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Luxury Sailing on Sarasota’s Gulf Coast

Explore all the amazing local spots the gulf coast has to offer, sandbars, beach spots, hidden gems and sea life!

Crystal-clear waters, playful dolphins, & sun-soaked sandbars — all guided by a local expert

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Explore Sarasota's Top Boat Tours & Adventure Charters

From peaceful nature tours to exciting adventure boat rides, experience the best of Sarasota’s waters with The Nauti Skipper.
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Experience Sarasota Like Never Before

Welcome to The Nauti Skipper, Sarasota’s premier boat tour company offering unforgettable experiences on Florida’s stunning Gulf Coast waters. Whether you’re seeking close encounters with playful dolphins, thrilling adventures to remote sandbars, or peaceful sunset cruises, our expertly guided Sarasota boat tours deliver memories that last a lifetime.

With Captain Kip Skipper at the helm, you’ll discover hidden gems only accessible by water while enjoying the comfort and safety of our meticulously maintained vessels. From families and couples to larger groups celebrating special occasions, our boat tours in Sarasota are customized to create your perfect day on the water.

Meet Captain Kip Skipper: Your Sarasota Navigator to Hidden Treasures

Welcome aboard with Captain Kip Skipper, the passionate heart behind The Nauti Skipper Tours. As a proud Sarasota local, Kip has spent countless hours exploring corners of Florida’s stunning Gulf Coast. His extensive boating experience and intimate knowledge of the area’s secret spots mean you’ll discover hidden sandbars, secluded beaches, and vibrant marine life that few get to see.

Join Captain Kip Skipper on your next adventure and experience Sarasota’s exciting waters. Create memories that will last a lifetime!

Why Choose Our Sarasota Boat Tours?

Expert Local Knowledge

Captain Kip Skipper brings over 15 years of local experience to every tour. Born and raised in Sarasota, he knows the secret spots where dolphins play, the best sandbars for shelling, and the hidden mangrove tunnels teeming with wildlife that most visitors never see.

Family-Focused Experiences

Our Sarasota boat tours are designed with families in mind. Kid-friendly amenities, engaging wildlife spotting activities, and shallow swimming stops ensure guests of all ages have an amazing time. We specialize in creating experiences that delight both children and adults.

Premium Vessels

Forget cramped, uncomfortable boats. Our fleet features spacious, stable vessels with comfortable seating, plenty of shade, clean restrooms, and all necessary safety equipment. Each boat is thoroughly maintained and inspected daily to ensure perfect operation.

Personalized Service

Unlike large commercial operations, our boating adventures in Sarasota focus on personalized experiences. We limit group sizes to ensure individual attention, adjust tours based on guests’ interests, and create custom itineraries that highlight what matters most to you.

Types of Boat Tours We Offer

Adventure Boat Tours

For those seeking excitement and exploration, our adventure boat tours deliver unforgettable thrills:
Tour highlights include:
  • Remote Sandbar Expeditions: Visit pristine sandbars miles from shore where you can hunt for perfect shells and wade in crystal-clear shallows
  • Island Exploration: Step ashore on secluded islands accessible only by boat, including the legendary Jewfish Key and Snake Island
  • Passage Adventures: Navigate thrilling water routes through Gulf passes where dolphins often ride our wake
  • Mangrove Tunnel Explorations: Duck through natural tunnels formed by ancient mangrove forests
These adventure boat tours combine excitement with natural beauty, perfect for active families and those who want to experience Sarasota’s more remote coastal treasures.

Nature & Wildlife Tours

Immerse yourself in Sarasota’s remarkable ecosystem with our guided nature tours:
  • Dolphin Watching: Encounter playful bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat (95% sighting success rate)
  • Manatee Observation: Spot gentle manatees grazing in seagrass beds (seasonal)
  • Bird Sanctuary Visits: Cruise past rookeries where beautiful wading birds nest and feed
  • Marine Biology Discoveries: Learn about fascinating marine creatures from seahorses to stingrays

Our wildlife-focused boat tours in Sarasota move at a relaxed pace, providing ample time for observation, photography, and learning about our coastal ecosystem from Captain Kip’s expert narration.

