Capt. Dylan Hubbard here with another look at what we’ve been seeing on the water around central west Florida. Even when conditions stay similar week to week, the way wildlife responds to tides, weather, and seasonal changes keeps every trip unique. Guests joining us along the beaches and islands of Tampa Bay, including Madeira Beach, Treasure Island, St. Pete Beach, Shell Key, Fort De Soto, and Egmont Key, have been experiencing a wide range of memorable moments while dolphin watching, shelling, island hopping, camping, and cruising.
Dolphin Sightings and Marine Activity
Dolphin activity has remained steady across the area. Rather than large scattered pods, we’ve been seeing good numbers of dolphins working together in smaller groups as they hunt baitfish moving through the bays and near the passes. These feeding patterns can make dolphins more concentrated, and once located, they tend to stay active, offering great viewing opportunities during our dolphin watching nature cruises and eco tours.
This week also brought moments that reminded us just how important wildlife awareness and stewardship are. While we were previously able to help coordinate a successful rescue of a dolphin calf, we unfortunately encountered another entangled calf that did not survive despite multiple reports and location updates provided over several days. This was extremely difficult for our crew to witness and reinforces how critical proper fishing line disposal and quick response are for protecting marine life.
Above the water, bird activity has been nonstop. Bald eagle and white pelican numbers continue to increase as winter migration progresses, and they are now a regular sight while cruising to and from the islands. These seasonal visitors are joined by our year-round residents including osprey, pelicans, cormorants, anhingas, and egrets, all actively feeding as baitfish move through the area.
Pirate Ship Family Fun Cruises
This week, Pirate Ship Family Fun Cruises at John’s Pass sailed to a whole new level of excitement with surprise visits from the Tampa Bay Rays mascots. Both fan favorites hopped aboard the Royal Conquest, instantly turning the cruise into a high-seas celebration packed with epic sword fights, water gun battles, and plenty of pirate mischief.
As the ship cruised through the scenic waters of John’s Pass, families enjoyed stunning views, spotted local wildlife, and laughed along with the crew during interactive pirate adventures designed for all ages. From swashbuckling fun on deck to unforgettable photo ops, it was a one-of-a-kind experience that left young pirates and grown deckhands smiling from port to starboard.
Cruise News: Island Ferries
Island activity has been especially strong lately, starting with Egmont Key, which continues to deliver some of the most exciting shark tooth hunting we’ve seen all season. Guests have uncovered everything from smaller assorted teeth to impressive great white and megalodon teeth along the shoreline and shallow water edges. Shell Key has also been producing very well, with excellent numbers of sand dollars, whelks, and conch shells found throughout the week. Shell Key camping has picked up significantly as well, with groups taking advantage of cooler temperatures and enjoying overnight stays, early morning shelling, and quiet island evenings.
Looking ahead, conditions are lining up once again in favor of beachcombers. Passing cold fronts help stir up the bottom and push fresh shells and teeth onto the beaches, while the upcoming new moon is expected to bring especially low tides. These low tide windows expose more shoreline and create prime opportunities for both shelling and shark tooth hunting, particularly in the mornings.
Between productive shelling, shark tooth hunting, island camping, consistent dolphin encounters, and abundant birdlife, there is no shortage of natural experiences waiting on the water right now. Add in sunset cruises with free beer and wine, family fun pirate ship adventures, and relaxing ferry rides to Shell Key and Egmont Key, and it’s an excellent time to explore Florida’s Gulf Coast with us.
We look forward to welcoming you aboard soon and sharing another week of unforgettable moments on the water.
