Can’t find it here? Call us — a real person answers.
Crysten’s AMI is a family-owned and operated private boat tours and charters company serving Anna Maria Island, Holmes Beach, Bradenton, Cortez, Longboat Key and the surrounding Gulf Coast waterways.
Our primary service is captained private boat tours and charters for families, couples, friends and groups who want to experience Anna Maria Island from the water with only the people they choose to invite. We also offer qualifying boat rentals and bareboat rental options for certain experiences and larger groups.
Our charters include All-Inclusive Sandbar Island Hopping, Snorkeling Adventures, Egmont Key Excursions, See Dolphins & More wildlife charters, Sunset Harbor Cruises, Pub Crawl Harbor Cruise, Bachelorette Charters, seasonal Christmas Light Tours and qualifying Bareboat Rentals.
Throughout this FAQ, we use the word charter as a general term for the private boating experiences we provide. Depending on the reservation, a charter may be a captained private boat tour or a qualifying boat rental or bareboat rental.
Every day on the water is different. Weather, wind, tides, currents, wildlife, water clarity and marine conditions naturally change. The captain always maintains final authority over safe vessel operation, navigation and the locations that can reasonably be visited.
Yes. Every Crysten’s AMI charter is private.
Your reservation is for you and your group only. We do not combine unrelated parties or place strangers aboard your vessel.
You are welcome to invite family members or friends as long as the total passenger count remains within the approved capacity of the vessel or group arrangement you reserved.
Yes.
You may invite family members and friends to join your charter as long as your final passenger count stays within the capacity of the reservation.
Because the experience is private, the people you invite are your responsibility. We ask that everyone aboard be respectful of one another, the captain, the vessel and other people enjoying the waterways.
The person organizing the charter is responsible for the guests they invite.
Crysten’s AMI is not responsible for personal disagreements, arguments or conflicts between members of your group.
If behavior becomes disruptive, inappropriate or creates a safety concern, the captain may alter or end portions of the charter as necessary for the safety of passengers, the vessel and crew.
Any interruption or loss of charter time caused by disagreements within your group is the responsibility of the guests involved.
Sandbar & Island Hopping — All-Inclusive
Available in 3-hour, 4-hour and 6-hour options.
Our All-Inclusive Sandbar & Island Hopping charter is designed for guests who want to enjoy the waters surrounding Anna Maria Island at a relaxed pace.
Depending on charter duration and conditions, the experience may include:
Snorkeling Adventure
Our 3-hour Snorkeling Adventure is designed for guests who specifically want recreational snorkeling to be part of their charter.
Depending on wind, tides, currents, water clarity and marine conditions, snorkeling locations may include waters around the Egmont Key area or other appropriate local locations selected by the captain.
Basic snorkeling equipment is included.
Egmont Key Excursion
Our 3-hour Egmont Key Excursion is focused on visiting and exploring Egmont Key.
This charter is designed for guests who want to:
The Egmont Key Excursion does not include snorkeling equipment and is not advertised as a snorkeling charter.
Guests whose main goal is snorkeling should choose our Snorkeling Adventure.
See Dolphins & More
Our 2-hour See Dolphins & More charter focuses on exploring the waterways surrounding Anna Maria Island while responsibly looking for dolphins, manatees, seabirds and other marine wildlife.
Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
Sunset Harbor Cruise
Our 2-hour Sunset Harbor Cruise is a private charter centered around enjoying the local waterways and a Gulf Coast sunset.
Waterfront Pub Crawl Cruise
Our 3-hour Waterfront Pub Crawl Cruise is a private 21+ charter with opportunities to visit available waterfront bars and restaurants around Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key and neighboring waterways.
Bachelorette Charter — All-Inclusive
Our All-Inclusive Bachelorette Charter is available in 4-hour and 6-hour options and is designed for private groups looking for a fun and relaxed celebration on the water.
Christmas Light Tour
Our seasonal 2-hour Christmas Light Tour operates from the day after Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve.
Boat Rentals and Bareboat Rentals
In addition to our captained charters, qualifying private boat rentals and bareboat rental options are available on certain experiences.
A bareboat rental is a separate vessel-rental arrangement and is different from one of our standard captained charters.
A standard captained vessel accommodates a maximum of:
6 passengers.
Every person aboard counts toward the passenger limit.
Yes. Every person counts regardless of age.
