🛰️ Where We Go

Discover Southwest Florida One Adventure at a Time

Explore Southwest Florida like never before with Captain Pavel’s interactive Explorer Map. Discover barrier islands, secluded beaches, hidden sandbars, scenic waterways, historic landmarks, waterfront restaurants, and wildlife hotspots personally explored during private boat tours with Florida Gulf Discovery.

Every destination featured on this map has been visited by Captain Pavel and represents real places where guests experience dolphins, shelling, island hopping, local history, breathtaking scenery, and unforgettable days on the water.

Created Using GIS Technology

Captain Pavel’s Signature Discoveries

These destinations represent the heart of Florida Gulf Discovery. Each offers its own unique scenery, wildlife, history, and unforgettable experiences on Southwest Florida’s beautiful Gulf Coast.

Select any symbol on the interactive map to explore Southwest Florida’s most remarkable destinations.

Sandbars

Boca Grande Sandbar

One of Southwest Florida’s premier boating destinations, famous for crystal-clear water, swimming, dolphin activity nearby, and unforgettable private boat adventures.

Bokeelia Sandbar

A peaceful sandbar in Pine Island Sound, perfect for swimming, relaxing, photography, and enjoying the quieter side of Southwest Florida.

Barrier Islands

Cayo Costa State Park

A remote barrier island accessible only by boat, offering natural beaches, excellent shelling, hiking trails, wildlife, and fascinating pioneer history.

Little Gasparilla Island

A quiet, car-free barrier island known for peaceful beaches, shelling, waterfront homes, and a relaxed coastal atmosphere.

North Captiva Island

A beautiful barrier island with remote beaches, native wildlife, and spectacular Gulf Coast scenery.

Useppa Island

A historic private island celebrated for its charm, beautiful homes, rich history, and breathtaking views across Pine Island Sound.

Passes & Waterways

Boca Grande Pass

World-famous for its tarpon fishing, dramatic tidal currents, dolphin activity, and spectacular coastal scenery.

Gasparilla Pass

A scenic waterway connecting the Gulf of Mexico with protected inland waters, offering excellent wildlife viewing and access to nearby islands.

Stump Pass

A natural pass where Lemon Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico, creating beautiful scenery and outstanding opportunities to observe coastal wildlife.

Ski Alley

A favorite local boating route known for smooth cruising, open water, and beautiful views of Southwest Florida’s coastline.

Beaches

Stump Pass Beach State Park

A natural beach destination known for shelling, wildlife, and peaceful Gulf shoreline surrounded by unspoiled coastal habitat.

Padilla Beach

A secluded beach on Cayo Costa offering natural beauty, quiet surroundings, shelling, and connections to Southwest Florida’s pioneer history.

Local Landmarks

Placida Trestle

A well-known local landmark and gateway to Gasparilla Sound, surrounded by calm waters, wildlife, and scenic boating routes.

Port Boca Grande Lighthouse

Standing at the southern tip of Gasparilla Island since 1890, this historic lighthouse remains one of Southwest Florida’s most iconic landmarks.

Marinas

Gasparilla Marina

A modern full-service marina in Placida providing convenient access to Boca Grande, Gasparilla Sound, and the surrounding Gulf waters.

Eldred’s Marina

A longtime local marina and the departure location for Florida Gulf Discovery private boat tours.

Whidden’s Marina

A historic waterfront marina established in 1926 on Boca Grande Harbor. Known for its classic cottages, working marina, and rich tarpon fishing heritage.

Safe Harbor Pineland Marina

A popular gateway to Pine Island Sound, renowned for boating, kayaking, fishing, and nearby Calusa heritage sites.

Four Winds Marina

A convenient marina in Bokeelia offering easy access to Pine Island Sound, nearby islands, and waterfront dining.

Waterfront Dining

Cabbage Key Restaurant

One of Southwest Florida’s most famous waterfront restaurants, accessible only by boat and celebrated for its Old Florida atmosphere, island charm, and unforgettable setting.

🐬 Wildlife Hotspots

Southwest Florida’s coastal waters support an incredible variety of marine life and coastal birds. While wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, these are areas where Captain Pavel frequently encounters wildlife during private boat tours.

Boca Grande Pass

🐬 Dolphins

Gasparilla Pass

🐬 Dolphins • 🦭 Manatees • 🦅 Ospreys

Placida Area

🐬 Dolphins • 🦭 Manatees • 🦅 Ospreys

Pine Island Sound

🐬 Dolphins • 🦅 Coastal Birds

Stump Pass

🐬 Dolphins • 🦭 Manatees • 🦅 Ospreys

Wildlife is wild. Every tour is unique, and sightings depend on the season, tides, weather, water conditions, and the animals’ natural behavior. Captain Pavel uses local knowledge and daily experience on Southwest Florida’s waters to maximize opportunities for memorable wildlife encounters, but wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.

Choose Your Adventure

Every private tour is personalized around your interests.

Whether you’re searching for dolphins, exploring secluded barrier islands, relaxing at beautiful sandbars, discovering hidden beaches, enjoying waterfront dining, or simply cruising through Southwest Florida’s spectacular waterways, Captain Pavel will help you create an unforgettable day on the water.

Explore:

🐬 Private Dolphin Tours

🐚 Private Shelling Tours

Private Island Hopping Tours

Private Sandbar Tours

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Boat Tours

🌅 Sunset Cruises

🌿 Eco Tours

Waterfront Dining Cruises

🛥 Private Boat Charters

Captain Pavel’s Journal

Many of the destinations featured on the Explorer Map are also the setting for stories in Captain Pavel’s Journal.

Follow along as Captain Pavel shares wildlife encounters, local history, drone photography, hidden places, and real adventures from Southwest Florida’s waterways.

Each new journal entry adds another chapter to the Explorer Map, making this page a living guide that continues to grow with every adventure.

Ready for Your Own Discovery?

Experience Southwest Florida from the water aboard a private boat with Captain Pavel.

Discover hidden places, remarkable wildlife, beautiful islands, peaceful beaches, historic landmarks, and unforgettable scenery while enjoying a private tour designed exclusively for you and your guests.

Ready to experience these destinations in person?

Every Florida Gulf Discovery tour is private and customized around your interests. Whether you’re looking for dolphins, secluded beaches, historic landmarks, waterfront dining, or hidden waterways, Captain Pavel will help you create an unforgettable day on the water.