Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Madalinski.
Hi Paul, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
After living in the greater Chicago area for 23 years, we were ready to leave snow and cold behind. We love the gulf coast and vacationed frequently in Redington Beach, Fort Myers Beach and Naples. Our goal was to find an affordable home, on a gulf access canal, enabling us to boat year round. We purchased our house in Cape Coral with easy access to some fantastic boating destinations like the remote islands of Cayo Costa, North Captiva and Cabbage Key, plus the Boca Grande sand bar. Eventually, my wife and I grew bored of retirement. She went back to work in technology with Lee County Schools. I pursued something boating related, attending captain’s school and receiving my USCG license in late 2021. Business boomed, largely due to Covid and the migration from the northern states to Florida. Having worked my entire life in printing sales also helped because I’m very cognizant of the customer experience. My goal is to make memories that last a lifetime. Since moving down, I’ve also become a lover of wildlife. Dolphins, manatees, pelicans, turtles, even iguanas make me smile. Being able to share this love with people from around the country, even the world, is something I could never imagine 10 years ago but here I am. People from Germany booked two tours within the same week. They then insisted we visit them in Frankfort and it was perhaps the best vacation we’ve had in our entire lives. At 67, I’m not sure how much longer I’ll do this. Honestly, I hope for many more years to come. It’s a wonderful life when you can bring happiness to others while doing something you love.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s not always been easy being a boat captain in Florida. The number one obstacle was hurricane Ian. We survived with minimal damage but the same cannot be said for many of the destinations people loved to visit. Restaurants closed, water hazards everywhere, vacation plans delayed or cancelled. Many friends lost everything on Fort Myers Beach. Sanibel and Captiva were cut off by the damage to the causeway. Recovery was well on it’s way when hurricane Milton and Helena hit. Unlike a snow storm up north, you can’t just hunker down until the melt comes in a few days. Hurricane damage takes months and years, but living in paradise is still worth the struggle.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Cape Captains?
I started this business with the intent of sharing how wonderful boating is in SWFL. While my main focus is on providing boat tours, on my boat, I also work with other captains to satisfy customer interests. For example, I personally don’t fish but I can refer people to captains who do fishing charters. We also provide new boater and navigation training, provided by me personally or by a licensed captain that is experienced with the customer’s type of vessel. During peak season, or when they are short staffed, I’ve helped local boat rentals conduct checkouts, check-ins and orientations. Knowing so many fellow captains and marine service providers, has helped me assist customers by referring them to the proper resource. I don’t charge for referrals. Advice is free if it takes only 5 minutes to help someone new to boating in the area and keep them safe on the water.
There are USCG licensed captains located throughout west Florida, from the panhandle down to Marco Island, offering boat tours, dolphin tours, eco tours, fishing charters and other on the water experience. A visit to gulf beaches isn’t complete without an excursion to experience wildlife up close. Nothing like exploring remote beaches, finding unique shells, watching dolphins play and, pelicans glide and dive, I’m proud to be a part of a community focused on making memories and hope everyone considers taking advantage of our wonderful gulf waterways.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Most of my business originally came from people finding me on Google searches and Facebook. Now, most new business comes from people who own VRBO and Airbnb properties that recommend me based on personal experience and guest feedback. I provide refrigerator magnets and koozies with my logo too. I also get referrals from boat motor repair and maintenance, boat life service, boat detailing, and boat sales providers, Of course, I send them referrals too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.capecaptains.com
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/capecaptains