Adults, teenagers, children, toddlers and infants must all be included in the passenger count.
For example:
4 adults + 2 children = 6 passengers.
That fills a standard six-passenger captained vessel.
4 adults + 2 children + 1 infant = 7 passengers.
That group requires a larger-group option.
An infant being held by an adult still counts as one passenger.
We have options for larger groups.
Depending on the charter and vessel availability, groups of up to 12 passengers may be accommodated by:
In certain situations, yes.
With sufficient advance planning, vessel availability and flexibility, we may be able to coordinate private groups of approximately 18 guests using multiple vessels.
Groups larger than 12 require individual planning.
Please call:
Our fleet is selected for stability, passenger comfort, space and the shallow-water environments in which many of our charters operate.
Our primary vessels use stable, wide multi-hull pontoon/tritoon-style configurations designed for recreational boating and passenger comfort.
The exact vessel used may depend on:
Standard captained vessels accommodate up to six passengers.
Qualifying rental vessels may accommodate groups of up to 12 passengers.
Yes.
Depending on the vessel and setup, guests may have:
Shade configuration depends on the vessel and how it is set up for that particular charter.
Yes.
Our vessels carry the required vessel safety equipment and properly sized U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices.
Guests are also welcome to bring their own properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket if they prefer.
Yes.
Parents are always welcome and encouraged to bring their own properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved infant life jacket, particularly if their child already has one they are comfortable wearing.
For families who do not have an appropriate infant life jacket, Crysten’s AMI has infant life jackets available to reserve for a small equipment fee shown during checkout.
Reserving one in advance helps us ensure that properly sized infant equipment remains available for families who need it.
Our All-Inclusive Sandbar Island Hopping experience includes:
Depending on the charter, duration and conditions, possible areas may include:
A destination is never guaranteed simply because it appears on this list.
Weather, wind, tides, currents, water depth, marine traffic, wildlife protections and available charter time all affect which destinations are appropriate on a particular day.
Because your charter is private, there is often flexibility within the experience you reserved.
However, charters are not unrestricted custom itineraries.
The captain maintains final authority over navigation, destinations and activities based on:
Yes.
The Passage Key area is one of the beautiful locations we enjoy showing guests when conditions allow.
Passage Key is a low-lying and constantly changing sandbar near the mouth of Tampa Bay. Protected refuge areas and wildlife restrictions must always be respected.
Guests may enjoy the beautiful surrounding navigable waters where recreational boating is legally permitted.
The shallow Gulf waters around Passage Key can be especially beautiful and clear when conditions cooperate, and we enjoy visiting the area whenever it can be done safely and responsibly.
Tides, storms and Gulf conditions can significantly change the amount of exposed sand and the appearance of the area from one day to another.
Our Egmont Key Excursion is designed primarily for guests who want to visit and explore Egmont Key.
Depending on access and current conditions, guests may enjoy:
The Egmont Key Excursion is different from our Snorkeling Adventure.
No.
The Egmont Key Excursion does not include snorkeling equipment and is not designed as our snorkeling charter.
Guests specifically looking to snorkel should choose our Snorkeling Adventure.
Our Snorkeling Adventure may visit waters around the Egmont Key area when conditions make that the best location.
A direct boat ride to Egmont Key without stopping generally takes approximately:
20 minutes.
However, the average ride often takes closer to:
30–35 minutes.
There is frequently wildlife along the route, and the captain may slow down or stop to responsibly observe dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, rays or other marine life.
For many guests, the trip to Egmont Key is part of the experience itself.
No. Egmont Key can never be guaranteed.
Weather and marine conditions around Egmont Key can change quickly.
Factors may include:
The captain determines whether it is safe and appropriate to travel to Egmont Key.
That decision is based on operating conditions and safety.
If the captain determines that expected weather or marine conditions will prevent your group from safely or appropriately visiting Egmont Key, we want to make sure you still have a great experience.
Rather than simply losing your day on the water, we provide three options.
Option 1 — Complimentary All-Inclusive Upgrade
Our preferred option is to keep your charter on the same scheduled date and for the same amount of time, while complimentary upgrading the experience to our All-Inclusive Sandbar & Island Hopping-style charter.
There is no additional charge for this weather-related upgrade.
Your group will receive the additional recreational amenities normally associated with our All-Inclusive experience, which may include:
Your captain can then use the conditions that day to select local sandbars, islands, swimming areas and other appropriate destinations.
