparilla Boat Tours.
Gasparilla Boat Tours welcomes tourists and locals to see a side of Englewood that cannot be seen from the land: intracoastal waterways, the surprise of local marine wildlife, untouched beaches and barrier islands, and breathtaking Gulf Coast sunsets.
Touring Stump Pass, Little Gasparilla Island and Boca Grande Sandbar, there’s so much to see from the water, Sue says.
TOUR GUIDES AND CRUISES
Each two-hour tour — daily sunset cruises, dolphin tours and sandbar excursions — offers a different perspective of Englewood. Some allow passengers to relax and let time stand still; others introduce you to sandbars, saltwater and wildlife, both in the sea and above it.
With a combined maritime experience of 133 years, Gasparilla’s eight captains and mates conduct regular safety drills, training and vessel maintenance to ensure every passenger’s safety.
“Tour boat captains aren’t born — they’re developed,” says Sue, who has spent a lifetime on the water and the last six years guiding passengers through Southwest Florida’s coastal paradise. “You need someone who’s a skilled mariner, but also someone who truly loves people.”
Gasparilla staff emphasize the sensory and emotional experience of being on the water, delivering memorable, educational and relaxing trips.
“I’ve seen people get on the boat stressed from a long day, but leave completely relaxed. The water is grounding,” Sue says. “We’re creating experiences people remember long after they step off the boat.”
Many operators do not exceed more than six passengers due to regulatory threshold, but Gasparilla takes pride in its ability to carry up to 18 passengers per cruise.
“We’re proud to host larger families and groups on our tours. It’s something that sets us apart,” Adrienne says. “From booking to disembarking, if someone is booking a private event, or coming along for the daily tours, we love sharing our world with you”, says Sue.
The vessel behind the Gasparilla Tour Boat experience is Crack of Dawn, a custom-built, Coast Guard-inspected pontoon equipped with restroom, running water, a Bluetooth-compatible audio system, complimentary bottled water and the option to bring personal beverages.
MARINE WILDLIFE
Captains take pride in sharing their knowledge of Englewood with passengers — from marine life and coastal ecosystems to local history. Over time, captains have learned the feed and play patterns of local marine wildlife, which benefits the sightings on tours.
Regulations prohibit touching or actively approaching the animals, but dolphins often swim close to the boat on their own.
“They’ll come right up to the boat. You can hear them breathe,” Sue says. “Any wildlife we see out there — dolphins, manatees, bald eagles, shorebirds, we can’t always get close, but it’s still a five star experience.”
TOUR CATEGORIES
- Dolphin/eco cruise — Two hours exploring areas that non-migratory dolphins, manatees, shorebirds, bald eagles and more!
- Sunset cruise — Make your way to the perfect sunset overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
- Sandbar, shelling and sharks’ teeth cruise — Dip into pristine waters and hunt for shells and shark teeth.
- Private/custom cruises — Take your celebration to the next level with private cruises up to 18 passengers or custom cruises.
- Special events — Visit GasparillaBoatTours.com or follow @gasparillaboattours on Instagram and Facebook for event details, photos and RSVP information.
To learn more about Gasparilla Boat Tours, visit GasparillaBoatTours.com or call 941-315-9012
