Cruise to Famous Cabbage Key!
- Departs 9 am, Returns 4 - 4:30 pm
- Check-in 30 minutes before departure
Begin your trip with a 2 - 2.5 hour narrated cruise on the Charlotte Harbor aquatic preserve. We will cruise from the mouth of the Peace River, down the length of the harbor, onto the Intracoastal Waterway, and among the islands of Pine Island Sound.
Charlotte Harbor is home to many, many playful dolphins who love to swim with the boat on all our cruises. You will likely see them on this cruise.
Our destination for lunch – Cabbage Key Inn, Pine Island Sound, Florida. Relax for lunch at the historic Cabbage Key Inn, former home of mystery writer Mary Roberts Rinehart and current home of the “Cheeseburger in Paradise”. A panoramic view is provided from the front porch of the open-air restaurant situated atop a thirty-eight-foot Indian shell mound. There are no cars, not even a paved road.
The main room is nestled among live Cuban laurels dripping with moss. Previous visitors have taped thousands of one-dollar bills to every surface. Ask your server for a black marker and tape to add yours to the collection. The front room is the old porch with a view of the marina and sound. Look around at antique fishing gear, classic Cabbage Key photographs and replicas of tarpon, snook and other game fish that make our waters world famous. Known by many as “the bar with all the money on the walls”, the Cabbage Key bar has been serving up drinks to boaters for over 60 years. With active fireplaces, original hardwood floors, and Cypress walls, the bar, and the formal dining room make up the other two dining locations.
After a memorable lunch, visit the gift shop, explore the nature trail which includes signs identifying floral and fauna or climb the popular water tower look-out for magnificent photos. Join us back aboard for the return trip. Cost of lunch is not included in boat ticket price.
(Picnicking is not allowed on the island.)
About the Boat
Our sightseeing cruise boats are 55’ – 65’ double-deck custom built excursion vessels that were designed to cruise our waters. The lower deck is an enclosed cabin with walls, doors, and windows. The top deck has hard cover overhead and open sides.
- The boat has bathrooms.
- We offer for purchase: cocktails, beer, wine, soda, water, and coffee, along with snacks such as chips, crackers, and cookies
- Alcohol may not be brought aboard
- Please let us know at the time of reservation if you have any special mobility requirements so we can properly prepare for your arrival and ensure a smooth boarding process. See info about accessibility here.
Meeting Location
Cruise departs from Fishermen’s Village: 1200 W. Retta Espl. Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Things to Know
- Only credit cards, debit cards, and contactless payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted as forms of payment aboard our boats.
- All participants are required to have tickets for this event. According to U.S. Coast Guard capacity rules, all passengers including infants and toddlers must be ticketed.
Beverages and Coolers
Outside alcoholic beverage and coolers are not allowed aboard. Please bring valid identification with you since identification is checked for guests buying alcoholic beverages aboard.
Check-In
Your email confirmation is not a boarding pass. Upon arrival to our location please check-in with our ticket agent inside the blue ticket booth to receive boarding passes.
Cancellation Policy
Cruise Cancellations by the Customer
We require 24 hours’ notice for all cancellations and rescheduling of public cruises. Participants who fail to show for a cruise reservation or cancel without proper notice (e-mail or confirmed phone call) will not receive any refund or be eligible to reschedule. Cancellations made before 24 hours of your scheduled event will receive a full refund. If you book your cruise within 24 hours of departure time, the booking is nonrefundable.
Cruise Cancellations by King Fisher Fleet
In the event of unsuitable weather, technical difficulties beyond our control, or if there are not enough participants, we may cancel your cruise. In this circumstance our policy is to reschedule or issue a full refund at the customer’s choice. In the event of cancellation during your tour, either a full or partial refund will be issued depending on where you are at on the cruise.
Late Arrivals for Cruises
Passengers should arrive at least 30 minutes before their scheduled departure time to check in. Boarding begins 15 minutes prior to departure time. Cruises depart on time. No refunds will be issued for late arrivals.