Four passengers are allowed for the base price for all fishing charters, eco-tours, and shelling tours. Extra passengers are $75 per person not including children 6 and under which are no extra charge. Shelling and sightseeing tours are allowed up to 6 passengers. Many charter boats in the area only allow 2 anglers and charge for extra passengers. Our fishing charter rates example: 2 adults, 2 kids fishing = $500/half-day, 5 adults for a half-day is $575, 6 adults $650 as an example.

Please arrive at the dock at the time your confirmation says. The captain will only call if he has to move boarding time due to tides or weather.  The regular boarding times are as follows: 8 am for morning 4, 6, or 8hr charters. For afternoon trips the boarding time is 1 pm.  Please call or text 239-691-1966 if you have any questions that aren’t addressed here on the FAQ page. Here is a link to the map to Port Sanibel Marina where you will board the boat for your charter. Meet the captain at the Ship Store. You can also text or call 239-691-1966 should you have any questions this page doesn’t answer.

We provide bottled water and ice. Any food or drinks ordered by you is your responsibility. If you bring snacks and drinks onboard, please bring in grocery bags so we can pack our cooler for you.

Capt. Bill wishes he could accommodate everyone. Fortunately, we have a fleet of USCG certified captains that we work with personally on a daily basis. We take pride in knowing that if Capt. Bill is unable to take your charter our other well-qualified and experienced captains are able to give you a great day on the water. We will match you up with the captain most suited to your charter request. Also, our captains are kid-friendly, fully insured, and licensed USCG Captains.

We are sorry but do not ever split charters with other guests. Our customers charter us because they want a private charter where they can enjoy having the boat and the captain to themselves. If you have a friend you’d like to split the cost of your charter with we can accommodate separate card payments for your charter.

You’re in luck! Our private charter boats have T-tops. Please see OUR FLEET page for photos.  When the Florida sun gets intense this is a must for a 6, 8, or 10-hour charter. A minimum of SPF 15 sunscreen is still recommended (no spray please). Long sleeve fishing shirts, hats, and sunglasses are highly recommended. Our favorite sunscreen is Sun Bum lotion because environmentally friendly.

We are located at beautiful Port Sanibel Marina, 14341 Port Comfort Road in Fort Myers, Florida. We are convenient to all of S.W. Florida. Port Sanibel Marina is 1.3 miles east of the Sanibel toll plaza at . Once on Port Comfort Rd. follow the signs to the Ship Store. We are located adjacent to the Ship’s Store. The captain will meet you at the Ship Store deck.

We have arranged pick-up locations at Pink Shell Resort on Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Harbor Mariott at Punta Rassa, South Seas Resort on Captiva, and Jensen’s Marina on Captiva. We can also pick you up where you stay if you have dockage. Click HERE for our main boarding location. All are conveniently located to Sanibel, Captiva, Fort Myers, and Fort Myers Beach. Royal Shell Vacations renters can be picked up at their homes if on the water and there is dockage. Some resorts require a pick-up fee. We can bill you separately and pay the Dock Masters for you. Fort Myers Beach, North Captiva, and Captiva Island boarding requires at least a 6 hr. booking. Half-day charters can only board at Port Sanibel Marina.

Our charters begin at 8am and 1pm normally. However, there are times when the tides or bait don’t cooperate. Since we fish the tides in S.W. Florida, Capt. Bill or Matt may contact you the night before to go over last minute changes. The captain is on the water two hours before the morning charter to hand catch bait. If Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate there may be times he is running late due to the fact that the bait is in shore supply the morning of your charter and they have to work harder to get it. Please be patient if the captain is late…this is normal.

We are required by the U.S. Coast Guard to have regulation life preservers aboard for all ages while on our fishing charters, shelling charters and eco-tours.

Yes, to hold your spot we require a 25% deposit per boat per day booked. We cannot hold your charter date until we receive the deposit.

An average gratuity in the U.S. is 20%. The captain works very hard to make sure you have the best day possible whether the fishing is hot or not so hot and has everything to do with weather, barometric pressure, tides, angler’s experience, etc. For every charter add four hours of prep and cleaning time that the captain puts in to give you a day you can remember so gratuities are greatly appreciated.

