Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Tiki Boat Tour?
A Tiki Boat Tour is a fun, laid-back cruise around Charleston's beautiful waterways on a vibrant, tiki-themed boat. Enjoy the scenic views while relaxing with friends, family, coworkers or strangers who become friends at the end of the tour!
What is included in the tour?
Our tours typically include:
A 2-hour boat cruise
A knowledgeable captain and crew ready to enhance your experience
Coolers filled with ice ready for your drinks
Comfortable seating
Fun games which allow us to bring our island experience to you
Cold tap water with paper cups
Speakers, a karaoke machine, limbo, redneck horse shoes, a shot ski, ring game, and more entertainment onboard
Can I bring my own drinks and snacks?
Absolutely! We encourage guests to bring their favorite beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and snacks, we provide coolers full of ice, and water.
Is there a minimum age requirement?
All ages are welcome! If children are 12 or under we need to know how much they weigh so we can ensure we have a comfortable life jacket for them to wear.
What happens if it rains?
Safety is our priority. If weather conditions are unsafe, we may need to reschedule or cancel the tour. We’ll notify you as soon as possible and offer a full refund or rescheduling options. Should we decide while we are out that we need to turn around and go back, we will prorate you and offer a refund for the time not used.
How many people can fit on the boat?
Our Tiki boat can comfortably fit up to 18 guests. For larger groups, please inquire about our 2 or 3 boats options!
Are there restroom facilities on board?
Yes, we have a “head” (boat bathroom) onboard. Not too fancy but defiantly gets the job done.
Can we customize our tour?
Yes! We offer customizable tours for special occasions such as birthdays, corporate events, island hopping, swimming, paddle boarding, dolphins up close and personal, island candle making, adults only, night time, sunset, sunrise, celebration of life, weddings & divorced celebrations. Just let us know your preferences when booking, or call (843) 696-9684 and plan something special!
What time should we arrive?
Please arrive at least 15-20 minutes before your scheduled departure to ensure a smooth boarding process.
Is there parking available?
Yes, there are designated car sized parking spaces at the boat landing. Make sure you park in a car sized parking space and not a trailer sized parking space. If all of the car sized spaces are taken, please park on Indian Street, one block away and make sure all 4 tires are off of the street (so you don’t have to find out how proactive Folly’s parking enforcement can be).
Where do we meet the boat?
97 Center Street Folly Beach 29439 at the public boat landing. You will see the tiki boat on the dock ready for you.
How do I contact you for more questions?
Feel free to call or text us at (843) 696-9684 for the quickest response, or reach out via email at seaslifetiki@gmail.com. We’re happy to help!
Are Dogs allowed?
We love dogs!
On our private tours you are welcome to bring your dog.
Public tours we can not allow dogs, I am sorry.
What’s the best way to book a bachelorette trip?
These are popular tours and the prime weekend spots tend to fill up quickly, you may book online (“book now” button at top of page) or feel free to email seaslifetiki@gmail.com or call (843) 696-9684 with any questions and I can book you in over the phone too.
FYI- 2 hours is never long enough for these trips, most 3 hour bachelorette trips will extend an extra hour if we have the ability in our schedules. All bach trips say that this is the highlight of their trip!
Cancellation Policy
Public tours: We have a 24 hour cancelation period for a full refund.
If we do not have enough people to run the tour then we will try to reschedule you. If this is not an option we will refund you in full.
Private tours have a 1 week cancelation for a full refund. This includes Bachelorette parties.
How do I book a tour?
You can book a tour directly through our website or by calling our customer service. We recommend reserving in advance, especially during peak seasons.
Do you really see dolphins on your Folly Beach tiki boat tours?
Yes! We see dolphins on the vast majority of our tours. Folly Beach and the surrounding waters are home to year-round Estuary bottlenose dolphins. It’s common to see them feeding, playing, and even strand feeding along the marsh banks during our cruises.
What kind of wildlife will we see on a Folly Tiki cruise?
In addition to dolphins, guests often see pelicans, herons, egrets, sea turtles (in warmer months), stingrays, and other coastal wildlife. Our tours cruise through scenic marshes and waterways that are part of the beautiful Lowcountry ecosystem around Folly Beach, South Carolina.
What time of day is best for dolphin sightings?
Dolphins can be seen any time of day, but morning and sunset cruises often provide especially active wildlife viewing. Our sunset tiki boat tours are a guest favorite for both dolphin sightings and incredible marsh sunsets.
What makes Folly Tiki different from other Folly Beach boat tours?
Folly Tiki is Charleston’s only floating tiki bar experience offering private and public cruises with a true “Down Island Vibes, Barrier Island Views” atmosphere. Our custom catamaran tiki boat is stable, spacious, and built for comfort while exploring the waterways around Folly Beach.
Is this a party boat?
Folly Tiki is what you make it! We host everything from relaxing dolphin cruises to birthday parties, bachelorette parties, sunset cruises, and private celebrations. It’s laid-back island vibes with your favorite people on the water.
How many people can the tiki boat hold?
Our custom tiki catamaran can accommodate up to 18 guests, making it perfect for group outings, corporate events, birthday celebrations, and bachelorette parties in Charleston.
Is the boat safe and stable?
Yes. Our tiki boat is a custom catamaran design, which means it has two hulls for extra stability. It provides a smooth ride through the Folly River and surrounding waters. Captain Ryan holds a USCG 50-Ton Master Captain’s License and has logged thousands of offshore miles sailing throughout the Caribbean.
Where does Folly Tiki depart from?
We depart from Folly Beach, South Carolina, just minutes from downtown Charleston. Detailed directions and parking information are provided after booking.
Can we bring our own drinks?
Yes. Folly Tiki is BYOB. Guests are welcome to bring their favorite beverages and snacks for their cruise. Coolers and ice are typically provided, but check your booking details for specifics.
Do you offer private charters?
Absolutely. Private tiki boat charters are our most popular option. You get the entire boat for your group, your own music, and a custom experience exploring Folly Beach and the surrounding waterways.
Do you offer bachelorette party boat tours in Charleston?
Yes! Folly Tiki is one of the most popular bachelorette party boat experiences near Charleston. Our 18-passenger tiki boat is perfect for bride tribes looking for sun, dolphins, music, and island vibes.
What is the best boat tour in Folly Beach?
Folly Tiki offers one of the highest-rated and most unique boat tours in Folly Beach, combining dolphin watching, sunset views, and island-style fun aboard a custom tiki catamaran.
Are there dolphin tours near Charleston, SC?
Yes. Folly Tiki offers dolphin cruises departing from Folly Beach, just outside of Charleston, South Carolina. Our tours explore prime dolphin habitat in the Folly River and surrounding marshes.
What should we wear on a tiki boat tour?
Comfortable beach attire, sunglasses, sunscreen, and sandals are recommended. Sunset cruises may feel cooler after dark, so a light layer is a good idea.
What is your weather policy?
Our island weather in Charleston is constantly changing. What the forecast shows three days out is usually always different from the weather we get. If we do get rain it does one of two things; it rains for 15 to 30 minutes and then its gone or it sits on top of us all day. We will make weather calls one hour before each tour unless it’s a big sit on top of us storm. If we do have to cancel for rain we will first try to reschedule you. If this is not an option then we will offer a full refund.