Did you know that Florida welcomed over thirty-six million different tourists in its first quarter? Florida is known for a lot of things. But one thing it has in abundance is incredible ocean views.

If you want to enjoy an ocean view on a boat in Florida, you’re probably wondering how to go about planning it. If so, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you should consider before getting aboard the boat.

That way, you ensure that your ocean view trip will be one you remember for the rest of your life. Let’s get started!

Give Yourself Plenty of Time to Plan

You don’t want to be organizing your boat trip the day of. This won’t give you enough time to find a quality cruising charter company. It will also leave you rushed to decide where you want to go, gather supplies, and organize everything else.

Remember, enjoying a gorgeous ocean view is hard when you’ve been stressed all day.

Instead, plan everything days, or preferably weeks, in advance. That way, when the day comes around for your boating trip, everything is taken care of, and you can relax.

Select a Cruising Charter Company

Next, it’s time to select a cruising company to take you to the perfect ocean view. There’s a reason why there are over 10,000 water sightseeing businesses in the United States. 

These professionals are experts at taking you to gorgeous locations. You might be tempted to rent a boat yourself to do this. But we don’t recommend this unless you’re an experienced boater and know Florida waters well.

There’s something special about being able to take a load off during a cruise. So, how do you find the perfect charter company? First, make sure they have a lot of experience.

If they’re just starting out, they might not have enough knowledge of the area to recommend good spots for a view. Next, make sure they operate during the time of day when you want to go out.

If you want a morning cruise to a sandbar, make sure that’s an option. The same goes for sunset cruises. Lastly, if you want to do certain things, make sure it’s allowed by the company.

For example, if you want to bring beer, wine and seltzers, ask if it’s allowed by the charter company.

Lastly, make sure you read any online reviews about the charter company. This will give you a good idea of what the average customer’s experience has been like.

Pick a Time

Next, it’s time to decide on a time to get aboard the boat. Typically, you either have morning or evening options. Morning options are better if you want to enjoy daylight views with fun activities like sandbar exploring and ocean waves.

Sunset cruise options might not have as many activities, but you get the enjoy breathtaking sunsets. If you choose the morning, make sure everyone can get up early to get to the boat on time.

This option might not be best for people with a lot of children or individuals that like to sleep in.

Decide On the Best Place to See the Ocean View

Next, it’s time to decide on a location to enjoy your ocean view. The perfect location will ultimately depend on what time of day you want to go. If you go in the middle of the day, you’ll want to choose a location that has good swimming options, like a sandbar.

Or, if you go during the evening, you’ll want a view of a picturesque sunset. The Skyway Bridge is a perfect location for sunsets. But feel free to ask your captain for recommendations too.

Any cruising charter worth its salt will know the area like the back of its hand. They’ve likely been navigating the water for decades. As such, they probably have some areas they can suggest.

Pack Everything You’ll Need

The last thing you want is to get aboard a boat party only to realize that you forgot something important. So, make a list and check it twice before you go to your stunning ocean view.

If you plan on boating while the sun is out, you will need sunscreen and sunglasses to properly enjoy the views. You should also bring towels if you plan on swimming during the day.

Don’t forget drinks either. Alcohol is fine, but you should also bring some water in case you’re feeling dehydrated.

Lastly, make sure you bring snacks as well. Getting hungry during a boat ride can ruin even the most perfect view. So, bring some light snacks just in case hunger strikes in the middle of the trip.

Choose Activities

For many people, seeing a stunning ocean view with family and friends is good enough as an activity. But, some people might wish to do additional boating activities.

For example, if you go during the day, you might want to stop at a sandbar to swim. Or, you might want to go on a fishing trip too. Make sure that the boating service you go with offers these activities.

If you bring kids on the trip, you might also want to include some activities to keep them entertained. Simple games should be enough if they get a little bored during the boat trip.

Ready For a Boat Ride? Contact Carbon Cat Charters

We hope this article helped you learn how to enjoy an incredible Florida ocean view while on a boat. When choosing a boat charter, you want a Florida native that knows the waters well.

And, if you’re in the Tampa Bay area, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option than Captain Justin from the Carbon Cat Charters.

With over thirty years of experience, we ensure that your boat ride will be smooth sailing from start to finish. So, if you’re ready for an outing you’ll never forget, then book a trip today.