Cruising around Key West on a Floating Tiki Boat

Imagine cruising around beautiful Key West, sipping tropical drinks, all while seated at a tiki bar.

Does this sound like something you would like to do?

What’s a Tiki Boat?

A tiki boat, also called a Cruisin’ Tiki, is a floating tiki bar, equipped with barstools, speakers to play your own music, and a captain who will sail your boat in and around Key West. Because of its unique shape and small motor, you slowly drift and bounce over the crystal clear waters of Key West. It’s a fun, relaxing way to spend an afternoon or to watch one of Key West’s legendary sunsets.

Our Experience

On a Saturday morning, Tim and I were wandering around the Key West harbor, looking for something fun to do. With perfect timing, a floating tiki boat pulled up to the dock.

At first, we couldn’t believe what we were seeing. A floating tiki bar? What a revolutionary idea!

It took us completely by surprise. We didn’t even know that this was a “thing” you could do.

The boat just happened to be making a quick pit stop, giving us the chance to talk to the captain. Good luck was on our side and we were able to reserve the afternoon time slot.

My mother, Kathy, and my brother, Thomas, joined us for a 2-hour ride through the crystal clear waters around Key West. Cruisin’ Tikis provides water, ice, cups, and soft drinks, but no food and no alcohol. We purchased Pilar rum in town, more soft drinks, and snacks.

At 2 pm, we boarded the tiki boat at Mellow Café and Gastropub, the docking point for the tiki boat.

For two hours the four of us, and our captain Diana, cruised from Mellow Cafe to Mallory Square and back. It was a very windy day, which created choppy conditions, but the tiki boat just puttered along without any problems.

Along the way we searched for iguanas in the mangrove trees, enjoyed the views, and attracted a lot of stares from people on land. How often do you get to see a tiki boat drifting just offshore of Key West?

The entire excursion was a blast. In fact, it was our favorite thing to do in Key West in 2018 and we did it again on our most recent visit to Key West (2021).

Key West Sunset Cruise on the Cruisin’ Tiki Boat

On our second cruise with Cruisin’ Tikis Key West, to do something different, we booked the sunset cruise. Once again, we were visiting Key West with family. My Uncle Mark, Aunt Missy, cousin Becky and her husband Kevin joined Tim and I on this cruise.

The sunset cruise that we did started in the Historic Seaport. For an hour an a half, we cruised out towards Mallory Square, around Sunset Key, and then watched the sunset near Wisteria Island. There are several other tiki boats that also do sunset cruises, as you can see in our photos below. 

I enjoyed the sunset cruise more than the daytime cruise we did in 2018. Both are wonderful and tons of fun, but if you want to watch the sunset from the water, this is a fun, unique way to do it. So, gather up some friends or family members and book your tiki cruise in Key West. 

Sunset Key

About Cruisin’ Tikis Key West

Cruisin’ Tikis Key West has been in business since January 2018 (we did this in February 2018 and liked it so much that we did this again in December 2021). It 2018, it was the new game in town, and not on many travelers’ radars, at least not yet. Since then, the popularity of this experience has exploded and it’s now one of Key West’s best experiences. This idea has expanded to other cities in the USA.

The tiki boat holds 6 passengers. Cups, soft drinks, and ice are provided. You can bring your own alcohol, soft drinks, and snacks. They did not have a huge selection of soft drinks available, so if you want something special, make sure you bring it with you.

There are Bluetooth enabled JBL speakers so you can play your own music. When the tiki boat is at top speed, or if it’s a windy day, it can be a little difficult to hear the music.

There is no bathroom on board the boat. Make sure you take care of business before you board the tiki boat.

Children are allowed on the boat. I know that Tyler and Kara would have loved this, but unfortunately we visited Key West without them.

Cruisin’ Tikis offers a variety of different tour options, ranging from 90 minute tours to three hour tours. Take an eco cruise, watch the sunset from the Tiki boat, go swimming right from the boat, and more. It costs roughly $75 to $80 per person (and even higher) depending upon the tour you choose. You can even rent the entire tiki boat (private charter) which can accommodate up to 6 people.

Cruises depart from Schooner’s Wharf Dock (a few blocks from Duval Street), Mellow Ventures (the marina where Truman Ave turns into N Roosevelt Blvd), and Hurricane Hole on Stock Island.

Visit the Cruisin’ Tikis Key West website for more information on their tours, updated pricing, and to reserve your spot. 

Cruisin’ Tikis Locations

Cruisin’ Tikis is a company that builds and franchises these tiki boats. You can hire one of these tiki boats at multiple locations across the US and in the Bahamas.

Visit the Cruisin’ Tikis website to learn more about their locations and their franchise opportunities.

Does this look like something you want to do? Comment below if you have any questions or comments!

More Information about Florida

KEY WEST: For a list of top experiences in Key West, read our article Best Things to Do in Key West. We also have guides on Where to Eat in Key West and Where to Stay in Key West.

FLORIDA KEYS: Plan your Florida Keys road trip with our Florida Keys Itinerary, which has suggestions on how to road trip from Miami to Key West. We also have a guide to the best things to do along the Florida Keys.

NATIONAL PARKS IN FLORIDA: There are three national parks in Florida. Learn more about each of them in our guides to Dry Tortugas National Park, the Everglades, and Biscayne National Park.

TRAVEL INSPIRATION: For more travel ideas, here are 10 unique destinations to put on your travel wish list and 10 places to visit during the winter holiday season.

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