The country's third-largest parade is best celebrated on a party boat in Tampa Bay.
Gasparilla is an amazing festival that is held every year within Tampa Bay, where over 300,000 people flock to the city to celebrate the ancient pirate history of the region. One great tradition of the Gasparilla Pirate Fest is to get out on the water by renting or chartering a party boat. But where do you start? Let’s take a closer look:
Available Party Boats Book Fast - Book In Advance!
Gasparilla is the third largest parade in the United States, and it's known for its wild and energetic atmosphere. If you want to ensure you have a party boat secured for this extraordinary event, you need to get ahead of the game. Don't wait until the last minute – aim to reserve your boat at least two to three months in advance, which means early December is the latest you should consider. Boat charter companies tend to fill up fast with repeat bookings, so get organized quickly!
To give you an idea of the size of the festival, around 140 different boats of all shapes and sizes hit the water, making it one of the largest boat parades in the States. These boats are ready to party, with many kitted out in fun pirate decorations – Shiver Me Timbers!
You Don’t Want to Drive… Hire A Captain Instead
Sailing the boat yourself may seem like a great idea at the time, but could end up a disaster. Gasparilla is an extremely busy event, with many boats on the water. This can make it stressful and hard to navigate. Instead, leave it to the professionals and charter a boat with a captain. This gives you time to sit back, relax and enjoy your day.
Expect Higher Prices for Charter Boat Services during Gasparilla
As the festival is so busy, and charter boats are in high demand, expect the prices of hiring them to be higher than usual. Knowing this in advance can help you budget effectively. While Tampa is known for the abundance of charter companies that traverse through downtown, most of these companies will be booked up months in advance. Be sure to book early and accept that paying the premium for a chartered trip is worth the relaxation.
Be Prepared for Delays When Picking Up & Dropping Off
Here at Tampa Bay Boating Adventures, we offer pick-up and drop-off services for our clients from Davis Island, but we are flexible when it comes to choosing a public dock in Tampa. However, it's important to keep in mind that both the Bay and the Hillsborough River will be teeming with boats on Gasparilla Day. Finding dock space won't be a walk in the park, so plan accordingly and arrive early to secure your spot.
Plan Ahead, Book Now, and Guarantee Your Party Boat Charter
Due to the busy nature of the Gasparilla festival, it is important to understand its meaning, why it is so special to the local people and its historical significance. Ensure that you book any boat hire early to grab your spot, and guarantee your space at this event. What’s for sure is that you will have a great time celebrating the festival, and will be ready to rebook when it comes along next year!