30A PONTOON RENTAL

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 

What are your rental times?

Santa Rosa Beach Pontoon Rental offers full day or half day pontoon rentals.  We have a 6 and 9 hour tour option. 

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Prices subject to change based on availablity.

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​​​​​ARRIVAL TIME: Our Pontoon Rental guests should arrive 15 minutes before scheduled departure for instruction. 30 A Pontoon Rental uses a public boat ramp in Santa Rosa Beach.   As a result, we are given times to put our boats on the water.  When a pontoon rental boat arrives late, it pushes other boats behind.  Late arrivals will lose boating time (time on water).  For example; if your scheduled pontoon rental trip is 8:30, we ask that you show up at 8:15 for instruction time.   If you show up at 8:30, you will lose boating time because of required instruction.  

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WEATHER POLICY- Living in Santa Rosa Beach /30a on the Gulf of Mexico means a high likelihood of small rain showers or storms throughout the day.  They come and go quickly.   The weather channel almost always says 60% chance of rain in the area due to being near the gulf.  30a Pontoon Rental also monitors the weather daily for any potentially dangerous winds or storms. Your safety on our pontoon rental boats is our priority. If we determine the weather is too dangerous, we will try to reschedule your trip to an available day that works for you. Otherwise, a full refund will be issued.

 

DO WE OFFER CAPTAINS?- Captains are a great way to enjoy renting a pontoon rental boat without the stress.  We have fabulous captains that will make your pontoon rental boat less stressful and even more fun.   Our captain rental rates are $65 an hour.

 

Are our Pontoon Rental Holiday rates different?

 

The Santa Rosa Beach area / 30a area is very populated on holiday weeks and weekends.  The demand for our luxury boats are very high.   As a result, our pontoon rental rates on the weeks and days of  Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day weekend are higher than regular because of demand.

 

What's there to do while on the bay?

• FLOATING PADS-Everyone's favorite are the 18 X 6 floating pads.  These pads are a great way to enjoy your pontoon rental experience.  Kids play on them, bachelorette parties float around on them, etc.   A must do pontoon rental experience. 

• YOLO BOARDS- We now have YOLO BOARDS (Paddle boards)!  These are super fun to take with you on the pontoon rental boat. Drop anchor and paddle away! Go dolphin spotting. Take them to Crab Island! Paddle boards are a must have. Add them to your pontoon rental for that extra fun thing for your crew to do!

• TUBING- 30a Pontoon Rental offers tubing on all our non-double decker tritoons.   

• CRAB ISLAND - 30a Pontoon Rental is only a 40 minute to 1 hour drive to Crab Island.  Crab Island is a beautiful sandbar where the water is typically crystal clear blue and only waste deep.   Pontoon rental boats park for the day and play.   Super fun.   

• DOLPHIN SPOTTING - 30a Pontoon Rental guest see dolphins on almost every experience. Several dolphin pods navigate the bay each day. Most of our customers are able to see them in their natural habitat. Please be sure to follow Florida natural wildlife laws.

• BAYTOWNE WARF IN SANDESTIN - Want to dock your vessel for lunch, dinner, zip line, entertainment? Stop at the SanDestin Baytown Wharf. Daily activities and entertainment throughout the summer. (a fee to dock the rental will be needed upon arrival. See rates here.)

• LULU'S RESTAURANT - Owned by Lulu Buffet(Jimmy Buffet's sister), you can anchor just outside the restaurant and WALK to the beach to order your meal while the kids play in the playground. When finished, just walk back to your vessel, and continue enjoying your rental.

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Can I go to CRAB ISLAND?- Renters are allowed to take the boat as far west as Crab Island and as far east as the 331 bridge.  Our 150 hp tritoons and 150 hp double decker tritoons with slides can get to Crab Island in 40-55 minutes.     It's a beautiful drive from Santa Rosa Beach to Crab Island / Destin.   Most customers spot dolphins along the way. Travel time factors include conditions of water, wind, what vessel, and how many passengers are on the boat. We  recommend a 9 hr rental to be able to enjoy Crab Island when renting the double decker pontoon.

 

Do I need to make a reservation?

Yes, 30a Pontoon Rental does not have our own dock.  We use a public dock in Santa Rosa Beach.   As a result, we schedule our deck hands ahead of time to provide safety and navigation instruction. We will have your vessel at the dock and ready to board at the time of your reservation.  Book now to make a reservation. 

 

How soon should I call to verify I can get a boat?

The earlier the better.  Our summer schedule for boat rentals in Santa Rosa Beach fills up quickly.  We recommend at least 2-3 weeks out.  If for some reason your date is reserved by someone else, we can add you to our waiting list. For holidays, we often book up months in advance.

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What if we return the pontoon rental boat late?  
30a Pontoon Rental has a very tight schedule.   Please keep in contact with our staff / deckhands if you expect to be late. Returning the vessel each 15 minutes late will result in an additional $50 per 15 minutes.