Private Boat Charters Sarasota

Create your ideal custom experience with our private charter options:
  • Family Reunion Charters: Keep the whole family together on one comfortable vessel
  • Birthday Celebration Cruises: Make any birthday extraordinary with a private on-water celebration
  • Corporate Team Building: Unique company outings that foster connection and create lasting memories
  • Custom Itineraries: Design your perfect day combining elements from any of our tour types
Private boat charters Sarasota style give you complete flexibility with departure times, duration, and activities. Your vessel, your schedule, your perfect day.

Party Boat Sarasota (Family-Friendly)

Celebrate special occasions with our family-friendly party cruises:
  • Milestone Celebrations: Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and achievement parties
  • Group Gatherings: Reunions, church groups, scout troops, and team celebrations
  • Holiday Special Events: Fourth of July fireworks cruises, Christmas light tours, and New Year’s celebrations
Our party boat Sarasota experiences focus on good, clean fun for groups of all ages. We provide the perfect setting, sound system, and festive atmosphere—you bring the celebration spirit!

Discover Sarasota's Coastal Beauty

Sarasota’s waters offer some of Florida’s most diverse and beautiful coastal scenery. Our boat tours showcase:

Sarasota Bay & Barrier Islands

Cruise the protected waters of Sarasota Bay and explore the chain of barrier islands that create our unique coastal environment. From bustling Siesta Key to secluded Longboat Key, each island has its own character and charm best appreciated from the water.

Hidden Natural Wonders

Discover secret coves, tidal creeks, and pristine beaches inaccessible by car. These hidden gems provide the authentic Florida experience that many visitors miss, showcasing unspoiled nature just minutes from busy tourist areas.

Architectural Marvels

Marvel at stunning waterfront mansions, historic estates, and architectural masterpieces visible only from the water. Our boating adventures in Sarasota provide the perfect vantage point to appreciate these remarkable properties and learn their fascinating histories.

Magical Sunsets

Experience Sarasota’s legendary sunsets from the best possible location—on the water. Watch as the sky transforms into a canvas of orange, pink, and purple hues, creating postcard-perfect photo opportunities and romantic moments.

How to Book Your Boat Tour

Securing your perfect Sarasota boat tour is quick and simple:
  1. Browse Our Adventures: Explore our tour options and find the perfect match for your group
  2. Select Your Date: Check our availability calendar for your preferred date and time
  3. Choose Your Group Size: Let us know how many people will be joining the adventure
  4. Book Online or Call: Reserve instantly through our secure booking system or call Captain Kip directly for personalized assistance

Booking Tip: Morning tours often offer calmer waters and more active wildlife, while afternoon adventures feature warmer water temperatures perfect for swimming and spectacular late-day lighting.

Why Sail with Captain Kip?

  • Local Expertise: Decades of experience steering through Sarasota’s waterways
  • Passion for Marine Life: Enthusiastic about sharing encounters with dolphins, manatees, and more
  • Personalized Adventures: Tailored tours to match your interests and ensure a memorable experience
  • Safety First: Committed to providing a secure and worry-free journey on every outing
Get Ready to Make Waves!
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The Nauti Skipper Tour Packages

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The Bay cruiser

Price: $395

Sit back and relax as you glide past luxury waterfront homes, scenic bays, and endless marine beauty under the Sarasota sun.
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Early Bird Sunrise Tour

Price: $295

Start your day off right with a peaceful morning ride that lets you take in the golden sunrise over the Gulf Coast.  

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Sunset Cruise

Price: $295

Cap off the day with a breathtaking view of Sarasota’s legendary sunsets. Enjoy the breath-taking view on the water’s surface.

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Sun & Fun

Price: $495

Experience the thrill of dolphin sightings, explore pristine sandbars, and hunt for shells along Sarasota’s sparkling shoreline
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Seas The Day

Price: $695

Go all-in on a full-day adventure packed with sightseeing, marine-life encounters, and photo-worthy stops at iconic Gulf Coast locations.

