Snorkeling in Englewood, Florida: Full-day sand bar adventure

Seven hours on the water hunting shells, snorkeling and spotting dolphins at sand bars only boats can reach

A full-day snorkeling and beach adventure from Englewood, Florida, aboard a pontoon boat visiting Boca Grande sand bar, Little Gasparilla Island and Stump Pass State Park. The boat carries snorkel gear, sand sifters, floats, chairs, a tent and a cooler with ice and water. You bring lunch and beverages. A live English-speaking guide leads the route, which takes about seven hours total and includes a one-hour cruise down Lemon Bay to reach the first stop.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day boat tour and beach stops

• Meet at Manasota beach boat ramp
• Board 24' pontoon boat
• Cruise south on Lemon Bay
• Stop at Stump Pass State Park for shelling and swimming
• Continue to Boca Grande sand bar
• Snorkel and lounge at Boca Grande sand bar
• Visit southern tip of Gasparilla Island
• Hunt for shells and shark teeth
• Return to boat ramp

The experience

The day starts at the Manasota Beach boat ramp, where you board either a 24-foot pontoon or a 21-foot center console. From there, it's a one-hour cruise south down Lemon Bay to Boca Grande sand bar: the first major stop. The sand bar is split by an old train trestle and sits in shallow turquoise water where you can snorkel for shells, sand dollars and welks. Dolphins and manatees frequent the area, and the boat's snorkel equipment is ready to use. You can also lounge in the sun or wade in the shallows while the captain stays with the boat.

The second stop is Little Gasparilla Island, accessible only by boat and closed to cars. This is where you set up for lunch. The boat includes a tent and sand chairs, and a cooler stocked with ice and bottled water travels with you. The island sits at the inlet where Lemon Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico, making it a prime spot for shelling and shark tooth hunting. Dolphins are common here and often playful around swimmers. You'll have time to explore, eat and hunt for shells before heading to the final stop.

Stump Pass State Park, north of the sand bars, is a popular boating destination with its own beaches and inlet waters. The pass is an entry point to the Gulf, so the views open up considerably. You can swim, play in the shallows or hunt for more shells. The boat provides sand toys, a football and frisbee if you want them. Once everyone's ready, the captain heads back north to the Manasota Beach boat ramp to finish the day.

What’s included

• Snorkel equipment.
• sand sifter, pool noodles and floating lily pad mat.
• sand toys, football and frisbee.
• tent and sand chairs.
• cooler with ice and bottled water.
• fuel.
• and a live English-speaking guide for the full seven hours.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “We meet up at the Manasota Beach Boat ramp. You can easily park your car in the beach parking lot and walk across the street to the boat ramp”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sonny's Boat Tours and Charters

Is this one for you?Book this if your day allows a full seven hours on the water: the three sand bars and state park beaches are spread across Lemon Bay and the Gulf, so the cruise time and stops fill the morning and afternoon. If you have only a few hours or need to stay close to Englewood, a shorter boat outing would fit better.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What snorkeling equipment do I need to bring, or is it provided on the boat?

Snorkeling equipment is included with the boat. You bring your own lunch, beverages (the boat is BYOB), and sunscreen. The cooler with ice and bottled water is on board.

How long is the boat ride to reach the first sand bar?

The cruise south down Lemon Bay to Boca Grande sand bar takes about one hour. The full day on the water is seven hours, including all three stops and the return to the boat ramp.

Will I see dolphins and manatees on this trip?

Dolphins and manatees are common in Lemon Bay and around the sand bars, especially at Boca Grande and Little Gasparilla Island. The itinerary notes you are guaranteed to see dolphins, manatees, turtles and birds along the route, and dolphins at the island stops are generally playful around swimmers.

Can I bring my own lunch, or is food provided?

You bring your own lunch and favorite beverages. The boat includes a cooler with ice and bottled water, and a tent and sand chairs are set up at Little Gasparilla Island so you have a comfortable spot to eat.

What's included in the boat equipment?

The boat carries snorkel gear, sand sifters, pool noodles, a floating lily pad mat, sand toys, a football, frisbee, tent, sand chairs, cooler with ice and water, and fishing poles. Fuel is included in the price.

Is this trip suitable for young children or infants?

Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the boat ride. The trip is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health due to the boat motion and water activities.