Big Bear Tiki Tour FAQs

Please scroll down for the answers to the following questions:

  • Where can I park?

  • Are kids allowed onboard?

  • Do you sell alcohol on the boat?

  • Can we bring our own alcohol?

  • Can we swim from the boat?

  • Can we fish from the boat?

  • Do you sell food on the tiki boat?

  • What should I bring on the tour?

  • Is there a bathroom onboard?

  • Where does the tour go on the lake?

  • Can I play my own music?

  • Are dogs allowed on tours?

  • How many people can fit on the boat?

  • Can I tie up with my own boat?

  • Will I be refunded if there’s bad weather?

  • What if I get motion sick?

  • I booked and I need to cancel. Can I get a refund?

  • Can I smoke on the boat?

  • Can you pick us up at our dock?

  • How much does a tour cost?

Where Can I Park?

Thanks for asking! There is currently no parking available at Pleasure Point Marina. You are welcome to find parking off-site and walk in, or we can suggest some of our friendly local rideshares. There’s also a free trolley through Mountain Transit’s Blue Line that makes a stop nearby!

Are kids allowed onboard?

Yes! We welcome the whole family including your well-behaved little groms on any tour except the sunset (18+). Life jackets are available from infants all the way up to 6XL, and kids under 13 will need to wear one the entire time we’re out. Also note that tickets are the same price for everyone no matter what your age, and remember to bring your ID if you’re 18 or older.

Do you sell alcohol on the boat?

Yes! For this reason we will not be able to permit anyone to bring their own drinks onboard. Please remember to bring your ID, and the bar is cash only, so bring your wallet! We do have an ATM onboard for any last-minute cash needs with a $3 fee (which is left empty overnight). We offer a variety of handcrafted cocktails in addition to beer, wine, soda, and of course water. Many handcrafted beverages can be ordered non-alcoholic as well.

Can we bring our own alcohol?

No, unfortunately we have to ask that you leave your liquids at home (or at least in the car) as we have an on-site liquor license. Please see the above question “Do you sell alcohol on the boat?” for further details!

Can we swim from the boat?

Generally, no. We take pride in offering a unique experience with safety as or top priority. While there maybe exceptions for certain private tours, the conditions in Big Bear Lake are generally not ideal for swimming.

Can we fish from the boat?

Not on any of our public tours, however we are happy to host you with your rods and tackle on a private tour. We will gladly provide worms, but this must be arranged in advance via call or text to (909)203-3636.

Do you sell food on the tiki boat?

Yes, we do have a limited selection of packaged snacks available for purchase. If you are looking for catering for a private party, we will be happy to help you set something up in advance!

What should I bring on the tour?

We recommend that everyone pack warm layer as the breeze on Big Bear Lake can be cool even in the heat of summer. If you like to take pictures of beautiful places, we always recommend a camera. We also suggest you bring cash for any onboard purchases and to tip your crew!

Is there a bathroom onboard?

Yes! Technically on a boat a bathroom is called a ”head,” and yes we do have one of those. In fact, we’re quite pleased to inform you that it’s the nicest head anywhere on the lake! You can check it out in our photo gallery! We always recommend that you use the restroom before boarding the boat, but for those of us with small bladders, we got you.

Where does the tour go on the lake?

Our tours are not narrated, so your captain will be able to suit each route to the weather conditions an preferences of the passengers. Most of the time you’ll stay on the west end of the lake which is the more scenic side!

Can I play my own music?

We have a fully-loaded sound system onboard the tiki boat, and a preloaded selection of playlists for all of our public or mixed-group tours. If you are on a private tour, we’ll be happy to help you hook up your own beats, though we do recommend downloading your tunes in advance as service on the lake can be spotty at times.

Are dogs allowed on tours?

We do love your furry companions, but unfortunately we have to encourage you to leave your pets at home except for in a very particular case as we will explain here. Captains may allow pets on board at their discretion, however if any other passengers object, we will have to ask you to leave your pet somewhere safe on land. On a private tour you’re more than welcome to bring your friend along, and we’re happy to offer a refreshing beverage (water) and a little dog bed + Astroturf patch for their comfort. We like to say, we’re very friendly to very friendly dogs! Please consider whether your dog can maintain a calm and quiet attitude in a small, crowded space with other dogs and people, on the water, and with ducks and other wildlife approaching the boat. Registered service dogs are of course welcome on all tours.

How many people can fit on the boat?

We like to cap our booking system at 15 tickets, but we can accept up to 18 people onboard. If you see that a tour is sold out, please feel free to send us a text to see if we might be able to fit a few extra passengers onboard. For private tours we accept up to 17 passengers on the booking system, but we can potentially take up to 18 just like on a public tour. The main consideration is body weight onboard, so we may ask you to run a survey to calculate your group’s total weight to confirm a larger passenger count.

Can I tie up with my own boat?

Unfortunately side-tying is not possible. We must adhere to our liquor license and lake safety regulations. If you want to sit and grab a beer with us, please book a tour through the official booking platform, or give us a call!

Will I be refunded if there’s bad weather?

With our lovely palapa roof, there is ample protection from any inclement weather, and we’ll still go out! There’s something magical about the rain on the lake, and when you’re out there after it clears up it’s like falling through a wardrobe to Narnia (which is to say, it’s stunningly beautiful on the lake after a rain). We also have a limited number of blankets onboard in case you forget a jacket.

What if I get motion sick?

There’s nothing worse than being seasick while you’re out having a good time. We recommend talking to your doctor about taking a Dramamine or similar anti-nausea medication the night before coming on the tour if you’re prone to getting sea sick. The good news is that Big Bear Lake tends to be a lot calmer than any ocean even on its worst day, and it’s really uncommon to get seasick on the lake even if you frequently do in the ocean.

I booked and I need to cancel. Can I get a refund?

We will do our absolute best to work with you to find a solution if you need to cancel last minute. Cancellations will be heeded according to the type of booking you made and the amount of time before the tour starts as detailed in your booking confirmation email. Unfortunately any cancelations within 24 hours cannot be refunded, but we will be more than happy to help you reschedule, or we can provide you with a voucher for a future tour.

Can I smoke on the boat?

Unfortunately not on this boat. We do everything possible to fire-proof our roof, but with the flammable materials onboard, a vessel registration that prohibits federally restricted substances, and mixed public groups on board, we kindly ask that you refrain from smoking or vaping any substance during the tour.

Can you pick us up at our dock?

It ultimately depends on the dock, the home-owner, the tour time, and type. Because the tiki boat is relatively large and heavy, most private docks cannot safely accommodate us. In the rare cases that your dock is sturdy, deep, and large enough, we must be within a 5 minute drive on the boat, so anywhere in Metcalf bay or just on the points outside of the bay are the only areas we can reach without cutting into our other tour times. The home owner must be aware, approve, and listed as additional insured at least 2 weeks in advance of the tour, and we charge a minimum of $200 fee for private dock pick up to cover the time and expense of the extra time and steps. Finally, this is not an option whatsoever on any public tours.

How much is it?

Please refer to our booking system for the most up to date pricing information! Our prices do fluctuate depending on the type of tour and the time in advance that you book. Most often our tours range in price from $45-$65 with higher prices for tours that include food, or special events.