By Danielle Davies
You’ve probably seen them – floating parties casually cruising through the bay, often with festive lights and thatched roofs, and always full of people who look like they’re having loads of fun. They’re floating tiki bars, and they are as fantastic as they sound. From mornings on the bay to afternoons stopping at beach bars, they each offer different — and worthwhile — ways to spend your summer days at the shore.
Pau Hana Based out of Somers Point, Pau Hana has nailed the tiki boat tour, offering intimate sound systems with curated playlists (you can DJ yourself, but why bother, when they do it for you?) and multiple different cruises upon their three well-dressed tiki boats — Salty, Tipsy, and Sassy — as well as plenty of catering options including mixers for those summery cocktails you’re planning. Whether you want to take a two-hour “When the Sun Goes Down” tour in the back bays from 7 to 9 p.m., or soak in the vibes of a Full Moon Tiki Tour from 9:30 to 11:30 during full moons, there’s an adventure just waiting for you at Pau Hana. And when it’s time to set your feet back on land, just grab a souvenir from their Boutiki, which is full of everything you need to remind yourself of your fabulous day on the water. Located at 198 Higbee Ave., Somers Point. PauHanaTikiBoat.com
Tiny Cruise Line Further south in Cape May County is the Tiny Cruise Line, with boats located in Wildwood and Cape May. Tiny Cruise Line has two tiki boats, and one ridiculously cool fantail launch boat that replicates the boats that ferried passengers from Schellenger’s Landing to Wildwood Crest in the early 1900s, and one of only two made in the U.S. The tiki boats — Tiny Tiki Too and The Big Bamboo Too — both of which accommodate up to 15 passengers and crew, have bathrooms, and offer two separate cruises: the 1.5-hour harbor tour or sunset cruise and the 3-hour, 12 passenger bar/restaurant hop OR swimming trip. Guests can bring a cooler for food and snacks, though if you’re doing the bar hop, there will be plenty of eating and drinking options available. With U.S. Coast Guard certified captains, and dual locations, Tiny Cruise Line is accessible, friendly and plenty of fun. Located at South Jersey Marina, 1231 Rt. 109, Cape May. TinyCruiseLine.com
Big Kahuna Atlantic City Tiki, the Big Kahuna lives up to its name.
You can book this tiki boat for events up to 25 guests and enjoy music, drinks, snacks and a guided cruise. It is the only tiki with its own bar service and liquor license. Open and covered areas, a bathroom and customizable bar service makes this tiki a great choice for private or corporate parties. Events can be booked in advance so you can make sure you’re ready for adventure. All you have to bring is your sunscreen, weather-appropriate clothing and a will to have fun and make memories. Contact 609-770-1476 to book a party boat rental.
Cruisin’ Tikis South Jersey Spanning two counties, Cruisin’ Tikis has home bases in both Sea Isle City and Margate, and are a little different than the other tiki cruises that we previously mentioned. For one, these tiki boats are octagonal, and significantly smaller — all boats are regulated for 6 people plus crew, and that includes children. Not to worry if you’re planning a raging soiree of 10…you can rent two tikis and they can be linked together when they are stopped in the bay. Cruisin’ Tiki cruises are all BYOB but there are coolers available on the boats as well as Bluetooth capable surround sound systems. With multiple boats in each location, these tiny tiki huts, complete with the requisite thatched roof and bamboo bar, are perfect for their 1.5 to 2-hour tours, or select 3-hour tours. Whichever cruise or location you choose, be sure to pack your sunscreen and leave your heels at home – flats, flip flops, or sneakers required. Located at 318 42nd Place, Sea Isle City. CruisinTikisSouthJersey.com
Aloha Tiki Cruises Atlantic City’s “first and original authentic tiki boat experience,” Aloha Tiki Cruises set sail right from the Golden Nugget Marina, making them an obvious pre- or post- casino adventure. With a second boat almost ready to launch (Tiki 2), Aloha Tiki Cruises feature six-passenger, authentic tiki boats with plenty of room for kicking back on colorful Adirondack chairs while you’re checking out the back bay between Atlantic City and Brigantine. Running 7 days per week, Aloha Tiki offers a number of cruises including a Waikiki Wake Up Cruise from 2 to 4 hours (don’t worry – there’s a bathroom on board) and a Hawaiian Happy Hour Sunset Cruise. New this year and available only on Tiki 2 is the Magical Mermaid adventure. This 75-minute tour guarantees a magical mermaid siting, making it the number one tiki cruise for kids this summer. At least one adult is required. Located at Golden Nugget Marina, 600 Huron Ave., Atlantic City. AlohaTikiCruises.com
Beachy Tiki Tour Boat If you’re looking to tiki with a crowd, you’re going to want to head to Ocean City and climb aboard the Big Tiki, a “custom-built 40-foot catamaran with seating for up to 32 people.” With plenty of room for friends — both new and old — the Big Tiki has daily Beachy Tiki Cruises and Happy Hours on Island Time, both 1.5 hours each. Also available at Beachy Tiki are two Little TIkis. More intimate than Big Tiki, the Little Tikis are for private charter only and include up to six guests. All the boats have bathrooms and provide premium music with Sirius XM Radio and an adventurous atmosphere. Soft drinks and water are available for purchase on the Big Tiki — guests are welcome to bring their own food and drinks, but they need to be limited to a backpack or over the shoulder soft cooler. Located at 228 Bay Ave., Ocean City. BeachyTiki.com
Danielle’s been a writer and storyteller for the past fifteen years—her work has appeared everywhere from Philadelphia Style Magazine and The Press of Atlantic City to Cape May Magazine and The WC Press in West Chester. Nationally, her short stories have been published in Typehouse Magazine and Scary Mommy. She lives in South Jersey with her husband and two children.
