Saturday, January 24, 2009

Sanibel Saturday Thrill

I've been reading and hearing so much lately about 'The Sanibel Thriller', and I just happened to see it speeding past the beach area where I was on Thursday, so I drove over to the Sanibel Marina yesterday to check it out.



The Sanibel Marina is located near the lighthouse at 634 N Yachtsman Drive, Sanibel, FL, just a half mile from the causeway, on the southern tip of Sanibel Island, FL. Since 1985,the marina has been owned and operated by Myton Ireland who is a Licensed Merchant Marine Officer. The marina has 90 slips for boats up to 120'. It is also home to Gramma Dot’s Seaside Saloon and Ireland Yacht Sales.

Gramma Dot's offers a lunch and dinner menu seven days a week, from 11:30 to 8, where you can dine dockside. The seaside saloon offers a full line of fresh seafood, salads, sandwiches and more.


Among the marinas offerings are sight seeing, charters, professional guides and more. Their latest addition is a thrilling cruise aboard the aptly named, Sanibel Thriller. Cruise the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Pine Island Sound, circumnavigating the shores of both Sanibel and Captiva Islands. During the narrated tour you will see wildlife such as dolphins and exotic birds. The Sanibel Thriller offers other trips to Boca Grande, Cayo Costa State Park, and Naples for shelling, shopping, exploring, or lunch. Reservations are required (239) 472-2328O, open daily: 7 am until 5 pm.


The Sanibel Thriller is a beautiful, new, fast, safe, diesel powered 55' motor yacht, that might be a new adventure you will want to experience on your next visit to Sanibel. The current tour is a 1-1/2 hour narrated tour that circumnavigates both the islands of Sanibel & Captiva & Dolphin Watch. It provides a historical narration of the islands and the surrounding area, while the Captains look for pods of dolphin. Once they are found, they slow the boat down and let the dolphin do the entertaining. It is $38/adult (plus tax) and $25/child (3-12) (plus tax).

I found this video on UTube. It shows dolphins in the wake of the Thriller, off Sanibel Island.

9 comments:

George said...

The Sanibel Thriller sounds like it would be a fun way to see the island from the sea. Thanks for all the information.

Snowbird said...

I hadn't even heard about this boat. Looks like a fun time, especially with the dolphins.

Alice In Wonderland Rocks said...

Thats pretty cool watching the dolphins swimming that close & fast to the boat :)

Jacque said...

OMG! That video is amazing! If we visit again, we'll have to take a spin on the thriller!

Gayle said...

Woohoo! That looks like fun! Don't you just love walking around a Marina? Another beautiful day at Sanibel.

Little Black Scrap Cat said...

Looks like potential for our next visit - if I can get my girl back on a boat!!! Last time was on Maui and the water was really rough. I'm not sure I can get her back on the water. On the other hand, the beach works great, too!!

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

Well that sounds like fun - I'm glad you said something about it as this is the first I am hearing about it. I just looked at their webiste, but they don't list prices. Any idea what a half day cayo costa shelling trip would cost?

Unknown said...

I winder if they's allow the RedNeck Yacht club on it?

gpc said...

Wow. Thanks, Tootie, you've definitely sold me! I went on one dolphin trip several years ago and it was fun to see dolphins, but they were not jumping like the ones in the video. I'm checking this trip out on my next visit, for sure!