Unwind on the water - Florida Weekly

Visitors aboard Charlotte Harbor charters often ask why the water looks brown. Capt. Ralph Allen says it’s normal brackish estuarine water—salt and freshwater mixed—made productive by brown-tinted runoff from the Peace River and Myakka River during peak rainy season. He contrasts that with Florida’s Palm Beach coast, where clear blue water near the Gulf Stream supports snorkeling and diving, including manatees and trips surrounded by tarpon. The article ties the regional appeal to economics: boating and fishing generated $4.4 billion in Florida in 2024, while broader outdoor recreation contributed about $58 billion. In Charlotte County, tourism officials report more than 1 million visitors annually and $1.2 billion in local impact.