A Peaceful Farewell at Sea
Honoring a Life Well Lived
Private Burial at Sea • Respectful Memorial Ceremonies • Southwest Florida
Losing a loved one is never easy. A private Burial at Sea offers family and friends a peaceful, dignified, and meaningful way to honor a life well lived while surrounded by the beauty and tranquility of Southwest Florida’s Gulf waters.
Captain Pavel provides private Burial at Sea charters with dignity, compassion, and professionalism. Every memorial ceremony is conducted with respect and personalized to reflect your family’s wishes, allowing everyone aboard to gather together in a quiet setting to celebrate cherished memories and say a final farewell.
Whether you are scattering cremated remains, holding a private memorial ceremony, or combining both, we will help create a respectful experience that honors your loved one while following all applicable federal regulations.
Our premium 2024 Axopar 29 Sun Top provides a comfortable, stable, and private setting where family and close friends can gather together in peace. We carefully select an appropriate offshore location where the ceremony can be conducted with dignity, allowing your family the time, privacy, and quiet surroundings needed for reflection, remembrance, and a meaningful farewell.
Every family is unique. Whether you would like a quiet moment of silence, personal readings, music, prayers, biodegradable flowers, or simply time together on the water, Captain Pavel will work with you to create a meaningful ceremony that reflects the life, values, and legacy of your loved one.
Why Families Choose Florida Gulf Discovery
✔ Completely Private Charter — Only your family and invited guests aboard.
✔ Respectful & Compassionate Service — Every ceremony is conducted with dignity and care.
✔ Personalized Memorial Ceremony — Create a farewell that reflects your loved one’s life and wishes.
✔ Peaceful Gulf Waters — A quiet natural setting for remembrance and reflection.
✔ Comfortable Premium Boat — Spacious seating and a smooth, stable ride aboard our 2024 Axopar 29 Sun Top.
✔ Guidance Throughout the Process — Captain Pavel is available to answer questions and help you prepare for the ceremony.
Important Information About Burial at Sea
Federal regulations require that cremated remains be scattered at least three nautical miles offshore. Florida Gulf Discovery conducts every Burial at Sea in accordance with United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements.
Federal Requirements
- Distance from Shore — Cremated remains must be scattered a minimum of three nautical miles offshore.
- Biodegradable Materials — Flowers, wreaths, urns, and any items placed into the water should be biodegradable.
- EPA Notification — Federal regulations require that the burial at sea be reported to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) within 30 days after the ceremony. Captain Pavel can provide guidance regarding this requirement.
- Respect for the Marine Environment — Only environmentally safe and biodegradable items may be placed into the water.
- Weather Conditions — Safety is always our highest priority. Departure times may be adjusted when necessary to provide the safest and most respectful experience possible.
If you have questions about these requirements, Captain Pavel will gladly explain the process and assist you with planning your memorial charter.
What to Expect
Every Burial at Sea charter is conducted privately and at a comfortable pace.
Typical ceremonies may include:
- A peaceful cruise to the memorial location
- Personal reflections or family remarks
- Prayer or religious ceremony (if requested)
- Reading of poems or special messages
- Playing meaningful music
- Scattering of cremated remains
- Placement of biodegradable flowers or wreaths
- Quiet time for remembrance before returning to shore
Families are welcome to personalize the ceremony in a way that best honors their loved one’s life.
A Lasting Tribute
The sea has long been a place of peace, reflection, and remembrance. For many families, a Burial at Sea provides a beautiful and meaningful farewell surrounded by the natural beauty of Southwest Florida.
Our goal is to provide a calm, respectful, and compassionate experience that allows family and friends to honor a loved one’s memory with dignity while creating a lasting tribute to a life well lived.
Captain Pavel’s Promise
“Every Burial at Sea ceremony is deeply personal. My commitment is to provide your family with privacy, compassion, and the time needed to honor your loved one with dignity and respect. It is a privilege to help families during such an important moment.”
Learn More About Burial at Sea
Planning a memorial at sea is an important decision, and many families have questions before making arrangements. The articles below provide additional information about private Burial at Sea and Ash Scattering ceremonies in Southwest Florida.
Ash Scattering at Sea in Englewood, Florida
Learn how a private ash scattering ceremony is conducted, understand EPA requirements, and discover how Captain Pavel helps families create a peaceful and meaningful farewell on the Gulf of America.
Burial at Sea Charter in Southwest Florida
Learn more about planning a private Burial at Sea, what to expect during the ceremony, available memorial options, and how families can personalize a respectful farewell on the beautiful waters of Southwest Florida.
Contact Captain Pavel
If you would like to discuss a Private Burial at Sea Charter or have questions about the planning process, please contact Captain Pavel.
We understand this is a difficult time and will be honored to help you create a respectful and meaningful farewell for your loved one.
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)
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.
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