After you have spent enough time on the beach, you may be looking for a new way to experience the ocean.
If this is the case, then a boat tour is a great option for getting a new perspective on your favorite vacation destination and spending time with friends and family.
Naples is a luxury travel destination, and going on a boat tour can give you the opportunity to see the beautiful sights and beachfront properties that make the Naples/Port Royal area so special.
If you are interested in going on a boat tour, keep reading! Here’s the only boat tour checklist you will ever need to have a great time on a small, Naples sightseeing boat tour.
Know Your Surroundings
The Naples area is a beautiful section of the southwest Florida coast on the Gulf of Mexico. Our area is known for its high-end shopping, luxury real estate, golfing, and fantastic beaches.
There are miles of beaches in Naples. The water is calm and blue, and the sand is so white and fine that many people compare it to sugar! It is a great place for a vacation, and you may spend days just laying out in the sun and enjoying the beautiful water.
If you are here on vacation and you have spent a lot of time on the beach, then you may be interested in getting off the shore! Choosing the right boat tour can help you get out onto the water in style.
Choose the Right Tour
The tour that you choose will depend on the time you want to depart, the ages of the people you want to bring, and the kind of experience you want to have. There are options for people with a variety of different interests.
If you have questions about any of the following tours, don’t hesitate to contact the tour company to find out more.
Keep reading to learn about our different tour options.
Naples Sunset Cruise or Dinner Cruise
If you are looking for a relaxing evening out on the water, this is a great option for you. The Captain will take you to the best places in Downtown Naples and Port Royal to watch the sunset and all of its beauty.
If you want a quiet evening out with friends or an intimate setting for a date with your partner, this cruise comes highly recommended.
Cocktail Booze Cruise
If you are looking for a celebration, then this is the boat tour option for you. A party of six can come aboard and enjoy our booze cruise.
With views of some of the biggest mansions on the Florida coast and a breathtaking sunset, you will be drinking and celebrating in style!
Please remember when choosing your party that the drinking age in the U.S.A. is 21 years old and over.
Manatee and Dolphin Watching
This option is perfect for families with children or for adults who are interested in marine wildlife.
We have been giving tours for decades, and our company is run by Naples locals. Our captains will be able to take you to places where dolphin and manatee watching is unparalleled.
Bring a camera or phone and you might be able to catch a selfie with a dolphin as it leaps from the water!
Private Boat Tour Option
This option gives you and five other people up to two hours of time on one of our boats. This is great for a morning trip or a private party!
This option is also cheaper than the other tours due to its shorter time frame.
Gather Financial Information
Before you can sign up for a boat tour, you should make sure you know the cost! All of the boat tours mentioned above are $750. If you are looking for a cheaper option, a shortened, two-hour sunset tour is only $550.
You may choose to pay for the tour yourself, or you may want to split the cost of the trip with your travel partners.
Invite Your Travel Partners for a Boat Tour
Once you have picked the tour you want to go on, it is time to choose your travel partners. Our boats can accommodate parties of up to six people, so there are a lot of options!
When you invite your travel partners, make sure they know that this is a boat tour so that they can inform you of any motion sickness problems they may have.
Group of Adults
Our tours can accommodate parties of six, so feel free to invite your friends (or just your partner if you want a romantic evening on the water). If you are planning on drinking, please remember that the legal drinking age in the U.S.A. is 21 years old.
Our boat tours are great for small birthday or wedding parties, but they can also be an interesting option for showing clients around town or taking your partner out for a romantic anniversary surprise.
Including the Kids
Our Private Boat Tour Option and our Dolphin and Manatee Watching Tours are great for kids. If you are planning a birthday party, or you just want a nice family day, your kids are more than welcome aboard!
Pack for Protection
As with any interaction with a large vehicle, you always want to be thinking about safety first. Our boat tours are fun and a unique experience–but safety is always our Captains’ priority.
