FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Families looking for fun-filled activities, cool birthday party ideas or even a unique venue to host a corporate event, need not look farther than Bluefoot Pirate Adventures, Fort Lauderdale’s newest attraction. The interactive pirate-themed boat tour offers kids a place to let their imaginations run wild and parents a great way to do some sightseeing and relaxing while cruising the Intracoastal Waterway.
Sailing from The Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Bluefoot Pirate Adventures, a U.S. Coast Guard approved custom built pirate ship, makes pirate life come alive. Pirates-in-training are entertained with a treasure hunt, lessons on proper pirate jargon, operating the water cannons, locating landmarks with the use of a compass, healthy decision making and safety tips on marine environmental concerns, such as pollution.
Upon arrival, the soon-to-be pirates are dressed in classic pirate garb and their faces are painted to make them look the part and prepare to hunt for pirate treasure. At the end of the hour-long adventure, all kids receive their fair share of the pirate treasure and an official pirate certificate. The boat is equipped with a bathroom and offers plenty of shaded space.
Bluefoot Pirate Adventures, which employs six, was launched in December of 2011 by co-owners Capt. Kyle Costello and Capt. Jack Prno. Costello, who operates the Bluefoot pirate ship, grew up in Connecticut sailing the Long Island Sound and eventually became a commercial lobster fisherman for seven years. After a stint in the corporate world, which left him longing to be back on the water, Costello heeded the ocean’s call and moved to South Florida in 1997 to get into yachting. He then got his captain’s license and ran private motor yachts for 15 years.
“There was a lack of fun-for-the-whole-family interactive activities in South Florida,” said Costello. “On the Bluefoot, parents get to relax, look at the big mansions, yachts, cruise ships and Port Everglades, but they are also encouraged to get involved and support what the kids are doing. The family is completely involved in the trip. It’s affordable and kids love pirates!”
Costello and the Bluefoot work with non-profits such as Gilda’s Club and Cost of Autism and support community organizations such as camps, schools and church youth groups by offering discounted rates. Plans are underway to work with Ronald McDonald House in August. School trips, developed by a teacher, comply with Sunshine State Standards. The Bluefoot also hosts two hour BYOB cocktail cruises, offering adults a creative way to tour Fort Lauderdale’s famous inland waterways and Costello intends to begin hosting corporate events.
Tickets are $25 per person, with children two and under free. Two-for-one specials are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays.
For more information visit www.bluefootpirates.com or call (954) 530-8302. Like Bluefoot Pirate Adventures on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bluefootpirateadventures
Attraction Listing:
Bluefoot Pirate Adventures offers fun for would-be pirates of all ages, whether it’s children’s birthday parties or a corporate event. The U.S. Coast Guard-approved custom built pirate ship sails Thursdays through Tuesdays year-round from The Bahia Mar Yachting Center on Seabreeze Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale for a fun-filled tour of the Intracoastal Waterway and pirate-themed activities with lots of fun facts. Tickets are $25 with two-for-one ticket specials available Tuesdays and Thursdays; kids two and under are free. For more information visit www.bluefootpirates.com or call (954) 530-8302.
