Staff Answer
Jun 26, 2026 - 03:02 PM
Keep your first boat experience as simple as possible. Around 30A, I usually recommend starting with a dolphin cruise or a sightseeing trip because there is nothing you have to figure out once you get on board. The crew takes care of everything, there is an easy pace, and you can just sit back and get comfortable being on the water. Most of these trips stay in Choctawhatchee Bay, so it is a good introduction if you are a little unsure about how you will feel. I have talked with plenty of people who were nervous before their first trip, and almost every one of them said the anticipation was worse than actually being on the boat. Within the first few minutes, they were taking pictures, looking for dolphins, and wondering why they had waited so long to try it. If you are still a little concerned, book a morning trip because the water is often calmer earlier in the day, and choose a larger tour boat instead of a small, fast boat.
