Newsweek is proud to recognize this year’s #1 standout boat tour—selected by our expert panelists and contributors and voted on by readers for their exceptional quality and distinctive excellence. Captain Brian On The Water has been officially recognized by Newsweek as the Best Boat Tour of 2026.
1. Captain Brian on the Water
“Deep in the tangled mangroves of Pine Island Sound, Captain Brian Holaway—a master naturalist—orchestrates a private, low-impact dance with the Gulf’s wilder side. These bespoke shelling and birding expeditions bypass the crowded beaches for the secluded shores of Cayo Costa and Cabbage Key. It is a high-brow, eco-conscious retreat for travelers who value rare bird sightings and ancient Calusa history over standard tourist traps, delivered with 30 years of seasoned nautical wisdom.” – Newsweek