We strongly encourage this option whenever possible.
Conditions that make the route to Egmont Key unsuitable do not necessarily mean that it is a bad day for boating. The protected waterways and local sandbars surrounding Anna Maria Island may still offer beautiful conditions and an excellent day on the water.
The complimentary upgrade allows your group to keep the same amount of charter time and enjoy additional amenities without paying the difference in price.
Option 2 — Change the Date or Departure Time
If visiting Egmont Key is the primary reason for your charter and your schedule is flexible, we may be able to move your reservation to another available date or departure time when conditions are expected to be more favorable.
There is no change fee when this adjustment is made because Crysten’s AMI or the captain has determined that weather or marine conditions are preventing an appropriate Egmont Key visit.
Any new date or time remains subject to:
Option 3 — Receive a Future Voucher or Gift Card
If you do not wish to accept the complimentary All-Inclusive upgrade and you cannot reasonably move the charter to another available date or time, you may choose to receive a voucher or gift card for the value of the Egmont Key charter.
The voucher or gift card allows you to return at a future date when conditions may be more favorable for visiting Egmont Key.
Any weather-related determination involving an Egmont Key Excursion and the available options above must be discussed and finalized no later than the close of business on the day before the scheduled departure.
This allows our captain and operations team to review expected weather and marine conditions and properly prepare the vessel for the experience selected.
No.
The complimentary All-Inclusive upgrade applies only when Crysten’s AMI or the captain determines that weather or marine conditions make an Egmont Key visit unsafe or inappropriate.
It is not a guest-selected free upgrade.
Yes.
If you simply decide that you would rather take another charter—for example, changing from the Egmont Key Excursion to our Snorkeling Adventure or All-Inclusive Sandbar & Island Hopping—you may request the change no later than the day before departure, subject to availability.
There is no separate change fee simply for changing the experience.
However, you are responsible for paying any difference in price between the original charter and the new charter selected before departure.
A guest-requested change of experience is different from the complimentary weather-related upgrade described above.
Not necessarily.
Weather conditions that make the route to Egmont Key unsuitable may still allow for safe and enjoyable boating elsewhere around Anna Maria Island.
That is why we offer the complimentary All-Inclusive alternative, the opportunity to reschedule when possible, or a future voucher or gift card when the captain determines in advance that Egmont Key cannot appropriately be visited.
If conditions make boating itself unsafe and Crysten’s AMI must cancel the entire charter, the normal weather policies and applicable Bad Weather Guarantee terms apply.
Our Snorkeling Adventure is a family-friendly recreational snorkeling charter.
It is designed for guests who want snorkeling to be one of the primary activities of their trip without needing professional dive experience.
Crysten’s AMI is not a scuba-diving operation and does not provide professional dive instruction.
We provide basic snorkeling equipment.
Guests who prefer to use their own properly fitting snorkeling equipment are welcome to bring it.
No.
Our Snorkeling Adventure may visit waters around Egmont Key, but no specific snorkeling location is guaranteed.
Water visibility, wind, tides, currents, weather and safety determine the most appropriate recreational snorkeling location on the day of the charter.
Dolphins are commonly encountered around Anna Maria Island, Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay.
However:
Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
Dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, rays, seabirds and other marine wildlife move freely through their natural environment.
No.
Crysten’s AMI practices responsible wildlife viewing.
Wild animals should never be fed, chased, harassed or intentionally approached for physical interaction.
If wildlife naturally approaches the vessel or our guests, we enjoy the experience without pursuing or interfering with the animal.
No.
Our policy is simple:
Living marine life stays in the water.
Guests are welcome to observe living marine animals, but they should be returned safely to their natural environment.
Empty shells may be collected where legally permitted.
Yes.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome on many of our charters at no additional pet fee.
Bringing a dog may limit the destinations available during your charter.
Dogs must:
The pet owner is responsible for:
Crysten’s AMI does not provide drinking water specifically for pets.
No.
Certain state parks, wildlife refuges, beaches and protected areas prohibit pets.
Bringing a dog may therefore change the destinations available during your charter.
If visiting a particular island or protected location is important to your group, please consider whether bringing a pet is appropriate for that charter.
No.
Our vessels do not have onboard toilets or public restroom facilities.
This is intentional for the size, design and type of recreational charters we operate.
