| Quick answer For young kids, choose a short trip (1.5 to 2 hours) on a stable boat with a restroom, shade and properly sized life jackets. Mornings are usually cooler and calmer, sandbar trips suit kids who like to swim, and sunset cruises suit older kids and teens. Ask whether the price is per person regardless of age, because that changes the math for babies and toddlers. |
Getting kids out on Sarasota Bay is one of the easiest wins of a Florida trip: dolphins, pelicans, warm shallow water and a breeze. The right boat makes the difference between a highlight and a long afternoon. Here is how to choose, what to pack and where we fit.
Pick the right length
For kids under six, a trip of 1.5 to 2 hours is plenty. Older kids who swim will happily spend three hours on a sandbar trip. Longer than that works best on a private charter, where you set the pace and can head back early.
Morning, afternoon or sunset?
- Morning: cooler air and usually calmer water, and a good time to look for dolphins. Best for younger kids and early risers.
- Afternoon sandbar: swimming and wading in shallow water during the warm months. Best for kids who love the water.
- Sunset: the prettiest light, but it can run past dinner and close to bedtime in summer. Best for older kids and teens.
What to look for in a family-friendly boat
- A restroom aboard. With kids, this is not optional.
- Shade. Florida sun is strong even in winter.
- Life jackets that fit. The Coast Guard requires a properly sized life jacket for every person aboard, and Florida requires children under six to wear one on boats under 26 feet while underway. Ask whether the boat carries child sizes, or bring your own.
- A stable, flat boat. Pontoon-style boats rock less than small V-hulls.
- Snacks allowed. Hungry kids end trips early.
- A captain who points out wildlife. Kids remember the dolphin and the manatee, not the boat.
What to pack
- Sunscreen, applied before you board
- Hats and sunglasses
- Water and snacks
- Swimsuits and towels for a sandbar trip
- A light layer for the ride home
- A dry change of clothes
Family options around Sarasota
Beyond tiki boats, families do well on large sightseeing and nature cruises (stable, narrated, often cheaper for little ones), short dolphin tours, sandbar trips, and guided kayak or paddleboard tours through the mangroves for older kids. For a multigenerational group, a private charter keeps everyone together on one boat.
Where Barefoot Tiki fits
All ages are welcome on every Barefoot Tiki cruise. Our boat has a private restroom, a thatched roof for shade, coolers, ice and bottled water, and snacks are welcome. Public cruises are priced per person regardless of age, so for a family with a baby or toddler, a larger boat with child pricing may cost less. We would rather you know that up front.
Families often choose our 1.5-hour Dolphin & Mimosa cruise ($60 per person; the mimosa toast is for guests 21 and over), the three-hour Sandbar Fun cruise ($99 per person, March through November), or a private family charter for up to 16, with free pickup at Nora Patterson Park on Siesta Key. In December, the Holiday Lights Cruise is open to all ages, with hot cocoa and blankets aboard.
Boating with kids FAQ
What is the best boat tour in Sarasota for young kids?
A short morning cruise of 1.5 to 2 hours on a stable boat with a restroom and shade. Dolphin-watching trips work especially well, because there is always something to look for.
Do kids need to wear life jackets on a boat in Florida?
Every boat must carry a properly sized life jacket for each person aboard. Florida law also requires children under six to wear one on boats under 26 feet while the boat is underway. Ask your captain about sizes before you go.
Can kids swim at the sandbar?
Yes, with an adult. Sandbar water is usually shallow, but depth changes with the tide, so younger kids should stay close to a parent and wear a life jacket.
Are kids allowed on a BYOB boat?
On our boat, yes. All ages are welcome, and only guests 21 and over may drink alcohol.
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