cape romano dome house boat tour

Cape Romano Dome House Tour

A scenic boat tour to discover the famed home and spot wildlife

This boat tour will give you the chance to discover the Cape Romano Dome House, an abandoned group of stilted dome-shaped homes off the coast of Cape Romano Island. Departing from Marco Island, you'll be able to sail through the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge and catch sight of dolphins, manatees and birds. You'll also get to learn about the history of the famed home and hear its many debunked rumors and stories.

What's included

• Cooler with ice

What's Not Included

• Parking charges

Health & Safety

• Suitable for all fitness levels

Languages spoken by guide

Additional information.

Bring your ticket with you to the attraction.

Be aware that operators may cancel for unforeseen reasons.

You must be 18 years or older, or be accompanied by an adult, to book.

Operated by Florida Island Tours

Itinerary information

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Tickets and prices

SWFL Boat Tours & Fishing Charters

Unforgettable experiences in Southwest Florida's Ten Thousand Islands. Come explore the stunning beauty of Southwest Florida!

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The history of the cape romano dome house.

• May 16, 2023

The Cape Romano Dome House

The Cape Romano Dome House was a unique architectural masterpiece. Located just south of Marco Island on the southern tip of the barrier Island called Cape Romano. It was built in the late 1970s by a retired oil producer, Bob Lee, and his wife Margaret.  Unique for its dome shape and self-sustaining features.  At the time, it was a marvel of modern architecture. It quickly became a local attraction and a symbol of the adventurous spirit of its builders.

The charm of the Cape Romano Dome House was in its ability to blend seamlessly with the natural environment. The domes were built from a mix of sand, water, and cement. It was designed to withstand the strongest winds and waves. The house was also self-sustaining, with solar panels and a rainwater collection system that provided all the necessary utilities. Its location on the beach made it a popular destination for tourists, photographers, and filmmakers.

The house had been standing for over four decades, weathering hurricanes and tropical storms. However, over the years, the beachfront had eroded, and the sea level had risen, causing the house to become partially submerged in the water. In 2022, Hurricane Ian proved to be too much for what remained of the iconic structure.

The powerful storm, with winds exceeding 150 mph, hit the area with full force, causing widespread destruction. The Cape Romano Dome House was among the casualties of the storm, with its domes collapsing under the force of the wind and waves.

A Photo That Stands In Time

 Although the Cape Romano Dome House is no longer standing, it’s legacy lives on. Its unique design continues to be celebrated by enthusiasts and admirers around the world. The Cape Romano Dome House may be gone, but its spirit lives on, a symbol of the human capacity for creativity, innovation, and resilience in the face of adversity.

 Below is rare Cape Romano Dome House picture. It features a young Cristina Nabozny standing in front of the structure when it was still on land. The image captures a unique piece of architecture that has fascinated many over the years. The fact that it also includes a crew member from Everwater Charters adds an interesting personal touch to the photo.

For all you curious explorers out there, we recommend taking a guided boat tour to Cape Romano Island. At low tide, you can see the tops of the Dome house partially submerged underwater.

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• Shelling Tours
• Private Custom Tours

Cape Romano Dome House – Marco Island Florida

The Cape Romano Dome House is not technically on Marco Island,  Florida . It is located on the following Island down called Ten Thousand Island and is only accessible via water. The Island belongs to a larger group of Ten Thousand Islands. It was built by Bob Lee, a now-deceased retired oil producer, in 1980. The self-sustaining solar-powered dome homes started as a dream vacation home.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our  disclosure and privacy policy  for more information.

2022 – The Destruction Of The Dome Houses of Cape Romano

Sadly, as expected, The Cape Romano Dome Home has been destroyed and now lies at rest. The iconic dome homes at Cape Romano didn’t make it through hurricane Ian. Ian was simply too much and the once beloved attraction and historical building is now under water – permanently.

The Dome Homes survived Hurricane Charley in 2005, Wilma a year later — when it actually made U.S. landfall at Cape Romano — and Irma in 2017. 

Hurricane Ian claimed the homes in September 2022.

