FAQs and Cancellation Policy

We are on the campus of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium at 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy in Sarasota, Florida. Our check in desk can be found outside of the main ticketing entrance of Mote Aquarium, on your right as you approach.

You are welcome to cruise with us without purchasing a ticket to the aquarium.

Much like an airline we need time to check in, board passengers, and cover some basic safety announcements before departure. Our boarding process begins with a roll call approximately 15 minutes prior to scheduled trip time. Arriving early allows you to find our location, check in your party, and use the restroom before boarding. If you are not present at our desk for roll call 15 minutes prior to your scheduled cruise time, we cannot guarantee you will make it onboard.

We open our calendar for regularly scheduled cruises four weeks in advance. If the date you are looking at is outside of four weeks please check back closer to your planned trip. If the date you are looking for is within four weeks it may be fully booked or privately chartered. If your party is larger than 15 individuals or you are thinking of privately chartering the vessel, please reach out to our reservations desk (941) 388-1852 and they will advise you on how to proceed.

Please call our reservations desk (941) 388-1852. They’ll ask you some questions about when you’re looking to book and your group size and refer you from there.

We do not offer discounts for groups. Large enough groups (15+ individuals) can book ahead of time in most cases. Please contact our reservations desk for details (941) 388-4200.

Please reach out to our reservations desk (941) 388-4200 they will ask you some questions about your group and refer you from there.

Our vessel is not wheelchair accessible.

No, unfortunately we do not have the space to accommodate a stroller on the boat. We have a location by our dock to store a stroller should you wish to use it in order to walk to the boat. Standard sized car seats can come along.

No, unfortunately we do not have the space to accommodate a walker on the boat. We have a location by our dock to store a walker should you wish to use it in order to walk to the boat.

There is a small marine restroom available during the cruise.

No, we have a strict no pets policy.

We do not have a senior rate. Adults are considered 13+.

Yes you do! Please call our reservations desk (941) 388-4200 to make a booking.

You can feel free to bring water as well as your own snacks onboard. Small coolers are permitted. We sell water, soda, and bags of chips for $1 during the cruise.

We recommend you wear comfortable clothing. No need to wear a swimsuit, we will not be getting into the water. Shoes are required, sandals or tennis shoes are good options. Please note that certain times of the year are cooler on the water by 5-10℉, it may be helpful to bring a jacket.

We have life vests on board in case of an emergency; however, children are not required to wear life vests during the cruise due to the high railings around the boat. If you wish for your child to wear a life vest we can provide one or you are welcome to bring your own.

While our boat tours offer fantastic opportunities to observe dolphins, manatees, and other local wildlife, these animals are wild and free to roam—just as nature intended. We cannot guarantee sightings on every trip, but we always strive to provide a fun, educational, and memorable experience on the waters of Sarasota Bay.

We do! To purchase, please click here.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If cancelling, customers have up until 12 hours before the time of the cruise to call for a full refund. If cancellation is within 12 hours of the cruise and at least 1 hour before departure time, a 50% refund will be issued. However, if cancellation is within 1 hour of our scheduled departure time, no refund will be issued.

If your passenger count changes before check-in time, you are responsible for calling the desk to alert crew for a full or partial refund based on our previously stated cancellation policy. Arriving with fewer passengers than originally scheduled without prior notice will result in no refund of unused tickets. Due to a coast guard enforced passenger limit, if you arrive with more passengers than were originally accounted for in your reservation we cannot guarantee tickets will be available last minute. In addition, you are not guaranteed a refund on purchased tickets if lack of additional availability prevents you from cruising with us.

WEATHER RELATED CANCELLATIONS

Cancellation due to weather is decided by the captain by time of departure. Lightning, heavy rain, or high winds may potentially cancel the cruise; however, we operate rain or shine and scattered or isolated showers will not cause us to cancel. If we cancel due to inclement weather we will issue a full refund. For information regarding cancellation on the part of the customer, please refer to our previously stated cancellation and refund policy.