Partyboats on Long Island: Paddle pubs, tiki boats and more ways to set sail this summer
Paddle Pub Long Island is a pedal-powered pub boat for the ultimate party on the water. Credit: Paddle Pub Long Island
Summer is the time to spend on the water. But you don’t have to be a fisher to board a boat. Here are four aquatic experiences where you can get in party mode and enjoy some sunshine.
PADDLE PUB
This 35-foot pontoon boat holds up to 26 passengers with 12 paddle stations, where guests sit and help power the vessel via a giant paddle wheel in the rear. The boat, which is helmed by a master captain and party host, allows food and beverage to be brought onboard with ice provided. Each trip runs two hours and all passengers must be 21 or older.
WHEN | WHERE Daily (times vary per day, call for specifics) through Oct. 5; 1 Anchorage Lane, Huntington; 325 River Ave., Patchogue; 130 W. Broadway, Port Jefferson; 495 Wood St., Oceanside
COST $49-$99
MORE INFO 631-778-1433, paddlepub.com
Paddle Pub Long Island is a pedal-powered pub boat for the ultimate party on the water. Credit: Paddle Pub Long Island
TIKI BOAT
Take a ride on the Tiki Boat, where a variety of themed tours are offered throughout the day on the Great South Bay. Sip a Mai Tai on the Tropical Tiki Boat, relax midday during the Fun in the Sun Celebration, kick off the evening with the Happy Hour Booze Cruise, catch sundown on the Sunset Cruise or take in the lights from the Harbor Lights partyboat. Each ride runs 90 minutes and carries 29 people with a full-service cash bar and light snacks for sale (food is allowed to be brought on board). A DJ spins tunes and there’s even a dance floor for those who want to boogie.
WHEN | WHERE Noon, 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays (May and October), Thursday-Sunday (June and September), daily (July and August); launches from The Wharf at Nauti River Marina, 445 Vanderbilt Blvd., Oakdale
COST $49-$84, must be 16 or older
MORE INFO 631-648-8055, tikiboatlongisland.com
A Port Tiki boat cruise rides on Manhasset Bay in Port Washington in July 2022. Credit: Morgan Campbell
SUNSET CRUISES
Take it easy on a two-hour cruise aboard the 100-foot Atlantic Pearl through Baldwin Harbor, Mansion Harbor, Randall Bay and Parsonage Cove while watching the sun go down over the water. The dance floor is open, with a live DJ providing the tunes, and a cash-only bar serves cocktails.
WHEN | WHERE 7 to 9 p.m. Saturdays starting in July; Nautical Mile Cruises, 111 Woodcleft Ave., Freeport
COST $47, ages 21 or older
MORE INFO 516-544-6698, nauticalmilecruises.com
Whale watchers aboard the Atlantic Pearl keep a look out for whale and bottle noise dolphins in the open seas in July 2018. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
BAY JAM
Get ready to rock out with a live band that performs a full concert on the top deck of a 65-foot boat, The Moon Chaser, for a three-hour evening cruise on the Great South Bay. A hot food buffet and soft drinks are provided while a cash bar is available to purchase cocktails. Music ranges from classic rock to reggae to ’80s pop to various tribute bands for a crowd that maxes out at 200 people.
WHEN | WHERE Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays June-August (times vary); Captree State Park, 3500 E. Ocean Pkwy., Babylon
COST $56, ages 21 or older
MORE INFO 631-265-1848, themoonchaser.com
Mason Swearingen and Johnny Roggio of Completely Unchained play aboard The Moon Chaser. Credit: Barbara Alper
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.