Imagine flying over the azure waters of the Florida Keys and touching down on the ocean rather than tarmac. That dream recently became a reality with the launch of the seaplane charter company Tropic Ocean Airways. The company offers a flight shuttle service between Miami and Key West and seaplane adventure excursions out of Key West. Both are operated on a Cessna 206 Amphibian seaplane.
The drive from Miami to Key West on the Overseas Highway is a spectacular one but takes three to four hours. The same journey by seaplane takes just one hour and offers bird’s-eye views of the iconic Seven Mile Bridge, the 120-mile island chain, numerous coral reefs and even sea creatures such as dolphins and turtles. Fares for seaplane charter flights between Key West and Miami start from $199 each way.
The seaplane adventure excursions can be tailor-made to clients’ requirements. They range from half-hour aerial tours of Key West to half-day adventure charters. Charters can feature activities such as lunch on a private island catered by a local restaurant, flying to reefs or wrecks for diving or snorkeling, and spear-fishing from the plane.
“If you fly with us, you’re going to have a good time,” said Rob Ceravolo, president of Tropic Ocean Airways. “It’s more about the experience as opposed to just the flight.”
The youthful yet experienced owners, a U.S. Navy Top Gun pilot and a certified seaplane flight instructor, emphasise fun and environmental responsibility. Tropic Ocean Airways operates as a carbon neutral company by purchasing carbon emissions offsets to fund clean energy projects. Seaplanes are equipped with high-tech engine monitors that help keep fuel consumption much lower than average aircraft their size.
The company flies between the Miami Seaplane Base on Watson Island and the Key West International Airport. In addition, passengers can be transported to and from any waterfront resort in the Keys. www.flytropic.com
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