Boat Safety
Because you are booking a boat tour, there is less work you have to do to ensure that your trip goes as smoothly as possible.
The Captain will ensure that all of the necessary paperwork, inspections, and supplies have been seen to before departure. All of our boat tours have Coast Guard-approved life jackets for adults, children, and infants.
For your safety, be sure to follow all of the instructions the Captain gives.
If you are going on a Cocktail “Booze” Cruise, make sure that you can follow all necessary safety procedures and that you help your friends and family to do so as well.
Sun Protection
While this is not much of an issue for a Sunset Cruise, if you are going to be Manatee and Dolphin Watching, then you should pack a few things to help protect you from the sun’s harmful rays.
- Sunglasses can protect your eyes from the strong light reflections off of the water
- Sunscreen and Lip Balm with a high SPF to protect your skin
- A wide-brimmed hat and a long sleeve shirt (this is especially important if you have sensitive skin or you are bringing children)
Nothing can make you feel bad like sun damage. Make the most of your time on your boat cruise by avoiding severe sunburn and blisters!
Technology
Bringing your phone with you on a boat tour is a great choice! Not only can it be helpful in an unforeseen emergency situation, but, more commonly, it is a great way to capture the experience to share with your friends and family.
If you are bringing your phone, please be sure to get a waterproof phone case from a trusted manufacturer. And do not forget to pack your charger!
Pack for Comfort
Depending on the time of year, the time of day, and the weather, you might need to pack different supplies to stay comfortable.
Staying Dry
In a boat, you are surrounded by water. Even if you are planning on a romantic night with your partner on a Sunset Cruise, you never know if you might need a change of clothes! Packing an extra shirt or a towel can come in handy if there is unexpected rain or a splash of water.
Stocking Up on Drinks
Be sure to pack drinks to bring on your cruise! We will have a cooler full of ice waiting for you. But if you want to bring juice for your kids or a bottle of your favorite wine, you are welcome to do so.
Hydrating fruits like watermelon can be a great snack to beat the heat, as well.
Don’t forget to pack a reusable water bottle to avoid pollution!
Keeping Warm
The temperatures do not drop much down here in Florida, but if you will be with us after the sun goes down, make sure you pack a jacket or sweater to stay warm.
The temperature will drop slightly, and there will be a constant breeze from the movement of the boat. You may need to bring something to help you stay warm.
If you are going on a tour during the winter months when it is cooler, this is very important.
Pack for Fun
This is especially important when traveling with kids! Bringing some of your kids’ favorite games can make the trip go by smoothly. Here are some activity ideas for the boat tour:
- Coloring a picture of the sunset
- Designing their own Florida mansion
- Playing a card game (bring waterproof cards)
- Creating their own sea creature out of modeling clay
- Reading a book about marine wildlife
Don’t forget to pack a waterproof camera if you have one! This can help you document your trip and all of your kids’ adventures.
Keeping an Eye on the Weather
If there is inclement weather, you can expect a phone call from the Captain concerning your trip. If you are concerned about an upcoming weather system, feel free to contact the Captain or a designated crew member with your questions.
Know Your Departure Information
Sunset and dinner cruises depart one hour before sunset. For other departure information, be sure to check with the Captain before your tour date. They will be happy to share all of the necessary information with you and your party.
On the day of the tour, please arrive at the Naples Bay Resort in time (accounting for traffic and such) so that you can make the most of your time on the boat!
If you want to arrive at the resort early (just to be safe) feel free to explore their different dining and amenities options.
Are You Ready to Set Sail?
The Naples area is one of the most beautiful places in the United States. If you are here visiting our area, make the most of your trip by heading out on the water and getting views of the most beautiful properties on the Florida coast.
Whether you are looking for a day out with your kids or a night out with the girls, you will love going on a boat tour in Naples. If you are thinking about going on your first boat tour–you are in for an amazing experience you will remember for a lifetime.
Interested in learning more about our boat tours, check out our offerings on our Services Page.
