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ECO Tours: Dolphins & Manatees & Ospreys
Private Eco Tours • 4–8 Hours • Dolphins • Manatees • Coastal Wildlife
Discover the incredible natural beauty of Southwest Florida on a private Eco Tour with Captain Pavel aboard our premium 2024 Axopar 29 Sun Top. Cruise through protected coastal waters, quiet mangrove shorelines, hidden barrier islands, and scenic bays while searching for bottlenose dolphins, gentle manatees, ospreys, pelicans, and other native wildlife.
Every Eco Tour is completely private and customized exclusively for your group, allowing you to experience Southwest Florida’s natural beauty at your own pace. Whether you’re photographing wildlife, introducing children to Florida’s unique ecosystems, or simply relaxing on the water, every tour is thoughtfully designed around your interests and current wildlife activity.
Because wildlife is never staged or disturbed, every trip is different. Seasonal migrations, tides, weather conditions, and natural animal behavior create a unique experience every time you explore Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast. Captain Pavel’s local knowledge helps you discover outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities while respecting Southwest Florida’s fragile ecosystems.
“Nature writes a different story every day. The best way to experience it is from the water.”
Wildlife You May Encounter
Depending on the season and current conditions, your Eco Tour may include encounters with:
🐬 Bottlenose Dolphins
Frequently seen swimming, feeding, and playing in Southwest Florida’s coastal waters, dolphins are the highlight of many Eco Tours.
🐋 West Indian Manatees
These gentle giants often visit warm, shallow waters where they can be observed peacefully in their natural habitat.
🦅 Ospreys
Watch these remarkable birds of prey soar overhead before diving into the water with incredible precision to catch fish.
🦩 Coastal Birds
Spot Brown Pelicans, Great Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills, cormorants, terns, and many other native bird species throughout the tour.
🌿 Mangrove Ecosystems
Explore one of Florida’s most important coastal habitats, home to countless fish, birds, crabs, and marine life thriving among the mangrove roots.
🐠 Southern Stingrays
Depending on the season and water conditions, you may spot southern stingrays gracefully gliding across the sandy bottom in Southwest Florida’s clear, shallow waters.
Why Choose Our Private Eco Tours?
Every Eco Tour is customized around nature rather than a fixed sightseeing route.
✔ Private experience exclusively for your group (up to 6 guests)
✔ Premium 2024 Axopar 29 Sun Top
✔ Personalized wildlife viewing
✔ Experienced USCG Licensed Captain
✔ Great for families, photographers, and nature lovers
✔ Explore hidden waterways and quiet natural areas
✔ Every tour planned around current wildlife activity
Because nature changes every day, no two Eco Tours are ever exactly alike.
Perfect For
Whether you’re planning a relaxing day on the water or hoping to experience Southwest Florida’s incredible wildlife, our private Eco Tours are designed for guests of all ages.
👨👩👧👦 Families
Create unforgettable memories while watching dolphins, searching for manatees, and exploring Southwest Florida’s beautiful coastal waters together.
🌿 Nature Lovers
Experience peaceful mangrove shorelines, barrier islands, diverse ecosystems, and abundant marine life from the comfort of a private boat.
🦅 Birdwatchers
Observe ospreys, pelicans, herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills, and many other native coastal birds in their natural habitats.
📷 Wildlife Photographers
Capture stunning photographs of dolphins, manatees, birds, and scenic coastal landscapes with plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the perfect shot.
❤️ Couples
Enjoy a peaceful private cruise surrounded by wildlife, beautiful scenery, and quiet waters—perfect for a romantic escape or simply reconnecting with nature.
👥 Small Private Groups
Ideal for friends, family gatherings, birthdays, anniversaries, or visitors looking for a personalized wildlife experience away from crowded tour boats.
🌴 First-Time Visitors
Discover why Southwest Florida is famous for its dolphins, manatees, barrier islands, crystal-clear waters, and breathtaking natural beauty with a knowledgeable local captain.
Captain Pavel’s Local Knowledge
The best wildlife encounters aren’t planned—they’re discovered.
Captain Pavel spends hundreds of hours every year exploring Southwest Florida’s waterways, observing seasonal wildlife patterns, changing tides, and the habitats where dolphins, manatees, birds, and other coastal wildlife thrive.
Instead of following the same route every day, each Eco Tour is customized around current wildlife activity and environmental conditions to give you the best possible experience while respecting nature.
Every Eco Tour Is Different
Nature decides what each day will bring—and that’s what makes every Eco Tour unique.
Some days dolphins surround the boat.
Other days gentle manatees quietly surface beside the mangroves.
Migrating birds, stingrays, schools of fish, and countless other wildlife encounters make every trip unique.
Whatever nature provides, every Eco Tour offers a peaceful opportunity to experience Southwest Florida’s remarkable coastal ecosystems from the water.
