Stop scrolling and book THIS sunset cruise. It is waaaaaay better than a crowded tourist boat.
Sailing into the sunset with Trent and Aubrey was so much more fun than I was expecting. First off, the āsmallā boat was not a small boat, but a powerful boat they use to tow inflatable Banana boats on another tour. This means the boat is super spacious, and gets some speed for sailing through the waves if you want. Itās a total blast while still feeling super safe, since itās not a crazy speedboat or anything (great for young children).
The smaller crowd (~10 of us) made for a superior experience. It felt like we were on our friendsā boat and they were giving us a fun sunset ride, rather than a commercialized experience. Plus, since itās not loaded down with bodies, it really is zippy on the waves making for some fun cruising, without feeling nauseating or tippy.
Lastly, the soundtrack was lit, and our guides were so friendly. They really went out of their way to accommodate one of our fellow passengersā young kids on their first boat ride ever. She had a blast looking at dolphins and feeling the wind and waves.
Oh and the dolphins? A ton of them, and our smaller boat (vs a bit touristy barge) was able to get up close. You could even see the faces of the dolphins, and they swam towards us to say hi haha. Itās about as close as you can legally get with them.
Overall, myself and my boyfriend had a blast and it definitely exceeded our expectations.
Pro tip: cross the hwy 98 from the public parking and walk all the way to the water. Then turn left and walk through the restaurants until you see the grey banana boat kiosk.
Bring cash to tip! They primarily work for tips, and youāll definitely want to thank them for such a good time.