MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — As the skull and cross bones fly high in the wind and your ship sets sail into the blue waters off John's Pass, that's when your pirate ship adventure begins.

A talented crew takes you along for a swashbuckling adventure with Sunshine Scenic Tours, a local company that prides itself on its talented staff. 

One of those members is a local man, or pirate, that's in charge of navigation, Capt. Tim.

Tim grew up on the water living in a small beach town in Texas, where his father introduced him to the joys of boating. 

“My dad had boats, so I grew up around and grew up running those boats," he explained, "When I got out of high school, I knew I wanted to be a captain and I didn't necessarily know it would be my full-time career, but I got my captain's license and started running boats.” 

He received his license in the 1990s. Since then he's worked all over, but in the last few years, he's made Sunshine Scenic Tours his full-time gig, spending his days as the captain of this pirate ship. It's something with which he's more than content. 

“I have a past history in the medical field, and you know that was tough to get up to and go into the ER everyday, not knowing what chaos you'd walk into. But now I get to drive boats full time. I mean, just look at my office," Tim said. 

On these tours, Tim and his crew of pirates take guests on a 90-minute excursion aboard the Royal Conquest, and the group will entertain and delight the youngest to the oldest guests aboard.

They give you scenic panoramic views of John's Pass and the surrounding areas, floating past multimillion-dollar homes and hosts of unique wildlife. It's an enchanting day filled with pirate fun and some of the best views in the Sunshine State. 

Sunshine Scenic Tours operates seven days a week out of John's Pass in Madeira Beach. They ask that you book your reservation ahead of time.