Things to do & places to visit in Cortez, Florida, United States

Cortez city in Florida, United States. Timezone: America/New_York, current date and time: Sunday, April 28, 2024, 1:46.

Top things to do (19)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Pirate Adventures of Cortez (498 reviews)
- ARRR-MAZING...see what I did there?
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Boat Tours

Incredible! Don't hesitate to book, phenomenal in every way! The crew was fantastic, wish they were available to come babysit after the boat ride! We were a bit concerned our kids would lose interest at some point (because kids these days typically want their device after 20 minutes) but they never did. The crew was engaging and kept all of the kids entertained and laughing the WHOLE time. The main "pirate" was kind enough to include (but not be too pushy, you know the type...they only make things worse) the two younger girls that were too shy to participate at first. By halfway through they were up having a blast! My 6yr old's face was priceless. To say he loved it would be an understatement. It's perfectly timed, not too short, not too long. The crew really does a top notch job, bring cash to tip! One tip, bring a water bottle. The adults were sooo thirsty. (Our fault, too many hard seltzers the night before) See more..
5.0 Cortez Water Sports (373 reviews)
- Excellent experience!
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Waterskiing & Jetskiing • Gear Rentals • Boat Rentals

We had a wonderful experience with our group of 8- 4 adults and 4 kids and would highly recommend Cortez Watersports! John was helpful and knowledgeable and gave us the tips on where to go to see dolphins, sand dollars, sandbar etc! Pontoon came with kid kayak and we enjoyed our experience immensely! We will be back! See more..
5.0 H2O Watersportz (223 reviews)
- Jet ski rentals
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Scuba & Snorkelling • Waterskiing & Jetskiing • Eco Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours • Boat Rentals

I rented a pair of jet skis for myself, my wife and a couple of neighbors that joined us for the day. Dale was great getting through the paperwork quickly, going over the safety rules, and then making sure we were familiar with the area on the map. He gave us some good ideas for how we spent our time and plotted our course. The jet skis rode very well and were pretty fast. We all had a blast! I will say that the jet skis are a little more fun riding solo, but they also aren't cheap. Be sure you plan for enough time for everyone to get some solo time if you have multiple riders. Can't wait to go back and do it again! See more..
5.0 YOLO Adventures (213 reviews)
- Sunset Delight!
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM Parasailing & Paragliding • Boat Tours • Water Sports • Fishing Charters & Tours • Dolphin & Whale Watching

My husband and I went on the sunset cruise with Cpt Mark (who is awesome!) and his lovely wife. Some other nice locals joined too! We had a blast! Watch dolphins and it was a really lovely experience. The sunset on boat is something else. The views are stunning! You have to try it! We are definitely coming back! See more..
5.0 Captain Kim's Boat Rides and Charter (138 reviews)
- Wow!
Boat Tours

Captain Kim took us out hoping to find dolphins. Not only did we see several dolphins, she was so knowledgeable about their behaviors and even sees the same dolphins over and over. She also netted out see weed from which she found a variety of sea creatures for us to view and touch. She captivated the attention of both my 4.5 year old and my 7.5 year old as well as the adults on the boat. Totally worth every penny! See more..
5.0 Florida Fishing Fleet (92 reviews)
- Home run with this crew!
Boat Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours

All I can say is wow! I had a friend in town I haven't seen in 25 years that has never been fishing in the Golf ! And boy did this crew hit a home run we caught three keeper grouper and a uncounted number of grunts, porgies & lane snapper! This Crew is very professional and accommodating. This was an all-inclusive 6-hour trip with rods and bait included and With Quick and efficient fish cleaning at the end of the day. (Just be sure to look after the mate) Logan did a great job! Bait cups were always filled and fish ice down right away. All in all I will be back and so will my friend! See more..
5.0 Kayak Jacks Paddlesports (74 reviews)
- Great rental company
Kayaking & Canoeing

