Boat Tubing in Gulfport

One Tube, Every Comfort Level

No two riders want the same thing from a tube. A five-year-old on a first ride wants a slow, steady pull and a big wave from the boat.

A teenager wants the boat to swing wide so the tube skips across the wake. Captain Allen reads each rider, sets the speed to match, then changes it for the next person in line. Riders can go again and again while the charter lasts, so nobody has to choose between one wild ride and a few gentle ones.

Everyone who is not riding gets a front-row seat. Making Memories, our roomy 26-foot bowrider, leaves grandparents, parents and friends space to watch, cheer and take pictures from the deck. When your turn comes, you hop in, grab the handles and go. The Gulfport tubing photo gallery is full of those mid-wake smiles.

Gear and Guidance Come With the Boat

You do not need to bring anything for tubing besides a swimsuit, sunscreen and a towel. The tube, tow rope and life jackets in sizes from infant to adult are on board, along with a first aid kit. Before the first ride, your captain agrees on a simple thumbs-up, thumbs-down and stop signal with each rider, so nobody has to shout over the engine. Pack a dry towel and a change of clothes for the ride home, since everyone ends up wet.

Tubing pairs well with almost any other activity. Plenty of families tube first, while everyone has energy, then try kneeboarding behind the boat or slow down with snorkeling at Egmont Key. The 3-hour charter is built for that kind of combination, and the 4-hour trip leaves room for one more stop.

Safety Without the Fuss

Safety comes first on every run. Captain Allen is a licensed Coast Guard captain with CPR and First Aid training. He keeps his eyes on the rider whenever the tube is in the water, and he keeps the turns gentle for beginners. Life jackets stay on for every ride, from the smallest rider to the grandparents.

Weather plays a part too. Trips go out every day between sunrise and sunset when conditions allow, and Captain Allen makes the call on the day. If storms roll in, he will help you reschedule or provide a refund, so nobody ends up bouncing through rough water. Prices are for your entire group, not per person, which makes tubing an easy outing for a family of five or six.

Close to Home for Pinellas Families

Our launch sits in Gulfport on Boca Ciega Bay, so local families are on the water within minutes of parking. It is a short drive for families heading over from Seminole, and parking at the Gulfport launch is free. Captain Allen meets guests from all over the world, and a tubing morning is an easy first outing for visiting families.

Kids who loved the tube often ask to come back for a shelling trip to Shell Key. To pick a tubing time, send a text or ring 727-709-0088. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early so everyone can put on sunscreen and use the dock restrooms before we head out.