Our guests regularly swim, snorkel, visit sandbars and islands, and enter and exit the water. Maintaining a clean, sanitary and comfortable vessel environment is extremely important to us.
Our vessels are private recreational boats rather than large enclosed public passenger vessels designed around public restroom facilities.
For the duration and type of charters we operate, onboard restroom facilities have generally not been necessary.
There are public restroom options available at various accessible locations throughout our local waterways.
When practical, the captain can coordinate an appropriate restroom stop.
Available options depend on:
We recommend using a restroom before boarding, particularly for younger children and anyone who may require more frequent restroom access.
Yes.
We provide one bottled water per guest.
Some guests drink considerably more than one bottle, particularly during warm Florida weather or longer charters.
We strongly recommend bringing additional bottled drinking water for your group.
Yes.
A cooler with ice is provided for keeping beverages and light snacks cold.
The cooler ice is provided for refrigeration purposes only.
It is intended to keep beverages, food and light snacks cold and should not be considered a filtered or potable source of drinking water.
Guests wanting ice specifically for consumption should bring their own appropriately packaged drinking ice.
Yes.
Guests are welcome to bring reasonable food, snacks and beverages.
We recommend packing lightly and choosing items that are easy to store aboard.
Adults of legal drinking age may bring alcoholic beverages where appropriate for the charter.
Alcohol must always be consumed responsibly, and vessel safety remains the priority.
The Waterfront Pub Crawl Cruise is a 21+ experience.
Our Pub Crawl Harbor Cruise is a private 21+ charter with opportunities to visit available waterfront bars and restaurants around Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key and surrounding waterways.
Depending on timing, docking availability and conditions, the charter may take place during the day, afternoon or early evening.
Certain departure times may also provide an opportunity to enjoy sunset from the water.
No.
Food and beverages purchased at waterfront establishments are purchased separately by the guest.
Our Sunset Harbor Cruise departs approximately:
1 hour and 45 minutes before sunset.
Because sunset changes throughout the year, the actual departure time depends on the reservation date.
Yes.
Sunset charters are popular for:
If your plans require special preparation or coordination, please call:
Our seasonal Christmas Light Tour operates from:
The day after Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve.
Christmas Light Tours depart approximately:
1 hour before sunset.
The exact time changes throughout the holiday season as sunset times change.
Yes.
Our All-Inclusive Bachelorette Charter is designed for private groups looking for a fun and relaxing celebration on the water.
Depending on conditions, the experience may include:
Included amenities may include:
Yes.
In addition to our captained charters, Crysten’s AMI offers qualifying private boat rentals and bareboat rentals on certain experiences.
A boat rental or bareboat rental is a separate vessel-rental arrangement.
A standard captained charter includes a licensed captain who operates the vessel.
A bareboat rental does not automatically include a captain.
Eligible renters may operate the vessel themselves if qualified or make appropriate independent operator arrangements in accordance with the rental agreement.
No.
Crysten’s AMI does not provide or operate fishing charters.
We do not provide:
Our company specializes in recreational charters, private boat tours, island adventures, snorkeling, wildlife viewing and qualifying boat rentals.
Guests may bring a small amount of basic light fishing equipment.
Appropriate personal equipment may include:
Large fishing setups or excessive equipment that interfere with passenger space, cleanliness or vessel safety are not appropriate.
Crysten’s AMI does not provide live bait.
Yes.
Fishing cannot safely take place in the same location where guests are actively:
Hooks, lines and lures can create an injury risk for your group and for other people enjoying the water.
Choosing to fish may therefore alter the charter route and reduce the amount of time available for other activities.
The guest bringing fishing equipment is fully responsible for:
Guests choosing to fish are responsible for determining and satisfying any Florida recreational saltwater fishing-license requirements that apply to them, unless they qualify for a lawful exemption.
Guests are also responsible for applicable fishing seasons, size limits, bag limits and protected-species regulations.
Our primary charter pickup and departure location is:
Kingfish Boat Ramp
752 Manatee Avenue
Holmes Beach, Florida 34217
Our business address is separate from the normal location where guests board their charter.
Possibly.
Custom waterfront pickups are available case by case.
Potential pickup areas may include:
Custom pickup is not automatically guaranteed.
The dock and surrounding waterway must allow the vessel to safely arrive, dock and depart.
