Departing from Naples’ City Dock*, the Sweet Liberty sailing catamaran offers a cross section of local sights and experiences with scenic cruises from historic Crayton Cove. On each trip she glides elegantly past magnificent waterfront homes lining the Gordon River and out into the glittering blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Cruises inevitably include a host of wildlife and birds that inhabit these mangrove-protected shores and islands and there’s usually the chance to meet up with some playful dolphins along the way.
Photo courtesy Sweet Liberty Catamaran Sailing Cruises
Sweet Liberty Catamaran
There are a flotilla of local boat trips and sightseeing cruises plying the waters around Naples Florida, but there is only one Sweet Liberty. This luxury 53 foot sailing catamaran gathers many admiring glances as she cuts through pristine local waters with up to 44 passengers aboard enjoying this luxurious sailing experience.
As the largest sailing catamaran in Southwest Florida, this Gold Coast Sailing Catamaran is available to host the ultimate private parties, weddings, corporate events and memorial services for burials at sea. It is also a splendid vessel for enjoying a variety of sightseeing, wildlife and sunset cruises and has been serving the Naples community for over 25 years.
Originally the Sweet Liberty was custom-built for Captain Lenny Wassmer and his wife Anita, who have since retired, passing on the business to former captain of the Sweet Liberty, Shane Chaplin, who hails from the Florida Keys. Appropriately, Shane met his wife Susan on a charter fishing trip out of Naples City Dock back in 1998 and they held their wedding rehearsal dinner aboard the Sweet Liberty, so the boat is far more than “just a business” to them.
Photo courtesy Sweet Liberty Catamaran Sailing Cruises
Top Cruises from Naples City Docks
The Sweet Liberty sails out daily in season on a range of popular cruises to appreciate different aspects of the local waters.
Beach Island and Shelling Cruises take guests on a three-hour magical tour as far as the remote Keewaydin Island where you can spend an hour exploring the beaches of this former private resort hideaway. The trip includes a serene cruise through the backwaters and the Gulf, spotting a host of marine life, herons, ospreys and other surprises along the way. You’ll need to bring a net bag to carry all those wonderful seashells home with you!
Photo courtesy Sweet Liberty Catamaran Sailing Cruises
A different itinerary is used for the two-hour-long Nature Watch and Sightseeing Cruise. These afternoon cruises provide the opportunity to discover marine life and birds in their own native setting. Bald eagles and ospreys hover above while dolphins leap ahead and behind the boat in the waves as part of their afternoon play. Pelicans can be seen diving beak-first into the water before resurfacing and swallowing their catch in one gigantic gulp. In contrast, passengers can admire some of the finest waterfront homes in southwest Florida along this beautiful coastline.
Photo courtesy Sweet Liberty Catamaran Sailing Cruises
Sunset Cruises are as much a part of Naples life as the historic pier itself. The Gulf of Mexico is renowned for producing stunning sunsets as the sky is painted vivid pink, red and orange as the sun dips below the clear horizon. Enjoying such a special moment aboard the Sweet Liberty is an unforgettable experience, as Mother Nature celebrates the end of another beautiful day in paradise. Bring your own cooler or picnic basket of favorite snacks and drinks and enjoy the moment beneath the unfurled sails of this beautiful yacht.
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