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Below are copies of emails and letters that we have received over the past 5 years. You can also click in the above Trip Advisor box where you can read over 80 actual customer reviews (with photos) and see why Sunset Ride Private Charters is the #1 ranked thing to do on Fort Myers Beach and surrounding islands.
"Good Morning - This is Monica. I, along with Andy, Mike, Stacy and Alaina, were out on the boat with Capt. Steve and First Mate Terresa yesterday afternoon. I just wanted to take this time again to say THANK YOU to them for a fantastic afternoon. Capt Steve and Terresa are great people and wonderful tour guides. Seeing the dolphins swim with the boat and play was just amazing! The ride around the bay and the different areas was excellent and the shelling was perfect! Our guests loved it and Andy and I (even after living down here 2 years) thought it was one of the best things we have done in FL yet! Definately an experience to remember!!! We will definately be coming out again when friends visit! It truly is a perfect FL experience! First Mate Terresa also said she took a few pictures of our ride. Please feel free to use this email (removed) to share those pictures! We appreciate it! Again, THANK YOU! Cheers,"
Monica and Friends
"I had one of the memorable experiences of my life watching the dolphins play with us. this brought real tears to my eyes and made me highly emotional. the energy these beautiful dolphins gave me are forever branded in me. What a wonderful and professional team these two people were in handling 6 people on thier boat. I would HIGHLY recommend anyone to do this... its worth every penny and more. Thank you for making my vacation so special!!!"
Mel Gorham/Actress
3/1/2010 - Excerpt from Tripadvisor - "Priceless Memories"
What a trip!! We had an experience to last lifetimes on our Sunset Ride Charter. Captain Steve and First Mate Terresa were excellent guides and piloted our vessel with an easy, laid back professionalism that made us comfortable from the moment we approached the boat to embark on our afternoon ride.
My 73-year old mom, my 40-something brother and I had been looking forward to this boat trip since we’d arrived in Ft. Myers the previous weekend. We were not disappointed. Although the temperature was a bit chilly at times, it really didn’t matter at all. Accommodations on the boat were excellent (drinks, shelling nets, warm fleece blankets, lots of comfortable seating) and the boat itself was absolutely pristine. Terresa’s meticulous and loving care were evident everywhere on the boat. It really made us feel special and welcome. (They even played a bunch of Jack Johnson songs for me !)
We learned SO MUCH about the surrounding mangrove "islands" and wildlife – every question we asked was answered, and so much more. Steve and Terresa were wonderful at showing and telling us about the magic of this enchanted place.
Captain Steve took us to a less-scoured shelling beach where we channeled Indiana Jones in our quest for the elusive junonia shell. Even though we didn’t find one (the closest was an alphabet shell), we found MANY others which are now soaking in bleach water in big buckets on my kitchen counter.
Then there were the dolphins. Nothing I can say can adequately explain the thrill and joy we all experienced when the first dolphin thrust itself out of the boat’s wake, twisted onto its back in mid air, and gracefully sliced back into the water – all at a dizzying speed, but close enough to the boat that it felt like a special show had been planned and performed just for us. With Bob Marley blaring in the background and our shouts of excitement, it seemed the dolphins knew exactly why were there, and did their absolute best to warm our hearts and make us smile. And when we were speeding through the water at breakneck speed pulling these magnificent creatures laughing and dancing in our wake, we ALL forgot, for just one exhilarating, weightless, joyful moment, that my brother and I were on a boat in the ocean with our terminally ill mother, desperately trying to give her and ourselves the gifts of happy memories and life lived in the moment.
Thank you, Mark, Steve and Terresa – you gave us treasure that we can’t possibly repay.
And should anyone reading this be on the fence about booking a charter with Sunset Rides, you have my mom’s, my brother’s and my own whole hearted recommendation to DO IT! You won’t regret it.
1/3/2010 - Excerpt from Tripadvisor - P-R-I-V-A-T-E cruise with the dolphins and your crew:
"I can't begin to tell you how much our family has talked about the wonderful boat ride we had with your crew of Teresa and Captain Steve this past Wednesday. From the moment we set eyes on these people and the boat the experience was nothing less than exceptional. They greeted us very friendly and sincere with all kinds of educational information about "how and why" we do this and with all sorts of history of the area we were viewing. Teresa even took pictures of our complete family which we never get. The grandchildren had such a good time. Our daughter (Maria, a pro photographer for SIU School of Medicine) said this was her favorite day of this vacation. Maria put together a video she took on her camera. We also have many great shots of the dolphins, our family and your crew. Maria said, "the trip was a bargain comparing what we paid for a few minutes of parasailing." I think Maria was right. The part of the trip we liked best.... it was P-R-I-V-A-T-E. It was nice being catered to, pampered and not having someone else along.
Many thanks,
Bob L
Springfield, IL"
December 30th 2009
"Hi Captain Mark!
We had the BEST time out on your boat! My 13 year old daughter Rachel even had a good time, and she's been pretty hard to please lately! Thanks so much to Captain Steve and First Mate Theresa. They were so good with the girls, and made sure we all had a wonderful day. We will absolutely do this again, and would recommend it to everyone!! I've been very busy since I've gotten back to work, but I am most definitely going to write a raving review on Trip Advisor for you! Thanks for everything!"
Gail
 
