Photo by Wen McNally The Captains of Lazaretto Creek (Captain Mike’s Dolphin Tours) By Jimmy Prosser What started as a blind date more than 44 years ago, has turned the now happily married couple of Mike and Iris Scarbrough into two very successful business owners here on Tybee. Mike came to Georgia from Alabama, Iris grew up outside of Atlanta, they had a family, and Iris was offered an early retirement from Bell South. Mike travelled for business, and he was often gone five days a week, constantly having to leave Iris behind. “We decided we wanted a slower pace of life,” Iris told me, but the look on her face says they took on more than they could have ever imagined. Mike and Iris purchased the marina at Lazaretto Creek 27 years ago. Back then it had a dilapidated dock, two shrimp boats operating out of it, and a few small structures that came with the property. Purchasing the property was no problem, but coming up with the funds to make the necessary repairs was a little trickier. “No one wants to give you a loan when you don’t have money, but once you have money they all want to give you a loan,” Iris told me. One of the largest obstacles of opening the marina was being told by the inspector that the entire dock had to be removed and put back in. Iris was not willing to accept this, and using her business experience, she met with the necessary people and was able to prove that the dock only needed minor repairs. In the beginning Mike did a lot of the work himself, working hard to build up the dock and properties. “We used a lot of credit cards,” Iris chuckled. “I can tell you how many square feet of treated lumber you can get for $5,000,” she added with a smile. Mike worked full time at the marina, trying to turn it in to what we see today, with Iris by their side, although she admitted to taking a job in Savannah for the first six years. “I thought it would be nice to have money to buy groceries.” The struggles of owning a business were tough, but it’s very easy to tell it all paid off. 4 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | JUNE 2017 When asked about Captain Mike’s Dolphin Tours, Iris told me, “Mike was looking for something for a family to do at a reasonable price.” Back in the late 80s and early 90s, the only way to get on the water around Tybee was to charter a boat, $300 for four hours. Mike purchased their first boat three years after acquiring the marina, a 27 foot retired Navy boat that carried 15 passengers. Back when they first opened, the price of admission was $5 for kids and $12 for adults. Now more than 24 years later, the price has only increased from $3 to $8 per child, and $15 per adult. Their fleet has also increased to five boats, although one is currently sitting on dry land not being used. Today Iris can be found working in the office, with Mike out and about on the property. Mike no longer captains the tours since they have multiple people who do that for them. When I asked what their plans are for the future, Iris said, “Mike’s semi-retired, he’s been trying to hand in his resignation, but I won’t take it.” Mike is just too valuable to the operation to hang his hat up. When asked about the best part of the job, Iris lit up and said, “The smiles on people’s faces, no complaints, the field trips, most everyone is happy coming off the boat.” She told me occasionally they have marriage proposals on board. Who could blame them? After getting the opportunity to go out on the water myself, I have to say that Mike and Iris’s hard work and dedication to the locals and tourists of Tybee has really paid off. The salt air, the wonderful tour guide, and of course the beautiful wild dolphins made for quite a memory! If you’re looking for a tour you won’t soon forget, skip the trollies in Savannah and come make some memories on an hour long tour with Mike and Iris. Captain Mike’s Dolphin Tours is located at 180 Old Tybee Rd., Tybee Island GA, at the Lazeretto Creek Bridge. Tour times change daily, for reservations please visit tybeedolphins.com.
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