Paradise Cycle Boat Cruise Owners Paddling Their Passion

A love of local waters and a desire to chart their own course has led two enterprising young Lely High School graduates to become first-time business owners. 

Marco Island-born and bred brothers Tarkan and Kayhan Peksen are the new owners of Paradise Cycle Boat Cruises. Based at Rose Marina, the business provides a variety of different tours of bays and waterways that highlight the island’s aquatic wildlife and overall beauty. 

As business owners, Tarkan, 27, and Kayhan, 23, are following in the well-trod footsteps of their parents. Refik and Figen Peksen have owned a gas station near the corner of U.S. 41 and San Marco Road since 1989.

“They were always business owners,” said Tarkan. “That's where we got our entrepreneurship ideals from.” The brothers purchased Paradise Cycle Boat Cruises in October from Marco residents Mike and Deborah Passero, who started the business in 2019. 

A 35-foot, custom-built pontoon catamaran is used for the excursions. Festooned in red, white and blue, and American flags, the craft is billed as the island’s “only direct-drive, human-powered, paddlewheel boat.” For those who simply want to cruise, the craft can also be propelled by a motor.

“What makes this boat so special is there are a bunch of different layers to the things you can do out there,” said Kayhan. “We’re an eco-tour, so we show you all the wildlife and all the houses around Marco. We also have different elements: we play music, we have trivia games, and we have the cycle stations, which are an option for people. Along with all the other stuff, the onboard activities make it fun. Wildlife isn’t predictable. It's not always there. But either way, you're always going to have a good time because of all the other things that we have.”

Passengers can also receive and win a variety of free prizes and souvenirs, including a spinning wheel containing gift cards to Marco restaurants.

“At night, after the sunset, we light this boat up with a thousand LED lights and turn the music up a little bit,” noted Tarkan. “People are dancing and it's like Marco's party on the water. So that makes us a little different.”

However, he stressed the fact that wholesome, family-oriented fun is also a focal point. 

“It's a great thing for families, kids especially,” he added. “We have a bunch of activities for kids, as well, when we go out. So it's a good time for everyone. There are no age restrictions.”

Not surprisingly, being on, in and around Marco’s waters has always been part of the brother’s lives, including working for providers of shelling, manatee and dolphin tours. While growing up, they even harbored dreams of having their own tour boat. 

But college came first for them both. 

Tarkan graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2020 with a degree in health science. After receiving his diploma, he worked as a personal trainer for a while and continued working for tour providers. He found that health-related professions weren’t a passion, unlike being on the water. 

In May, Kayhan received a degree in economics from Florida State University, but he found that field of study really didn’t move him. 

“Although I do like math and stuff like that, I always liked the boat more, so I knew I wanted to do something on the water. It's hard to find something that blends economics and the water,” he added with a smile. 

“We were just bouncing around doing different jobs, working on boats. This was a goal of ours, but we never thought the opportunity would happen so soon. So I've been blessed with the opportunity to be able to graduate and then start operating a business like this.”

Michael Passero praised the brothers for continuing the mission he and his wife shared of bringing people to Marco’s waters to enjoy the ecology, marine life and to have a great experience with family and friends. 

“It was encouraging to see Tarkan and Kayhan with their entrepreneurial spirit, their love of the water and their love for the boat,” he added. “They actually knew this boat and enjoyed it before they even had the opportunity to be partners and owners of it. So it was our joy to be able to give them the opportunity to be entrepreneurs here on Marco Island and carry on a tradition that’s been very favorable to us and to the community.”

Passengers' reactions during and after a tour are something that brings the Peksens joy. 

“With many of the timeshares, a lot of people that vacation here, they come on the boat,” said Tarkan Peksen. “A lot of times they say, ‘We've been coming here for 25 years, and this is the most fun we've had. I never knew this existed. And I wish I’d known earlier because I would be coming every year.’ Seeing all the smiling faces, seeing everyone have fun, that's very rewarding.”

Paradise Cycle Boat Cruises is located at Rose Marina, A- Dock, Slip #17, 951 Bald Eagle Drive. For more information, visit paradisecycleboat.com/ or call 300-8176.