Frequently Asked Questions

The River Skipper II can accommodate up to 40 passengers according to US Coast Guard regulations. She's a 45-foot Trident pontoon, the largest tiki boat in Florida and the only one on the Manatee River.

Yes! We have a full restroom with running water onboard the River Skipper II, a comfort you won't find on most charter boats in the area.

Yes. We can accommodate wheelchairs and walkers aboard the River Skipper II. Everyone deserves a day on the water, just give us a call so we can ensure a smooth boarding experience.

Yes. Our boat has padded seating, tables, and a layout designed for comfort. Give us a heads-up when you book and we'll do our best to accommodate any needs.

The River Skipper II is US Coast Guard inspected annually and meets all safety regulations. All required safety equipment is current and onboard. Your safety is our first priority on every cruise.

We do not sell food or drinks aboard, but we have complimentary water and ice for your cooler. We found that letting guests bring their own food and drinks, and skip the boat-bar markup, is the best deal for everyone. Bring your favorites and make it your own!

Yes. You're welcome to bring your own beer, wine, cocktails, or anything else. During Pub Crawls, note that the bars don't allow alcohol to be taken off the boat, but you're free to bring it on with you.

Bring your favorite food and drinks in a cooler, flat soft-soled shoes (no heels or hard soles on the boat), sunscreen, a hat, and your camera. We provide the water and ice.

We offer a 10:00 AM Guided Tour, a 1:00 PM Guided Tour, and a Sunset Party Cruise (departing ~45 minutes before sunset), all two hours long. We also offer four-hour experiences including a River Pub Crawl, a Gulf Beach Run, and fully custom Private Charters. See all tours and prices →

Yes. Our guided day tours include narration covering the history, ecology, and wildlife of the Manatee River and surrounding waterways, delivered with a light-hearted and entertaining style.

Expect to cruise the Manatee River, Terra Ceia Bay, and out toward Lower Tampa Bay and the Gulf. You'll get history, ecology, and local stories, plus frequent sightings of dolphins, manatees, and native bird life.

Yes, children are very welcome on our 10 AM and 1 PM guided day tours. However, our Sunset Cruise is adult-oriented, featuring loud music, drinking, and an adult atmosphere. We recommend leaving young children at home for that one.

Yes, as long as the lyrics are not explicit. We have to maintain good relations with our neighbors along the river and have had complaints in the past about explicit content being audible from the shore. Thank you for understanding!

Yes, our Sunset Party Cruise is one of our most popular experiences. We depart about 45 minutes before sunset, watch the sun go down over the Gulf, then cruise back upriver with music and dancing as night falls.

Yes, we strongly recommend booking in advance to guarantee your spot. That said, if you happen to be at the marina as we're getting ready to depart and there are open seats, we may accept last-minute walk-ons, call us to check.

Yes. Private tours and full charters can be arranged with a simple phone call. We require a minimum of 25 reserved seats and a 25% deposit to hold the boat for private events.

Yes, group rates are available. Give us a call at (941) 209-0203 and we'll work out the best arrangement for your group.

Absolutely. We specialize in customized cruises for birthdays, weddings, corporate outings, graduations, memorials, baptisms, anniversary parties, you name it. Call us and we'll make it happen exactly the way you envision.

Your ticket covers the boat, the cruise, the guided narration (on day tours), and complimentary water and ice. Food and drinks are BYOB, we don't sell refreshments aboard, which keeps our prices lower than the competition.