Please Read This Important Information About Your Boat Rental:
No special boat license is required. If you can drive a car you will find it easy to drive a boat. Boat rental is only available in conjunction with a confirmed booking for your vacation accommodation.
Boat insurance requires that the operator is at least 25 years old and has a valid driver's license, issued in their own country of residence. In Florida you do not need a boat operator license if born before January 1st 1988.
If born on or after January 1st 1988 you will need a "Florida Boating Safety Identification Card" or a "Florida Boater Education Temporary Certificate". If there is a person on board BORN BEFORE January 1st 1988 who will take control of the boat you DO NOT need a safety identification card.
If applicable you can obtain this Certificate prior to the rental by completing a small online test (valid for one year). http://www.boatus.org/florida/
Full instruction will be given waterside at time of rental by a licensed captain and is included in the rental cost, extended "on water" instruction may be available at additional cost.
Boats are allocated to each booking on an “availability basis” – not all boats will be available at busy times and it is not possible to pre-select a specific boat. Your boat will be provided from the range of available boats and will always be suitable for the number of people and size of villa booked.
2/3 bedroom home = boat suitable for up to 6 people
4 bedroom home = boat suitable for up to 8 people
The minimum rental period for all boats is 3 days.
For the most popular boat rental period (5 days), your boat will normally be available at your vacation home in Cape Coral from the morning of day 2 of your vacation and will be collected at the end of day 6 (this is most suitable for weekly vacation rentals) leaving you free time on the first & last days of your vacation. Additional days rental can be added subject to availability.
Delivery is usually between 8.0 – 10.0 am with final collection around 6.0pm. During Winter months these times will alter to take account of shorter daylight hours.
For some homes, it may be more appropriate for your boat to be available on a “meet & greet” basis at a nearby alternative property location where quicker gulf access is available, this may save you considerable boating time with faster access out to the gulf waters – there is no additional charge if this service is provided.
A refundable credit card security charge ($500 - $1000) is required prior to taking possession of the boat. All boats are supplied by an authorized third party and you will be required to sign a separate rental contract with them at this time. Please provide valid ID at this time. As with any auto rental – please check for damage prior to the start of the boat rental – you will be liable for all costs resulting from malicious damage, accidents, collisions, adverse weather damage etc.
Boats should be returned with similar fuel levels otherwise a charge is payable locally. You should be aware that if the boat requires re-fuelling at the end of the rental period, re-fuelling, travel time and any associated costs will be charged to your credit card, the cost of fuel could be at a higher rate than locally advertised.
All the boats are insured with $300,000 third party liability insurance and complete hull damage insurance with a $1000 deductible.
Breakdown insurance, providing tow facilities for all breakdowns, no fuel and grounding of the boat, is included in the rental. The renter will be responsible for any associated costs.
Included in the rental fee is the use of an exclusive map and destination guide. The guide has maps of the local waterways and Cape Coral canals along with information on local points of interest. Also included are directions and menus for many local waterfront restaurants.
In the Gulf waters you must stay within the channel markers to avoid shallow water. In the waterways and canals remember to observe the "no wake" (speed limits).
Vest style lifejackets are available on request at no additional charge. (The standard orange lifejackets are already on board).
We do not charge any additional fees for check in/out or boat cleaning, but should the boat be returned in a dirty condition, especially if used for fishing, then we reserve the right to make an appropriate cleaning charge.
Cancellation policy:
Bookings cannot be cancelled, amended or refunded once confirmed. Deposits are always non refundable. We cannot accept cancellation of any rental days once the rental has commenced. Refunds are not available for rentals affected by adverse weather conditions.
Note: availability is on a demand basis, all boats may not be available at busy periods - advance reservation is advised – we reserve the right to substitute models in the light of unforeseen circumstances.
Getting There is Half the Fun
Cape Coral has more than 400 miles of canals. There are many ways to explore the outer islands and getting there in your own boat is half the fun.
You can see Dolphins, Manatee, Otters, Pelicans, Turtles, Heron's, Spoonbills, Bald Eagles and much more when you rent your own boat.
