MAKING WAVES
Celebrating Southwest Floridians
It was a big leap from a prestigious law career to operating a tour of the Chicago skyline. But Paul McCarthy never looked back, this fall celebrating the 30-year anniversary of Captiva Cruises, a tour line serving from his marina and other spots on Captiva. A Notre Dame graduate, McCarthy began as a tour operator in the Windy City in 1981, moving to Captiva in 1986 after vacationing here. “I wanted,” he says, “to give [our passengers] the chance to explore the unique attributes of the area, to learn.” Captiva Cruises has evolved into a broader entertainment venue that includes weddings and business events. Ultimately, though, it’s about island hopping to such places as Cayo Costa, Useppa, Boca Grande, Pine Island and Cabbage Key, or “a unique experience to remember for a lifetime,” McCarthy says of his line.
Details are at captivacruises.com.
At a Glance
Paul McCarthy as commodore of the Captiva Island Yacht Club in January organized a club trip to Havana. More than 80 members went.
McCarthy’s boats in 2004 were piloted inland to survive storm threats and Hurricane Charley. He started post-hurricane water rides to ease psychological losses, using weather experts to explain storms.