Sunshine Pontoons

Sunshine Pontoons is a local, family-run company in Destin that offers pontoon rentals, parasailing, snorkeling, and dolphin cruises. They have been operating since 2010 and pride themselves on providing great customer service and relationships. Customers can book these water adventures through their website or by calling their dedicated phone numbers.

The business offers several distinct water adventures including pontoon rentals, parasailing, snorkeling, dolphin cruises, and sunset cruises. They also provide Crab Island tours and catamaran experiences as part of their Destin water sports lineup. Each activity has its own specific pricing and requirements listed on their site.

Pricing for their services varies by activity, with pontoon rentals starting from $225 for a half-day and $350 for a full-day. Parasailing flyers can be done for around $60, while dolphin cruises range from $27 for a day cruise to $33 for a sunset cruise. Snorkeling trips are priced at $50 per adult for summer rates.

To book an adventure, customers are required to make a reservation using a major credit card, ideally 1 to 2 days in advance. They must call at least 24 to 48 hours prior to their scheduled trip time to change, reschedule, or cancel their reservation. If they fail to call or miss their reservation time, tickets will not be rescheduled or refunded.

The business has a 3.6 out of 5 rating on Trustburn based on 8 reviews, with the most recent feedback dating back to October 2023. Reviewers consistently praise the cleanliness of the boats, the friendliness of the staff, and the overall enjoyable experience exploring Destin's coastline. Some reviewers specifically mention the amazing dolphin sightings and the helpfulness of the captains.

Sunshine Pontoons differentiates itself by having a highly trained staff dedicated to ensuring both a great time and safety for all guests. They emphasize that their team makes sure everything runs smoothly while still finding time to make customers smile. This focus on service and safety is what they claim sets them apart from the competition.

The business is located in Destin and offers free parking for all customers visiting their single location. They serve a wide range of ages, with specific notes that children must be 4 years old or older for the Fireworks Tour. Pregnant women are not allowed to participate in parasailing or observe it for safety reasons.

Safety and certification are key features, as their captains are US Coast Guard licensed Masters. Both the captain and crew are specifically trained in swimming, snorkeling, boat handling, and First Aid & CPR. They also note that weight requirements for parasailing change daily due to wind conditions and are subject to the Captain's approval.

For parasailing, the minimum age is 6, and participants under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign their liability waiver. The minimum combined weight is 150 lbs, with a maximum combined weight of about 500 lbs. These weight requirements can vary daily based on wind conditions.

The snorkeling trip takes a total of 2 1/2 hours after leaving their location and going through Destin Harbor. It is a 2-stop trip that lasts 2.5 hours, taking customers to two locations for snorkeling and to look for dolphins. Reservations are required for all activities.

The parasailing experience involves taking off and landing directly on the boat rather than in the water. After fitting a special harness, participants are seated on the flight deck and gently launched and retrieved using a hydraulic winch system. This makes it a participant sport that requires no prior experience.

The dolphin cruises feature captains who are described by reviewers as 'Dolphin Whisperers' and 'Dolphin Daddies'. Guests often see dolphins, hammerhead sharks, and spotted eagle rays during these tours. The trips include good music and are well-organized by the crew.

The business operates under the name Sunshine Watersports and uses multiple phone numbers for different services, including 850-837-2299 for pontoon rentals and 850-200-2260 for dolphin cruises. They also offer gift cards and have a cancellation fee of $10 if the policy is not followed.

The company states that their team spends time making sure everything runs smoothly while still finding time to make customers smile. They aim to ensure guests have the best possible time while maintaining safety standards. This approach is highlighted as a core part of their operational philosophy.

The business offers a variety of services including crab island tours and sunset cruises in addition to their core offerings. They also provide information on what to wear, such as swimming suits and plenty of sunscreen, and note that they do not have wet suits but they can be rented across the street.