Don’t despair; you will still be able to view them underwater as they take a new shape as a reef.

History Of The Dome Houses of Cape Romano

The Dome Houses of Cape Romano are not technically on Marco Island. They are on the next island, Ten Thousand Island, which is only accessible via water.

Who Built The Cape Romano Dome Houses?

They were built by Bob Lee, a now-deceased retired oil producer, in 1980. The self-sufficient solar-powered dome homes started as a dream vacation getaway.

When Were The Cape Romano Dome Houses Built?

Lee started the construction in 1980 and completed it by 1982. Lee purchased a barge to move the necessary supplies to build the dome homes.  The masterpiece consisted of six connected dome structures for 2,400 square feet. The house boasted three bedrooms and three bathrooms .

Why Build The Dome Houses?

According to the family members and locals alike, Lee did not like corners and felt they were wasted space. It’s also been written that he built a dome style to capture runoff water as the main supply for the house.

In 1984, the Lee family decided to sell the dome homes but repossessed them in 1987. The family moved in a few years later, and the dome houses became their primary residence. That is until 1992, when Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida . While some windows broke, the structure remained intact.

Fast forward to 2005. At this point that the family decides to sell the property to John Tosto of Naples , Fl.  Tosto planned to renovate the homes, but a sea wall was required and sadly never built. In 2005, Hurricane Wilma damaged the house and severely eroded the beach, ending the renovation dream.

As the years went on, the beach eroded more and more, making the once dream beach home an abandoned water-logged ruin of its former self. In 2017, sadly, Hurricane Irma hit, and two of the original six domes were sunk. You can still see the tops of the domes, but they are submerged. By 2016, the house was approximately 180 feet offshore. Today, the dome homes stand about 200 feet away from the beach.

Photo of the Florida Dome Homes While On Land

Photo Credits:  Vintage pictures credited to Kristian Maples (Bob’s grandson) and Coastal Breeze News. Brit took all other photos on the Move.

Photos Inside The Bob Lee Dome House

Why  Visit The Cape Romano Dome House?

I have always had an obsession with dereliction.  It’s a thing called Urban exploration (often shortened as UE, urbex, and sometimes known as roof-and-tunnel hacking). Who knew?

For me, it started when I was growing up in a neighborhood full of empty buildings filled with vintage goodies.  I thrived on rummaging through the left behind artifacts of years gone by. A favorite for me was an old hotel at the end of our street, where the other kids and I would explore for hours.  I find myself daydreaming about how and why a place is derelict. The mystery of places frozen in time is chilling and surreal. It provokes imagination, followed by a burning desire to research why. This is the second part of the fascination – I love history!

Given my obsession visiting The Dome Houses of Cape Romano was a must! I’ve done many tours seeking various abandoned places from homes, mansions, castles, and cities! But never have I explored a water-bound abandoned house.

Seeing The Cape Romano Dome House in person is an exhilarating experience. When the domes appear in the distance, you will recognize the alien-like shapes. The sun is beaming down on top of the birds that now call them home. As you get close, you will see the graffiti that now adorns them. You will also look at the underwater domes’ rims – a stark reminder of the decrepit state. Every abandoned building has a story, but Cape Romano Dome House is unique. Most of all, it will not be with us much longer. It’s only a matter of time before another storm crumbles the remaining four, eliminating this treasure forever. The Cape Romano Dome House survived the 2019 hurricane season, and fortunately, Dorian did no damage.

Visit The Cape Romano Dome House

If you plan on visiting Cape Romano, you will have to get there via water. There is no bridge to the Island. Some people kayak, some go on paddleboards, some boat. It could be as much as a five to seven-mile trek depending on where you start, so plan carefully. Here are some maps to see before deciding if you will go solo or take a tour.

Can You kayak To Cape Romano?

Yes, you can, but you need to be physically fit, know your way around, and check the tides long before taking off!

Map of Cape Romano

How Do You Get To The Cape Romano Dome House?

As mentioned, the home is only accessible by water. So you either need to navigate there on your vessel or take a tour .

