Boating with Kids on the Emerald Coast!

What Benefits Do Boating Excursions Offer Children?

Children of all ages benefit from boating excursions along the Emerald Coast. In a world consumed by technology, children often lack the real-world experiences that shape us into stewards of the Earth. Fostering a love for nature begins with meaningful experiences that help us understand the world around us. These encounters also provide a clear picture of how deeply interconnected we are with the natural world, fueling our desire to protect it and our symbiotic relationship with it.

During a boating excursion, most of a child’s senses are fully engaged—regardless of age. They feel the wind, smell the sea, and experience a new and exciting world through sight and touch. Children may notice the changing colors of the water—from emerald green to blue, depending on depth. They might witness dolphins playfully surfing the waves or even chasing away sharks, and marvel at the pristine white quartz beaches.

After speaking with three different boat operators, a clearer picture emerged of what children truly enjoy and how they benefit from these trips.

According to Lad Preston, operator of Sailing Moby in Destin, even babies enjoy the peaceful glide through the water with sails up, the gentle wind on their faces, the calls of seabirds, and the excitement of other children. Many are lulled to sleep by the soothing sway of the vessel. As the trip progresses and Sailing Moby enters the more turbulent waters of the East Pass, older children love riding the bow of the boat. The bouncing is fun yet safe. They also enjoy spotting sea life—turtles, fish, birds, and, of course, dolphins. Lad says that children aged five and up especially enjoy fishing aboard his vessel, which is the only sailboat in Destin with a fishing license. Fishing brings an element of surprise, as no one ever knows exactly what they might catch.

Pam Brundidge, who operates Nice Tri in Destin through Smile and Wave Sailing, says that children aboard her boat help raise sails and swab the deck—activities that foster responsibility and teach them to follow instructions. As the trip continues, children collect seashells for identification and enjoy viewing dolphins and a wide array of sea life. Pam’s excursions also include a stop at Crab Island in Destin, where children can swim with tiny baby crabs. Throughout the trip, they’re engaged in fun group activities like hula hooping and riding in the nets.

Both Sailing Moby and Nice Tri carry up to six passengers, making them perfect for small family groups looking for a more intimate experience and an authentic connection with nature.

Captain Tony, of Cattywampus Aquatic Adventures, offers larger group trips with up to 49 passengers on a 28'x48' motor catamaran. His trips are a fantastic introduction to the Choctawhatchee Bay and allow children to learn how to use snorkeling gear. The vessel operates easily in just 18 inches of water, giving kids a safe and comfortable space to swim and explore. During this time, children can observe pinfish, hermit crabs, and other small marine creatures. Children under three enjoy walking along the shore, collecting shells, and picking up small pieces of driftwood. After 40 minutes of swimming and snorkeling, the vessel heads into the Gulf of Mexico for dolphin watching—where lucky guests might also spot turtles or stingrays. On the return trip, kids often take turns steering the boat, participate in super soaker contests, and enjoy more hula hoop fun.

There’s no doubt that children of all ages benefit from excursions centered around wildlife and nature. They also learn from simple things—how a boat anchors, how it raises anchor, and what the buoys mean. A three-hour cruise offers immense learning opportunities and a deep connection to the natural world.

A key part of a child’s enjoyment comes from the confidence parents have in the vessel’s operators. Each of the captains featured in this article has a long history as a mariner and holds accolades in the local boating community. Captain Lad Preston has been sailing for over 40 years and has won numerous sailing regattas. Captain Pam grew up boating in Destin with her father, a shrimper, and was voted Destin’s Best Female Captain in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Captain Tony has worked the waters of Destin for four decades, first as a commercial fisherman and now as the 14-year captain of Cattywampus, which was ranked #8 out of the top 10 boating excursions in North America by USA Today.

Providing children with real-life, hands-on experiences in nature fosters understanding and awareness of the ecosystems they’re visiting—something books or videos can’t quite replicate. Imagine reading about dolphin habitats, and then picture interacting with a dolphin or watching a pod swim by in the wild. Experiences like these inspire learning, promote understanding, and nurture compassion.