SANTA ROSA BEACH PONTOON RENTAL

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 

What are your rental times?

Santa Rosa Beach Pontoon Rental offers full day or half day pontoon rentals.  We have a 6 and 9 hour tour option. 

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​​​​​PLEASE NOTE: Boaters should arrive 15 minutes before scheduled departure for instruction. Late arrivals will lose boating time (time on water).  For example; if your scheduled time is 8:30, we ask that you show up at 8:15 for instruction time.   If you show up at 8:30, you will lose boating time because of required instruction.  

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WEATHER POLICY- Living on the Gulf means a high likelihood of small rain showers or storms throughout the day.  They come and go quickly.   The weather channel almost always says 60% chance of rain in the area due to being near the gulf.  We also monitor the weather daily for any potentially dangerous winds or storms. Your safely is our priority. If we determine the weather is too dangerous, we will try to reschedule your trip to an available day that works for you. Otherwise, a full refund will be issued.

 

 

Are your Holiday rates different?

 

Yes, our pontoon rental rates are increased on the weeks and days of  Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day weekend. 

 

What's there to do while on the bay?

• We now have YOLO Paddle boards! On the bay, these are super fun to take with you on the boat. Drop anchor and paddle away! Go dolphin spotting. Take them to Crab Island! Paddle boards are a must have. Add them to your rental for that extra fun thing for your crew to do!

• Crab Island - Crab Island is about 35 mins to 1.25 hr (depending on vessel rented) drive west where it's shallow enough where you can walk to grab food, drinks, or play in the shallows of the bay with clear water!

• Dolphin spotting - Several dolphin pods navigate the bay each day. Most of our customers are able to see them in their natural habitat. Please be sure to follow Florida natural wildlife laws.

• San Destin Baytown Wharf - Want to dock your vessel for lunch, dinner, zip line, entertainment? Stop at the SanDestin Baytown Wharf. Daily activities and entertainment throughout the summer. (a fee to dock the rental will be needed upon arrival. See rates here.)

• Lulu's Restaurant - Owned by Lulu Buffet(Jimmy Buffet's sister), you can anchor just outside the restaurant and WALK to the beach to order your meal while the kids play in the playground. When finished, just walk back to your vessel, and continue enjoying your rental.

• FLOATING PADS- These are a must.  The floating pads are 18 X 6 and store nicely on the front or back of boat.    It's like having a relaxing bed on the water. 

• TUBING- You can have fun on our two person tubes or 2 person hot dogs. 

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Can I go to CRAB ISLAND?- Renters are allowed to take the boat as far west as Crab Island and as far east as the 331 bridge.  Our 150 hp tritoons and 150 hp double decker tritoons with slides can get to Crab Island in 40-55 minutes.   It's a beautiful drive.   Most customers spot dolphins along the way. Travel time factors include conditions of water, wind, what vessel, and how many passengers are on the boat. We  recommend a 9 hr rental to be able to enjoy Crab Island when renting the double decker pontoon.

 

Do I need to make a reservation?

Yes, we schedule our deck hands ahead of time to provide safety and navigation instruction. We will have your vessel at the dock and ready to board at the time of your reservation.  Book now to make a reservation. 

 

How soon should I call to verify I can get a boat?

The earlier the better.  Our summer schedule for boat rentals in Santa Rosa Beach fills up quickly.  We recommend at least 2-3 weeks out.  If for some reason your date is reserved by someone else, we can add you to our waiting list. For holidays, we often book up months in advance.

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What if we return the boat late?  
Please keep in contact with our crew if you expect to be late. Returning the vessel each 15 minutes late will result in an additional $50 per 15 minutes.

 

What is our cancellation policy? Except in the case of inclement weather on the day of your boat rental or charter -If there is a need to cancel, we require 72 hour notice for a full refund. Cancellations made with fewer than 72 hours notice for other reasons or “no-shows” will be charged for the full amount of the rental. In the event that your vacation is cut short by sickness or family emergency and you are not able to provide 72 hours notice of cancellation, you may be able to file for reimbursement of your rental fees from your travel insurance provider. We make no exceptions for death or illness. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.   

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What all do we get for our pontoon rental?

We have 8, 2021 model 150 hp tritoons.   We offer an 8 passenger, 12 passenger, and 12 passenger double decker tritoon with water slide.     In addition, we offer a fun, but nothing fancy, 12 passenger 115 hp tritoon.   In addition, our vessels are equipped with all U.S. Coast Guard approved safety equipment including life jackets, and an anchor.  Our pontoon rental includes a full tank of gas.   Additional fuel is the responsibility of the renter.

