Sanibel Captiva Charters with Captain Kevin Koughan, for Shelling, Nature Tour, Fishing & Fun

" We are completely surrounded by perfection ..."

Our islands are a perfect place to seek out the pure beauty of nature at its spectacular best. A Florida Master Naturalist with special emphasis on Coastwise Environments, Captain Kevin has a talent for weaving together local history with a nature clinic and a close look by boat at our famously varied wildlife. It's an unforgettable journey into the outdoors, where each trip is different, inspired by the sights and events of the day.

"Birding" photo trips into Pine Island Sound are one of our specialties. Casual watchers and photographers may become hooked, or we can arrange a trip tailored to the more committed birder. Captain Kevin's knowledge of local birds and habitat illuminates the experience for young adventurers and the more seasoned alike.

Blue heron

Snowy egret

Yellow-crown night heron

Tri-color heron

We are apt to have a close-up encounter with dolphins, the stars of Pine Island Sound. These natural showmen are known to play in the boat's wake without warning, delighting all. Naturalists estimate that approximately 700 dolphins make a permanent home in our area. Most dolphins of the world are nomadic and travel in groups - up to 150 miles each day in search of food. Because our waters are abundant with fish, our dolphins may travel less than 6 miles each day, and have learned to follow the tides to feed. We often see the same dolphins repeatedly, recognizing them by distinguishing marks and coloration. Dolphin studies have been conducted here by the Chicago Shedd Aquarium, Florida State University, the US military, and others.

White ibis

Great blue heron.

Captain Kevin after dropping anchor at a busy rookery.

" Minting sand dollars on a treasure isle ..."

The beaches of Sanibel and Captiva are not scattered with shells, or even carpeted with shells: they are made of shells. Beautiful white sand, yes, but also millions upon millions of shells that give our beaches a landscape like few others.

		Sanibel is known the world over for the great variety of shells all thriving in our waters. Some can be picked up by the handful. Others are so rare that finding one of them is an event covered by the local papers.The rarity is owed to the fact that some kinds of shells prefer deeper water than others. Those deep water shells make it to the beach less frequently than shallow water dwellers.
Angel wing

Florida worm shell

The Horse Conch and the Lightning Whelk shown at right are shallow water shells. The deeper water species, such as the Junonia and the Lion's Paw, thrive in 100 feet of water and deeper. While that may not seem so deep, the very gradual slope of the Gulf of Mexico means that these shells are most often found as far away as 60 miles below the sea from our beaches. The Junonia makes quite a voyage before making its newsworthy arrival on our beaches.

Live shells that love the shallows prosper in such minimal water depths that they are often stranded by the tide along our beaches. But don't worry: they survive well for periods of 8 to 12 hours on the shore, waiting for the tide to return, and continue their journey. We often come upon living shells, but we never collect them: taking living shells from the beach or water is forbidden by law!

Florida fighting conch

Questions answered here.

Prospecting for "gold" in shallow waters accessible only by boat.

Included in one sheller's booty are a group of whelks (top right) and sand dollars (bottom.)

Your shelling trip will be informative and steeped in history. We'll stop at several spots, each a little different and affording a broadening understanding of our ecosystem and island heritage. You'll come back with great specimens of our wonderful shells, and stories to tell at dinner, too.

" When they're biting, nothing is more fun ..."

Family Fishing is a great source of entertainment for all. Fortunately, Pine Island Sound is abundant with fish. Captain Kevin is very kid-friendly, and on most days we find the fish are biting for anglers of all ages. It seems that Moms and youngsters always catch "the most and the biggest," and while we're mainly into catch-and-release, taking some fish home for the evening dinner can be accomplished, too.

The day's catch might include trout, redfish, pompano, mangrove snapper, and snook, among many others.

Snook are the pride of local waters

We fish in the calm backwaters of Pine Island Sound. Everything you need is provided, including all tackle and licenses. We provide easy-to-use, light tackle suitable for most skill levels.

While we prefer fishing with a maximum of four anglers on board, arrangements can be made for more. Call to inquire.

Twin groupers

" Where do you want to go?"

Add a destination to your trip, and create a perfect day.

The possibilities range from the adventurously educational to the unapologetically pleasureable. Which leads to the inevitable question: What's for lunch?

The fine dining option takes you as our guests to "members only" Useppa Island and the storied Collier Inn. You might start with their Bahama-style Conch Chowder, perhaps on the patio terrace, in the shade of a century-old Cuban Laurel tree.

The Useppa island museum recounts a "modern" history dating from the 18th century, and an ancient one back to 6500 BCE. But the fish are always fresh!

Useppa's Collier Inn.

Ask any regular visitor to Sanibel and Captiva and they'll tell you you haven't really seen it all until you've been to Cabbage Key. The busy marina welcomes us on our way to the restaurant, bar and inn, where the front porch provides views across Pine Island Sound. On a chilly day you can even cozy up inside by the fireplace.

Stone crab claws, gulf shrimp and local fish share the menu with burgers and other mainland staples.

A cottage on Cabbage Key.

Barnacle Phil's of Upper Captiva Island makes an easy add-on to any active trip. Access is from their own dock, where you may be distracted by Florida otters playing nearby, or curious manatees that like to hang out in the warm water. But eventually you'll find your way to a table, either outside with harbor view, or inside - with the AC.

Phil's is famous for their black beans and yellow rice, but Jamaican jerk chicken might tempt you, too.

Barnacle Phil's of Upper Captiva.

A trip up and across the sound to Pine Island takes us to the 200-acre "Pinelands" site, an important destination for "eco-tourists", "heritage tourists" and anyone interested in the long and fascinating history of of our region.

The Florida Museum of Natural History's Randell Research Center in Pinelands focuses on the Calusa Indian civilization and the village that existed for many centuries on the site before the arrival of Europeans.

The Calusa trail beckons ...

The Calusa Heritage Trail (about 3/4 of a mile) takes visitors on a tour of the site, encountering key archaeological and historical discoveries on the way, including ancient shell mounds and the remains of canals engineered by the resourceful people of the ancient Calusa culture.

Public restrooms and picnic facilities are available, as well as guided tours by advance request. Suggested donation for the trail is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and $4 for children.

Talk to Captain Kevin Koughan about including one or more of these destinations in your trip with Sanibel Captiva Cruises aboard Adventure One.

Sanibel Captiva Charters on Adventure One:

The beauty of Florida's famous Sanibel and Captiva,

the natural wonders of the upper islands,

the peaceful waters of Pine Island Sound ...


	Captain Koughan's "Shelling Clinic" holds class on a remote point where currents deposit nature's bounty on a daily basis.


	A crab's-eye view: horse conch and lightning whelk.


	On a secluded shell beach, receding tides leave pools rich with life and ripe for discovery


	Grass flats deliver a fresh perspective.

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One happy fisherman and his catch


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