Let Robbie's help you with your summertime vacation plans
Tarpon feeding ~ length 5 minutes to 5 hours ~ Capacity unlimited
"Amazing," "breathtaking" and "impressive" are words we often hear from first-time visitors to the end of our dock. What they're referring to is the school of 50 to 100 tarpon that come here daily and linger for hours. Occasionally, a tarpon actually rises up from the water in a powerful flash of silver and green to meet the fish as
it leaves your hand. It's a sight to behold! Maybe the "Silver Kings" just come here to see the humans, but toss a baitfish among them and the water churns as these monsters and the resident pelicans vie for the snack, causing quite a spectacle.
Robbie and his wife Mona started feeding a tarpon named Scarface 18 years ago. Scarface appeared floundering in the shallow waters near the dock; Robbie saw the struggling tarpon and, thinking it had swum too shallow and gotten stuck on the bank, went out into the water to free it. He lifted the fish and saw that the right side of its jaw was torn open. Hoping to revive the tarpon, Robbie placed it in the oxygen-rich shrimp tank and called old Doc Roach. The doctor showed up with his wife's mattress needles and some twine, and Scarface became the first known tarpon with stitches. After several days of force-feeding, Scarface showed good recovery and weight gain; six months later he was released into the waters off the dock. Afterwards, Scarface continued to frequent the docks; sometimes bringing a friend. Soon more and more of the fish began to appear. Today, the tradition continues, with visitors from all across the world coming to marvel at the spectacle and offer these magnificent creatures a snack.
Historic Island Tour ~ length 2.5 hours ~ Capacity 30 people
Arrive at Indian Key, which is only slightly more than 10 acres in size, and has had a colorful past; it dates from the time of prehistoric Indians to the 1830s, when this small key was the seat of the newly created Dade County. The foundations of buildings and cisterns on the island date back to this prosperous time.
Depart Indian Key for Lignumvitae Key State Park; A State licensed Botanist will guide you thru the serenity and isolation of this remote island to step ashore here is to take a step into the past. The Matheson House, built in 1919, has changed little over the years. The virgin tropical forest that thrives here is typical of the kind of scenery that was once enjoyed on most of Florida's upper Keys. As the Keys were developed to accommodate an increasing number of people, most of the unique vegetation was scraped away, making the tropical forest of Lignumvitae Key a very rare and special place. Here, you walk in the shade of trees with strange names like mastic, strangler fig, poisonwood, pigeon plum , gumbo limbo and of course lignumvitae .
Reef Snorkeling Tour~ length 2.5 hours~ Capacity 30 people
Florida Keys Snorkeling Aboard the "Happy Cat"
Robbie's Happy Cat Snorkel Boat is a great way to interact with some of the only beautiful living Coral Reefs in the U.S. Snorkeling in the Florida Keys in these pristine waters hold adventure and
excitement with colorful coral and fish that stretch for miles. Our Happy Cat is spacious and provides a smooth and enjoyable ride throughout your snorkeling trip in the Florida Keys. With plenty of room to relax and enjoy the pleasantries of the Florida Keys our Captain and crew will be able to personally interact with each and every guest aboard our Happy Cat Snorkel Boat. So, come on down to Robbie's Marina and hop aboard our newest addition to the fleet! Our clear, tropical waters await your arrival! We look forward to seeing you aboard our Happy Cat Snorkel Boat
Party Boat fishing tour length 4 hours capacity 50 anglers
As the "sports fishing capital of the world", anglers keep returning year after year to fish the Atlantic Ocean. Many have been
returning to us here at Robbie's for over thirty years. If you want an opportunity to fish over the only living coral reef in North America, come aboard The Captain Michael - our 65' Custom-built Party Boat. She has an enclosed cabin, two heads, sundeck, and can accommodate up to fifty people. Our professional and courteous crew will provide assistance. From baiting your hook and netting your fish, to cleaning and filleting that catch once we're back at dock.
Florida Keys Kayak tour length 2-4 or 8 hours capacity 2 per boat groups to 50
Five minutes from our shop, nature provides us with a spectacular mangrove eco system. You will find exploring the mangrove tunnels and flats fascinating and relaxing. Manatees, Bald eagles, Egrets,
Sharks and Leopard rays are just a few of the Keys wild life you may encounter. We have the best access to two historic state parks, Indian Key and Lignumvitae Key, from first timers to the experienced; the Kayak Shack offers guided tours. For those who want to explore at their own pace our 1/2 or full day rentals are the way to go. We will set you up with a quality Knecky or Wilderness kayak and all the equipment needed.
Sunset Cruise Eco Tour Tour length 2 hours capacity 30 people
Robbie's Eco-Tours are a perfect way to experience the raw beauty and wonder of the Florida Bay. Our two-hour trips take you on an excursion through passages among the sea grass beds that rim
the many protected shallow bays. We take you among the hundreds of small, uninhabited mangrove and hardwood hammock islands, which host an amazing variety of wildlife and create the island network of the Florida Bay. Like nature, our Eco Tours are not scripted. Rather, we will follow your interests, stopping along the way to describe any natural occurrence that presents itself, often at such close distance that binoculars are just in the way. Our guides have a very well-developed understanding of what makes this part of Earth work, and enjoy sharing their knowledge to educate and inform you. Robbie's offers Eco Tours-Historical Excursions and Nature Watch Sunsets.