Tiki Boat Rental: Crab Island Party Boat in Emerald Coast

Anchor your group at Crab Island with a full bar and no one steering

Rent a 14-passenger tiki boat from Fort Walton Beach for a half-day cruise on the Emerald Coast, complete with a bar top, cooler and lifejackets. Anchor at Crab Island to swim and snorkel in shallow water, or cruise the coastline spotting marine life. You can operate the boat yourself with a valid ID and boater's license, or hire a captain to navigate while your group drinks and swims.

The experience

You've got an afternoon free and a group that wants to get on the water without renting a house or booking a tour. The tiki boat holds up to 14 people and comes stocked with a 70-quart cooler, lifejackets and fuel. You bring the drinks, snacks and whoever's coming. The boat has a bar top and chairs built in, so the setup is already there: no coolers to haul, no makeshift seating. If someone in your group has a valid driver's license and either was born before January 1, 1988, or has taken the Florida boater's safety test, they can operate the boat. If nobody wants to captain it, you can hire one to handle the navigation and let everyone else focus on the day.

Crab Island is the main draw: it's shallow enough to anchor and wade, and the water is clear enough to snorkel. You set the route and the pace. Stay at the island for hours or cruise the Emerald Coast and spot dolphins and other marine life. The boat leaves from Fort Walton Beach, and there's free onsite parking. The marina store sells anything you forgot: drinks, snacks, alcohol, towels, sunglasses, snorkel gear and ice. Check in early on the day of your trip so you have time to shop before you cast off.

The only hard rules are the 14-person cap regardless of age, no grills on the boat, and a valid ID for whoever operates it. Infants sit on an adult's lap. The boat is wheelchair accessible, and all areas and surfaces are accessible. The marina itself is set up for it.

What’s included

• Lifejackets for all passengers.
• 70-quart cooler.
• fuel for the half-day cruise.
• free onsite parking at Fort Walton Beach.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day12 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 14:00Last departure this season: 31 Dec

Book up to1h before

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.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Beach Weekend Marina

Is this one for you?Book this rental if your group is between 4 and 14 people and wants to control the day on the water. You pick the pace, the stops and how long to stay at Crab Island. If nobody in your group wants to captain the boat, hire one and let them handle the navigation while everyone else swims and drinks.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can I operate the boat myself, or do I need to hire a captain?

You can operate the boat yourself if you have a valid driver's license and meet Florida's age requirement: born before January 1, 1988, or you've completed the boater's safety test and obtained a Temporary Florida Boater's License. If no one in your group qualifies or wants to steer, you can hire a captain to navigate while everyone else enjoys the day.

What is Crab Island and what can we do there?

Crab Island is a shallow-water anchorage off the Emerald Coast where the boat can stop so your group can swim and snorkel. The water is clear and shallow enough to wade, making it a popular spot for groups renting boats in the area.

What's included in the rental, and what do we need to bring?

The rental includes lifejackets, a 70-quart cooler, fuel and free onsite parking. Bring your own drinks, snacks and alcohol if you want them. The onsite marina store sells drinks, snacks, alcohol, towels, sunglasses, snorkel gear and ice if you need to shop on the day of your trip. Everyone operating the boat must bring a valid driver's license or ID for age verification.

How many people can the boat hold?

The tiki boat holds a maximum of 14 passengers, regardless of age or size. Infants must sit on an adult's lap.

How long is the rental, and what's the weather like on the water?

The rental is a half-day, 4-hour trip. You'll be on open water, so bring sunscreen, hats and light layers. The Emerald Coast can be sunny and warm, but the wind on the water can feel cooler.