About this tour
When Sarah from our team booked the Cruisin Tikis private charter in Key Largo, we got a floating tiki bar to ourselves for 90 minutes of pure Keys indulgence. The boat holds up to six people, and you're free to anchor up for a swim, crank whatever playlist you fancy through the iPad speaker system, and keep an eye out for dolphins or manatees drifting past. It's the kind of low-key, boozy afternoon that feels more like borrowing a mate's boat than joining a tour—except someone else handles the navigation and keeps the ice flowing.
Highlights
- Private boat means your own music, your own pace, no stranger small talk
- Flip raft deployed for swimming stops—refreshing dip in proper warm Keys water
- YETI cooler stocked with ice and bottled water included; you bring the spirits
- Wildlife spotting potential: dolphins and manatees regularly cruise the same waters
- ShotSKI board onboard because nothing says Florida Keys like synchronized shots
- Life jackets provided for all ages, actually enforced, properly fitted
- Shallow draft means access to shallow flats where bigger boats can't venture
What to expect
Sarah's crew arrived at the marina, got fitted with life jackets (non-negotiable, which we appreciated), and climbed aboard a proper floating tiki setup. The first 20 minutes is cruising through the turquoise shallows while someone queues up the playlist. You'll anchor in a swimming zone—the water's warm, visibility is decent, and the raft gets deployed so you can bob around without worrying about currents. Back onboard, someone inevitably cracks open the cooler, and the vibe shifts to pure relaxation. The skipper knows the local wildlife patterns, so if dolphins are about, you'll swing closer. The whole thing feels less 'organized tour' and more 'friends with a boat and good taste in spirits.'
Good to know
This is genuinely fun if your group likes each other and doesn't need structured activities. Six-person max keeps it intimate, and the private option means no haggling for deck space or tolerating someone else's playlist choices. Life jackets for everyone—including kids and infants—is taken seriously. Swimming stop is the highlight for most.
You're bringing your own drinks (they don't sell alcohol), so budget for that separately. No drinks included means you're paying cooler-cost upfront but keeping cash on the day. It's 90 minutes of mostly floating, so if your crew gets restless easily, it might drag. Sun exposure is relentless—you'll need serious sunscreen and a hat. Not wheelchair-accessible onto the boat itself, though they do accommodate service animals. Bring a towel and don't expect a shower after. Gratuity (20% suggested) isn't included. Peak times are sunset slots and weekends. Best for groups of 4–6 who actually want to swim and chat, not Instagram hunters.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.