Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves Nature Boat Tour Ecotour

Up to six participants will board our comfortable, 25-foot Windsorcraft boat for a 2-hour-long informative tour to view local wildlife that call the aquatic preserves their home, including dolphins, manatees, egrets, brown pelicans and other colonial wading and diving birds. Participants can bring their own or use the supplied binoculars to get an up-close and personal view of the wildlife. During the tour, visitors will learn about the importance of the estuary, various habitats and a brief history of the area. These cruises are led by a licensed captain and environmental specialists from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection/Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves. Cost is $30 per person, for the 2-hour tour. A cooler with bottled water will be provided, and participants are welcome to bring their own drinks and snacks. Tours will depart from the Gasparilla Marina, 15001 Gasparilla Road, Placida, FL 33946. A $5 parking fee, separate from registration, must be paid upon arrival at the Gasparilla Marina office (around the back of the marina complex). Please arrive early to park and pay, as the boat departs at the time scheduled. For tickets, call 941-575-5861 or visit fchap.org.