Learn boat handling with a private, hands-on lesson from Captain Chris
2 hours
Up to 6 people
Hands-on instruction, captain
Build confidence at the helm in a private, hands-on boat handling lesson with Captain Chris on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Practice core skills like docking, throttle control, and navigating markers, then finish with anchoring and beaching at One Tree Island.
Offered Monday–Thursday at 8:00 AM only. Parking at the Belleair Causeway Boat Ramp is $6 per day. Ages 18+ recommended for instruction; ages 16–17 may participate with a parent or guardian onboard.
Full refund with 24 hours notice of cancellation. Full refund in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. No-shows will be charged the full price.
Bring sunscreen, a hat, polarized sunglasses, water, snacks or light drinks (you can bring your own drinks), and a towel or long-sleeve swim shirt. Closed-toe shoes or secure sandals are recommended for docking practice. A cooler and dry storage are available onboard.
Yes. Food and drinks aren’t included, so bring water and any snacks or drinks you’d like (bring your own drinks is welcome). A cooler is onboard.
Ages 18+ are recommended for instruction; ages 16–17 may participate with a parent or guardian onboard. Kids age 6 and under need a life jacket. Infants are not advised on instructional charters.
Captain Chris runs a private boat charter out of Clearwater, and the reviews paint a pretty clear picture: this guy genuinely loves what he does. Guests consistently highlight how flexible and accommodating he is, whether that means lingering longer at a shelling island, making extra restroom stops, or hunting down dolphins before the trip wraps up. He shares local history and wildlife knowledge throughout, which adds real depth to what could otherwise just be a boat ride. The private setup is a big selling point. Unlike crowded shared tours, you get a personalized experience tailored to what your group actually wants. Bachelorette parties, family outings, honeymoons, birthday trips, he seems to handle all of it with the same laid-back, attentive energy. Shelling at Honeymoon Island, dolphin sightings, and even manatee encounters come up repeatedly, so wildlife lovers will likely leave happy. If there is one thing worth noting, it is that time flies on these charters. Multiple reviewers mentioned the hours feeling far too short, which is probably the best kind of complaint a tour operator can have. Overall, Captain Chris earns his praise through genuine care and a knack for reading what each group needs from their time on the water.
Had such a great time with Captain Chris! He made us all feel comfortable on the water and answered any questions we had. we had a great time at the one island stop and ended up staying there and he was perfectly fine with it. def recommend this!!! such a good time and we all wanna go again.
Ashley Kubiak
May 22, 2026
Had such a great time with Captain Chris! He made us all feel comfortable on the water and answered any questions we had. we had a great time at the one island stop and ended up staying there and he was perfectly fine with it. def recommend this!!! such a good time and we all wanna go again.
Ashley Kubiak
May 22, 2026