Hubbard’s Marina acquires Sunshine Scenic Tours boats

Dylan Hubbard has the sea in his veins.

A fourth generation fishing captain, he runs his family’s long-standing Hubbard’s Marina business, which has been operating at the John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk in Madeira Beach since 1976. 

Now, he plans to interact with families in a whole new way, thanks to the acquisition of the Sunshine Scenic Tours boats.  

Hubbard’s Marina began to oversee three competitor attractions – Royal Conquest Pirate Ship, Dolphin Quest and Shark Boat Tours Nov. 3 – the day the deal closed. 

The financial specifics of the deal remain undisclosed. 

“It opens Hubbard’s Marina up to more opportunities,” Hubbard said. “That’s what we’re all about. We are a family-owned and operated business that’s family oriented.” 

This diversification has expanded the company, so that it is not so “heavily fishing oriented,” he added. 

The Royal Conquest Pirate Ship is a two-level, 46-foot replica of a classic pirate vessel.

Dolphin Quest allows guests to experience dolphin sightings through narrated eco-tours. The boat is also used for sunset cruises. 

The Shark Boat is in the shape of its namesake. However, riders shouldn’t expect to see any great whites or hammerheads. The vessel was also designed for dolphin-sighting experiences. 

It was Sunshine Scenic Tours’ owners Dustin and Renee O’Neal who presented Hubbard with an opportunity to purchase the company’s assets. Additionally, the deal included the transfer of around 20 employees. 

Hubbard said that they could have put the vessels on the open market, but chose to offer him a package deal to ensure their employees had a “safe landing.” 

The O’Neal family purchased Sunshine Scenic Tours, then known as Florida Scenic Tours, in 2019. 

The boats’ names and themes will remain the same. However, Hubbard hopes to collaborate with his new team members to identify what works well and where changes could be made to improve the customer experience. 

Hubbard’s Marina was also selected to operate the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority’s Tampa Bay Ferry in September. A funding agreement between Tampa and St. Petersburg was approved by both city councils Nov. 6. 

Dustin and Renee O’Neal did not respond to a request for comment.