We rented two tandem kayaks to go kayaking in Robinson preserve. Their rental price is very reasonable--$107 for two tandem kayaks for 4 hours. Our rental time was noon, but when w got there at 11 am Kayak Jack was already there and let us go out early. He was also right there when we got back an hour early. High recommend! See more..
5.0 Captain Patsy Charters (49 reviews)
- Jumping dolphins!
Scuba & Snorkelling • Boat Tours • Dolphin & Whale Watching

I went on Patsy's boat with 3 of my friends and we loved it! We really liked the fact that it was a small boat with a personal tour experience at a very reasonable price. She was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot about the area. The best part was the fact that we not only saw a pod of playful dolphins, but Patsy was able to get them to follow in her wake and jump continuously right behind the boat! We were thrilled and had a great time! See more..
5.0 Gulfcart Charters (32 reviews)
- Fishing in Cortez, FL
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Scuba & Snorkelling • Boat Tours • Water Sports • Eco Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours

My family spent the day with Captain Eric and had the time of our lives! He taught us so much about fishing. He was very attentive to us and wanted to be sure we enjoyed our day. He was patient with our 6 year old and kept him totally involved in reeling the fish in. At the end of our trip e cleaned our fish and let us take them home for dinner. Definitely one for the memory book. I highly recommend him! See more..
5.0 Captain Josh Charters (25 reviews)
- Fabulous Fishing Charter with First Class Captain
Fishing Charters & Tours

My husband and I Just got back from an AMAZING 4-hour fishing trip with Captain Josh, and I'm writing this review as we prep our dinner of mango snapper, pompano, sheepshead, whiting and black drum fish!! What a haul, and what an incredible day with the greatest Captain ever! Captain Josh suggested postponing our trip yesterday for better weather today, which we really appreciated. His boat is really nice and comfortable, but it's Josh who makes the trip amazing. Great sense of humor, patiently taught me and gave us both tips to catch fish, and took us to three separate spots that were all different and great fishing. Josh was also terrific on all the pre-communications. We would highly recommend Captain Josh for a really special time for any and all fishing charters, and would trust him anytime to plan the perfect trip. And, he even let our golden retriever, Cassie, join us as his First Mate. See more..
5.0 Cortez Fishing (19 reviews)
- Best fishing experience on the Gulf side!!!
Fishing Charters & Tours

Capt. Brian and Capt Larry took us on a 6 hour trip and we had the time of our life! I have used Cortez Fishing a few times and never disappointed. Very friendly and made sure everyone in our party was having a great time. If you are heading to Florida and want to catch huge fish until your arms fall off, call Capt. Brian!!! See more..
5.0 Coastal Paddle Boarding (19 reviews)
- Nicest people
Sunday: Gear Rentals • Stand Up Paddleboarding

My 12 year old daughter and I Paddleboard together frequently. I own my own boards but enjoy heading over to Coastal Paddleboarding to to launch from their dock. They are located in a perfect location for folks to go and enjoy getting on the water. They are kind enough to let me launch from their dock to enjoy the area as well. Next paddle I purchase will be from them and I highly recommend them for those to get out and take advantage of Stuart, FL and the water here. I plan on taking a trip with them to Pecks Lake area and surfing a bit. See more..
5.0 Highliner Charters (14 reviews)
- Great day on the water
Boat Tours

We booked a last minute charter with Highliner today and lucky for us, they were available. We went out with John for an inshore fishing trip and he was an amazing guide. He took us to some great fishing spots and we hooked snook, flounder, mackerel, jacks, trout and snapper. More important than the actual catch, John is the epitome of customer service. He keeps bait on your hook, an eye on your line and if you're not tracking fish, he'll do anything he can to put you on them. After that, it's up to you to catch them. John is very personable and having been on a few charters in my time, the captain can really dictate how enjoyable the trip is. If John has anything to do with it, you're going to have fun. He even kept us out longer than our slotted time frame and it was a great time. I highly recommend this inshore trip or any trip with John on Highliner... See more..
5.0 Graham Slam Fishing Charters (8 reviews)
- Good charter for both experienced and novice fishermen.
Sunday: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Boat Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours

