Captain David Grunes

Captain David Grunes is a true waterman with a lifetime of maritime experience. Summers on a lake in Maine fostered a deep connection to the water; in his early twenties he moved to saltwater, exploring the New England coast from Block Island to Boothbay Harbor. Today he navigates the backwaters of the Ten Thousand Islands — and cruises to the Florida Keys on his personal boat when he isn't guiding.

Captain Dave starts every trip by asking, “What will make today special for you?” Whether he's operating the water shuttle on Naples Bay, captaining a Port Royal or Keewaydin Island cruise, or leading a special shelling trip in the Ten Thousand Islands, he brings his signature smile — and tailors the day around your crew.

His deep knowledge of the islands' ecosystem, from shells to wildlife, means the day comes with dolphin spotting, rare finds like the Junonia, and stories about the region's history and natural beauty.

Captains and crew rotate across the fleet and both home ports with the season and the tides, so we can't promise who'll be at your wheel on a given day — but every Sand Dollar trip runs with a local captain, USCG licensed & insured, and a crew that treats your day on the water like their own.

← Back to all captains & crew