"I chartered a private boat for my family in August 2006 and had the most memorable day of our vacation. First of all, the boat is absolutely beautiful and with all the amenities. The atmosphere was perfect with music, conversation, scenery and making two new friends. Mark and Terresa were incredibly gracious and knowledgeable hosts. They had the entire trip planned, brought snack and drinks and know so much history of the area. They even took the time to make our children ( 8 &3) feel at ease and comfortable on the boat. The most rewarding part of the trip was seeing the dolphins. They were gorgeous and Mark knew right where to find them. Almost a year later our 3 year old daughter still talks about our trip on their boat and seeing the dolphins. I had an incredible day with my wife and children that included; beautiful views, food, music, shelling and great hosts. I would highly recommend making a reservation!!!"
Trey Boyer Norman, Ok
 
"It doesn't get any better than this!!! We have been in the tourist business for over 30 years and this is a MUST when coming to Fort Myers Beach. The trip was our gift to our daughter(on her birthday)and her children and was the highlight of their trip. Hats off to Mark and Terresa, a great couple and awesome hosts."
"Thank you for showing us God's creation. To see the dolphins, manatees, shells, and even a stingray was beyond the price of admission. And yes, Julie did get the stingray jumping out of the water on video! What was most exciting was watching my children have the time of their lives. Our 13 year old daughter and 10 year son, never stopped smiling. They will remember that perfect day for the rest of their lives and so will us bigger kids! Thank you!"
"The best part of our Sanibel Island trip was Captain Mark and First Mate Terresa's chartered cruise. The first thing we noticed when we got on the boat was that it was spacious and immaculate.
We saw dolphins and manatees, and my daughter and her girlfriend caught a glimpse of a loggerhead turtle. The snorkeling, shelling, and lunch at Grandma Dots were fantastic. Captain Mark and First Mate Teresa will personalize your tour to fit your needs. It was well worth the money and the 1/2 hour it took to get from Sanibel to the Fort Myers dock. I highly recommend Water Experiences."
Thank you for one of the most amazing experiences of our lives! Being on the water with you; seeing the beautiful estuary teeming with life; witnessing the miracle of the two dolphin mothers with their babies was nothing short of spectacular. We are sure those dolphins were giggling and smiling in the water. You two make the trip! Your warm spirit, your enthusiasm about nature, your choice in music (way to give up the corporate life to pursue your dreams!), all made the day special. We will be calling you for another great adventure the next time we are in the area.
"Talk about a day in paradise. I have been visiting Sanibel Island for nearly 30 years with my parents, and now that I have kids, we have started a tradition of our own. I wanted to cap off our week with something fun for the kids, I had no idea what was in store for us aboard your boat. The kids are still beaming about the playful dolphins, the sting rays, the shells and the crabs that Jack found along the way while shelling along Lover's Key. You and Terresa made this such an enjoyable experience for not only our children, but for Marikay and I as well. You truly know how to make each trip personal and attentive to the needs and dreams of your captive audience. The ride back from lunch atop your "crow's nest" was outstanding, and listening to Jimmy Buffet made it perfect. The yearly trips to Sanibel will now have a new addition to the itinerary, a ride aboard the HattyCat and the great times with you. "
Thank you for everything!
Tim, Marikay, Jack and McKenna O'Brien
 
"Girl's week at Ft. Myers Beach, June 2007, was fantastic but the best part was our day on the water with Captain Mark & First Mate Terresa. They treated us like it was their mission to show us the best and most exciting experience ever, even knowing how to attract the dolphins, playing our favorite music and helping us find the best sea shells! They helped create "a moment"! Thank you Captain Mark and Terresa!"
- Beverly, Patty, Carrie, Jenny, Mary and Viki
 
"We just wanted to thank you so much for the wonderful day we spent on your boat. We all enjoyed ourselves so much. From the first moment you both made us feel so welcome and comfortable on your boat. There were so many memories made during our day. We cannot thank you enough for all the time you spent with us that day and all the sights you showed us. It was definitely the high light of our vacation! We were very happy that we went on Tuesday and not Wednesday. Our day had perfect weather. We love the pictures you put on your site. It was fun showing people those pictures today when we returned to work. Again, thank you so much for the wonderful day. It was a pleasure and a joy to meet both of you and to spend the day together. The girls are already talking about next year and returning to Sanibel and taking your boat trip again. Who knows, maybe that will happen. I definitely will keep your info. Have a wonderful and safe summer."
- Tim, Jane, Annalise & Danielle Bittner
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