FLORIDA EXCURSIONS EASY WAY TO GET AWAY IN TAMPA BAY

SALTY WATER TOURS EMBRACES NATURE’S WONDERS

Written by: Dave Kelly

Emily Seibert is a naturalist, and it shows. As the Tour Teacher on the Sea Hare, Seibert embraces a lifestyle of studying the natural environment and passes that passion on to her guests. Together with her partner, Capt. Rob White, they run Gulfport, Florida-based Salty Water Tours. eir company specializes in custom excursions of the Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve and the sprawling Tampa Bay ecosystem. White and Seibert pride themselves on being “Stewards of the Sea”—working diligently to take care of the environment and marine life in the delicate waters of the bay. is is evident in their approach, their attitude and their knowledge.

Recently, we met up with the captain and crew at Gulfport Municipal Marina and hopped aboard the Sea Hare, a 26-foot Twin Vee eco-friendly boat that zipped us out to pristine Boca Ciega Bay in no time. About only 10 minutes a er leaving the dock, the Sea Hare was within just a few yards of dozens of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.

We watched in amazement as these clever animals jumped, twirled and played alongside our boat, seemingly without a care. As we motored in safe, lazy circles, more and more curious dolphins swam up next to us, o en even diving below the boat and resurfacing on the other side with what could only be called a “smile.”

At times, the captain sped up enough to create a wake behind us, and many of the playful dolphins dove in and out of it as we zigza ed through the waters. We spent an easy half hour in the same area, interacting with dolphins of all ages—and it was an amazingly engaging show.

For the next part of our Salty Water Tours experience, we headed into Lower Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. On

CUSTOMIZED PACKAGES INCLUDE SNORKELING, DOLPHIN WATCHING, SUNRISE YOGA LESSONS, SUNSET CRUISES, SHELLING TRIPS AND MORE.

At le , dolphins frolic by the Sea Hare Its route o ers a unique perspective on bay scenery, as shown here. Capt. Rob White, at le below, o ers relaxation and bird watching as part of his Salty Water Tours. Bottom is Tour Teacher Emily Seibert.

the way, we saw a vast array of sea turtles, rays, dolphins, birds and more. Seibert explained that when the local waters warm up, there are even manatees playing in the bay.

A er passing under scenic bridge structures and cruising past the beautiful homes that line the shore, we tossed out our anchor at the white-sand islands of Shell Key Preserve. Here we took the opportunity to snorkel, shell and swim in the picturesque waters, then relax and have lunch with the so island sand at our feet.

ere was time to speak with other visitors on Shell Key Preserve. Many of them were excited to tell us that the island was the best shelling location they had ever found. We le and circled past Fort DeSoto Park as the Sea Hare headed to Little Bird Key, an Audubon Society refuge since 2015. As many as 400 pairs of birds nest on it at one time, making it one of the largest bird rookeries in the area.

Roundup

Salty Water Tours

4630 29th Ave. S.

Gulfport, Florida

727-401-2774; captrob@ saltywatertours.com

Herons and brown pelicans come from up North to roost and o en get tangled in abandoned fishing lines and discarded litter. Seibert calls on her experience to approach the birds safely, extricate them from their situation, assess their health and release them back into the wild or transport them to recover at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve in St. Petersburg.

Floridians, snowbirds and tourists who love aquatic wildlife—and the natural beauty that surrounds it—should make sure to check out Salty Water Tours. Customized packages include snorkeling, dolphin watching, sunrise yoga lessons, sunset cruises, shelling trips and more.

Guests can even take their canine pals along with them on the pet-friendly boat. Salty Water Tours is a private experience that’s always educational—and the easy way to get away in Tampa Bay. FCM