Big Tiki vs Little Tiki in Ocean City NJ: Which Boat Should You Book?

Both boats leave from the same dock at 228 Bay Ave. The choice is size, and how private you want the ride. Big Tiki is the 40-foot boat for public tours and groups up to 32. Little Tikis are 25-foot private boats for up to 6.

The short version

If you have a couple of friends or a small family and you want the boat to yourselves, book a Little Tiki. If you have a bigger group, a bachelorette, or you just want a seat on a public cruise, book the Big Tiki.

Big Tiki: public tour or the whole boat

The Big Tiki is our 40-foot tour boat on the back bays. Capacity is 32. All ages. There's a restroom onboard. Public tours run about 1.5 hours. You can also charter the whole boat.

As listed on beachytiki.com/big-tiki right now: adult public tickets (ages 13+) are $40, kids 12 and under are $35. A 1.5-hour private charter (up to 32) is $1,000. A 3-hour private is $2,000. There's also a Night Out charter at 8:30 PM for 2 hours at $1,400. Confirm those numbers when you book. Private charters can add catering.

Public seats are the easy way in. Private is the party boat: birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette groups, family reunions. BYOB. Coolers are on the boat. The boat already has a sound system, so bring a playlist if you care about the music.

Little Tikis: private, up to 6

Little Tikis are 25-foot boats for up to 6 people. Private only. All ages. Restroom onboard with a freshwater sink. These are the ones for a couple, a family, or a small friend group that doesn't want 26 strangers on the same deck.

As listed on beachytiki.com/little-tikis: a 1-hour charter is $220, 2 hours is $399, 4 hours is $799. Longer than 1 hour isn't always open, so if you want more time, grab the earlier slot so you can stack. Catering is available if you ask.

How to choose

• 2 to 6 people, want the boat to yourselves: Little Tiki
• A mixed group that just wants a cruise: Big Tiki public tickets
• A party of 8 to 32: Big Tiki private charter
• Sunset with a small group: either works. Little Tiki if you want it private, Big Tiki if you want the bigger deck
• Night Out at 8:30 PM: that's a Big Tiki private, 2 hours

What to bring

• Drinks (BYOB) and snacks. Coolers are on the boat.
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, a light layer for the ride back
• A playlist if you care about the music
• A towel if anyone might get spray
• ID for the adult booking

Phones are on you. The bay is pretty. Hold onto them.

Hours, dock, and how to book

We typically run 9 AM to 8 PM. Hours can differ between the Big Tiki and the Little Tikis, and the Night Out charter starts at 8:30 PM. Check the day's times when you book. Check in at 228 Bay Ave, Ocean City (Boathouse Marina). Same dock as Aqua Park and Shark Bait. The Yard is the one that isn't here: that's 741 West Ave.

Book on beachytiki.com, or through FareHarbor at totallytubularwatersports. Questions: 609-398-9000.

If the kids still have energy after you dock, Aqua Park is on the same marina. The Yard is the playground a few blocks inland.

Pick the boat that matches your group size, then lock the slot. Public tickets and Little Tiki hours both move in late August.