Staff Answer
Jun 26, 2026 - 09:24 AM
If you are hiring a captain for a private or bareboat charter, the easiest thing to do is simply ask to see their Coast Guard captain's license. Every licensed captain should be able to provide it, and most have no problem showing it before your trip. If you want to verify that the license is valid, you can search the captain's credentials through the United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center by requesting verification directly from the Coast Guard. I also recommend asking the rental company whether the captain is on their preferred list. Reputable bareboat operators spend time confirming that the captains they recommend have the proper license, maintain the required credentials, and carry themselves professionally. Beyond the license itself, I tell people to look at experience. Ask how long the captain has been running charters in Destin, how familiar they are with the local waters, and whether they have experience operating that particular type of boat. A license tells you someone meets the legal requirements, but local knowledge is what makes for a great day on the water. An experienced captain knows how to navigate the tides around Crab Island, avoid heavy boat traffic, find dolphins, and adjust the day's plans if the weather changes. Those are the things that usually make the biggest difference, so I would spend just as much time learning about the captain's experience as I would verifying the license itself.
