Things to Do in Englewood

From catching a 5-pound largemouth bass at age 5 to spending his summers competing in offshore fishing tournaments in the Bahamas, Captain Sean Adler's proudest moments have played out aboard a boat. Now the licensed captain strives to share the thrill of a taut line with passengers of all fishing-experience levels. To that end, he and his crew monitor the tides, barometric pressure, and moon phases to inform departure times for their fishing trips. They stock their boats with ample bait, ice, and fishing equipment for all guests. Once passengers reel in their catches, the crew snaps photos which anglers can proudly display at the office or threaten ungrateful pet goldfish at home.

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.

True to its name, All Water Excursions sets sail for adventures above or below sea level with boat rentals, guided tours, and underwater activities. Narrated cruises tour the backwaters of Florida while guides share stories about local history and wildlife and schools of dolphins choreograph underwater ballets beneath the boat. Windsurfing raises patrons to a bird's-eye view, and scuba-diving sessions explore coral reefs and shipwrecks located near the ocean floor. All Water Excursions will also rent pontoons, deck boats, and center consoles to patrons who want to sail for themselves and conduct ocean and backwater fishing trips to catch sea trout, catfish, or mangrove snapper.

With more than 31,000 nautical miles of sailing under his boat shoes, Captain David Richardson is more than capable of navigating his sailboat, Sundance, on the leisure cruises for which he has become known. The half-day charters he leads out of Bonita Bill's Waterfront Café take in the many moods of the Gulf of Mexico, from its tranquil disposition in the sun to the turbulent waters it experiences when it realizes it'll never be a full-grown ocean. The Sundance itself boasts comfy accommodations, from cushy seats to an on-board bathroom, and many passengers bring their own food on board to eat while ogling jumping dolphins.