Good Vibes Tiki Cruises is a floating, tropical island party in the form of a thatched-roof catamaran, located in Dewey Beach at the Rehoboth Bay Marina. In its inaugural summer, Good Vibes Tiki Cruises is in high demand as an island theme party-boat available for up to 18 passengers. They offer shared cruises for multiple smaller groups, or options to rent the entire boat for a private party.
Ed White Jr., one of the owners and the managing partner, explains how the concept came to life. “Spending summers at the Delaware beaches since childhood, I have seen the population explode. Each season I witness more and more businesses geared to tourism popping up, and as an avid boater, I saw a need for more entertainment-type boat rentals.” Ed works in the healthcare field but in the summer can run the boat. “This is fun, and I really enjoy it. It’s a side venture, but it’s taken 10 years of stress off me,” he says with a smile.
Good Vibes Tiki Cruises slogan is, “It’s Always Happy Hour,” and hosts the only nautical crusher machine in Delaware, custom-made for the boat by Crusher Hitch. “I like concepts. Crushes are so popular at the beach, and we’re the first boat on the water with one on-board,” Ed says. And if you’re worried about running to the potty after all those crushes, they offer a full-size bathroom on board! (Phew—so keep the crushes coming!)
There is a custom-made Tiki Bar running down the center of the boat, with seating for 12 and a large L-shaped couch in the back of the boat for shade. There is a ladder and swimming platform for family water fun. They work with “Beachin’ Bash” for catered food and custom menus, or guests are welcome to pack their own coolers with food. The boat is BYOB, (and bring your own fruit for the juicer), but they do offer Bluetooth speakers, a Shot Ski, which Ed explains “doesn’t have to be alcohol—it’s often just for fun pictures.” And while fun is the focus for guests, the boat is professionally and safely run. “We are a Coast Guard Certified Vessel, and each cruise has a Master Captain operating the boat and a First Mate, so guests are safe, and only need to worry about having a good time,” Ed says.
From May 1st through October 30th Good Vibes Tiki Cruises offers 5 cruises a day, 7 days a week, each being 2 hours long: Starting with a “Wake-n-Break” cruise at 7:30 am, a “Sunny Morning Delight” at 10:15 am, the “Early Afternoon Shenanigans” at 1:00 pm, the “Best Happy Hour” cruise at 3:45 pm, and the last daily voyage, everyone’s favorite, the “Sunset Cruise” at 6:30 pm. Cruises range in price from $40-$70, with discounted prices for minors/kids; under 21 is $35 and kids under 10 years old are $25. “We often have parties who book back-to-back and take two time slots for an extended day on the water, and we work with them on a discounted price for that,” Ed explains.
There are 3 pickup locations. Their home dock is in Dewey Beach at the Rehoboth Bay Marina at 109 Collins Avenue, Slip B-64, which boasts a parking lot with metered spots for easy parking before boarding the vessel, and a waiting area with picnic tables and Adirondack chairs on the dock. There is also a pickup location at the Rehoboth Beach Museum, at the dock under the Dollies sign, at 511 Rehoboth Ave. The last location is on Indian River, in the Pot Nets Communities, including The Peninsula—this pick-up requires a full private cruise with a minimum of 14 guests. “We have enjoyed our first summer, and we are excited to grow the business.” This Fall, Good Vibes Tiki Cruises will add a generator to the boat so they can offer live music by a guitarist with an amp, and twinkle lights, so as the sun sets earlier, the party can continue. Check out their website at goodvibestikicruises.com.
