Things to Do in Englewood

During guided tours, captains transport passengers between the coasts and along waterways of the barrier islands. They may embark on explorations of Cayo Costa State Park, a natural wildlife preserve, or take guests shelling and swimming off Sanibel Island beaches. Powerboats, jet skis, and sea kayaks are also available for rent, allowing customers to explore the bay and islands on their own. Many perfectly seaworthy crafts begin their departure from the company's hexagonal wooden pagoda, which huddles on a sandy shore separated from the surrounding hotels by gently waving palm trees.

Designed to take the hassle out of ocean outings, Destination Boat Clubs matches members with crafts from its fleet of seaworthy deck boats, cabin cruisers, fishing boats, and bow riders housed at five locations across the Florida coast. Using an easy online-reservation service, members set up a rental time and arrive at the club to find their boat ready to go, with tanks filled and interiors cleaned. Vessels come equipped with tools ranging from iPod-ready stereos to onboard GPS systems, which help members to navigate the waves without the need to weld their own sextant. Clubs also feature onshore amenities, with outdoor pools and jacuzzis helping members to unwind before dinner and drinks at onsite restaurants and lounges.

Captain Will Olds is an aquatic Renaissance man. The U.S. Coast Guard master mariner has dedicated his life to the water—from time spent piloting charter boats across Lake Superior to his days teaching boat safety at the Chapman School of Seamanship—and to his passion for history and the natural world. The multitalented skipper translates his many skills into a daily roster of eco-tours and excursions that whisk visitors along the fluvial highways of southern Florida.

From behind the wheel of his trusted ship, the Calusa Queen, the captain delivers entertaining and educational anecdotes along with views of Charlotte Harbor Estuary and Cape Haze. While not included in this offer, the Matlacha Art Community cruise features stops on terra firma to visit local galleries, and the Peace River Eco-Tour and Cruise wends through a nature preserve for a peek at manatees, alligators, and dolphins. Named for the Native American peoples of Florida’s southwest coast, the ship is inspected and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard and can hold up to 28 passengers along with their spare sets of sea legs.

Since launching off from the shores of Fort Myers Beach in 1982, Paradise Parasail’s signature smiley-face parachutes have become an iconic image in the sky, now flying high above the waters of both the Gulf of Mexico and the Lake of the Ozarks. USCG-licensed captains navigate each of the company's boats as riders trail behind at heights of up to 500 feet. With feet flopping in the wind, thrill-seekers are free to wave to their friends, family, and nearby migratory birds. Parasailers can also pose for photos and videos captured by the company's onboard photographers.

Inside Naples Segway Tours' large showroom, three models of the upright vehicle wait patiently to catch the eye of a new owner. Assisting them in their quest are knowledgeable salespeople who can quickly run down the specs and benefits of each model for interested customers. Apart from their work on the sales floor, the team leads guided Segway tours of Naples' most attractive highlights and ugliest construction zones.

The doors of a vintage-inspired trolley fold open, inviting guests to recline in one of the padded seats for a windows-eye view of Naples. During a two-hour sightseeing tour that skirts along the coast, the driver contributes to mental history books with interesting facts, anecdotes, and humorous stories, bringing to life the one hundred points of interest on the tour’s route. Hop-on, hop-off access lets guests jump off as many times as they'd like at any of the 23 stops if a site strikes their fancy or if a fire hydrant starts spraying ice cream. Patrons can then reboard when a trolley returns one hour later. The trolleys are also available for charter services, wedding parties, or office outings that want to get a look at Naples's most attractive highlights and ugliest construction zones.