Explore Tampa Bay and its beautiful islands, enjoy the sun and the calm breezes of Tampa Bay and the Gulf Coast, and make friends with dolphins, manatees and other sea life!

The azure waters of Florida’s Gulf Coast, with its famous sunsets, make up the cruising ground. One of Clark Gable’s favorite places, Bradenton’s Manatee River, is the home port. With direct access to St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota and Tampa, it offers a perfect setting for memorable adventures.

• Day Sails
• Sunset Sails
• Sailing Instruction
• Full Day Sail
• Weekend Getaways

Day Sails

Upon leaving the marina you cruise down the scenic Manatee River, once described as the favorite cruising ground for Clark Gable. There are beautiful mansions and homes along the banks on either side. You then come to two very nice anchorages, one on either side of the river. Either one can be a really nice place to spend a peaceful, scenic night at anchor.

There is a nature preserve on the North Side of the entrance to the river and a park dedicated to the explorer Desoto on the South side.

As you leave the river you are greeted by a panoramic view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to your right and Anna Maria Island to your left.

Directly in front is an island called Egmont Key, with a lighthouse and docks for the Tampa Pilot Boats.

Dolphins love to play and jump alongside the boat

The open water of the Gulf is right beyond those two islands.

Half Day Sails

On a four-hour half day cruise you travel down the river, sail toward the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, tack over and head back to the river entrance. This would be for a minimum of three and a maximum of six people. ($60 per person) –coolers welcome

Sunset Sails

On a four-hour sunset sail you would do the same but time it so that when you are coming back up the river you could witness the sunset in the Gulf. This would be for a minimum of three and a maximum of six people. ($60/person) –coolers welcome

Full Day Sail

On a full eight-hour day sail you could travel the river, head for a channel between Egmont Key and Anna Maria Island, go out into the Gulf of Mexico, circle Anna Maria Island, enter Longboat Pass and continue back up the Intercoastal Waterway to return to the mouth of the Manatee River. There are a couple of little restaurants along the way where we could stop for something to eat or drink. This would be for a minimum of two and a maximum of six people. ($120/person) – coolers welcome.

We could also custom design an eight-hour day to your liking.