We will credit your deposit  to use on a future charter should you cancel for any reason up to a week before your charter.  You can use your credit anytime and it does not expire.  If you cancel for any reason within a week before your charter the deposit is retained. If we are not notified prior to one week the deposit is forfeited. After 48 hours before the charter then 100% of the trip will be charged. This is very fair compared to other charter guides in the area as our customers book months ahead.

If the captain decides the charter must be cancelled because of bad weather (lightning or small craft warning) any deposits will be refunded in full, 100%. We will first try to reschedule your trip for a different day with us or one of our associate guides so you can still take your charter as a courtesy. This is fully the captain’s call on the day of the charter. You may want to bring a rain poncho if the weather looks like there is a possibility of rain as some light showers may pop up.

Hat, polarized sunglasses, NON-spray sunscreen and a camera. If the skies are grey on the day of your charter a rain poncho may be in order. You may also want to bring snacks (or lunch) and other beverages of your choice. You are welcome to use our cooler. Please do not bring your own cooler.

We supply bait, tackle, rods and reels, fuel, Florida fishing license, flotation devices, a cooler full of ice and bottled water…basically everything you’ll need for your fishing charter. We have Zip-locs for shelling also. You are welcome to bring beverages & snacks of your choosing and use our cooler. Yes, beer and alcohol is allowed but no glass containers please.

Yes, if the fish is in season we will clean, ice and bag your catch. We do prefer you to release fish that come in at the minimum size limit to grow up and catch on your next trip!

While fishing is not an exact science we can try to target certain species. What is biting changes seasonally and sometimes daily in SW Florida. Tarpon can be caught here just about every month. However, the best months are April-August and sometimes that varies from year to year. See, it’s not an exact science but Capt. Bill is out there on almost a daily basis which gives you the best advantage to get the species you’re looking for. Here our FISH WE CATCH chart and our MONTH TO MONTH FISHING chart to help you out.

There are no hidden costs with us. Everything is included except gratuity for your captain in our price.

We would love to accommodate, however most of our customers are also return customers so we have to be fair to everyone. We reserve the right to charge the price of your charter listed here on our website the day you take your charter.

We do offshore fishing not “deep sea”. A true deep sea fishing trip takes you out to at least a depth of 100 feet. Because of our very shallow coast here in SW Florida we do an “offshore trip”. We go to wrecks and reefs offshore which lengthens your fishing time while giving you the opportunity to catch species such as grouper, snapper, shark, barracuda, tripletail, etc. All offshore trips are dependent on weather. If the captain feels the conditions are not right to go offshore we reserve the right to do an inshore charter at the lesser price of an inshore charter for the same hours.

Time permitting, absolutely! There are many restaurants that can be reached by boat, some only by boat. Just ask the captain. You can also make prior arrangements to go to Cabbage Key, a historical island only reached by boat.

Yes, you are welcome to bring your own rods. However, we supply top quality rods, reels and tackle loaded with the exact line you need to catch the fish you’ll be targeting. Please let the captain know prior to your trip if you plan to bring your own equipment. Fly fishing is also permitted but because we have a t-top for shade casting is restricted. Also, think of the other people in your party if you plan on fly fishing, it can be unsafe with more than one or two people aboard while casting.

Not likely. We fish the back bays, flats and near shore areas of S.W. Florida. There is very little wave action so there is no worry of seasickness. Unless you plan an offshore trip, then prepare by using an over the counter anti-seasickness med.

There are restroom facilities at the marina Ship’s Store right next to our slip and it is suggested they be used before departure. However, it only takes minutes to stop at a local marina or restaurant for emergencies. No worries!

Absolutely! They are our favorite customers! The captain does everything in his power to make sure the kids have a day on the water that will last in their memory forever. When the kids are happy, Mom and Dad are happy! Kids 6 and under are free at Endless Summer Charters.

Yes, absolutely! We love animals! If they like the water it is a good idea to bring along a flotation device made especially for dogs.

If you are planning to go to Cabbage Key, they do not allow dogs on the island because of the free-ranging ducks on the island.

Yes, time permitting. You can request extra hours while on your charter. The captain will let you know at that time if he is able to stay the extra hours. The cost is $100 per hour.

No and yes. Please give us at least 24 hour notice if you plan on bringing an extra guest. We have to often buy bait, rig the boat and supply extra tackle according to the number in your party for your fishing charter. There is an extra charge of $50 per person if there are more than four people in your party. No more than six is allowed for any reason, sorry.