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Captiva Cruises’ newest expedition in its “Discover Southwest Florida History” tours will focus on the fishing cultures in Pine Island Sound. Titled A Thousand Years of Fishing, the cruise encompasses fascinating characters and traditions.
Departing weekly from McCarthy’s Marina on Captiva Island, guests will travel to Pineland on Pine Island. Along the way, there will be an up-close look at historic fish houses of Pine Island Sound and a discussion on the area’s diverse fishing cultures from the indigenous Calusa, to Spanish Cuban Ranchos, to the Punta Gorda Fish Company, and the spectacular tarpon and sport fishing of today.
The next stop will be Tarpon Lodge, where passengers will be oriented to the historic propert y, the family-run business and its storied tradition of fishing within Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor. Guests will have lunch at the 1926 lodge with waterfront views of Pine Island Sound and mangrove islands.
After lunch, passengers will walk across the street to Randell Research Center (RRC). RRC, a program of the Florida Museum of Natural History, aims to establish and maintain, at the internationally significant Pineland archeological and historical site, a permanent facility dedicated to learning and teaching the archeology, history and ecology of Southwest Florida. An educator will guide participants on Calusa Heritage Trail to one of the pre-Columbian mounds of the ancient Calusa while elaborating on this unique fishing culture.
This cruise is an excellent opportunity for families and neighbors to get together and learn about the natural and cultural history of Southwest Florida while observing wildlife along the way. There will so be an opportunity to view fish and other marine life during the trawling net segment of the cruise.
Cruises will be offered on Tuesdays through April, departing at 10 a.m . and returning at approximately 3 p.m.
Captiva Cruises also offers cruises to Cabbage Key, Useppa Island, Boca Grande with beach and shelling excursions to Cayo Costa State Park as well as sailing adventures, sunset cruises and dolphin watch and wildlife adventures with Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF).
For more information and reservations, call Captiva Cruises at 239-472-5300 or visit www.captivacruises.com.
