Woodys Last Stand/ Dolphin Watch Nature Tours — Local services in Port Aransas

Bill Gaskins Sr or Jr......noble ,goodman,lifetime local man,representing and honoring a local service that creates lasting memories n experiences that will be carried n shared through generations the kind ve memories that have drawn thousands n thousands back to visit n who knows how many to return to stay....so when you read the sign that says Woodys Last Stand that's pretty much about as accurate n honest sign on any business in town because ya want to get that family experience that you still can while you still can by the one true business and experience that's made this island the gem of what its known for it's beauty n its charm n when you see it you see the beauty all around you ,including yourself n you'll see a whole new outlook on life,love,family,whatever you may be going thru,just might look alot better after a little boat ride out ve Woodys Last Stand...while you can still get that experience,n the memory you'll share w your loved ones group,party,whatever,it's the best money you'll spend on this island cause it'll be a memory you ,yourself whoever you've shared it w.....will last longer than the best room you could rent or the best meal you could get here even if you caught the fish yourself.....you won't remember what the fish tasted like or the decor of the room but you'll remember the boat ride for decades thru genetations......... Take it from a local that's lived here for working on half a century this is what you want if you want a positive lasting experience that can be not only enjoyed but cherished by all......like I said I am a true local I do not work for this company,the man ,the family, although I've done a few little contract labor jobs over the years...but I owe no reviews only the respect to the man ,the family, and the business n service he does n what his company does for one's that wish to be sent off to sea as family n friends are able to attend together as a group to me that alone is priceless and admiral everything about the sign explains the reality n integrity of an opportunity that may never be n the most honest real lifelong local providing you w what has brought so many back again n again......go for it see if any of what i said don't happen to you but I'm sure I'll be long gone by the time you remember what this old local said ,but by then you've gotten the sand in your shoes n underwear so many times you've already been self brainwashed to return to the coast,the beach ,for whatever reason ,.....you'll always remember the boat ride you shared w friends or family ,and so will they!!!!!,apologize for the rant,I don't write reviews, but I do speak my mind on things that should be said..10 out ve 5stars for this man ,the the business he owns n the service he provides its become a cherished memory for thousands ,to me that's a pretty high mark for any man ,company,or entity no matter how big to achieve or even claim n that is factual n it needed to be said,I guess that's why he was appointed the lighthouse keeper also,who knows what else,but we'll deserved good man, solid ethics, money well spent w Woodys Last Stand.....get some of what made this island shine thru so many lives n show brighter on any map while you still can ....who knows things are changing fast call now,...but wait there's more,just...

I made a reservation on Wednesday 4/27/2022 at 12:35pm for myself, my wife & daughter for a Thursday 12:00 to 1:30pm "Dolphin Watch Nature Tour" which seemed fun for us to do. I took snap shops of the 3 tickets & we were all set. At 5:50pm the same day (Wednesday the 27th) I received a text from someone name Tiffanie from "Woody's Last Stand" stating that the noon cruise on Thursday the 28th was canceled due to unforseen events & in the same text asked (did not state) if I would like to take the 6:30 to 8pm Sunset Cruise. I did not see this text until later that night & thought well what can you do & let my wife know we needed to find something else to do the next day. Fast forward to Friday. We get back to Houston & I catch up on my personal emails & find an email from Neptune Charters at 7:23pm (still Wednesday the 27th) stating that my canceled cruise on Thursday afternoon was rebooked to Thursday night. Mind you, no additional text, no phone calls, no additional communication what so ever. I did what anyone would do & called & let them know that I just needed a credit of $111.30 back to my card due to them canceling the my original cruise that I signed up for. I was told by the lady (Tiffanie) that answered that since I did not call her back they automatically rebooked me for the night Sunset Cruise. I stated I had no intentions for the night cruise, (this was not a romantic getaway) it was with our daughter. I was again told that I was text that evening & did not respond so she rebooked me for Thursday night without any communication other than the text that specifically asked (would I like to change to the Sunset Cruise). The email they sent was at 7:23pm on the 27th. The cruise was at 6:30pm on the 28th. That time is only 23 hours. She stated that since I did not cancel within 24 hours of the cruise they would not issue a refund & only give a future credit.

So again time lines -

I book a family cruise at 12:35pm on Wednesday the 27th. I receive a random text at 5:50pm on Wednesday the 27th stating my 12 noon cruise has been canceled.

In the text I am asked (no mention of a rebooking) if I would like to take the 28th at 6:30pm cruise instead.

At 7:23pm still on Wednesday the 27th I am sent an email stating that I now have been rebooked for the Thursday 6:30pm Sunset Cruise only giving me 23 hours & 7 minutes to cancel but yet I could not cancel because they must have a 24 hour notice.

Sorry this is so long but you can not make this story up without all the details...

Here is the actual text & only communication that I received at 5:50pm on Wednesday the 27th -

"Good afternoon this is Tiffanie with Woodys Last Stand. Unfortunately due to something out of our control the 12pm dolphin watch is unable to go out. We do have the sunset trip at 630pm available if you like I can switch yall over to that one. Please let me know thank you".

No where does it state that I would be rebooked or that my cruise was changed & picked at their choice & time nor that I had 24 hours to cancel the cruise that was already less than 24 hours...

There are many other dolphin tours in the area who respect the ocean. Choose any other! The first part of the tour was nice. Like any dolphin tour, we went out and saw a fair amount of dolphins out in the water. That was a great experience! Toward the end, they put a shrimp net in the water for about 10 minutes and then pulled it up. Everything inside the net is dumped into a bucket that they go through and put the contents into a tank for everyone to touch and pick up. A number of the fish come out dead or injured. The ones who survive are put in some shallow water for people to pass around and pick up and mess with. Definitely not humane. My family was so uncomfortable watching the lady dig through the bucket and toss out dead fish that died from the net or were crushed when they were dumped out that we decided to leave and head to the front of the boat away from the touch tank. If I could go back, I would definitely pick a tour that is more respectful of ocean life. All I can say is yikes!! It was too bad because it really put a bit of a damper on the nice time we had at the start of the tour!

BTW...a few days later and what do my kids most remember about their tour? All the dead sea life the lady flippantly tossed out of the bucket saying "Welp, he didn't make it." My 3 year old told me: "That boat ride...