We choose to take a tour to explore the islands and the dome houses. A brilliant decision for several reasons.

• If you are not familiar with this area, there is a strong potential to get lost.
• We wanted a guide that knew the area and who could give us some of the history.
• Neither of us fancied paddling anything for five to seven miles with or against the tide.

  Book You Boat Tour To Cape Romano Dome Homes Here!

We took a 2.5-hour tour, and our guide was fantastic! The tour guides are brilliant,  local Floridians who know the waterways like the back of their hands and are also expert boaters! I can’t say enough good things about this tour. The tour guides carefully navigate you through no-wake zones while stopping along the way to capture photographs of you!

In addition to seeing The Dome Houses of Cape Romano, we also got up close and personal with a family of dolphins! An added and much enjoyed bonus.

Rent a Craigcat From Ten Thousand Island

If you want a really exciting way to view the dome houses, rent a Craigcat catamaran! There’s no better way to explore the Ten Thousand Islands area than by boat. Join a guide and drive your own Craigcat catamaran to explore the region. Enjoy a slow ride down a quieter canal and keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife including alligators, dolphins, manatees, and stingrays. Then, hop out at White Horse Key to walk around and collect some shells before heading back.

  Book Craigcat Catamaran Tour Of Ten Thousand Islands Here!

Where To Stay In Marco Island

Photos of the cape romano dome house today.

Other Dome Homes In Florida

Now you have the chance to buy a dome home of your own in  Florida ! However, a unique one is now on the market outside Gainesville .

Closing Thoughts

It’s only a matter of time before Mother Nature claims these structures. Once they are submerged they will become a reef so book your tour now !

Are you planning to explore The Cape Romano Dome House? If so, share your experience here!

Looking for more posts on Florida? Start here:

• Coco Key Water Park – Orlando Florida
• Disney World Resorts on A Dime
• Rainbow River – Why You Should Visit
• The Howey Mansion – Florida
• Vero Beach – A Tropical Paradise
• Westgate River Ranch Resort and Rodeo

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Nikki Webster is a travel writer who covers how to travel while grinding a day job without breaking the bank. Nikki is always in search of off-the-beaten-track experiences and unique stays. She is particularly fond of Florida and writes extensively about the state. She flies around 60,000 miles annually and has visited 74 countries, 50 states, and six continents. You can read all about her travels at www.britonthemove.com or follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

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19 Comments

Please update your post. The dome home has been taken by the sea sadly B. The 2022 Hurricane Ian destroyed them no longer there. So sad

Please read…. 2nd Paragraph: 2022 – The Destruction Of The Dome Houses of Cape Romano Sadly, as expected, The Cape Romano Dome Home has been destroyed and now lies at rest. The iconic dome homes at Cape Romano didn’t make it through hurricane Ian. Ian was simply too much and the once beloved attraction and historical building is now under water – permanently.

And, FYI – I was one of the first reporters to provide insight when they went down – quoted in many news papers!

Wow, wonderful weblog structure! How long have you been blogging for? you make running a blog look easy. The overall look of your website is great, let alone the content!

Hi there, A couple of years.. glad you like it :) NIkki

We’re these on land and the water just subsumed them? Or were these pictures taken before they were moved to the water?

Hi Frank, They were on land and then over the years the ocean claimed them. There are photos before and after. Also, the info on why they succumbed to the ocean is in the article (lack of sea walls etc…). Nikki

AND about 50 yards front of the dome houses was a 50×50 wooden stick house, Just one room ,hice and high, if I good remember even on hi tide it was good 15ft high to the floor of the thing, great fishing spot in the day….

Oh, I can only imagine how cool that must have been… Do you happen to have any photos you could share? Thanks Nikki

Been checking this place out every time I vacation in Naples. Cool to see pics of it when it was still on solid ground.

I am glad you liked the photos it really is a cool place and a cool story:) Nikki

Great story…if you got the island name right. The dome homes are on Cape Romano Island. How thick can you be?