Captain Nick Graham is native to Anna Maria Island and knows the waters and where to find the fish. He moved us to several areas to find specific species of fish. We caught fish nonstop and kept what was in the photo. It was about 30% of the total catch for our group of 4. Nick will clean and filet your fish and then recommended the Waterfront restaurant which will cook your fresh catch. A great experience for both the dads and the young teens. See more..
5.0 Green Boat Tours (7 reviews)
- Sunset
Boat Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours

Great sunset cruise! Captain ‍✈️ Tom was great! Had a great time! Saw manatees and dolphins I would definitely recommend to anyone. See more..
5.0 Anna Maria Yacht Charters (6 reviews)
- You don’t want to miss this trip
Boat Tours

What an experience you don’t want to miss. Captain Donnie is the best and we have booked with him several trips now. The boat is beautiful and very well kept. He is so accommodating and very familiar with the island. We had the best day and got to see so many dolphins. See more..
5.0 Happy Hooker One Sport Fishing (6 reviews)
- West coast fishing trip...
Sunday: 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM Fishing Charters & Tours

We went out on a 4hr trip. Caught lots of grouper and snapper. Just bring yourself and food/drink. They provide everything else. The best part is that they clean your fish when the trip is done!! Captain Gregg and mate Randy were friendly and helpful. This boat has been around a long time. We went about 12miles out. See pictures! See more..
5.0 Bunny & Pirates Bazaar (3 reviews)
- Awesome little place
Sunday: Bar, Club & Pub Tours • Scavenger Hunts • Beer Tastings & Tours • Wine Tours & Tastings

Great atmosphere live music listening garden cold beer they even added A deli for that snack attack. Friendly staff whimsical décor. See more..
5.0 Tiki Boat Tours (2 reviews)
- This is a must do attraction in Sarasota
Boat Tours

Awesome 6 friends get together, pack a cooler and then cruise in the bay on a Tiki Boat while enjoying great company and a magnificent sunset. The best 90 minutes of fun. our captain was awesome. See more..
5.0 Donut Boat Rentals (2 reviews)
- GREAT time had by all!!
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Boat Tours • Boat Rentals • Dolphin & Whale Watching

As a group of 16 it is hard to find an activity we can all participate in at the same time, well Facebook made a suggestion & we booked it. I reserved the 2 hour tour to Jewfish Key. We started our trip with Mimosa's and snacks so we of course chose to hire captains to take us to our destination. The boats don't go as fast as regular motor boats but we didn't mind. We were like celebrities as all the large yachts beeped, waved and took pictures. WE also saw a few dolphins along the way! Once we were at the sandbar, it was like being part of a private club. What a beautiful spot to wade in the warm water & enjoy each others company. It was a beautiful day & a GREAT time was had by all! The worst part of the trip was knowing at some point we'd have to go back to shore :( See more..
4.5 Captain Kathe's Boat Cruises (149 reviews)
- Dolphins, manatees, and more oh my!
Boat Tours

This was our third trip with Capt. Kathe and I think it was our best. We loved having her dog sailor with us. He helped us find a group of manatees and we were able to watch then for a good bit of time. We actually saw one munching on a bush on the edge of the water! Then it was dolphin time! We saw a group of 7 or 8 of them swimming together and chasing the wake of a nearby boat. Then Capt. Kathe started to drive faster in our boat and two dolphin played in the wake...it was so fun to watch these amazing creatures leap in what looked like joy to me! A magical experience. We also saw nests of heron with babies in them...so cool. It was a great day on the water with a wonderful guide and boat captain. Thanks again Capt. Kathe and Sailor! See more..
4.5 Florida Maritime Museum (73 reviews)
- Scavenger hunt and butterfly garden was perfect
Sunday: Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • History Museums

