Stump Pass is one of the best places to experience the Englewood and Manasota Key coastline from the water. This private trip follows the local route through Lemon Bay and Ski Alley toward Stump Pass, Stump Pass Beach State Park and the changing sandbar beside the Gulf of Mexico.
We depart from Eldred’s Marina in Placida and travel North aboard my 2024 Axopar 29 Sun Top. Because every tour is private for up to six passengers, we can combine scenic cruising with a sandbar stop, swimming, paddleboarding, beach time, wildlife watching or waterfront dining.
The Route from Placida
The trip begins at Eldred’s Marina near the Boca Grande Causeway. From Placida, we travel North through the Intracoastal Waterway and into Lemon Bay. The route continues along the protected side of Manasota Key before reaching Ski Alley and Stump Pass.
This is not a Venice-to-Naples sightseeing route. It is a focused local adventure designed around the Englewood, Lemon Bay, Manasota Key and Stump Pass area. Travel time and stops depend on the length of your tour, tide, wind and water conditions.
Places We Explore
This private route brings together six connected places between Cape Haze and the South end of Manasota Key. They can be experienced during one personalized trip, but every stop depends on the tour length, tide, wind, current and water conditions.
Cape Haze
After departing from Placida, we travel North through the waterways of Cape Haze. This scenic area includes mangrove shorelines, waterfront homes, protected channels and the route leading toward Lemon Bay.
Lemon Bay
The protected waterway between the mainland and Manasota Key offers mangrove shorelines, islands, shallow flats and marked channels. Guests can watch for dolphins, manatees, ospreys, pelicans and other coastal wildlife while we cruise North.
Ski Alley
This long, protected stretch of water near the South end of Manasota Key is one of my favorite places for slowing down, enjoying the scenery and preparing for swimming or paddleboarding when conditions are suitable.
Stump Pass
The natural opening between Manasota Key and Stump Pass Beach State Park connects Lemon Bay with the Gulf of Mexico. The channel changes with tides, storms, shoaling and the seasonal movement of sand.
Stump Pass Beach
Approaching Stump Pass Beach State Park by boat reveals its Gulf shoreline, sandy point and natural vegetation from a different perspective. When access is suitable, guests may enjoy walking, shelling and photography.
Stump Pass Sandbar
The sandbar is constantly reshaped by moving water and sand. When tide, depth and current allow, it can be an excellent place to anchor, step into shallow water, swim, relax and take family photographs.
Sandbar and beach access cannot be guaranteed. At lower water, more sand may be visible; at higher water, the same area may be partly or completely covered. I select the safest available stopping place rather than promising one exact anchoring position.
Combine Your Stump Pass Adventure
This tour can be combined with another experience during the same private trip. You are not locked into a crowded group schedule. Tell me what your family or friends enjoy, and I will create a practical route around the time available and conditions on the water.
Sandbar & Swimming
Enjoy shallow water and a relaxing stop when tide and current are suitable.
Paddleboarding
Explore protected water at a comfortable pace, with equipment available by advance arrangement.
Beach & Shelling
Walk the shoreline, photograph the coast and search for shells without rushing.
Wildlife Watching
Look for dolphins, manatees and coastal birds while respecting their space.
Scenic Cruising
Spend more time exploring Lemon Bay, Manasota Key and the changing coastline from the boat.
Sunset Extension
Finish a later adventure with evening colors over Lemon Bay or the Gulf.
Waterfront Dining
A longer Stump Pass tour can include a waterfront dining stop. Arriving by boat turns lunch or an early dinner into part of the adventure, with views of Lemon Bay, passing boats and the relaxed Englewood waterfront.
Dining time must be included when choosing the length of your tour. Restaurant availability, dock space, operating hours and wait times can change, especially on weekends and holidays. I can help you plan a comfortable schedule, but the restaurant bill is separate from the boat-tour price.
Wildlife and Changing Conditions
Lemon Bay and Stump Pass are natural coastal environments. Dolphins may travel through channels or the pass, manatees may appear in calmer water, and ospreys, pelicans, herons and egrets are often visible along the route. We observe without feeding, chasing or disturbing wildlife.
The same natural forces that make Stump Pass beautiful also make it unpredictable. Wind can create chop, tide can strengthen the current, and sand can shift. I may change the order of stops, choose a more protected place or shorten time in the Gulf to keep the experience comfortable and safe.
Plan Your Private Stump Pass Tour
Florida Gulf Discovery LLC welcomes families, couples and small private groups of up to six passengers. Your captain is Captain Pavel, a USCG-licensed OUPV captain with years of outdoor and on-the-water experience.
The 2024 Axopar 29 Sun Top offers stable performance, shaded seating, two tables and comfortable space for exploring both protected bays and suitable Gulf conditions. Before departure, we can discuss your preferred activities and choose the tour length that gives your group enough time to enjoy them.
Let Captain Pavel Create a Personalized Adventure
Explore Lemon Bay, Ski Alley, Stump Pass, Stump Pass Beach and the changing sandbar during one private trip from Placida.
Book Your Private Tour!