Fun On The Water!

Fun On The Water!

Planning a holiday to the Gulf coast of SW Florida, and looking forward to the beach, well why not be a bit more adventurous and try out jet skis or hire a boat for half a day or do some kayaking!

Land locked back at home as a British family on vacation in the States we looked on envious at the boats off the Gulf coast. We’d gone on the sunset cruises, toured the islands out to Cabbage Key and seen the dolphins, how difficult can it be to do some exploring on the water by ourselves? Well we did and are coming back for more. On the Intracoastal waterway you can’t ask for a better place for novices like ourselves to give it a try.

Between Sanibel and Sarasota, the Intracoastal waterway is a channel of navigable water between the barrier islands and the beaches of Venice, Englewood, Manasota Key and Stump Pass beach. It is a boaters paradise playing host to a wide range of wildlife including the gentle manatee and birds such as the white pelican, cormorants and the osprey. They are actively encouraged to nest along the waterways and you can see dozens of them while you are enjoying the pleasures of boating. You will share the warm waters of the Gulf with pods of dolphins passing happily along the coast. The surrounding islands of Lemon Bay, Don Pedro & Cayo Costa are within easy reach, or just plan on a short half day trip like us from Placida to the White Elephant pub at Englewood. How cool is that to pilot a boat up the channel on your first outing and moor up for some lunch, listen to the house band rock and get yourselves back home for a celebratory bbq.

Then we had a go at jet sking from Englewood up to Ski Alley near Stump Pass beach where you can really let rip. Those jet skis are real fun and are really stable but you will get wet especially when someone crosses in front of you!

After that we had a taster of kayaking with Grande Tours at Placida on a sunset guided trip. A completely different experience at low level under your own steam. It’s amazing how close you can get to a great blue heron when in a kayak and the trails through mangroves are out of this world!

No matter where you go or what you do , you can't go wrong. And all within a 15mins drive from Samms Place property id 1493, Rotonda West.

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