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Bamboo Charters
Captain

Bamboo Charters

Islamorada, United States
50+ reviews
I first experienced the Florida Keys up close in 1981 during my SCUBA certification dives. Over three days, I made eight dives and was instantly hooked! I worked as a Divemaster and later as a PADI SCUBA Instructor during my summer breaks from college. In 1989, I moved to Islamorada and began teaching SCUBA full-time. Two years later, I bought the dive operation from my boss. We had two boats for diving and snorkeling, and I used a skiff to explore Florida Bay and Everglades National Park. In 1998, I sold the dive operation to my staff and started an adventure charter service. We offered private charters featuring fishing, snorkeling, sandbar trips, and sunset cruises. Today, I operate four boats providing private adventures ranging from 2 to 8 hours, with many activities to choose from. All trips are run by myself and my team of professional captains. My favorite adventure combines eco-touring and snorkeling. We start by exploring mangrove islands in Florida Bay, learning about this fascinating ecosystem. Then, we head to a nearby shallow reef or Alligator Reef Lighthouse for snorkeling. With many shallow reefs close to our marina in Islamorada, there's plenty to see. We can also visit the Islamorada Sandbar for a swim or stop at one of the excellent waterfront bars for fresh seafood and drinks. To cap off the trip, we can catch the stunning sunset over Florida Bay. For fishing, whether in the bay or on the reef, there's a wide variety of fish to catch. My favorite moments are teaching kids to reel in snappers, jacks, groupers, and other reef fish. When they're ready for a challenge, we can target barracudas weighing up to 20 pounds.

Charter

Bamboo Charters

Bamboo Charters

Islamorada
Instant Confirmation
Trips from
US $300

Rating

5.0
68 reviews
5.0
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
5.0
Experience

All reviews (68)

Showing 6 – 10 of 68 reviews
  • Lauren Blankenship
    Lauren Blankenship
    us
    Virginia, US
    •
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Experienced and Family Friendly!!

    Private Snorkel Charter (4hr / PM) • 6 adults • 2 children

    Captain Matt gave our family an unforgettable snorkeling trip in the Florida Keys! He was knowledgeable, patient, and made Brandon, me, and our four kids feel safe and comfortable from start to finish. He knew exactly where to take us for the best snorkeling, and the experience exceeded all of our expectations. His friendly personality and genuine passion for what he does made the day both relaxing and exciting. If you’re looking for a captain who truly cares about giving you an incredible experience, I highly recommend Captain Matt—you won’t be disappointed!

    Response from Captain

    Thank you for the generous review. We know the real crowd pleaser was a great conditions as well as the sea turtles, a multitude of tropical fish and outstanding water conditions, blue blue water, calm seas mix for a great day. I just fill it in with some stories and have some fun with the kids. Please consider me for your next vacation down here and you can always hook me up through Boat Booker. Capt Matt Bamboo Charters

  • Ernesto Fonseca
    Ernesto Fonseca
    us
    California, US
    •
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Great day of snorkeling

    Private Snorkel Charter (4hr /AM) • 5 adults

    The captain was very experienced and knowledgable. He took us to several reefs where we saw a wide variety of sea life which included many colorful fish as well as some baby hammerhead and nurse sharks. It was great to have a charter and not have to deal with the crowds. We finished the day taking some great pictures in the sandbar. This boat was one of the main highlights of our trip to the Keys!

    Response from Captain

    Ernesto thank you for coming out with Bamboo Charters. The sealife made the day an easy one. The combo of Snorkeling and sandbar makes my job easy ! Capt Matt

  • Alex Howerton
    Alex Howerton
    us
    North Carolina, US
    •
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Great day on the water with Captain Matt

    Private Snorkel Charter (3hr / AM) • 2 adults

    We had a great day out on the water with Capt. Matt earlier this week. It started off by heading to the alligator lighthouse where we saw tons of fish & even a couple of sharks whilst snorkeling. We also got to see several dolphins and even went swimming near loggerhead turtles. Matt was a fun host with great storytelling and also shared interesting facts about the middle Keys.

    Response from Captain

    Alex thank you for the review and for choosing Bamboo Charters. The beautiful reef and wildlife made my job a breeze and the sea turtles along with the pod of dolhpins were amazing. These sort of days make my day. you can easily book simial experiences through BoatBooker in the future for more wonderful days on the water with us here in Islamorada. Capt Matthew Bellinger BambooCharters

  • Stephanie Agelis
    Stephanie Agelis
    us
    Florida, US
    •
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Best Captain!

    2 Hour - Private Charter (PM) • 6 adults • 2 children

    We booked a charter elsewhere that ended up getting canceled. So we booked with Bamboo Charters last minute and we are so glad that we did! Captian Matt is awesome, very knowledgeable and friendly! We had a great time and my family visiting from out of town got to see lots of cool stuff. Thanks and we will definitely be booking with Bamboo Charters again.

    Response from Captain

    Thank you for choosing Bamboo Charters! I love showing locals the amazing environment right in our own backyard! we had beautiful conditions on the reef amd seeing the baby Hammerhead sharks was a once in a lifetime occurrence. after post this note im headed to your business for a slice pf your fantastic PIZZA. Tower of Pizza here in Key Largo is a great place fpr lunch and dinner!! Thanks again Capt Matt Bellinger Bamboo Charters

  • Jess Wang
    Jess Wang
    us
    California, US
    •
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Amazing snorkel experience

    Private Snorkel Charter (2hr / PM) • 5 adults • 3 children

    Captain Matt clearly cares about what he does! We saw so many fish ! He knew the perfect private spot to go to! It was relaxing and fun. We felt perfectly safe with him. We had 3 young kids and have the pad rolled out on the water for he kids to lay on and put their masks in the water too. Again would recommend to everyone!

    Response from Captain

    I’m so glad we were able to get you out on the water on such a flat calm day. The kids took to the water like fish! I have plenty of shallow reefs we can exlpore for your family. Capt Matt Bellinger Bamboo Charters