The map shows they are on Cape Romano Island part of Ten Thousand Islands! But here’s the thing, no one searches for “Cape Romano Island” cause there is nothing there! And it’s not like you can get to that island without starting at Marco or some other inland island. So, do yourself a favor and learn some SEO before you write such a shitty comment. How thick can you be? Seriously, wanker.

Perfect response!

Great pics. Most sites only have the derelict photos. I appreciate the ones taken in its prime. It’s like going back in time. It gives the whole story a surreal overtone.

Glad you liked it :) Nikki

Yep, took the tour this year :)

This is my home town of naples the story behind these domes is really awsome

Hi there, Yes! I love this story too…. I wish they were still on land:) Nikki

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We will be CLOSED from May 10th to May 23rd 2024.

Want to do something, different than shelling, we offer several specialty boat tours that explore the history and natural beauty around marco., we get it – although we are crazy about shelling on marco island, not everyone else is, check out some of our specialty boat tours below and choose your special marco island vacation boat day.

All boat tours are fully narrated by a University of Florida Certified Florida Master Naturalist and Coast Guard certified master captain.

* POPULAR *

Cape Romano Dome House Boat Tour

Although Hurricane Ian destroyed the Cape Romano Dome House in September 2022, it will live forever in our memories and our hearts.

The Dome House story will never disappear, ask to hear it and see pictures on any of our Certified Florida Master Naturalist-led boat tours.

Tour length: Not Available

Tickets: $-

* SEE DOLPHINS *

Wild Dolphin Boat Tour

Two-hour tour. See dolphins in their natural environment on a beautiful boat ride through the Ten Thousand Islands Wildlife Refuge.

Enjoy seeing Marco’s wild dolphins playing, hunting, socializing, and enjoying their dolphin lives here in paradise.

Tour length: 2 hours

Tickets: $100

Private Tour (Up to 6 people): $500

* BEACH STOP – SHELL/SWIM *

• 10,000 Islands Eco Boat Tour

Cruise around the incredible mangrove nearshore estuary on our eco-tour in the Ten Thousand Islands wildlife refuge. See wildlife that may include dolphins, manatees, birds, and sea turtles. Also, you will enjoy an hour beach stop on a remote barrier island where you can swim, sun, or go shelling.

Tour length: 2.5 hours

Tickets: $125

Private Tour (Up to 6 people): $625

Sunset Tour

Marco Island and SW Florida have the most amazing sunsets in the world. Enjoy an evening on the boat seeing the Dome House and wildlife. Pack your own snacks and drinks to enjoy on our sunset cruise around the barrier islands (cooler and ice provided). With any luck, we’ll play with dolphins and maybe see the green flash too!

2 hours: $100 Tickets | $500 Private

3 hours: $750 Private

Manatee Tour

Get close to these gentle giants in their natural habitat and enjoy learning about the humble sea cow. See mothers caring for their calves, mating herds, and manatees grazing in the seagrass beds around Cape Romano.

Availability is limited seasonally.

If you are a birder, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more awesome bird-watching area than south Florida, especially during the winter migration season when billions of birds flock to south Florida. Roseate spoonbills, osprey, white pelicans. Take the photos of a lifetime at secluded bird rookeries around Marco Island.

Fishing Charter

Backwater fishing around Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands. Catch multiple species including snook, redfish, tarpon, seatrout, snapper, and sharks. Gear, live bait, tackle, and license included.

4 Hours: $700 up to 2 people | Add $50 per person up to 6 6 Hours: $1,050 up to 2 people | Add $50 per person up to 6 8 Hours: $1,400 up to 2 people | Add $50 per person up to 6

Private Tours

Not too keen on sharing the boat with Jim and Sally from Columbus? Sometimes the perfect day is a private affair. Book the whole boat instead of buying tickets and ensure the tour is 100% YOUR way instead of someone else’s.

1 Hour: $375 Private  2 Hours: $500 Private 2.5 Hours: $625 Private 3 Hours: $750 Private 4 Hours: $1,000 Private 6 Hours:  $1,400 Private 8 Hours: $1,800 Private

* All private tours are up to 6 people

Marco Island Tour

New to Southwest Florida? Thinking about a real estate investment? Headed to lunch at a waterfront restaurant? Sometimes the best way to see Marco Island is on the water. Trust our captains to safely show you all around the island from the comfort of our boat.