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Booze on the Bay Tiki Bar Cruise

Price: $295

Cruise the bay on a floating tiki bar with drinks in hand and music in the air. It’s the ultimate chill spot for sunsets, sips, and good vibes.
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**** EACH PACKAGE CAN BE EXTENDED FOR AN EXTRA $100 AN HOUR PER AVAILABILITY****

  • **All trips/tours are private and up to 6 persons, you are Never out with strangers!**
  • **About the boat, near about the captain if you like!**
  • **Only skipper in Sarasota that's a captain**
  • **The Best Sandbars, The Best Beach Spots & The Best Sightings With The Best Captain**
  • **27.5 foot spacious boat - Low 1.7 foot draft to get to the coolest spots in shallow water!**
  • **Easy to get on and off at beaches and sandbars, and docks!**
  • **Every Passenger Must Sign A Release Of Liability Form To Ride On Any Nauti Skipper Tour**
  • **We Need A 24hour Notice Before Any Cancellations**

Real Stories from Our Guests

Our sunset cruise was everything we hoped for and more! Captain Kip showed us secret spots, where we saw dolphins up close. It was like a dream—perfect for our family trip!

– The Miller Family

Customer Stories & Reviews

"Captain Kip made our family's first Sarasota boat tour absolutely magical! He found a pod of dolphins within minutes, and they swam alongside us for almost half an hour. Our kids were speechless—a rare occurrence! This experience was the highlight of our vacation."
The Williams Family, Ohio
"We've taken boat tours all over Florida, but this adventure boat tour with The Nauti Skipper topped them all. The remote sandbar Captain Kip took us to was pristine, with shells everywhere and crystal clear water. No crowds, just pure natural beauty."
Jessica and Mark, Colorado
"Our multi-generational family booked a private charter, and Captain Kip somehow managed to create an experience that delighted everyone from our 7-year-old to our 82-year-old grandmother. The boat was comfortable, the scenery stunning, and the service impeccable."
The Rodriguez Family Reunion Group
"As nature photographers, we were blown away by the wildlife access on our boat tour in Sarasota. Captain Kip knew exactly where to position the boat for perfect lighting and remarkable bird photography opportunities. We captured images we couldn't have gotten anywhere else."
Tom & Susan, Professional Photographers

FAQs

Are the boat tours in Sarasota safe for kids?
Absolutely! Safety is our top priority, and we’ve designed our tours with families in mind. All vessels feature secure railings, non-slip surfaces, and child-sized life jackets. Captain Kip is trained in child safety, first aid, and CPR. We stay in protected waters when younger children are aboard and maintain constant vigilance for changing conditions.
Our adventure boat tours include an experienced captain, all safety equipment, bottled water and light snacks, narration about the areas visited, wildlife spotting assistance, and swimming/shelling time at sandbars or beaches. Tours typically run 2-4 hours depending on the package selected. Snorkeling equipment is available upon request.
Yes! Our private boat charters are perfect for families. You’ll have exclusive use of the vessel, customized itinerary options, flexible departure times, and the ability to adjust the experience based on your family’s interests. We can accommodate multi-generational groups and provide special amenities for celebrations like birthdays or anniversaries.
Early morning (8-10am) offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities when dolphins are actively feeding and birds are foraging. Late afternoon tours (3-5pm) also provide good wildlife sightings as animals become active again after midday heat. That said, Sarasota’s abundant marine life can be observed throughout the day, and Captain Kip knows where to find them regardless of timing.
Our standard tours accommodate up to 6 passengers comfortably. For larger groups, we offer our bigger vessel which can host up to 12 guests. For groups larger than 12, we can arrange multiple boats departing together for a shared experience.
We recommend bringing sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, cameras, towels if you plan to swim, and a light jacket or sweatshirt (for morning or evening tours). We provide water, but you’re welcome to bring additional beverages or snacks. Wear shoes that can get wet, and dress in layers that can be adjusted for comfort.
Your safety and enjoyment are paramount. If weather conditions are unsuitable for boating, we offer free rescheduling or full refunds. Captain Kip monitors forecasts closely and will contact you proactively if concerns arise. Many days that appear “cloudy” are actually perfect for boating, and sometimes a brief morning shower leads to the most beautiful afternoon conditions.

The Sarasota Adventure Awaits

The Nauti Skipper has the perfect Sarasota boat tour for you. With Captain Kip’s expert guidance, premium vessels, and personalized service, your time on Sarasota’s beautiful waters will create memories that last a lifetime.

Book your Sarasota boat adventure today

The Nauti Skipper — Creating Sarasota’s finest boating experiences

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