Meet J.J. Botelho, a Fort Walton Beach native who’s turned a lifetime on local waters into the perfect family tradition.

• As a former boat captain in Destin for over 10 years before transitioning to real estate and mortgage lending, J.J. brings a unique perspective to family boating – one that combines professional boating experience with the joy of sharing these adventures with his wife Asha and their twin daughters.

For J.J., can’t remember a time when his family wasn’t on the water together growing up here, and now he’s passing that same love to the next generation. Whether they’re launching their 21-foot Cape Horn fishing boat from Poquito Bayou at dawn or taking the 24-foot pontoon from their lift for a leisurely day under the Destin bridge, every trip is a chance to create memories while staying connected to their Emerald Coast roots.

From rescue stories to the simple joy of watching dolphins play with the family dog, J.J.’s water wisdom runs deep. His advice for newcomers? Ask questions, understand the currents, and always keep an eye on your crew. But most importantly, embrace the fact that around here, boating is simply a way of life.

Who are you bringing along on a typical boat day?

My wife and two daughters… Sometimes my Mom, sister, and nieces as well!

How long have you been boating locally?

I am born and raised on the Emerald Coast. I can’t think of a time we didn’t boat together as a family!

What do boat days mean to your family — relaxing, adventure, a little bit of both?

Relaxing for the adults, but it’s all adventure for the kids. They loved to catch fish, hermit crabs, or whatever else they can fit in their nets!

Do you have a slip, or do you launch from a specific ramp?

We have a pontoon boat and a fishing boat. The pontoon we keep in a lift on the Intracoastal and the fishing boat we launch from Poquito Bayou where we live.

Where’s your favorite spot to anchor and spend the day?

We typically spend our days under the Destin bridge where we can find shade or on the local islands in the sound.

What kind of boat do you have?

We have a 24ft pontoon and a 21 ft Cape Horn fishing boat.

What’s your typical timeline — quick morning ride or full-day outing?

I’d say we typically do half days. Leave around 9am and come back around 3pm. Of course if we’re fishing we will leave before daylight and come in around noon!

What’s packed in your cooler or boat bag every time?

Everything the kids require! Drinks, snacks, lunch, and whatever else we can fit! 🙂

What’s your go-to playlist or favorite boat-day song?

We typically bluetooth into the speakers and listen to mostly country while we’re on the water! Favorite Song for the girls on the boat is probably “Your Ways Better” or “I’m So Blessed!”

What’s the best part about being on the water?

Just enjoying the beautiful surroundings, time with friends/family, and the cool water when it’s hot out is always refreshing. For me I like to fish, so that’s always a bonus!

Have you had any “can’t believe this happened” moments while boating?

I could write a long list to cover this question! Being that I was a boat captain for over 10 years I have seen countless errors made by boaters where we’ve had to pull people out of the water in bad situations. I think the worst was when I saw a boat’s gas tank blow up right next to us and rescued the people as the boat sank. Luckily it was underneath and nobody was seriously hurt from the explosion!

Do you still stop and stare when you see dolphins?

Every single time! As much as fisherman dislike the dolphins as they tend to outsmart us, I’ve always had a soft spot, and my girls are head over heels for them! I’ve even had times where they’ve seen the dog on the boat and been super playful getting close and interacting together. It’s hard not to like an animal as intelligent as a dolphin!

Do you prefer exploring new areas or sticking to the same spot?

We typically have our “normal” spots, but we’ve developed our go to locations over the years of exploring all of the area.

Are you the captain, the snack person, the DJ… or all three?

I am the Capt and DJ always! Mom usually takes care of the snacks!

Do you ever do sunset cruises?

Sometimes, but we don’t typically put the boat in just to see the sunset. If we stay out late we may go get dinner at Boshamps or the Gulf and enjoy the sunset and fresh seafood!

What makes a boat day better than a beach day for your crew?

I think it’s the being on the water part. Enjoying cruising on the water and the less amount of sand and hot walks to and from the car with all of your beach gear!

What are some local events you always head to the water for?

Growing up we did Bowlegs every year, but it seems to be a lot different than it ever was when we were kids. The one day we are always on the water is 4th of July! We love to catch the boat parades and blessing of the fleet events in the Destin Harbor as well!

Any advice for people looking to do their first boat day around here?

Ask questions! Talk to experienced boaters, and figure out what the do’s and don’ts of our area are. You can run into a lot of trouble quickly on certain days where the currents are moving. The outgoing tide around Destin can pull currents as fast as a river and pull someone off of Crab Island quickly. Make sure you understand what you’re up against and where the safest places are to be. Keep an eye on your crew ALWAYS!

Anything else you want to add?

Boating around here is a way of life. It’s literally in our DNA! I couldn’t imagine a life without it, and we are so grateful for the memories we get to make together!