Welcome to Salty Marine Charters, a family-owned charter company proudly serving the waters of Ponce Inlet, New Smyrna Beach, and Florida's beautiful east coast. We are more than just a boat charter service—we are passionate ocean lovers who have turned a lifelong connection to the water into unforgettable experiences for our guests.

Whether you're joining us for a fishing charter, island tour, sightseeing cruise, romantic sunset excursion, waterfront wedding, or private celebration, our goal is simple: to help you create memories that last a lifetime.

The tranquility of the ocean has always been a source of adventure, peace, and inspiration for Captains Jim and Kim. Through Salty Marine Charters, we invite you to experience the same excitement, serenity, and connection to nature that has shaped our lives.

About “Salty Marine” Charters

Our Story

It all started with a dream, a boat, and a shared love for the water. Captains Jim and Kim grew up along Florida's coast, spending every spare moment fishing, snorkeling, watching manatees, and exploring islands with their loyal German Shepherd, Raider. For them, life on the water has never been just a hobby—it's a way of life.

Over the years, the ocean provided them with countless adventures, unforgettable memories, moments of peace, and a deeper appreciation for Florida's natural beauty. They soon realized they wanted to share those experiences with others. Whether it's the excitement of landing a fish, the serenity of a sunset cruise, the romance of a proposal on the water, or simply escaping the stresses of everyday life, Jim and Kim wanted others to experience the same joy the water has always brought them. And just like that - the “Salty Marine” was born.

Meet the “Salty Marine”

At the heart of every adventure is our vessel, the 2023 Sea Born 25 LX, affectionately known as the “Salty Marine.

Designed for both comfort and adventure, the Salty Marine provides the perfect platform for fishing charters, sightseeing cruises, island excursions, romantic sunset trips, and special events.

Vessel Features

  • Accommodates up to 6 guests comfortably

  • Spacious and modern layout

  • Advanced navigation and safety equipment

  • Onboard restroom (head)

  • Refreshments and snacks

  • Fishing gear, tackle, bait, and fish cleaning services

Whether you're chasing trophy fish offshore or enjoying a peaceful sunset cruise, the Salty Marine is equipped to make your experience enjoyable and comfortable.

Meet Captain Jim

Captain Jim is a lifelong boater, surfer, and fisherman who has spent decades navigating Florida's waterways.

As a proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Jim brings discipline, professionalism, and a safety-first mindset to every charter. His military service and years of boating experience have taught him that the well-being of his passengers always comes first.

Jim is also an accomplished angler who loves helping guests land the fish of a lifetime. In fact, it was one of Captain Jim's carefully rigged fishing setups that helped Captain Kim reel in her first seven-foot, 300-pound Lemon Shark.

Why the Name "Salty Marine"?

The name combines Captain Kim's love of saltwater with her admiration and pride for Captain Jim's Marine Corps service. Fittingly, "Salty Marine" is also a nickname commonly associated with Marines who serve aboard Navy vessels.

Meet Captain Kim

Known affectionately as the "Manatree Hugger," Captain Kim has spent much of her life on the water and has a deep passion for conservation, wildlife, and responsible catch-and-release fishing practices.

Her love of fishing began when her late brother Fred introduced her to bass fishing in the backwoods of Florida. Today, she still finds the same excitement in watching guests hook, fight, and land fish for the first time.

For more than 20 years, Captain Kim has been a Florida licensed attorney exclusively dedicating her legal career to marital and family law practice. After spending much of her professional life helping families navigate difficult circumstances, she enjoys creating opportunities for people to celebrate life's happiest moments on the water.

This passion is one of the reasons she especially enjoys the “Love on the Water” experiences, including proposals, anniversaries, weddings, and vow renewals.

A Family-Owned Charter Business

Family is at the heart of everything we do.

Together, Jim and Kim have seven children—Richard, Alex, Bella, Gillian, Kendall, Kat, and Jake—and five beautiful grandchildren.

