Dolphins, Manatees and Shelling Tours at Fort Myers Beach

By Gillian Birch

Photo courtesy Good Time Charters

Whether you live in SW Florida or are just visiting Fort Myers Beach for a sunshine top-up, getting out on the water on a Dolphin Tour is one of the most thrilling ways to enjoy this corner of Floridian paradise. As a resident myself, I was amazed to discover the amount of wildlife that you can get up-close and personal with. A Wildlife Tour with Good Time Charters and Tours not only includes seeing dolphins, manatees, pelicans and rare birds, you are accompanied by an experienced marine biologist!

Photo courtesy Good Time Charters

Established in 1999, Good Time Charters and Tours is a well-established part of the Estero community. Based at the Snook Bight Yacht Club and Marina in Fort Myers Beach, the company offers a range of cruises, fishing charters, and tours. The area is famous for its fishing charters, with excellent catches of snook, redfish, trout, snapper and larger fish such as shark, pompano, and Spanish mackerel.

Dolphin Cruises around Fort Myers Beach

Photo courtesy Good Time Charters

If you want a thrilling family day out, the Dolphin Cruises are first class. You can often see dolphins swimming in the bay, leaping in the bow waves or chasing the wake of local boats as they swim and play as part of a family pod. They love to play in the wake of the Key West Express catamaran as it sails around Bowditch Point Park and out into the open sea every morning.

Photo courtesy Good Time Charters

To see these friendly creatures just feet away is a real thrill, and the great thing about Good Time Charters is that they actually guarantee dolphin viewing on their four-hour long Marine Life Explorers Adventure. But there’s far more to get excited about. The onboard marine biologist helps passengers net and identify all sorts of marine life as well as shelling, snorkeling (gear provided), and kayaking. Expect to see manatees, sea urchins, conchs and brittle stars in a fantastic educational trip. Needless to say, all marine life is released back into the wild to ensure their presence for many generations to come.

Shorter Dolphin Wildlife Tours are offered daily each afternoon, or you can wait until the evening and join a 90-minute Sunset Dolphin Cruise with the best views of Florida’s flaming pink sunsets if you’re really lucky.

Photo courtesy Good Time Charters

You can also take a Kayak Tour with Good Time Charters around the calm shallow waters of Estero Bay which is separated from the Gulf by many barrier islands. It’s a relaxing way to explore the scenic bay area, spotting Great White Herons, Anhingas and maybe a rare Scarlet Ibis along with manatees and dolphins. Led by a well-informed Certified Naturalist, this kayaking trip may be the best two hours of your holiday in Fort Myers Beach!