4 hours: $1,000 Private

Door-to-door Shuttle Van

We’ll pick you up!

No more parking troubles with our dedicated private boat tour shuttle van., door-to-door on marco, professional driver, clean and safe, luxury mercedes-benz, $75 private tour (up to 6 people).

Not sure yet?

Want to learn more about our marco island boat tours , more info here , try our faq page or contact us ..

Marco Island's highest qualified ecotourism company with 100% Florida Master Naturalist certified master captains.

Marco Island Boat Tours

Ecotour Shelling Tour Dolphin Tour Sunset Tour Dome Home Tour Bird Tour Manatee Tour Sightseeing Tour Marco Island Tour Fishing Charter Private Tour All Boat Tours

Goodland Boat Park 750 Palm Point Dr. Goodland, FL 34140

© 2024 Florida Island Tours. All Rights Reserved

• tripadvisor
• Best of Marco Island
• Private Boat Tour
• Dolphin Boat Tour
• Shelling Boat Tour
• Sunset Boat Tour
• Dome House Boat Tour

Best of Marco Island Tour

• Cooler with Ice
• Parking Fees
• Parking 10$
• Goodland Boat Park, 750 Palm Point Dr, Goodland, FL 34140, USA PARKING is $10 at the Boat Park, receipt is required on your dashboard. ARRIVE EARLY, and plan for there NOT BEING ANY AVAILABLE PARKING. Uber, Lyft recommended - average rate $10-20 from Marco Island. Nearest offsite parking is across the street from Stan's Idle Hour (0.3 miles 7-10 minutes walk)
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Most travelers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Similar experiences

• You'll start at Goodland Boat Park 750 Palm Point Dr, Goodland, FL 34140, USA PARKING is $10 at the Boat Park, receipt is required on your dashboard. ARRIVE EARLY, and plan for there NOT BEING ANY AVAILABLE PARKING. Uber, Lyft recommended - average rate $10-20 from Marco Island. Nearest offsite parking is across the street from Stan's Idle Hour (0.3 miles 7-10 minutes walk) See address & details
• 1 Goodland Stop: 30 minutes See details
• 2 TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS NWR Stop: 45 minutes See details Pass by Marco Island Caxambas Pass Park
• You'll return to the starting point