 

What is 30a Pontoon Rentals cancellation policy?  Except in the case of inclement weather on the day of your boat rental or charter -If there is a need to cancel, we require 72 hour notice for a full refund. Cancellations made with fewer than 72 hours notice for other reasons or “no-shows” will be charged for the full amount of the rental. In the event that your vacation is cut short by sickness or family emergency and you are not able to provide 72 hours notice of cancellation, you may be able to file for reimbursement of your rental fees from your travel insurance provider. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

 

What all do we get for our pontoon rental?

Most rental companies in Destin offer 50 hp pontoons.  30a Pontoon Rental offers luxury 150 hp tritoons.  30a Pontoon Rental offers 8 passenger, 12 passenger, and 12 passenger double decker with slides.     In addition, our pontoon rental boats are equipped with all U.S. Coast Guard approved safety equipment including life jackets, and an anchor.  Our pontoon rental includes a full tank of gas.   Additional fuel is the responsibility of the renter.

 

Are there any other pontoon rental fees?

Florida requires us to charge you an additional 9% sales tax. 

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GAS

Each boat comes with one full tank of gas included in the price.  However, 30a Pontoon Rental set our rental rates in January of 2021.  As a result of the political changes, gas rates are close to double.   Due to this, we evaluate the gas prices on the day of your rental and bill you the difference after your day.  All guest sign off on this in the rental agreement.   

 

How old do I have to be to rent a pontoon boat?

The US Coast Guard requires all renters to be born on or before January of 1988.  However, they allow guests to take a boating course.   The website is www.boat-ed.com/floridarental.   Once this course is complete, 30a Pontoon Rental allows an extension.  If the course is completed, we allow guest to be 30 years of age or older.  We do not allow anyone under 30 years of age to operate our pontoon rental boats.   Please email a copy of the certificate to srbboatrental@gmail.com. Renters failing to obtain a certificate cannot rent a vessel in Florida and may forfeit any refund on the day of the launch.

 

What if I’ve never driven a pontoon boat or any other type of boat before?

Boating isn’t as easy as it seams.  Water can be rough, other boaters can inexperienced on the water, some boats may be pulling rafts, etc.  As a result, it’s very important to use extreme caution.  Boats are not like cars, it takes much longer to stop a boat, turn a boat, etc.    There are also a few very important motoring tips when traveling through shallow waters.  We will teach you many of these tips upon your arrival.  We also have a boat safety video we strongly recommend.  Here is the link.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T3E0ZeZc_U. .   If you don’t feel comfortable driving the boat, we may be able to arrange for a driver to pilot the pontoon boat for an additional $65/hr(minimum 6 hours). Please call ahead to arrange a driver.

 

Are babies or infants allowed on the boat?  Are they considered a full passenger?

Yes, the US Coast Guard considers everyone with a heartbeat a passenger on a boat.  30a Pontoon Rental provides enough life jackets for all ages.  

 

How far can I take the boat?

Answer: Pontoon boat rentals are allowed anywhere within the Choctawhatchee Bay as far east as 1 mile east of the 331 bridge and as far east at Crab Island in Destin between Destin and Okaloosa Island (underneath he bridge area).  The boat is not allowed on the Gulf of Mexico. 

 

Where do we pick up the boat?

30a Pontoon Rental will meet you at Cessna Landing dock on CR 393 in Santa Rosa Beach. 1.6 miles north of the Hwy 98 and 393 intersection, We will be there 15 minutes before your scheduled time.  

 

What things are fun to do in the area on a boat?

The double decker boat itself is incredibly fun.  Most people will tell us parking the boat in the middle of the bay and playing on the slide is a blast.  We also recommend touring around to view the local homes. Customers often spot pods of dolphin. Our other pontoons can pull tubes. We also offer YOLO Paddleboards, and floating pads.

 

Can we dive off the front of the boat or go headfirst down the slide.

Absolutely not.  The water in the bay is very, very shallow.  Much more shallow than you would expect.  Please, please do not risk it.  Too many accidents happen as a result.

 

Is alcohol allowed on the boat?

Alcohol is allowed on the boat. However, we do not tolerate any alcohol used by the driver.  Destin Coast Guard is very strict and will pull boats over if there is any suspicious activity.  Please know, it is against Florida law to drive a boat while under the influence of alcohol. (We can also add a driver to your rental for an additional fee if you’d prefer not to designate a driver.)

 

Are pets allowed on the boats?

Yes, but 30a Pontoon Rental charges an additional $35.00 fee, plus a $25.00- $50.00 additional cleaning fee if there is any additional cleaning required. 

 

Can I fish off the boat?

30a Pontoon Rental has had a few damages and additional cleaning when guest fish.  As a result, We charge a $35.00 fishing fee for anyone who wants to fish.   Any fishing requires a Florida fishing license. 

 

Do you have any sunset/late night rates?

30a Pontoon Rental does not allow boats to go out after sunset.  It's an insurance requirement.  

 

Do you offer local discounts?

30a Pontoon Rental is typically booked out in the spring and summer.  However, if we are slower in the off season please call us regarding local discounts.

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