Let me offer you five things to think about as you plan your day on the water. First of all, have an adventurous attitude! Don’t think about what you could be doing or get stuck in the mud feeling like you’re being forced to go. Before you go, start looking forward to it. See the day (or half-day) as an adventure. Talk it up! If it’s a family outing, talk it up with the kids. Get everybody looking forward to it. Here’s a little video that is sure to help!
Second, decide what you want to do (click HERE for some ideas in each region). Fish? Cruise? Go somewhere for lunch? Swim? Then do some research. Try someplace different. This is an advantage of boat clubs. Freedom, for example, has so many ports around West Central Florida that you can drive to and reserve a boat. Each location has amazing things to do. Do the research. Stay flexible – just have a list of possibilities and decide as a group. With that in mind, having a navigation app on your mobile device is very advantageous. We recommend the Wavve app (Click HERE for an intro). It will help you navigate the area wherever you decide to go and it includes tidal and weather information. You can also leave “bread crumbs” so you can easily find your way back home.
Third, figure out what you need to pack. Don’t forget to bring water. It’s easy to get dehydrated. Bring food, snacks, and fun things to do. If you’re going fishing, there’s more to think about but that’s for another day. Click here if you want a primer now. Potty planning may be wise, too. For our family, a 5-gallon bucket with a snap-on potty seat ($5 from Amazon) has done the trick. Think safety as you prepare.
Fourth, keep everyone engaged and “carpe diem” it (seize the day) to the max! Have fun! Take pictures! Tell stories. Watch out for each other and make a memory. Don’t forget to fill your lungs with fresh air! It’ll be beautiful to be sure.
Finally, leave enough time to get home. You’ll have to leave while everyone is still having fun but you definitely don’t want to get home late, tired, and exhausted from your day. Now, go ahead, look at a calendar and figure out when you going on your next adventure!
