FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

First Call: Shortly after booking, we'll discuss your trip details, activities, and the people joining you.

Second call: The day before your excursion, we'll review weather conditions, pick-up details, and any final questions.

Sunscreen is a must! While the boat provides plenty of shade, hats, sunglasses, and UV protective clothing are also recommended. We ask that you apply spray sunscreen before you arrive, as the over-spray makes the boat slippery.

Essential for activities like clamming, eco-tours, and crossing over the island (hot sand!) If you don't have water shoes an old pair of sneakers will work just fine.  Amazon has water shoes starting at $10, nothing fancy! Crocs are good on the boat but not in the water.

Stay hydrated! Bottled water will be provided on board, but we encourage you to bring your own cooler packed with ice, food, and drinks. Forgot something? We can stop at marinas or restaurants along the way.

Bring your beach towels, beach chairs, and floats (unless you're renting gear) A bag for sea shells (grocery bags work well) and small toys like a football, frisbee, or shovel are also great additions. Please pack methodically as space is limited on the boat.  

The day before: If the weather doesn't look promising, Capt. Jake will call to discuss rescheduling or canceling. If the trip is canceled due to weather, a full refund will be provided.

THE MORNING OF: If it's overcast or there's a chance of rain, Capt Jake will call before your pick-up time to discuss the options.  As long as there's no severe weather or lightening, we can still go.  If we cancel for weather, a full refund will be issued.

On the boat: 

Rest assured that Capt. Jake spends a lot of time looking at the weather, and your family's safety is his top priority.  If the charter encounters bad weather there are several places on the mainland to take refuge and wait for the storm to pass.  If the weather looks as though it will not cooperate for the rest of the trip we will head back to the drop off location and your trip will be prorated accordingly.

-For cancellations made 48 hours or more before: Full refund.

-For cancellations made less than 48 hours before: 50% refund

-For cancellations made less than 24 hours before: No refund! 

-No Show also equals no refund. Please plan accordingly for beach traffic and parking.

Capt. Jake has over 25 years of boating experience, accident-free.  Safety is a priority, and our boat is equipped with high safety rails, first aid supplies, and CPR/first aid certification for both infants and adults. The boat also carries the most up to date electronics including, GPS, VHF radio, and EPIRB. If at any time you feel uncomfortable, we will adjust our course immediately. 

That's up to you! We'll mainly explore the Intracoastal Waterway between Surf City and Wrightsville Beach, with Lea Island being the highlight.  Rest assured we avoid inlets and open ocean for safety.

No age restrictions! As long as everyone can handle a little wave action and can safely get on and off the boat, everyone's welcome.  Guest need to be able to step up and down 2 feet.

By law, children under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket while the boat is underway.  We provide high-quality life jackets for children and emergency life jackets for everyone on board. Capt. Jake will confirm the age and size of the children in your group during your pre-trip call.   IMPORTANT: IF YOU ARE BRINGING AN INFANT ON BOARD IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE THE PROPER LIFE VEST.

Yes, dogs are welcome! Keep in mind, it can be hot for their paws, and Lea Island is a bird and turtle sanctuary, so your dog must be on a leash.  If we find a remote sandbar at low tide, they might get a chance to run free! 

In accordance to the United States Coast Guard Rules we are allowed a total of 19 passengers. In this situation Infants and children count the same as an adult. This is a strict policy with zero exceptions. Please let us know if your party is larger than 12 so we can make arrangements for a mate to accompany your group.  Note: 19 passengers is doable but it makes for a crowded boat.  It will be "shoulder to shoulder" during transport which is ok on the shorter rides. 

No worries! Our stable boat makes for a smooth ride. Rough seas are a rarity as we are protected by Barrier Islands to our east and mainland to our west. If you do start to feel sea sick, we can head to the beach for relief.  Consider taking motion sickness medication the night before if you're prone to seasickness.

Are you familiar with the term, nature potty? There is no bathroom on the boat, so hopping in the water or running behind a dune is totally acceptable (and kind of funny).  If for any reason you do need the privacy of a restroom, Capt. Jake never frowns on a quick trip to the marina for a snack and a potty break, just give him a heads up and he can quickly and discreetly get you to a restroom!

Of course you can bring alcohol, that's part of the reason you've hired a captain for the day! Everyone consuming alcohol must be 21+ years of age and provide a valid ID. At any time the captain has the right to end the excursion if a customer becomes unruly or become a danger to themselves or anyone else on board. Remember: slow and steady wins the race!

Tipping is not expected but always appreciated! If you feel the service was exceptional, feel free to tip in cash or via Venmo.