You may even meet one of our family members serving as a first mate during your charter. Our oldest son, Richard is awaiting his Captain’s License to arrive in the mail. Like Captain Jim, Richard brings military experience and a strong commitment to safety and customer service.

We look forward to passing our love of the water on to future generations and sharing that passion with every guest who steps aboard.

Safety & Professionalism

Your safety and enjoyment are our highest priorities.

Experienced Crew

Our knowledgeable and experienced crew is dedicated to providing a safe, enjoyable, and memorable experience. As a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Captain Jim approaches every charter with a "safety first" mindset. Combined with years of boating experience on Florida's waterways, our team is committed to providing a safe, professional, and memorable experience from the moment you step aboard until you return to the dock.

Top-Quality Equipment

Your safety is our highest priority. The Salty Marine is equipped with modern safety, communication, and navigational equipment that meets or exceeds U.S. Coast Guard requirements. Before every trip, we inspect our vessel and equipment to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all passengers.

Our vessel is equipped with:

  • Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) to transmit our location to search and rescue authorities in the event of an emergency.

  • Comprehensive First Aid Kit for treating minor injuries and addressing medical needs while on the water.

  • U.S. Coast Guard-Required Safety Equipment, including life jackets for all passengers, throwable flotation devices, visual distress signals, fire extinguishers, sound-producing devices, navigation lights, and other required safety gear.

  • Marine VHF Radio Communications for reliable communication with the U.S. Coast Guard, local marinas, and other vessels.

  • GPS Navigation and Chartplotting Systems to assist with safe navigation and route planning.

  • Fish Finder and Sonar Technology to help locate fish and monitor underwater conditions during fishing charters.

  • Weather Monitoring Systems to help us stay informed of changing marine conditions before and during each trip.

*We continuously monitor weather and sea conditions and reserve the right to modify or postpone trips when conditions are not suitable for the safety and comfort of our guests.

Personalized Service

At Salty Marine Charters, we believe the difference between a good trip and a memorable one is the people who guide the experience. From your initial inquiry to the moment you step off the boat, our goal is to provide exceptional customer service, clear communication, and a personalized charter tailored to your interests.

We understand that no two groups are alike. Some guests want the excitement of catching fish, while others are looking for a peaceful day exploring islands, watching dolphins, celebrating a special occasion, or simply enjoying time with family and friends. We take the time to understand your goals and customize each charter to create the experience you desire.

As a family-owned business, we treat our guests the way we would want our own family to be treated—with honesty, respect, patience, and genuine hospitality. Whether you are an experienced angler, a first-time boater, a couple planning a romantic proposal, or a family introducing children to life on the water, we strive to make every guest feel comfortable, welcome, and cared for.

Our commitment to professionalism includes:

  • Prompt and responsive communication before your charter.

  • Clear information regarding weather, safety, and trip expectations.

  • Assistance with trip planning and special requests.

  • A clean, well-maintained vessel and equipment.

  • Patience and instruction for beginner anglers and children.

  • Flexibility to customize your charter experience whenever possible.

  • A genuine commitment to creating a safe, enjoyable, and memorable day on the water.

Most importantly, we want every guest to leave with more than just photographs—we want you to leave with memories, stories, and experiences you'll talk about for years to come.

Why Choose Salty Marine Charters?

We didn't start Salty Marine Charters simply to operate a business—we started it because we genuinely love life on the water.

We believe the ocean has a unique ability to bring people together, create unforgettable memories, and provide a sense of peace that is difficult to find anywhere else.

Whether we're teaching a child to catch their first fish, helping a couple celebrate a proposal, exploring a secluded island, or watching dolphins play alongside the boat, we pour our hearts into every charter.

Our mission is simple:

To share the adventure, tranquility, and joy of Florida's waterways with every guest who comes aboard.

"The ocean has a way of turning ordinary days into unforgettable memories."