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Step aboard Tiki Time, Southport Water Tours’ private floating tiki bar. Customize your cruise with dolphin watching and visits to hidden sandbars along North Carolina’s scenic coast.
Step aboard Tiki Time, Southport Water Tours’ private floating tiki bar. Customize your cruise with dolphin watching and visits to hidden sandbars along North Carolina’s scenic coast.
Book with Southport Water Tours
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
356 ratings
Operated by Southport Water Tours · Southport, North Carolina
Southport, North Carolina, sits just where the Cape Fear River meets the Atlantic, a coastal gateway rich with marshes, creeks, and quiet islands. Among its growing slate of outdoor activities, Southport Water Tours offers a uniquely vibrant option—the Tiki Time Private Cruise. This is no ordinary boat ride; it’s a mobile island retreat on a floating tiki bar designed for up to 12 guests, all set to the soundtrack of your own playlist.
Launching from 112 Yacht Basin Dr, the Tiki Time invites you to tailor your experience, whether that’s chasing pods of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins through the inlet, discovering secluded beaches, or lounging on sandbars bathed in sunlight. Beyond the playful tiki aesthetic—a thatched roof, bar-style seating, and colorful decor—the cruise benefits from a USCG-licensed captain deeply familiar with the region’s hidden spots. These local gems include exclusive boat-only destinations like Sand Dollar Island and the wildlife-dense backwaters near Bald Head Island.
The cruise’s flexibility lets you blend relaxation and adventure on your clock: stop for a swim if weather and tides allow, beachcomb tranquil shores, or simply unwind with your crew and a cooler of your favorite drinks (BYOB is welcomed). The vessel features essentials like a restroom and Bluetooth sound system, ensuring comfort without sacrificing the laid-back vibe.
Southport’s coastal environment shines here—salt marsh grasses, wading birds, and playful dolphins create a living backdrop that stands apart from crowded tourist hubs. Complemented by the region's history as a veteran maritime town, the Tiki Time cruise offers a fresh way to engage with local waters. Its private charter style encourages intimate gatherings, making it ideal for celebrations or casual escapes.
Whether you’re new to coastal cruising or a seasoned adventurer, Southport Water Tours’ Tiki Time Private Cruise presents an accessible, joyous way to connect with North Carolina’s coastal spirit on your terms.
The private cruise accommodates up to 12 passengers comfortably.
Yes, Tiki Time is BYOB—feel free to bring your favorite beverages and snacks.
Yes, the vessel includes a restroom for guest convenience.
If weather and water conditions allow, stops at sandbars or beach spots can be made for swimming.
Light rain is manageable under the tiki roof; however, unsafe weather will prompt rescheduling or refunds.
Sunscreen, sunglasses, towels, and your own drinks and snacks are recommended.
Southport Water Tours operates guided and private boat excursions from Southport, North Carolina, offering sightseeing, sunset, and customizable private cruises along the Cape Fear River and Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. The company runs a narrated 50-minute Sightseeing Cruise aboard the Sally Ann, intimate private options including the Private Sunset Cruise and Private Sightseeing Cruise, and specialty vessels such as the 25ft Parker pilot house River Runner and the floating tiki bar TIKI TIME. Trips accommodate a range of group sizes and purposes, from quiet wildlife viewing and family outings to celebratory events like weddings and sunset gatherings. Several offerings explicitly invite guests to bring drinks and playlists, while the River Runner serves as a flexible water taxi and private cruiser for up to six passengers. TIKI TIME private cruises support up to 12 passengers and emphasize laid-back island-style experiences. Captains provide light narration on historical sites, local ecology, and coastal landmarks, enhancing each voyage with regional context. Operating from Southport, the company focuses on safety, punctual departures, and scenic routes through the Intracoastal Waterway and Cape Fear River. Reservations can be made for scheduled public cruises or arranged as private charters tailored to specific itineraries and durations. The business highlights local knowledge of Southport and nearby Oak Island, delivering memorable waterfront experiences for visitors and residents seeking guided tours, sunset cruises, or custom private trips. Schedules vary seasonally; peak months offer more departures while off-peak periods allow flexible private charter scheduling and personalized route planning. Reservations are recommended for private trips.
Book with Southport Water Tours