Tampa Bay is a great place to visit

Tampa Bay and the surrounding area is a great place to visit. With pro sports teams, attractions like the Florida Aquarium and Bush Gardens to beaches and cultural points of interest like the performing arts center and museum, the bounty for landlubbers is equal to what you will find while fishing aboard the Rumrunner.

Few realize how close the Tampa area is to the major Orlando attractions like Disney World, Universal Studios, MGM and EPCOT Center. Only about an hour from Tampa proper and 90 minutes from the Rumrunner docks, the theme parks are an easy ride down the interstate.

In short, the Tampa Bay area has a lot more to offer than great offshore fishing, including many fine restaurants and places to visit. The World Famous Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks are just 20 minutes from our dock. There the traditions of Greek cuisine, baked goods and, of course, sponge diving, are preserved for all to enjoy. There is a sea aquarium there with live shark feeding sessions by a diver. There is the sponge boat excursion demonstrating the techniques used for more than 100 years to gather sponges from the bottom of the gulf. The Sponge Docks also are know for the many fine authentic Greek restaurants like Pappas, an attraction itself.

Just to the south is Clearwater Beach, a great destination to enjoy the white sands, sun and surf. There is lots to do there, including dining and nightlife. If you head north of our home port, you can be at Weeki Wachee Springs in about 45 minutes. A tropical attraction with bird and wild animal shows, glass-bottom boat rides and the world famous underwater theater where live mermaids perform in the crystal-clear spring water.There is a water park there open from spring until fall featuring giant water slides and lazy canoe rides and innertube trips down the scenic river are a favorite way to relax the day awa