Capt. Dylan Hubbard here with another weekly update from the beautiful waters of central west Florida. As we cruise daily along the beaches and bays surrounding Tampa Bay, including Madeira Beach, Treasure Island, St. Pete Beach, Shell Key, Fort De Soto, and Egmont Key, we continue to watch the seasonal transition unfold across our local ecosystem. From dolphin watching nature cruises and eco tours to island ferry trips, shelling adventures, pirate ship cruises, and sunset cruises with free beer and wine, there has been no shortage of wildlife and natural beauty for our guests to enjoy.
Dolphin activity has been especially exciting lately. Our local dolphin population has been very active, and we are beginning to see newborn calves appearing more frequently in the area. One of the newest little ones was recently spotted in the upper Boca Ciega Bay region, traveling closely alongside its mother while learning how to surface and swim properly. These early stages of a dolphin calf’s life are always fascinating to observe, and guests aboard our dolphin watching tours have been fortunate to witness these young dolphins beginning to explore their environment and interact with the rest of their pod.
Manatees are another species beginning to return in greater numbers. After spending much of the winter in warmer spring-fed waters farther north in Florida, we are now starting to see these gentle giants reappearing in our local bays and passes. Guests have already spotted a few playful manatees during recent trips, and we expect their numbers to increase steadily over the coming weeks as more of them return to the coastal grass flats around Tampa Bay.
Cruise News: Island Ferries
Seabird activity has also been very noticeable across the region. Many of the nesting islands we pass during our trips are now filled with roosting birds, and guests are spotting more and more young birds beginning to appear. Pelicans, egrets, cormorants, and other coastal species are busy raising their chicks, and the islands are becoming lively with activity as these young birds grow and begin preparing for their first flights.
Sea turtles have also been making appearances during our cruises to and from the islands. With calmer conditions and improving water clarity, it has become easier to spot turtles surfacing for air while we travel between Shell Key and Egmont Key on our shelling trips and ferry runs. These sightings are always exciting for guests and offer a great opportunity to discuss the role these animals play in our coastal ecosystem.
Water temperatures are also beginning to reach the point where spending time in the water becomes more comfortable. Currently sitting in the mid to low seventies, the Gulf and bay waters are slowly warming as we move toward spring. While it is still a bit brisk for some, we have already seen a few of our northern visitors taking advantage of the warming conditions and enjoying a swim while exploring the islands. Over the next several weeks, these temperatures should continue to climb, and by April we expect swimming and snorkeling around the islands to become a regular part of the island adventure experience again.
Between the playful dolphins, returning manatees, active seabird colonies, occasional sea turtle sightings, and steadily warming waters, this is a wonderful time to get out and explore Florida’s Gulf Coast. Whether you join us for a dolphin watching nature cruise, a three hour Shell Key shelling trip, a ferry ride to Egmont Key, a sunset cruise with free beer and wine, or a family pirate ship adventure, there is always something special waiting just offshore.
We look forward to welcoming you aboard soon and sharing another week of unforgettable wildlife encounters and island exploration.
