EXPLORER
Captiva Adventures owner, started with a dream
Adventure Sea Kayak & SUP began in 1988 on Captiva with Brian Houston. Capt. John Houston, his son, took over in 2003, the business model evolving into Captiva Adventures. John Houston also teaches yoga and travels widely, recently visiting Havana. Times of the Islands asked John Houston to share his story.
CAPTIVA ADVENTURES BEGAN … as a childhood dream. My grandmother asked me what I was going to do with my life when I was about 9. She said I had to pick a career, I told her vacation. She said that was not possible. I just figured out a way to be on vacation every day, even if it’s somebody else’s vacation. I live the only life I know and share it with others.
MY DAD … did guided sea kayaking nature tours, educating people on environmental ecology and the history of our islands. I expanded the business with rentals, lessons, night tours―new moon, full moon―paddle boarding, yoga, kayaking, canoeing, paddling surf skis, outrigger canoes, fishing, sightseeing, shelling, all the cool things you see and learn as a child on the island.
I HAVE NO … favorite trip. I love it all, love the days I start by teaching yoga in the mornings at Ambu [Yoga], fishing after yoga and then winding the day down with a full moon or new moon paddle.
THE BEST THING ABOUT MY JOB … is inspiring people to live their dreams, if it’s catching a tarpon for a bucket list or paddling with the manatee or dolphins, a bioluminescence tour of a new moon or full moon. Just seeing the happy faces of my clients as they return year after year is my favorite part. I love it!
I HAVE FOUND … that yoga calms me, relaxes me. Before as a child and a young man, I was always sped up, super hyper. My yoga practice centers me, helps me focus; it has become the most important part of my daily routine.
I MOST RECENTLY DISCOVERED … that Cuba is surprising! I loved it―definitely going back soon as possible. I learned that the people there are some of the nicest I have ever met. Their love for life, family, dance and music is incredible. It was more than a trip out of the country. I have traveled all over Central America, have been to Europe, Asia, South America and islands in the Caribbean. But Cuba was different. It was like time travel, but only a 45-minute flight from Fort Lauderdale. I felt like I was farther away from home than any other trip I have been on. I mostly took photos, walked the streets of Havana, absorbed the culture during the day and went salsa dancing at night, ate good food and drank good coffee. I even got to spend an evening at the Buena Vista Social Club. Amazing!