 

Are there any other pontoon rental fees?

Florida requires us to charge you an additional 9% sales tax. 

 

How old do I have to be to rent a pontoon boat?

We require renters to be 30 years of age or older with a valid United States Drivers license. For any driver born after Jan 1, 1988 - Florida law requires they either a. have a valid boating certificate from out of state, or b. Must pass the online exam at www.boat-ed.com/floridarental. Please email a copy of the certificate to srbboatrental@gmail.com. Renters failing to obtain a certificate cannot rent a vessel in Florida and may forfeit any refund on the day of the launch.

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HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO RENT A CAR?

30a Rental Company requires all guests to be a minimum of 30 years old and with a valid US drivers license to rent a car.  Our insurance is very strict.   If caught allowing someone younger to drive, we charge a $1000 fine. 

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What if I’ve never driven a pontoon boat or any other type of boat before?

Boating isn’t as easy as it seams.  Water can be rough, other boaters can inexperienced on the water, some boats may be pulling rafts, etc.  As a result, it’s very important to use extreme caution.  Boats are not like cars, it takes much longer to stop a boat, turn a boat, etc.    There are also a few very important motoring tips when traveling through shallow waters.  We will teach you these tips upon your arrival.  We also have a boat safety video we strongly recommend.  Here is the link.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T3E0ZeZc_U. .   If you don’t feel comfortable driving the boat, we may be able to arrange for a driver to pilot the pontoon boat for an additional $65/hr(minimum 6 hours). Please call ahead to arrange a driver.

 

Are babies or infants allowed on the boat?  Are they considered a full passenger?

Yes, the US Coast Guard considers everyone with a heartbeat a passenger on a boat. 

 

How far can I take the boat?

Answer: Pontoon boat rentals are allowed anywhere within the Choctawhatchee Bay as far east as 1 mile east of the 331 bridge and as far east at Crab Island in Destin between Destin and Okaloosa Island (underneath he bridge area).  The boat is not allowed on the Gulf of Mexico. 

 

Where do we pick up the boat?

We will meet you at Cessna Landing dock on CR 393 in Santa Rosa Beach. 1.6 miles north of the Hwy 98 and 393 intersection, We will be there 15 minutes before your scheduled time.  

 

What things are fun to do in the area on a boat?

The double decker boat itself is incredibly fun.  Most people will tell us parking the boat in the middle of the bay and playing on the slide is a blast.  We also recommend touring around to view the local homes. Customers often spot pods of dolphin. Our other pontoons can pull tubes. We also offer YOLO Paddleboards, and floating pads.

 

Can we dive off the front of the boat or go headfirst down the slide.

Absolutely not.  The water in the bay is very, very shallow.  Much more shallow than you would expect.  Please, please do not risk it.  Too many accidents happen as a result.

 

Is alcohol allowed on the boat?

Alcohol is allowed on the boat. However, we do not tolerate any alcohol used by the driver.  Destin Coast Guard is very strict and will pull boats over if there is any suspicious activity.  Please know, it is against Florida law to drive a boat while under the influence of alcohol. (We can also add a driver to your rental for an additional fee if you’d prefer not to designate a driver.)

 

Are pets allowed on the boats?

Yes, but there is a $35.00 additional fee, plus a $25.00- $50.00 additional cleaning fee if there is any additional cleaning required. 

 

Can I fish off the boat?

Any fishing requires a Florida fishing license. We charge a $35.00 fishing fee for anyone who wants to fish.

 

Do you have any sunset/late night rates?

Even though we do not offer any late night rates at this time, please call use for short sunset cruises for availability. The times change based on sunset times. 

 

Do you offer local discounts?

At this point we are booked solid and don't need to offer any discounts.  If or when we offer discounts is in the off season. 

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For information about our services

Pontoon Rentals 30a  www.30apontoon.com

Yacht Charters Destin / 30a - www.30ayachtcharters.com

Beach Buggy Rentals 30a  - www.30abeachbuggy.com

Slingshot Rentals 30a - www.30aslingshots.com

Slingshot Rentals Destin - www.destinslingshots.com

Airport Shuttles - www.30apontoonandshuttle.com

Vanderhall Rentals - www.30avanderhallrentals.com