A boat is a party venue that moves. Everyone boards in one spot, and then the whole thing cruises off to the sandbar, or the sunset, or the city lights, depending on how the evening’s going. I’ve been to birthdays on boats, a bachelorette, one very loud team outing. They work. They also take a bit more planning than booking the back room at a restaurant, so here’s what I’ve learned.
Start With Your Headcount
The guest count decides everything downstream. Every boat has a passenger limit and it’s not a suggestion. Get a close number early, then pick the boat. A small boat is fine for a tight group of friends. A bigger crowd needs a yacht or a catamaran with room to actually move around, or you’ll spend the night stepping over people.
Pick the Date and Time With Care
Weekend afternoons are the liveliest time on the water, which is perfect for a party and a problem if you wanted room. Weekdays and mornings are quieter. Evenings open up sunset toasts and after-dinner cruises. In summer the storms tend to build after lunch, so keep one eye on the forecast.
Refund policies vary a lot. Some companies refund with enough notice. Others, including some local operators, don’t refund a reserved date at all, because they turned away other groups for that slot. Lock in your date early and read the weather and refund policy before you pay. Not after. I know.
Choose a Company That Handles the Boat
For a party you want a captained charter. A licensed captain runs the boat so the host can be a host instead of a skipper. If you’re celebrating in South Florida, a private yacht event venue in Boca Raton is one option set up that way. Bachelorette parties there start at $225 per person, trips run until 11:00 PM, and bigger groups can book a 55-foot catamaran. Snorkel gear comes with every charter, so a swim stop is easy to work in.
Keep Everyone Safe
A party boat is still a boat. Ask what safety gear is on board before you book. the U.S. Coast Guard’s boating safety division says a wearable life jacket is required for every person on a recreational vessel. The federal rule that children under 13 must wear one applies in federal waters. On Florida state waters, which includes the Intracoastal, state law takes over: children under 6 must wear one on boats under 26 feet while underway. Adults aren’t required to on most trips, but it’s a smart move for anyone who isn’t a strong swimmer. Nobody at the party will care.
A few more basics. Swim close to the boat. Drink water between the other drinks. Let the captain decide when it’s safe to anchor or swim. Florida law also bars anchoring within 150 feet of a marina or boat ramp, which is one more reason the captain picks the spot and not the birthday girl.
Think About the Guests Who Don’t Swim
Not everybody wants to jump in at the sandbar. Pick a boat with shade and real seating so the ones staying dry are comfortable too. A yacht with a covered deck handles a mixed crowd. A small open boat is better for a group that’s all in on swimming and nothing else.
Food and Drinks
Ask whether you can bring your own food and drinks, and whether there’s a cooler on board. Plenty of charters allow it. Some can sort out catering. A dock-and-dine stop at a waterfront restaurant is the other easy answer, and it gives everyone a break from the sun while making dinner part of the trip.
Plan the Stops
- A sandbar swim gives everyone something to do besides drink.
- A cruise past the waterfront homes is an easy crowd-pleaser.
- A dock-and-dine stop turns dinner into part of the party.
- A sunset toast is the natural finale. Nobody has ever complained about a sunset toast.
Small Things That Make a Big Difference
- Load the playlist before you board, not on the dock with no signal.
- Bring a cover-up for the ride back. It gets cool after dark.
- Pack sunscreen and towels for everyone, not just yourself.
- Ask about photo or drone video if you want proper shots.
Get the headcount, the date, and the company right and the rest mostly sorts itself out. After that, your only job is to enjoy the party you planned.