Avast mateys! Did you know that Arr-gust is Pirate Month? Well, that’s what our crack research team tells us! Here in Florida, there are plenty of opportunities for privateers of all stripe to celebrate with a yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.
While visiting Historic Cocoa Village, we found the Antilles Trading Company aka “The Pirate Store” – which is the home of all things Pirate.
Their numerous signs about town announced them as “The Pirate Store and Museum.” Once there, we were greeted by a sales gal known as “The Sea Gypsy.” She told us the store caters to freebooters and gentlepeople alike. Inside they offer unique collectibles, well-appointed historical clothing, curios & oddities and a grand collection of meticulously curated treasures.
Their Stock
For would-be privateers, there is a wonderful selection of outfits and accessories. From hats and tunics to skirts and corsets it’s easy to get the right fit and the right look for you. They also have plenty of jewelry and other booty ripe for the taking. (Actually, they come at market prices).
More Than a Store
In addition to the store, the owners have cobbled together a great collection of period antiques which serve as a museum. These are more than curiosities. They help shoppers get in the mood to create their own pirate character while viewing actual artifacts of the day.
What’s that Mr. Smee? You’re not near Cocoa Village? We have good news! There are other pirate stores in Florida. In the north, there’s The Pirate Store in St. Augustine and Pirate Fashions in Tampa.
Pirate Adventures
Once you are suited up, there are a host of places you can go ply your new pirate character. Want to take to the high seas? In Clearwater there’s Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise. It’s billed as ” a two hour odyssey for all ages.” It includes a treasure hunt, face painting, water gun games, stories and dancing.
A bit further down the Gulf Coast is Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruise. They sail out of Fort Myers. Although they say their cruises are family oriented with friendly pirates filled with shenanigans and nautical nonsense, the 65-foot ship does have a bar.
The Royal Conquest can be found on John’s Pass at Maderia Beach. They also have pirate-themed adventures with a merry crew out to entertain young and old alike.
You might try The Buccaneer Pirate Cruise in Destin. Captain Steve & Wendy Wilson have a triple decked, 100 foot craft that cruises the Emerald Coast in search of undiscovered treasure on a regular schedule. They have a manifest of pirates that engage in sword fights, water gun battles and general pirate merriment.
Other Pirate Pursuits
If you are prone to sea sickness, you could look into Orlando’s Pirate Dinner Adventure. Their 46-foot Spanish Galleon is anchored in a 300,000 gallon indoor lagoon. Spectators watch as the adventure unfolds with a cast a dozen actors, singers and stunt performers. They engage in a bounty of action-packed exploits, accompanied by cannon blasts, pyrotechnics and plenty of laughs.
If you just want a small taste of the pirate life, Orlando does have The Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf.
And we would be remiss, if we did not give a shout-out to our old pal Pirate Captain Stumpy – down in Stump Pass. We hope he finds his bottle of rum.
Finally Festivals
Although they are sadly not in Arr-gust, there are several Pirate Fests in the Sunshine State. Of course, the grandaddy of them all is Tampa’s annual Gasparilla.
In February, Fort Pierce hosts the Treasure Coast Pirate Fest, The Cocoa Beach Pirate Fest is held in June and the Vero Beach Pirate & Caribbean Fest is in September. In October there’s the Boynton Beach Haunted Pirate Fest and Mermaid Splash
But this is Arr-gust! Pirate Month! We urge you to let go your inner Buccaneer – and as you can see, there’s plenty of opportunity here in the Sunshine State to get your Pirate On.
