Captain Bubby's IsLAND Tours

06/02/2026

“When we protect the wild, it gives back tenfold — beauty, balance, and a world worth passing on.” 🦡🐊

Want to learn more about Florida’s wildlife? Give us a call!

05/31/2026

🐟 FUN FACT SUNDAY: Meet the Cownose Ray! 🐟

If you've been out on the waters around Sanibel, Captiva, and Fort Myers lately, there's a good chance you've seen one of our most fascinating seasonal visitors—the Cownose Ray!

Here are a few fun facts about these amazing creatures:

🌊 Their name comes from the unique shape of their head, which resembles a cow's nose.

🌊 Cownose rays often travel in large groups called schools, sometimes numbering hundreds of rays.

🌊 They use special sensory organs around their mouth to detect clams, oysters, and other shellfish hidden beneath the sand.

🌊 Despite their size and long tail, they are generally gentle animals and are not aggressive toward people.

🌊 The waters of Southwest Florida become a great place to spot them during the warmer months as they migrate through the Gulf.

Keep your eyes on the water during your next adventure—you never know when a graceful cownose ray might glide by!

Have you spotted one recently? Share your photos in the comments! 👇

05/26/2026

If you're able, please support the life-changing work of CROW, an extraordinary organization dedicated to helping our precious wildlife, and help amplify their mission for a brighter future. 🦊🦅🐢🦉

05/25/2026

🇺🇸 This Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who gave everything for our freedom.

As we enjoy the beauty of Sanibel’s shores and time with family and friends, we pause to reflect with gratitude for those who made it possible.

From all of us at Captain Bubby’s Island Tours, thank you to our heroes, past and present. ❤️

Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day weekend here in beautiful Southwest Florida.

🌴 Exploring paradise, one island at a time.

05/24/2026

Pro tip: Beach days are 100% better when you aren't the one white-knuckling the steering wheel through beach traffic. 🛑🚗
Trade the parking lot hunt for the ultimate concierge service! Captain Bubby’s will shuttle you straight to Sanibel, Captiva, or Fort Myers Beach with:

✅ ZERO tolls
✅ ZERO parking fees
✅ MAXIMUM relaxation

Treat yourself to the VIP beach day you deserve. 🦩
📞 Give us a call at 239-850-3124 and let's get rolling!

05/21/2026

🌴✨ Sand Dollars: Sanibel’s Little Beach Mysteries!

If you’ve ever walked our beaches and thought, “Ooooh, treasure!” — you’re not alone. Sand dollars are basically the Easter eggs of Sanibel Island. But before you scoop one up for your shelf, here’s the fun insider scoop on who’s alive, who’s not, and what to do when you meet one.

💜 How to Tell if Your Sand Dollar Is Alive (aka: Is it waving at you?)

• Purple, gray, or brown? That’s a live one.
• White as a seashell angel? That’s a dead one — safe to collect.
• Fuzzy on the bottom? Those tiny hairs are called cilia, and if they’re moving, it’s alive and busy doing sand‑dollar things.
• Leaves a yellow stain on your hand? Congrats, you’ve just been blessed by a living sand dollar.

🌊 If It’s Alive… Give It a Lift Home

Living sand dollars are protected in Florida, and they’re important little cleaners of our Gulf waters. If you find one alive, gently place it back in the shallow water with the cilia facing down so it can wiggle back into the sand like the introvert it is.

🤍 If It’s Dead… It’s a Souvenir!

A smooth, white, sun‑bleached sand dollar is no longer alive. These are the ones you’re allowed to take home — nature’s way of saying “thanks for visiting.”

🐚 A Friendly Reminder from Your Local Naturalist

Every creature on Sanibel plays a role in keeping our island wild and wonderful. When we know what we’re looking at, we protect it — and that’s how we keep this place magical.

05/13/2026

The "Man-o'-War" of the Skies: Meet the Magnificent Frigatebird ⚓️🦅
If you’ve ever looked up at the coast and seen a dark, prehistoric-looking silhouette slicing through the clouds, you’ve probably met the Magnificent Frigatebird.
These aren't just your average seabirds—they are the ultimate aerial outlaws of the ocean. Here is why they are one of nature’s most fascinating designs:
🎈 That Famous Red Pouch
The males are famous for their gular sac—a bright red throat pouch that they inflate like a giant balloon during mating season. It can take up to 20 minutes to fully blow up, all to prove they are the most eligible bachelor on the beach!
🏴‍☠️ The "Pirate" of the Clouds
They are known as kleptoparasites. Because their feathers aren't waterproof (yes, a seabird that can't get wet!), they can't dive for food. Instead, they use their incredible speed and agility to harass other birds in mid-air until they drop their catch. Then, they swoop down and snag the meal before it even hits the waves.
✈️ Built for the Long Haul
With the largest wing-area-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are built to soar. They can stay airborne for weeks at a time, riding thermal currents thousands of feet into the air. They even sleep while flying!
👀Where to spot them: Keep your eyes peeled along the Sanibel causeway closest to the island. We’ve been seeing them there the last few days. Anytime you’re out on the beach or boat, keep an eye in the sky and in the water! Frigate birds will many time be where there are dolphins. They wait for the dolphins to push the baitfish towards the surface of the water, then swoop in to get them.
Pro-tip: Look for the deeply forked "scissor-tail" and that massive 7-foot wingspan. You can't miss them!

05/12/2026

Our island babies need your help 🆘🐦
We run land tours and water tours all over Sanibel & Captiva, so we see firsthand how special our island wildlife is. Right now, our friends at CROW’s wildlife nursery are filling up fast with orphaned baby birds & small mammals. They urgently need handmade knitted or crocheted nests to keep these little ones warm and safe while they heal.
The Captain Bubby’s crew is asking all our crafty locals + visitors to pitch in!
CROW needs:
✅ 8", 10", 12" diameter nests
✅ Cotton or acrylic yarn, machine-washable
✅ Tight stitches only
Please NO: Fuzzy yarn, large holes, decorations — they can snag tiny claws and toes
Every nest helps give a wild neighbor a second chance 💛 All donations are tax-deductible.
📍 Drop off: CROW Visitor Education Center
3883 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel, FL 33957
📮 Mail: P.O. Box 150, Sanibel, FL 33957
📞 Questions? Call Pam at (239) 472-3644 ext. 229
Spotted any baby wildlife on a tour with us? This is one way to help them out even after you head home!
We love sharing these islands with guests and with wildlife. If you can knit or crochet, please help! Tag your favorite yarn lover below 👇

05/11/2026

Let's make a difference! It's sea turtle nesting season, so please pick up your trash and any other trash you see, and don't forget to fill in holes and knock down your sand castles for them! Every small act can save a sea turtle's life.

05/10/2026