Boat Rental information - know before you go!

Life Jackets

While onboard a Sunset Charter Services vessel, life jackets are required for children aged 6 and under per Florida Law. We will supply life jackets for adult sizes as well as for children, however, guests are more than welcome to bring their own onboard.

Captains

A Captain will be onboard your boat for any and every rental to provide you the best experience possible. We do not offer self-drive so sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!

Alcohol

We do not offer alcohol onboard our boats but it is permitted to BYOB. We will have limited refrigeration capacity so depending on the quantity you are bringing, it is recommended to bring your own cooler. We will have one cooler with ice and water ready for you upon pickup.

If you are in need of purchasing beverages or food, outside of the park is the restaurant Masa & More that has food and beverages available for purchase. If stopping at the sandbar there is also a boat with alcohol and food available for purchase.

Extras

To improve your trip we will have extras available for purchase. You can opt to include a waterproof electronics protector which will be available onboard and Sunset Charter Services merchandise online. Your charter will include a swim mat, water floats, and a cooler with water and ice.

Cancellation Policy

If you need to cancel your booking, please cancel 3 days prior to your charter to receive a full refund. If you need to cancel within 3 days of your booking, we will refund you 50% of your payment. If inclement weather conditions will impact your charter, we will work with you to reschedule your booking, otherwise, the aforementioned policy applies.

Please note Florida weather is ever changing and brief rainstorms happen frequently, especially in the summer months. If there is a severe weather event where we cannot take you out we will cancel the charter for you and refund you.

Day-of information

Meeting Point

For Sunset Charter Services boat rentals, patrons are to meet at the Smoker Family Park dock located at 501 S Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Your captain will be waiting for you alongside your boat in Sunset Charter Services apparel so that you can easily identify them. You will be dropped off at the same location at the end of the charter.

Parking

You may drive, ride-share, or taxi to your pick-up location. At the Smoker Family Park there is valet parking outside of the entrance of the park available to you. There are also parking garages and parking lots nearby in the area.

Itinerary - Sandbar and Sightseeing

On your charter you will enjoy a beautiful trip through the Fort Lauderdale Intracoastal Waterway "the Venice of America"! All around you there will be beautiful homes, super-yachts, sunshine and palm trees to gaze at. For shorter trips, such as the 3 hour rental, you may choose to leisurely cruise through the waterway and sight-see or you could make a stop to the sandbar for a quick dip in the beautiful waters. For 4/6/8 hour charters we will briefly cruise the waterway before dropping anchor for a day at the sandbar. Once anchored you will find that you can easily touch-bottom in the soft sand or you can float on any of our floats or swim mat. On weekends at the sandbar there are food boats and a Tiki Bar anchored around you as well as an ice cream boat that cruises around frequently. We can personalize your charter so if you have a request or there is something you would prefer to do while onboard please let your captain know, he will do the best to accommodate requests.. Please know all requests must be reasonable and within the time-frame booked, requests will be at the captains discretion.

Itinerary - Whiskey Creek Excursion

On your excursion you will enjoy a beautiful trip to Whiskey Creek Hideout! We will take a very short drive from the pick-up location to Whiskey Creek where you may see manatees, sea turtles, and dolphins! You can choose anywhere from 3-8 hour trips for your excursion. Once at Whiskey Creek we will beach the boat to allow you to easily touch-bottom in the soft sand or you can float on any of our floats or swim mat. Walk down the path past the palms, picnic tables, and grills and you will find yourself at your own private beach! At Whiskey Creek there is a concession stand that sells food, beverages and souvenirs. There are kayaks and canoes available for rent to tour the waterway and mangroves (rentals not included with your booking)! There are bathrooms on-site.

Itinerary - Sunset Cruise

On your charter you will enjoy an evening trip through the Fort Lauderdale Intracoastal Waterway "the Venice of America"! All around you there will be beautiful homes, super-yachts, and the nighttime lights to gaze at before taking you to a great spot to watch the sunset! We offer 2-8hr evening and sunset charters.

Dine and cruise charter package

Explore the Waters

For your dine and cruise charter package you can select any amount of time you'd like with at least a 4 hour minimum rental. We will pick up your group at the Smoker Family Park in Fort Lauderdale and either head to Paradise Tiki restaurant or cruise throughout the waterway, it will be up to your group whether you would like to eat first or cruise first. On your charter we will explore the sandbar and surrounding areas of Fort Lauderdale. We will have a swim mat and floats available to lounge in the sun. When your group is ready we will head to Paradise Tiki in Dania Beach for either lunch or dinner.

Paradise Tiki

Upon arriving at Paradise Tiki for your lunch or dinner, we will dock outside of the restaurant and remain there until your group is ready to leave. Each guest will be able to choose menu items up to $30 each. After this amount is reached, the guest will be responsible to pay the remaining balance. You will be able to choose any menu item or drink that you would like! They offer live music on Fridays from 6-9pm, Saturdays from 6-9pm, and Sundays from 3-6pm.

Departure

After finishing your lunch or dinner your captain will head back to the Smoker Family Park with you or if there is time remaining in your charter you can decide if you would like to anchor at the sandbar or cruise for the remaining time.