Important considerations include:
We may require current photographs or video of the dock, surrounding waterway and vessel approach before approval.
Custom pickup approval also depends on the charter, vessel, route and operating conditions.
Call:
to discuss a custom pickup.
Florida weather changes quickly.
A rain icon on a weather application does not automatically mean your charter will be canceled.
Short showers and localized rain are common, and guests may still enjoy long periods of good boating conditions on days when rain appears somewhere in the forecast.
Light rain alone does not automatically cancel a charter.
We monitor actual marine conditions and make operating decisions based on safety.
Safety always comes first.
Crysten’s AMI may delay, adjust, reschedule or cancel a charter when actual marine conditions make it unsafe to operate.
The captain and Crysten’s AMI maintain final authority regarding safe vessel operation.
Crysten’s AMI offers an optional Bad Weather Guarantee during the reservation process.
It is not automatically included with every reservation.
The guarantee provides additional protection under the specific covered circumstances described in the reservation terms.
Our standard reservation policy is:
All sales are final.
When weather becomes an issue, our first goal is to use reasonable flexibility and operate during a safe weather window while the guest is still visiting the area.
If Crysten’s AMI determines that the entire charter must be canceled because conditions are unsafe and the guest cannot reasonably reschedule during their stay, the value of the canceled charter may be issued as a future-use voucher or gift card, according to the applicable reservation terms.
No.
Crysten’s AMI does not accept cash as payment for charters or boat rentals.
Reservation payments must be completed through our approved reservation and payment system or through an authorized reservation handled by phone.
Cash may be used separately for captain gratuity.
No.
Crysten’s AMI does not divide a reservation among multiple guests, credit cards or separate payment transactions.
One person is responsible for completing the reservation payment.
Members of the group may reimburse one another separately.
Possibly.
Same-day reservations must be handled by phone and cannot be booked online.
Our operating manifest closes at:
8:00 PM the evening before the charter date.
By the time someone begins looking for a same-day charter, many of our boats may already be underway or committed to scheduled reservations.
For any same-day request, call:
Same-day availability is never guaranteed.
No.
Crysten’s AMI does not perform or provide burial or bereavement ceremonies as part of our charters or boat rentals.
Our vessels and experiences are intended for recreational boating, sightseeing, sandbars, island exploration, snorkeling, wildlife viewing, celebrations and other leisure activities.
Please plan to be ready for your scheduled departure.
Arriving late does not extend the scheduled end time of the charter.
If your group is approximately 30 minutes or more late, your time on the water may be reduced so later reservations and vessel schedules are not affected.
No-shows remain subject to the reservation terms agreed to when the reservation was made and may be charged in full.
Pack light.
We generally recommend bringing:
The recreational equipment included depends on the specific experience reserved.
We recommend secure, water-friendly footwear with reasonable toe protection, particularly when walking on docks, beaches, islands, shell-covered shorelines and sandbars.
Shells and other natural objects can be sharp.
Guests who choose to go barefoot do so at their own risk and should use additional caution in shallow water and shell-covered areas.
Yes.
Captain gratuity is customary and greatly appreciated for good service.
A typical captain gratuity is approximately:
15%–25% of the overall charter amount
depending on the experience and level of service.
Our captains work hard to provide a safe, professional and memorable experience.
Captain gratuities should be provided directly to the captain in cash.
Phone communication is our direct customer-service communication method.
For questions concerning:
please call:
We do not use email, text messaging or social-media direct messages as direct customer-service communication channels.
If you have reviewed these Frequently Asked Questions and still have a question about your charter, please call:
Crysten’s AMI specializes in private boat tours, charters and boat rentals, Anna Maria Island boat charters, Sandbar Island Hopping, Egmont Key excursions, snorkeling charters, dolphin and wildlife tours, sunset cruises, private group charters, boat rentals and qualifying bareboat rentals throughout Anna Maria Island and the surrounding Gulf Coast waterways.
Whether your group wants to spend the day at local sandbars, explore an island, look for dolphins, snorkel, celebrate a special occasion, enjoy a Gulf Coast sunset or simply spend time together on the water, our goal is to provide a safe, comfortable, professional and genuinely local charter experience.
If you’re still comparing options, here’s the truth:
If you want the cheapest crowded tour, there are plenty.
If you want the best private boat experience on Anna Maria Island, you just found it.
Skip the crowds. Customize your day. Experience the Gulf the right way.