Why Guests Love Our Eco Tours
✔ Completely private experience
✔ Personalized itinerary
✔ Frequent dolphin sightings
✔ Opportunities to see manatees
✔ Hidden mangrove waterways
✔ Beautiful barrier islands
✔ Excellent wildlife photography
✔ Premium 2024 Axopar 29 Sun Top
✔ Experienced USCG Licensed Captain
✔ Perfect for all ages
Ready to Discover Southwest Florida’s Wildlife?
Spend an unforgettable day exploring Southwest Florida’s protected waters with Captain Pavel. Watch dolphins, search for manatees, observe coastal birds, and experience Florida’s remarkable marine ecosystems on a private Eco Tour designed around your interests.
Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, photographer, family, or first-time visitor, Captain Pavel will create a personalized Eco Tour that showcases the natural beauty of Southwest Florida.
“Every Eco Tour leaves with photographs. The best ones leave with a deeper appreciation for Southwest Florida’s wildlife.”
Book your Private Eco Tour today and discover Southwest Florida’s incredible wildlife from the best seat in the house—your own private boat.
Welcome Aboard
Explore in Comfort
Every adventure with Florida Gulf Discovery begins aboard our premium 2024 Axopar 29 Sun Top—a modern boat designed to deliver exceptional comfort, stability, and performance on the waters of Southwest Florida. Whether you’re exploring hidden islands, searching for dolphins, collecting seashells, or enjoying a breathtaking Gulf Coast sunset, you’ll experience a smooth, quiet, and comfortable ride from start to finish.
Designed with guest comfort in mind, the Axopar 29 features spacious seating, two convenient tables—including one in the shade—and an open layout that provides excellent views of the surrounding waterways and wildlife. Every detail has been chosen to create a relaxing and enjoyable experience for guests of all ages.
Although the Axopar 29 is designed to accommodate more passengers, Florida Gulf Discovery is licensed by the United States Coast Guard (OUPV/Six-Pack) to carry up to six paying guests. This allows every tour to remain private, uncrowded, and personalized, giving your family or group plenty of space to relax and enjoy the journey together.
Whether you’re joining us for a dolphin tour, shelling adventure, eco tour, island excursion, or sunset cruise, you’ll experience Southwest Florida aboard one of the region’s most versatile and comfortable adventure boats.
Your private adventure begins the moment you step aboard.
Policies for Every Tour
REFUNDS
Feel Secure with Our Refund Policy
If you book a charter and we must cancel due to inclement weather, we will try to reschedule your charter to another time-slot. If we are not able to reschedule, then a refund of your deposit will be issued. Cancellation examples include high winds (over 20mph), colder temps (below 55 degrees) and high rain chances (over 80%).
If you need to cancel your boat charter due to any reason, we need at least 72 hours notice in order to receive a deposit refund. If your notice is less than 72 hours, the deposit refund will be forfeited.
If you cancel your charter within 24 hours of pickup, or if a no call-no show scenario happens, we will charge your credit card on file the total price of the boat charter. There are no exceptions!
**Please Note: A credit card transaction fee will be taken out of the deposit, if you cancel your charter. We appreciate your understanding.
SAFETY
The boat is designed for medium to small sized people to feel comfortable during the trip;
There are no service for disabled people on the boat;
While on board, listen carefully to the captain’s comments and instructions;
At high speeds, walking inside the boat is not allowed;
There is no smoking allowed on the boat;
In Florida, children under six years old must wear a USCG-approved life jacket at all times.
WHAT TO BRING ON
Alcohol is fine, so bring cocktails if you wish. No glass beer bottles, but wine and champagne bottles are OK.
Please, NO LIQUOR WITHOUT MIXERS (NO SHOTS). No Red Wine.
Bathing Suits, Sunglasses, Hats and Light Jackets in the winter months.
Lotion Sunblock Only – NO SPRAY SUNSCREEN ALLOWED!
Please, NO Glitter, Tanning Dyes, or Oil Sunscreens – they will stain.
Just plain old regular sunscreen, please and thank you!
FOOD CHOICES
You may bring food on the boat, but please do not bring food or drinks that can stain the floor and seats. Sandwiches, charcuterie boards and fruit & veggie trays are examples of food that work great on this boat. Thank you for your consideration!
If you would like to take the boat to a waterfront restaurant, this is an option, but it will take over an hour off your boat time. Our Half & Full Day Charters do include this option, or please call if you are looking for something specific and we can arrange a customized cruise.
AMENITIES
1. Ice & Cooler Space (Please do not bring large coolers as they take up space on the boat – Small coolers are fine.)
2. Towels – if you don’t bring your own;
3. Sunscreen – if you don’t bring your own;
4. Disposable plates;
5. Swimline Water Seats & Large noodle floats;
6. Two 10’6″ paddleboards (On Request with Additional charges)
7. e-Foil (On Request with Additional charges)
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