Floating in Florida

A Florida boat tour is a short ride, usually two hours or less, where you and your fellow passengers learn something new about Florida history, ecology or wildlife from a spirited and helpful guide while gliding across supple, sun filled waters. You may see dolphins, manatees, turtles, alligators, and more. Cruise past famous and infamous homes, Indian mounds, and ancient cypress trees where diving birds sit on branches spreading their wings to let them dry. A boat tour is a floating adventure with friends.

Long before railroads and interstate highways, major rivers in Florida - the Kissimmee, St. Johns, Ocklawaha, Suwannee, Apalachicola, and Caloosahatchee - were the roads of choice for settlers. Ships docked at ports like Jacksonville, Key West, and Cedar Key, then goods were transferred to tall steamboats - narrow in beam with shallow flat draft - perfect for rivers and lakes.

Pontoon boats today have the same narrow beam and shallow flat draft as those 19th century river steamboats, making them just right for river, lake, bay and intracoastal waterway tours. There may be a bit of rocking from the wakes of passing boats, but most of the time, a river tour floats along smoothly.

Boarding a pontoon boat is easy, involving a short ramp or some steps. There is often a railing and always a crew member standing by to lend a helping hand getting aboard. Many, but not all, pontoon boats are also wheelchair accessible.

Boat tours are weather dependent. Some stick to the schedule, rain or shine, others do not. If lightening is nearby, rest assured tours are cancelled.

Boat trips and boat tours are different. A boat trip takes you from Point A to Point B, like the catamaran that speeds people from Fort Myers to Key West, or from Key West to the Dry Tortugas.

A boat tour, on the other hand, takes you from a dock out onto lakes and rivers, then brings you back to where you started, and not far from where you parked your car. The trip is your destination. Think of it as the ideal day outing. A short adventure, usually on a comfortable pontoon boat, and you are done in time for lunch, dinner, a latte, or cocktails.

Boat captains and mates represent authentic Florida. One example: The singing boat tour captain in Dunnellon grew up on the Rainbow and Withlacoochee Rivers. You will hear their own brand of humor, honed by personal experience.

All boat crews appreciate tips. Look for a container near where you boarded the boat. Often passengers can bring their own food and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). Usually, bottled water is for sale on the boat. If you want to bring your leashed dog aboard, check the boat tour website ahead of time to see if pets are welcome. Also, boat tour times and prices are subject to change. Call ahead for current rates and tour times.

Floating in Florida takes you to tested, easy excursions that will educate, entertain, and bring a smile to your face. In this guidebook you will find twenty-one different boat tours, a generous sampling that will have you, your family and friends discovering features of Florida that you might not know existed. Enjoy them all.