The Florida Maritime Museum collects, preserves, and shares traditional knowledge, cultural artifacts, and personal stores specific to Florida's fishing and maritime heritage. The Florida Maritime Museum is a part of the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Historical Resources Department, with additional support from the Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum. Situated on the Cortez Nature Preserve, FMM grounds were purchased with funds from the Florida Communities Trust Preservation 2000 Program and the Manatee County Board of County Commission. See more..
4.5 Blue Water Explorers (69 reviews)
- A great people to dive with.
Scuba & Snorkelling • Water Sports

I booked this dive charter so my wife could go diving. Crewed by Allison, the captain, and Pam, dive master, it was a great time. Allison and Pam did everything to have a safe dive. They both reviewed the expectations so all seven divers would get the most out of the two dives. They described the two sites and what might be seen, and the best way to see them. While it may seem that everything was all seriousness, it wasn't. Allison is quite the poet. My wife had a great time. She told me that Pam and Allison made her feel very confident on the dive. She had so much fun. As always, they picked up trash, leaving the sites in better shape than when they started. Our charter dove a ledge and then a man made reef. It was a great way to spend a morning. We will always dive with them when diving in Florida. Thank you Pam and Allison. We hope to see you soon. See more..
4.5 Cortez Deep Sea Fishing (61 reviews)
- Service excellence!
Sunday: 7:30 AM - 7:30 PM Fishing Charters & Tours

If you are looking for a fishing adventure that comes with outstanding service consider booking a fishing charter with Captain Mike and 1st mate Andrew. They maintained a perfect balance of being friendly and attentive while staying professional throughout the entire trip. Novice and experienced fishers received the same treatment, so get out there and fish! The boat and restrooms were clean, Captain Mike was vigilant about putting us on the fish and Andrew kept our fish on ice and replenished bait throughout the trip. Our experience with them for a birthday outing with 8 people exceeded all our expectations. We encourage others to make this a necessary part of any vacation while in the area. See more..
4.5 Whisper Sailing (26 reviews)
- Eco tours on replica sail boat
Boat Tours

Jeff has built the sailing boat himself and it will take up to 6 people. Because of the small size of the boat you can enter the shallows of the waterways and get up close and personal with lots of wildlife such as dolphins etc. A truely lovely way to spend 1 1/2 hours, highly recommended. See more..
4.5 Reel Diversion Charters (22 reviews)
- Great Charter
Sunday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM Scuba & Snorkelling • Eco Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours • Dolphin & Whale Watching

Although the visibility wasn't great since it's been raining, they were a great charter to dive with. They didn't have too many people there which was a breath of fresh air, the boat was well equipped, and they had a huge cooler full of drinks and snacks available for us. I'll definitely use them again. See more..
4.0 The Sea Hagg (68 reviews)
- The Sea Hag has it all for decorating beach house
Speciality & Gift Shops

visited and wow, they have about anything related to the sea. Many nature items, items to decorate with, to gift and share. Enjoyed looking around. if I had a beach house and yard to decorate like the sea, I would find the times here. See more..
4.0 Cortez Cultural Center (6 reviews)
- Cortez Cultural Center
Spent < 1 hour History Museums

Cortez Village Cultural Center features the history of a historical fishing village on the west coast of Florida. The first settlers came to this area in the 1880's located south of Tampa Bay near Bradenton. We have pictures, documents, genealogies, and videos about this working fishing village that is on the National Registry of Historical Places. See more..
The Beach Shop (0 review)
Speciality & Gift Shops
Not your ordinary Beach Shop! We think you will be surprised! Clothing & Swimwear, Body Boards, Skimboards, Paddleboards, Beach Chairs & Umbrellas, Unusual Gifts & Everything else you can think of for the Beach! See more..
The Treasure Chest (0 review)
Sunday: Spent < 1 hour Speciality & Gift Shops
See more..