• grafton q 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent activity for 1st timers or families with young kids Captain Gary is a 5th generation Southwest Floridian with an extensive historical knowledge of the area. He was personable, fun, and a great narrator for our excursion. We felt safe and super comfortable. We collected some beautiful shells off the southernmost coast of Marco Island, and swam a little in the Gulf. It was a fun little excursion! Read more Written May 4, 2024
• krayfish145 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Shelling tour Super captain Gary was awesome. He not only took us to 2 different islands for shelling he gave us a history of Marco Island. It was great Read more Written April 25, 2024
• 174chelseaz 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing tour with my husband! The trip was incredible! Wanted to see dolphins and we saw a ton! We also saw lots of birds and a manatee. Great history lesson by Captain Nate and got to see a lot of Marco! Highly recommend! Read more Written April 21, 2024
• Fireblade996 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great Trip - Cannot think of a better way to spend $200 Nate was the man! We arrived 2 mins late, but we weren’t made to feel that, a big smile from Nate put us both at ease and we set off on a brilliant 2 hour trip. CARE - there is not much parking here - the advert in fairness did say the same - but seriously, with a number of trips happening from Goodland daily, best to get there early to avoid disappointment. The trip was about seeing dolphins and we did eventually get up close to a few, magical videos taken - sheer excitement of being close to these animals is hard to explain, but it really is ! We didn’t see Manatee, but we didnt expect to, its early in the season for these creatures, water’s too cool in Sprint time. We did see more Osprey than Ive seen probably in my life - must have been 50 of them, young and mature birds, hunting, see these hunting and catching fish is something you wont forget easily. Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Cormorant, tortoise, Burrowing Owl’s - it really was a trip worth doing. Nate too us out to the Gulf of Mexico which was very cool before turning back into Marco in search of the dolphins, which when we found them they were hunting fish. The water here it was explained was mostly 4ft deep for up to a couple of miles out - so safety never felt an issue on the trip - though Nate was an excellent captain and clearly knows his subject matter. Read more Written April 19, 2024
• gingerp806 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Shelling on shell island with Captain Gary! Captain Gary was outstanding. Took us to shell island, saw dolphins and got a bonus history lesson. It was just the perfect outing I needed with my family. Read more Written March 27, 2024
• N8883DIdianef 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent Captain Rick was amazing. He made sure we saw plenty of dolphins.the boat was very clean and there not too many people aboard. Thank you for a great experience Read more Written March 13, 2024
• IowaState1979 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles We had dolphins just a few feet away jumping in the wake of the boat! Watching dolphins play in the wake of the small boat was incredible! The boat is quite small but that is perfect in the sheltered waters. It also allows the dolphins to get very close to you. Have your camera ready and be ready to smile. Read more Written March 3, 2024
• Jet801623 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Six Thumbs Up! We lucked out, Capt Gary had a deep knowledge of the history of Goodland and Marco. He also was able to make the tour comfortable despite winds that were blowing up to 20 by keeping us in the lee of the mangrove Islands! Got to see dolphins and birds and mansions Great 2 hr ride! Read more Written March 3, 2024
• Connector49278593954 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Fun Trip! Gary was very friendly, pointed out noteworthy scenery and wildlife. We went to two islands and were able to find some nice shells on both. It was fun to find some live whelks which we returned to their home. Read more Written March 1, 2024
• 3jont 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great experience Great experience and captain Gary was fantastic! 7 year old daughter loved it! Saw many dolphins and had a beautiful cruise on the water. Small boat so not crowded. Read more Written February 22, 2024
• I9502PUjeffk 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great boat ride, saw a bunch of dolphins!! The boat was small and private. Captain was very familiar with the area and took us on a great tour or homes looking for dolphins. We saw a bunch of dolphins and the captain was able to have them follow our boat and jump and bodysurf along side the boat. Great experience Read more Written February 13, 2024
• LoveTravel529454 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Absolutely fantastic! Absolutely fantastic! We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Captain Nate, boating and beachcombing. Will definitely do this again next time we’re in Southern Florida. Exactly what we were hoping for! Thanks for the adventure. Read more Written January 27, 2024
• binduk2024 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Wonderful Dolphin tour with Captain Nate We went on the wild dolphin boat tour with Captain Nate. It was a delightful trip. Capt Nate’s love of nature and his knowledge of the habitat and local species of birds and fish and most importantly dolphins was refreshing and educational. We got to see the fun and play of many dolphins. He got them to join in on the waves created by our lboat - the dolphins swam, jumped and dove in and out of the water watching us in the boat. This was one of the best boat rides we have been on. We will cherish the videos of the dolphins. Capt Nate also helped us retrieve a hat that we lost in the water even after we told him it was ok. All in all this was a very memorable trip that we will gladly recommend for one and all. Captain Nate’s love of nature and knowledge is what makes this even more special. Best!! Read more Written January 24, 2024
• 478ThomasM 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles An excellent trip away from the crowds We had an excellent trip with Captain Nate. His boat is very comfortable and clean. Nate’s knowledge of the local flora and fauna as well as his historical knowledge was immense. There isn’t even a seashell that he couldn’t identify immediately. Saw dolphin, a just of birds including a bald eagle and nesting Ospreys. Great for all ages would thoroughly recommend Nate and his tour. Read more Written January 22, 2024
• 366celested 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Girlfriends tour Captain Rick was knowledgeable and a lot of fun! He took us around Good land and Marco Island, showed us the mangroves, saw some beautiful homes, and best of all we played with the dolphins! It was a windy day and started raining a little in the middle of the tour but that's January in FL. I would recommend taking this tour. Read more Written January 20, 2024

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