Whether or not you’re making an attempt to impress your out of city friends, have a good time an important day, or simply have a enjoyable weekend on the water, getting on a ship someplace round Tampa Bay is a good possibility. However the place do you even begin?
You don’t want a good friend with a yacht nowadays. We’ve rounded out quite a lot of methods to get on the water with out proudly owning a ship, from small vessels to massive excursions.
GetMyBoat
Billed as an Airbnb for boats, GetMyBoat first launched in San Francisco in 2013 with the purpose of constructing boating extra accessible. The platform now has over 3,000 listings in Florida.
“[Boat clubs] are good in case you plan to exit loads, however they require a fairly hefty preliminary charge simply to have entry to the boats,” mentioned GetMyBoat spokesperson Val Streif. “We wish to join individuals to what they need, when they need it.”
Boat homeowners can hire out their vessels to make a bit additional money. Passengers can discover boats of all sizes, from modest fishing boats ($60-$150 an hour) to bigger pontoons ($100-$250 an hour) and luxurious yachts (beginning round $300 an hour). Don’t know the right way to drive a ship? You’ll be able to e-book a chartered voyage with an skilled captain. getmyboat.com.
Tiki excursions
Image sipping in your favourite drink below a thatch cover, bobbing alongside the waves at sundown. Floating tiki bars are a well-liked approach for big teams to get on the water and have a good time the whole lot from company retreats to engagements. Prime Video’s lesbian actuality TV present, “Tampa Baes,” even chartered one for an episode. Simply don’t neglect to deliver your personal drinks.
Tiki Boat Tampa presents customized excursions in addition to a 90-minute journey alongside the Hillsborough River, which passes by key downtown landmarks. All voyages are are chartered by licensed captains, and these floating tiki bars even embody bogs onboard. tikiboattampa.com.
Cruisin’ Tikis has excursions accessible in Tampa in addition to Clearwater Seaside and St. Petersburg. Coolers with ice and a Bluetooth speaker are offered. cruisintikistampabay.com.
Cycle boats
“Whether or not you name us a BOAT, name us a BIKE, or name us a PADDLE PUB, one factor you’ll name us is an unforgettable expertise!” reads the homepage of Kraken CycleBoats. This two-hour cruise alongside the Hillsborough River comes with a captain and crew, plus memento cups and coolers. Passengers pedal their toes to energy the trip, however there’s additionally a motor if of us get drained. Ebook for $45 per seat, or reserve the entire boat, which is massive sufficient for 15 friends, for $585 (taxes and charges excluded). krakencycleboats.com
Searching for the same expertise in Pinellas? Paddle Pub Clearwater units sail from Clearwater Seaside. Personal excursions begin at $499 on weekdays. paddlepub.com/clearwater.
Spongeorama Cruiselines
Step aboard this sightseeing cruise on the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks for an aquatic journey that features views of the Anclote River and its historic landmarks. Spongeorama Cruiseline presents each sundown and dolphin cruises, plus charters. Drinks and snacks can be found onboard, in addition to bogs. Tickets begin at $14.95, with low cost pricing for seniors, navy and youngsters. spongeoramacruiselines.com.
Pirate Water Taxi
If you happen to’ve strolled alongside downtown Tampa’s Riverwalk, you’ve seen these banana-yellow vessels buzzing alongside the water. These water taxis function seven days per week, providing day passes that enable passengers to hop on and off at their leisure to discover places like Davis Islands and Sparkman Wharf. The Pirate Water Taxi additionally presents an annual go ($199.95) in addition to particular excursions for holidays, from a Gasparilla Invasion Cruise to Mom’s Day and Memorial Day Cruises. Name 813-223-7999 or go to piratewatertaxi.com.
Scalloping charters
It’s to not quickly to start out dreaming about scalloping season, which begins July 1 and runs by way of Sept. 24 in Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties. The Tampa Bay Times went out with a captain from the Plantation on Crystal River’s Adventure Center final summer season.
A captain will take you out for a scenic trip, discover the most effective cease to anchor and supply all the required gear and suggestions that will help you scoop up a bagful of scallops. plantationadventurecenter.com.
Ideas for boat rental success
Rory Conforti, who rents out his boats with GetMyBoat and on his personal web site, floatboating.com, shared suggestions for fulfillment when utilizing the platform. Additionally they apply to different leases.
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Gathering a bunch of pals or combining households is a good way to unfold out the price of a ship rental.
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Know your group dimension forward of time, and keep it up. “You by no means wish to max out a ship,” he mentioned. “Some individuals will attempt to match as many individuals as they will on a ship. That’s a no-no.”
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Be aware of various waterways and your consolation stage earlier than reserving in case you plan to drive. Lake boaters, for instance, may have to arrange earlier than reserving a saltwater boating journey, which comes with completely different wind situations and obstacles like sand bars and oyster beds.
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Ebook early for occasions and holidays like Gasparilla and the Fourth of July.
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Inform your captain forward of time in case you’re celebrating a particular occasion, like a bachelorette celebration or a birthday. They could have a particular route or enjoyable contact they pull out for the event.
Produce other boat suggestions? Love an area firm that didn’t make it on the record? E mail [email protected].
