Scott Le Roy – Page 23 – Riviera Dunes Marina

3 Ideas for a Budget-Friendly Vacation Near Our Marina

03/08/201803/08/2018 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

3 Ideas for a Budget-Friendly Vacation Near Our MarinaWhether you’re on spring break or visiting our lovely beaches for your annual vacation, you don’t have to break the bank. By now, you know that traveling expenses and food in and of themselves can take up the majority of your budget leaving you with the decision to exceed it or stay within your means. Staying within your budget doesn’t have to be boring! Here are plenty of fun things you can do here that are either free or affordable to make this a budget-friendly vacation for you and your family.1. Head to the beach.Visiting our local beaches should come as no surprise for spending your budget-friendly vacation here. Head to Longboat Key, Lido Key or Siesta Key in Sarasota or to the Coquina, Holmes or Bradenton beaches near our marina. Once your have all of your beach essentials, from your chairs to your towels and toys, pack your picnic for a...

A Quick Boating Guide for Stormy Weather

03/01/201803/08/2018 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

A Quick Boating Guide for Stormy WeatherPicture this: you’re out on the boat with your loved ones and all of a sudden you hear stormy weather brewing in the distance. While you can often watch out for storms before heading out on your trip, it never hurts to know what to do if you’re suddenly caught in a storm.It goes without saying that you should always have life vests aboard when boating. You should also notify a family member, who is not accompanying you on your trip, of your boating plans regardless of the type of weather you’re expecting. In addition, if the weather conditions are looking particularly stormy, you should reschedule your trip for a more accommodating day.Here are some tips for boating in stormy weather:First, make sure to have back-up essentials. Here are some key items to have on board:External battery phone charger: In the event that your phone battery gets drained, pack an external battery phone charger to charge your phone...

Spring Break: Family-Friendly Activities near Riviera Dunes Marina

02/23/201802/23/2018 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Spring Break: Family-Friendly Activities near Riviera Dunes MarinaWith spring break just around the corner, it’s time to start planning your trip to the Bradenton, Sarasota and Palmetto areas! In addition to our area’s pristine beaches, you’ll quickly discover that our area accommodates all ages. Family-friendly activities abound near Riviera Dunes Marina, from fishing trips to nature obstacle courses and much more. Here's a snapshot of some fabulous activities that are perfect for your family this spring break.Spend a day in the trees.If your family loves being outside, but they want to take a break from the beach, everyone will enjoy a day in the trees as they traverse unique obstacle courses at TreeUmph! Adventure Course! If you’re new to ziplining, TreeUmph! has guides that not only monitor you to ensure you are safe, but they also train you to best navigate the courses. Of course, you are always clicked in with their belay systems to keep you secure during your adventure. Zipline among the trees or sit...

A Guide to Pontoon Boat Fishing in Sarasota

02/16/201802/16/2018 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

A Guide to Pontoon Boat Fishing in SarasotaAnglers love pontoon boat fishing as they’re comfortable, can accommodate a group of people and are sturdy, which is especially true during rougher water conditions when a small boat would typically rock in the Sarasota waterways.If you’re a boating novice or looking to learn more about pontoon boat fishing, you’ve come to the right place! Here's a quick guide in order to help you have a successful fishing day on your pontoon boat. Remove or lower your bimini top.If you don’t have much experience fishing on a pontoon boat, then you don’t want to make the mistake of having your boat’s bimini or canopy top interfering with your cast. Before you set sail on your fishing trip, remove or lower your bimini tops to ensure your hooks don’t catch on them.Bring a second anchor.While pontoon boats are sturdy, they can be a bit hard to keep still when fishing if the wind begins to...

6 Tips for Protecting Our Local Marine Species

02/07/201802/07/2018 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

6 Tips for Protecting Our Local Marine SpeciesYou love our local area in Bradenton, Sarasota and Palmetto for its pristine beaches, but it’s also known for its wonderful marine species, especially sea turtles and manatees. Though, it’s important to remember that these local beaches are home to these endangered species as well. Here are helpful tips to keep in mind to ensure we’re protecting our local marine species:1. Obey the waterway signs.Waterway signs do not solely exist for boaters’ safety, but they are for the manatees’ safety, too. Obeying the speed limit ensures that you slow down when necessary so that you have a clear view of the water and do not see any manatees before proceeding.2. Steer clear from shallow waters when possible.When boating, remain in deep waterways because manatees tend to feed in shallow seagrass beds. In addition, try not to anchor your boats in these areas and in coral reefs because these areas are often habitats for...

