With a visit to Pensacola Bay Cruises, you can jet across the gorgeous waterways to Fort Pickens, Pensacola Beach, or Pensacola —and back again at your leisure. For these trips, they operate two attractive double-hull vessels that smoothly glide across the waters without a hitch. Each ferry can accommodate up to 149 passengers and keep everyone comfortable for the entire ride with their exceptional amenities.
Each boat features an upper level that allows for panoramic views of the bay and its surrounding landscapes. There is also an indoor climate-controlled area right below for sitting back and relaxing as the ferry makes its way to the selected destination. If you grow a bit hungry along the way, you can visit their onboard snack bar and galley for a bite to eat. They also serve cocktails during the voyage, if you wish to partake.
Throughout the year, they run two separate schedules to meet the demand for cruises across the bay. From August through October, you can catch a ride at several points in the day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Throughout the rest of the year, as it is their peak season, they run their boats daily. During that time, their boats depart every couple of hours, including late into the evening. They also run specialty cruises at various times in the year to treat their patrons to the ultimate boating experience.
Their specialty cruises include:
Glimpse of the Blue Angels Practice Runs
When the Blue Angels go through their practice runs to prepare for their shows, there is no better place to catch a glimpse than the ferry’s upper deck. They anchor the boat right near the lighthouse to give everyone the best view of the show. While there, the planes perform their maneuvers just overhead, making pass after pass over the ferry.
The Sunset Cocktail Experience
If you love to take in the beauty of the sunset, then treat yourself to a trip on the Sunset Cocktail Experience. You will head out onto the waters to watch in eager anticipation as the sun goes down just beyond the horizon, magnificently glistening off the waterway. If you are lucky, and you likely will be, dolphins will perfect the scene before you, leaping into the air as the sun sets around them.
An Evening Cocktail Cruise to Remember
There is something magical about being on the water after the sun goes down and you can experience it for yourself on the Evening Cocktail Cruise. As the ferry moves across the jet black waterway, you can watch the lighthouse guide ships with its beam of light and even catch dolphins cruising around alongside the ferry. While you take in the sights, you can order up all your favorite cocktails and even get a bite to eat along the way.
Before leaving the ferry docks, you can hit the Mine Storeroom to keep the fun going late into the evening. They have bike rentals, beach gear, and even camping supplies to use on your adventures. You can also grab some bait and take your fishing gear out to try and catch the big one. If you are just looking for a little reminder of all the fun you had, check out their souvenir section and pick out a cute trinket to take back home.
Insider Tips:
– To learn about the history of the region, seek out the park ranger on board for some great information.
– The captain occasionally lets young kids pretend to drive the boat, so just ask if you want to make this a part of your experience.