727-742-2277
PRIVATE SANDBAR CHARTER · ST PETERSBURG FL
Sandbar Party Charter St Pete
Your boat.
Your crew.
Your Gulf sandbar.
A fully private 4.5-hour charter to the Gulf's most beautiful sandbars — just your group, your music, your drinks, and nowhere else to be.
$499 private charter
Up to 6 guests · All inclusive
That's just $83 per person split six ways
4.5
HOURS ON THE WATER
$83
PER PERSON (SPLIT 6 WAYS)
100%
PRIVATE - YOUR GROUP ONLY
2,900+
5-STAR TRIPADVISOR REVIEWS
THE EXPERIENCE
Private sandbar party charter St Pete —
your boat, your crew, your day.
Most sandbar experiences in St. Pete put you on a boat with strangers, play music you didn't choose, and sell you drinks at bar prices. They take everyone to the same crowded sandbar. And they bring you back after two hours.
Island Ferry's sandbar charter is the opposite. Your group books the entire boat. Your captain takes you through the scenic canals of Tierra Verde and out to open Gulf sandbars that most tourists never reach. You anchor. You jump in. You float. You stay for 4.5 hours.
No strangers. No bar tab. No schedule but yours.
We offer other options for bachelorette parties as well.
EVERYTHING INCLUDED
Everything included in your
St Pete sandbar charter
One flat rate. No add-ons, no fuel surcharges, no dockage fees, no surprises, no bar tab. Here's what's included in every charter.
Private boat
Your group only — no strangers, ever
Gulf sandbar destination
On the Gulf, not the bay
Large coolers with ice
BYOB — bring anything you like
Licensed local captain
Coast Guard licensed, safety first
Bluetooth speakers
Your playlist, your vibe, all day
4.5 Hours
3+ hours at the sandbars
Pool noodles & floats
Inflatable water hammocks included
Water games
Cornhole, water games and more
WHERE YOU'RE GOING
Gulf sandbar parties only St Pete locals know about
Your captain picks the best destination on the day of your charter based on tides, wind, and your group's preference. You always end up somewhere beautiful.
Starfish Beach / Tierra Verde
At the foot of Tierra Verde's Grand Canal, Starfish Beach and the sandbridge to Shell Key is a locals favorite. And a short walk to the Gulf.
Outback Key / Ft DeSoto
Some of the clearest Gulf water in the Tampa Bay area. Wide, shallow, and uncrowded — a favorite for groups who want space.
Shell Key Sandbar
Just at the edge of the Shell Key Preserve — pristine Gulf water, excellent shelling, and frequent dolphin sightings right at the sandbar.
Passage Key
Truly remote. A secluded barrier island at the mouth of Tampa Bay — far from civilization and completely worth the journey.
PERFECT FOR
Private boat charters St Pete —
Every group has a reason to go
The sandbar charter works for any occasion — because the Gulf doesn't care what you're celebrating. It just shows up and delivers.
Bachelorette Parties
Private, personal, and far more memorable than a bar crawl. Your playlist, your drinks, your day.
Family celebrations
Reunions, milestones, or a long-overdue day together. Multiple boats available for larger families.
Birthday Parties
A genuinely unique way to mark the occasion — the kind of day people talk about for years.
Just because
Sometimes the best reason to book a private Gulf sandbar charter is no reason at all.
Bachelor parties
Gulf sandbars, cold beers, good friends. No agenda. No strangers. No early call time.
Friend group getaways
Six of you, one boat, one beautiful day. The best St. Pete experience you haven't done yet.
HOW WE COMPARE
St Pete private sandbar charter vs
shared party boat
WHO'S ON THE BOAT?
ISLAND FERRY
Your group only
LARGE PARTY BOAT
Mixed strangers
MUSIC
ISLAND FERRY
Your playlist
LARGE PARTY BOAT
Their playlist
DRINKS
ISLAND FERRY
BYOB - anything you want
LARGE PARTY BOAT
Bar menu only
SANDBAR DESTINATION
ISLAND FERRY
Gulf - remote & beautiful
LARGE PARTY BOAT
Same usual spot in the bay
DURATION
ISLAND FERRY
3+ hours on the sandbar
LARGE PARTY BOAT
2 hrs on the sandbar
GROUP SIZE
ISLAND FERRY
Up to 18 on boats, up to 32 on kayaks
LARGE PARTY BOAT
Fixed capacity vessel, no kayak option
ATMOSPHERE
ISLAND FERRY
Intimate & personal
LARGE PARTY BOAT
Loud crowd
NATURIST OPTION
ISLAND FERRY
Yes - Passage Key
LARGE PARTY BOAT
No
READY TO BOOK
Sandbar charter pricing —
St Petersburg, FL.
$499
Private charter · up to 6 guests
Just $83 per person when split six ways
DURATION
4.5 Hours
DEPARTS FROM
Tierra Verde Marina
SCHEDULE
Weekends, and on request
GROUP SIZE
Up to 6 guests per boat
PARKING
Free at the marina
LARGER GROUPS
Multiple boats - discounted
Weekends and holidays fill up fast — especially in spring and summer. Book early to lock in your date.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Sandbar charter FAQ —
St. Petersburg, FL
Is this really a private charter — just our group?
Yes — completely private. When you book the sandbar charter, the entire boat is yours. No strangers, no other groups, no shared experience. Your captain works exclusively for your group for the entire 4.5 hours.
Can we decorate the boat?
Yes — bring banners, balloons, sashes, or anything that fits your celebration. Just avoid anything that could end up in the water. Let us know what you're celebrating when you book and your captain will help make it special.
Where does the sandbar party depart from?
The charter departs from the Tierra Verde Marina in the St. Pete Beach area. Exact meeting location and parking details are provided after booking.
What do we bring?
Bring your favorite drinks and food, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, and towels. We provide large coolers with ice, pool noodles, floats, games, and a Bluetooth speaker system. Everything else is taken care of.
Which sandbar do you go to?
Your captain selects the best destination on the day of your charter based on tide conditions, wind direction, and your group's preference. Options include Starfish Beach/Tierra Verde, Shell Key Sandbar, Fort DeSoto's Outback Key, and Passage Key. You'll always end up somewhere beautiful.
What if our group is bigger than 6?
Island Ferry operates multiple vessels that can run together for larger groups — accommodating up to 18 guests across three boats. Multi-boat bookings receive a group discount. Text or call 727-742-2277 to arrange.
Is the sandbar shallow enough for non-swimmers?
Yes. The Gulf sandbars we visit are typically ankle to waist deep — comfortable for non-swimmers and children. Pool noodles and inflatable water hammocks are provided so everyone can enjoy the water.
What happens if the weather is bad?
If Island Ferry cancels the sandbar party due to inclement weather conditions, you’ll receive a full refund or the option to reschedule.
Other Great Experiences
St Pete offers several other great experiences on the water, such as our discreet naturist private tours to Passage Key, as well as family-friendly St Pete Dolphin cruises and Kayak Tours to Shell Key that take you to Shell Key. The private snorkeling to Egmont Key is also excellent, namely the sunken ruins at Egmont Key. Last, but not least, our St Pete Sunset Cruise is the best way to end your day in a relaxing way. For more about St Petes sandbars, visit our Sandbar visitors guide online.
Our Tours-Central page has summaries of all of our tours.