Valentine’s Day Activities in the Bradenton Area

02/02/201802/02/2018 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Valentine’s Day Activities in the Bradenton AreaWith Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s time to start planning this special day with your special someone (or with your best gals for your own Galentine’s Day).From local wineries to the beach, Bradenton and the surrounding areas make it easy for you to mix it up this Valentine’s Day. Here are a few unique ways to spend this holiday with your special someone.Visit a winery.There are plenty of local wineries that you can visit to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Besides their fabulous red, white and rose wines, Bunker Hill Vineyard and Winery is also known for being a “green” winery because all of their bottles are recycled. While they are not open on Valentine’s Day, this makes visiting a winery a perfect excuse for extending this celebration of love well into the weekend. Fiorelli Winery boasts Old World dry whites and dry reds—all of which are Italian-inspired. Fiorelli Winery is open on Valentine’s Day...

Tips for Wintertime Fishing in the Palmetto Area

01/26/201801/26/2018 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Tips for Wintertime Fishing in the Palmetto AreaDon’t let the recent colder weather discourage you from your wintertime fishing adventures! You might not think that fish will be biting when it’s cold out, but certain fish, such as sheepshead, black drum and redfish, actually thrive in the cooler temperatures. Here are a few tips for fishing during colder weather:Dress appropriately.First, make sure you have proper gear when wintertime fishing in Palmetto and the surrounding areas. The winter months can bring some rain, which can cause more spraying than usual when you're on your boat. Pack your raincoat and bring your rubber boots so that you’re guaranteed to stay warm during your excursion.Keep an eye on the cold fronts.Wintertime fishing also brings the cold fronts to the Palmetto area. Be patient and wait for the cold fronts and accompanying stormy weather and windy weather to pass through. After a few days, the water becomes more calm and warm. This is the best...

Unique Ways to Tour Bradenton and Sarasota

01/19/201801/19/2018 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Unique Ways to Tour Bradenton and SarasotaWhile our area is brimming with beautiful beaches and other entertaining spots, there are even more unconventional and fun ways to explore the area to truly get a taste of the local culture. Whether you’re a lover of food, natural history or sightseeing among our fabulous waterways, there are several unique ways to tour Bradenton and Sarasota. The great thing about these tours is that even if you are a local or have vacationed here several times, you can explore the area in a new way and discover hidden gems along the way. Here are a few unique ways to tour our beautiful area!Food ToursThere is an abundance of tasty food tours here to make your experience here a palatable one. If you’re available for lunch, try the International Flavors of Sarasota Tour where you get to venture around Downtown Sarasota to taste the local food spots that offer global fare! Then, the St. Armands Stroll & Taste...

7 Tips for Staying Safe in Winter Weather

01/04/201801/04/2018 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

7 Tips for Staying Safe in Winter WeatherWeather experts say that our area hasn’t experienced this cold of winter weather in many years! While Bradenton’s winter weather will be brief and warm up over the weekend, here are some tips for staying safe during dropping temperatures.1. Stay inside.This is the best way to ensure that you are keeping safe and warm in the winter weather. The same goes for your furry family members. Keep them inside if possible. If you have pets that must stay outside, ensure they have access to shelter and unfrozen water.2. Check on your loved ones. Ensure that your family, friends and neighbors are safe as well, especially those that are more at risk: those that have young children, are elderly or are chronically ill. 3. Bundle up! If you must go outside, make sure to wear many lightweight layers underneath a wind-resistant coat. Gloves, hats, scarves and waterproof boots will help maintain your body heat....

New Year’s Eve 2017: Top Local Events and Parties

12/28/201712/28/2017 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

New Year’s Eve 2017: Top Local Events and PartiesNow that you’ve–hopefully–recovered from your turkey-and-sugar-induced comas, it’s time to start gearing up for the end of 2017! From fireworks on the bay to the Pineapple Drop, there are several New Year’s Eve celebrations and events that you will not want to miss! Here’s a round-up of the best things to do on the last evening of the year:The Annual Pineapple DropHead to Downtown Sarasota for their annual New Year’s Eve bash, the Pineapple Drop. Starting at 6 p.m., Main Street opens up for one of the most anticipated parties of the year. Local restaurants will have special dining deals, and you can even grab a cold one at the many beer stations downtown. Live music kicks off at 9 p.m., then at midnight, the awaited Pineapple Drop goes down at the corner of Main Street and Lemon Avenue. New Year’s Eve Dance PartyShow off your moves at the dance party hosted at The...