North Captiva - Once a part of Captiva Island, North Captiva was severed during the hurricane of 1926. Four miles of state-owned beaches are favorite weekend destinations. At its northern end, bordered by Captiva Pass, is a sheltered bay known as Safety Harbor. There, four restaurants cater to vacationing islanders, anglers and boaters. Tropical sauces and fresh herbs adorn fish and fowl and can be found on the menus alongside cheeseburgers and black beans with rice.
Cabbage Key - Boating can also lead to a culinary adventure. Cabbage Key is home to the famous Cheeseburger in paradise and a rustic restaurant and bar, Cabbage Key Inn & Restaurant. The walls are lined with dollar bills, placed there by visitors carrying out a tradition begun long ago. Fisherman would tack a spare dollar on the wall for days when fishing was not so good but their thirst was deep. Today, the money is signed and dated reflecting the origins of the thousands of visitors that come to the island.
Useppa - Across the waterway is the gentrified, private island of Useppa. A small historical museum features the Calusa Indians who once occupied the island. The restaurant is housed in the former home of Barron Collier. It was once the center of the sport-fishing world and is where the Isaac Walton League was born. The easiest access to Useppa is via one of Captiva Cruises dining trips.
Cayo Costa - To the north is one other quiet, unbridged barrier island, Cayo Costa. The least visited state park in Florida, this sleeping giant has 8.5 miles of beaches and offers some of the best shelling in the world. At its northern end, the state maintains a camping area, picnic tables and restroom facilities.
Gasparilla Island - At the mouth of Charlotte Harbor is Boca Grande. From May through mid July, Boca Grande Pass is one of the most intensively fished areas in the world. Boats are so close together that you can hop from one to the other. All are in search of the silver king, the Tarpon. Some say you have not fished until you hook into a fish as big as you are. During late spring and early summer, tarpon fill the passes and move into the estuarine waters of Pine Island Sound. Gasparilla Island State Recreation Area's landmark is the low wooden lighthouse established in 1890 at the southern tip. The lighthouse is open to visitors the last Saturday of every month.
LOVERS KEY STATE PARK: Accessible by boat. Set your anchor and discover a distant and lonesome beach with white sand. It is a haven for all types of wildlife
The park has picnic tables, showers, toilets plus you can rent bicycles and kayaks or hike the trails.
SANIBEL ISLAND: The island is connected to the mainland by the Sanibel causeway and the surrounding waters are very popular for fishing. There are numerous resorts and waterfront restaurants close to the beach offering free docking for lunch or dinner. The island offers many excellent photo opportunities and is a favorite habitat for both Dolphin and Tarpon.
Waterfront Restaurants
WATERFRONT RESTAURANT - ST. JAMES CITY, PINE ISLAND
At the Southern tip of Pine Island. You can arrive by boat (16 dock slips). Eat dockside on the patio or inside in the air-conditioned restaurant. It is a casual fun atmosphere and the staff are friendly and efficient. Local seafood is their specialty whether you enjoy Seafood Chowder, Local Steamed Clams, Chilled Shrimp and Blue Crab Salad or Grouper prepared to your liking, you will not walk away disappointed. Regular fare and burgers available.
WOODYS WATERSIDE - MONROE CANAL - ST. JAMES CITY, PINE ISLAND
Another restaurant on the water, tasty food and easy docking. From Green Marker # 13 head 340 degrees to St James City Channel and take the 2nd right onto the Monroe Canal. Good food and cold drinks that you will enjoy along with the daily specials.
NERVOUS NELLIES - SNUG HARBOR - FORT MYERS BEACH
Two levels of a crazy nautical themed restaurant in the historic Baywalk district. Free marina dockage with dock attendant's assistance. Largest menu for food and drinks in the area! They offer something for everyone. Daily music from local talent from 1PM to 5PM. Happy Hour All Day Every Day.
MANTANZAS INN RESTAURANT - FORT MYERS BEACH
Easy dockage and a wonderful menu for lunch or early dinner. Located along the Intercoastal Waterway, which separates Fort Myers Beach from the rest of Florida. This is a piece of paradise.
