Amelia Island Floating Tiki Boat Cruise: BYOB with Captain

Bring your drinks and set the pace on your own tiki boat

A 90-minute private tiki boat cruise on Amelia Island's Intercoastal Waterway with a local captain, cooler stocked with ice and bottled water, and Bluetooth sound system included. You bring beverages and snacks. The boat handles the rest. Stops include the Amelia River marshes, Egan's Creek backwaters and possible dolphin sightings, with routes beginning and ending in the Fernandina Beach Historic District.

Step-by-step itinerary

Amelia Island Floating Tiki Boat Cruise

• Begin tour in Fernandina Beach Historic District
• Cruise Amelia River, spot wildlife and boats
• Explore Egan's Creek backwaters and Fort Clinch
• Enjoy BYOB tiki boat with cooler and ice
• End tour back in Fernandina Beach Historic District

The experience

What makes this different from a standard tour boat is that you're not following a fixed itinerary. You're steering the day. The captain knows the Amelia River, Egan's Creek and the backwaters where dolphins, blue herons and osprey show up, but you decide the mood. Bring your own drinks and snacks, load them into the Yeti cooler stocked with ice, queue up your playlist on the Bluetooth sound system, and cruise for 90 minutes. The boat is built for this: comfortable seating, shade, and everything you need to make it feel like your own floating bar instead of a tour you're riding along on.

The route moves through the Intercoastal Waterway's marshes and uninhabited islands, past shipping traffic and fishing boats, then cuts into Egan's Creek where Fort Clinch State Park edges one bank and small private marinas line the other. Wildlife isn't guaranteed, but the waterways hold dolphins, egrets, blue herons, osprey and the occasional Florida alligator. You start and finish in the Fernandina Beach Historic District, which means you can grab lunch or browse the shops before or after without the boat tour eating your whole afternoon.

The captain is a local who reads the water and knows where to linger. Pets are welcome aboard, and the boat is wheelchair accessible, so mobility or a service animal won't keep you off the water. This works for a romantic sunset float, a small group celebration, or just a few friends who want to be on the water without the structure of a guided tour.

What’s included

• Yeti cooler stocked with ice and bottled water.
• Bluetooth sound system.
• local captain with knowledge of dolphin spots, sandbars and backwater routes.
• 90-minute cruise on the Intercoastal Waterway, Amelia River and Egan's Creek.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:30, 12:30, 14:30 and 16:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (6 to 17 years) · Child (2 to 5 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Cruisin Tikis Amelia Island

Is this one for you?Book this if you're traveling with a small group or friends who want control over the day. The boat is yours to set the tone, the captain handles navigation and wildlife knowledge, and you decide what to drink and how long to linger at each stop.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 17 years); Child (2 to 5 years); Infant (under 2).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I really bring whatever drinks I want on the Amelia Island tiki boat?

Yes, BYOB is the whole point. You bring your own beverages and snacks. The boat provides the cooler, ice, bottled water and a Bluetooth speaker so you control the soundtrack.

What wildlife might I actually see on the Intercoastal Waterway?

Dolphins, egrets, blue herons and osprey are common along the Amelia River and Egan's Creek. Florida alligators show up occasionally in the backwaters, though sightings are never guaranteed.

How long is the cruise and where does it start?

The cruise runs 90 minutes and begins and ends in the Fernandina Beach Historic District, so you have time to explore the shops and restaurants there before or after your time on the water.

Can I bring my dog or a service animal?

All pets are welcome aboard, and service animals are allowed. The boat is also fully wheelchair accessible if you need it.

Is this a private boat or will I be sharing with strangers?

You can book the boat as a private charter for your group, or join a social cruise with other small groups. You choose the vibe when you book.