Captiva Cruises features trip to historical Useppa Island

Written by: Ella Nayor
Publicized in: Breeze Newspapers
Publication Date: August 4, 2008

By ELLA NAYOR, enayor@breezenewspapers.com

Captiva Cruises crew ready to dock the Lady Chadwick after a recent day trip along the Gulf.

If gas prices got you frustrated and the idea of taking a fun day trip seems appealing then a local cruise could be just what you need all for less than what it costs to fill up most fuel tanks these days.

For less than $50, Captiva Cruises features a selection of cruises for different interests and likes.

Close your eyes for a second.

Imagine turquoise blue waters lapping and gently rocking the boat that you are lounging. The boat continues to skim the sea while you glance at pelicans and cormorants gliding by.

Every now and then, a yelp punctuates the balmy air as one of the fellow passengers spots a dolphin frolicking about.

Soon, a green island sprinkled with white homes and sloping banyan trees comes into view.

You are here. Welcome to Useppa Island.

But before sharing the virtues and features of this quaint 100-acre island, the trip getting there is fascinating as well.

The adventure starts with a trolley ride from McCarthy s Marina where Captiva Cruises is located to the South Seas Marina. There, the Lady Chadwick, a 148-passenger double decker vessel awaits her passengers.

Captain Tom Jones greeted the nearly 40 passengers with a wide smile think Love Boat-style friendly.

On board everyone settled around tables and made themselves comfortable with drinks and snacks as the cruise staff readied to depart for Useppa.

Fellow passengers shared different reasons for taking the day cruise.

Michael and Robin Rasmusson chose the trip to Useppa as a way to celebrate their second anniversary together.

The North Fort Myers residents sat close and flashed grins the entire trolley ride to the vessel. For the couple, a day trip like this fit perfectly into their hectic home life that includes caring for a three-and-a-half-year-old child and a parent with Alzheimer s Disease.

I ve heard about it (cruise to Useppa) but I ve never done it, Michael Rasmusson said.

Meanwhile for Adrian and Liane Marshall, taking a cruise spells fun and relaxation. The Marshalls brought their daughters Alison, 16, and Emma, 13, along with a friend Stephanie Bosma, 13, for the trip. The family however, was stopping along with a number of other passengers to Cabbage Key. The old-Florida style island is just before Useppa Island. According to Capt. Jones who narrated the trip, Cabbage Key is adored for its laid-back Key Westesque style. Legend says that Jimmy Buffett got his idea for Cheeseburger Paradise from the cheeseburgers served at the Cabbage Key restaurant.

The Marshalls who live on Sanibel part-time said the jaunt is exactly what they were looking for in a day trip cheeseburgers and a chance to see manatees.

We like the idea of not being in your car all the time, Liane Marshall said.

And visions of sea life danced in Emma Marshall s head.

You get to be on the water and you get to see all of the wildlife, she said scanning the rippling waters.

During the trip to Cabbage Key and Useppa, Jones shared stories and tidbits about the islands and area. His eyes seemed to smile as his hands gestured to mangroves and old fish houses across the vast waters.

He shared tidbits about the islands such as how the old timer fishermen used to tape money on the walls of the Cabbage Key restaurant as credit. He also shared names of some famous and glamorous people who have stayed on the islands. He rattled off names like JFK Jr. and Jimmy Buffett.

The affable Jones also answered questions about sea life and shells before the vessel made its first stop to Cabbage Key.

A short while later, a dozen of us strolled off the boat to Useppa Island where Kaydian Wehrle, a docent at The Useppa Museum awaited our arrival.

The gregarious and friendly Wehrle gave us a tour of the 100-acre private island along what is known as the pink path. Orchids winding through the crags and nooks of thick tree trunks made great eye candy during the tour.

'Useppa Island is a magical destination, said Paul McCarthy, owner of Captiva Cruises. With its charming cottages, botanical pathways, fascinating island museum and the beautiful waterfront Collier Inn, it is a storybook island. Passengers really enjoy the scenic cruise aboard the Lady Chadwick with the insightful commentary from one of our naturalists. Wild dolphins jumping in the boat's wake and an ice cold beverage make it the perfect outing. It's a must do experience for anyone visiting or living in Southwest Florida.

Walking along the path, the old Florida style homes covered with tin rooves drew glances. Bits of charm pepper the island that was once owned by Barron Collier and also served as a training area for people during the 1960 Bay of Pigs Invasion in Cuba.

Mementos from the covert operation, including an actual building people trained at as well as uniforms are all available to see.

The uniforms as well as information about the Bay of Pigs operation are inside the tiny but well filled and organized museum.

Inside the museum, guests can also learn about the vibrant 10,000 year life of Useppa which includes, a period with the Paleo people during the ice age as well as the era of the Calusa indians, according to Wehrle.

Folks roved about the grounds weaving their way to the Collier Inn for lunch.

Human chess pieces as a well as a world class crochet court is on the grounds near the Inn.

Jennifer and Tom Amos scanned the Spanish moss lined trees and winding pathway. The Orlando couple is actually scoping out a place for their daughter to get married.

This is a beautiful place, Tom Amos said.

The upscale island is also known for its large tarpon catches. Pictures of men and woman standing alongside goliath tarpon dot the museum. And some of the most famous fishing lures are actually on display in the museum.

Noshing at lunch at the Collier Inn once Barron Collier s private home seemed to be enjoyed by all. A menu of yummy sandwiches and salads at moderate prices is available. Hint: try the Cuban filled with onions and pickles on Foracia bread.

The cruise back to McCarthy s Marina is relaxing and tranquil. The only major stir came when a dolphin jumped near the side of the boat and performed tricks for a captivated audience. Hoots and hollers echoed through the boat as passengers snapped pictures and urged the sea mammal to stay longer.

And just when the fun was over - a couple of manatees awaited outside McCarthy s Marina. After, another round of oohs and ahhs and camera snapping the crowd dispersed leaving Capt. Jones smiling in the background.

This is a very good opportunity to see old Florida, he said

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