Our Services & Fees

Private Charter Pricing and Excursions:  USD$125/ hr ; 2 hr minimum up to 4 hours max

• 2 hours = USD$250  
• 3 hours = USD$375
• 4 hours = USD$500

Gratuity NOT included but appreciated

• We cannot discount pricing for smaller groups, as each charter is a private cruise limited to your group size from 1 to 4 persons.
• We absolutely cannot allow more than 4 guests
• The person booking must be 23 years of age
• Due to boat configuration we cannot allow anyone over approximately 225# on board.  We would never ask your weight; however, be aware that our vessels do have coast guard "person v. weight" requirements we must follow.
• (Catamaran) NOT recommended for those that have inability to easily step over 3 ft fixed boat railing, poor balance (need to walk a plank to access boat) or cannot easily sit in low bean bag style chair.   See pics of boat railing and plank to access boat.   
• No smoking or vaping allowed on vessel at anytime
• No binge drinking, getting "drunk" or underage drinking allowed 
• We accept CASH - preferred  ($USD), all major credit cards, debit cards.  We can also accept payment via Zelle in lieu of credit card.  No checks or other forms of payment accepted.
• Customary tips are graciously accepted but not required, nor included . 
• Deposits NEVER required up front to book, but we certainly appreciate open communication should you need to cancel or will be running late; we can be readily texted as Captain D's cell number will be shared with you upon confirmation email. Should weather require cancellation or re booking, the captain will do this at the earliest time possible.
• We book your excursion simply with your full name, phone contact and email for receipt of confirmation of booking request. 
• Click here to request a booking reservation
• On the day of departure: Arrive at pre arranged location sent to you by email correspondence, about 15 - 20 min prior to scheduled departure time in order for an on time departure.  We will send a PDF map detail of our parking and meeting location for pre-departure.  Once parked, proceed to the pre-arranged location we have designated specifically for your excursion group behind Ozona Blue Grilling Co near bike rack outside of Dock C.  We will have a cold non-alcoholic beverage ready for you at arrival on the boat!  An excursion hold harmless agreement and rules acknowledgement will be required before setting sail.  Parking is limited and we recommend ONE vehicle, no more than TWO.  Uber / Lyft do service our area from Clearwater Beach, about a 30 min ride depending on traffic / time of day.
• We provide: cooler (limited room), ice, bottled water, Sprite.  On shore excursions we also provide stand up paddle boards x2 (Catamaran only), life jackets etc.  The catamaran has a bathroom (Bowrider does not) and fresh water and plenty of areas to stay cool in the shade or in full sun for a great tan.  
• There is a shore bathroom at our launch location, along with a ship store offering additional bagged ice, beer or snacks for purchase.  If utilizing these services of our marina please arrive early enough to complete your purchases no later than 15 minutes before your scheduled departure.
• You may also want to consider visiting the Ozona Blue Grilling Company for a post charter appetizer , drink or meal by the pool.  Great food !
• What you can or should bring: your own small cooler (if you want), drinks of your taste, beer or wine, food... plenty of room on board for your items.  Your own personal bags with swim wear to change (we have a private room to change on board), towels, sunscreen and what ever else you want to bring.  Highly recommend wet socks or water shoes if partaking in a shore excursion.  Some of the islands we stop at do have a mix of sand and shells or oyster/rock.  
• What we don't allow or can't provide: we do not allow smoking or chewing tobacco ON the vessel at anytime (no vaps either).   You can bring and partake off the vessel on a shore excursion away from boat if you must.  We do not provide or sell alcoholic beverages nor can we open or serve it to your party (coast guard rules), but you can certainly bring your own (drank responsibly).  On this note, we don't allow "mass consumption" or binge drinking... this is not a party boat or "booze cruise" .    

PRIVATE EXCURSION OFFERINGS: (priced by the Hour per above) 

ROUTE OPTIONS :   

• We recommend viewing our Routes information for 3 and 4 hour charters
• On shore excursions: we do not "beach" our boat on sand, rather anchor offshore in about 2-3 feet of water.  You will get wet if you want to do a shore excursion.  We highly recommend those getting in the water to bring wet socks or water shoes to protect feet from sharp shells, rocks or oyster beds that might be in the areas of the shoreline.  Also, if you are a person weighing more than 225#, our ladder will be too small (narrow) for you to get back in boat easily from water.
• Weather alert from June through November: Captain D will watch weather forecasting and advise you by email / text on status several days & hours before departure for that day.  Cancellation can occur if Captain D feels the vessel and/or your safety are at risk if strong storms are forecasted last minute before departure.  We would not depart if winds are exceeding 15 -20 knots and/or if lightening is detected within 15-20 miles of our boating location.  Likewise, early return could also occur for the same.  We obviously have no control over the unpredictable nature of Florida summer weather patterns.  We do not recommend afternoon or evening charters June through October due to pop up Thunderstorms and severe weather threats which traditionally occur in the afternoon and evenings .  We make every effort to watch closely up to 24 hours for good weather windows.
• No shore excursions from December through February : water is too cold
• Sailing vs. Motor-Sailing (Catamaran): We make every effort to get our front, large Genoa Sail out on every charter; however, days with light winds, no wind or wind from wrong direction will keep the sail put away at times.  We therefore operate our vessel in a "motor-sailing" capacity much of the time.  If we catch the wind just right and with enough of it, we may kill the engines for a period of time if we are setting good time to our destination. 

Specialized tours by category: 

• Pop the Question Excursion -  2 to 4 hrs recommended
• Honeymoon / Babymoon Excursion - 2-4 hrs recommended
• Bachelorette Party Excursion -2 to 4 hrs recommended
• Birthday Celebration - 2 to 4 hrs  recommended
• Anniversary Celebration -  2-4 hours recommended
• Valentines/ Mothers/ Fathers Day 2-4 hours
• Island Excursion - 3 to 4 hours required
• Gulf of Mexico Excursion - 3 to 4 hours required

Water stops / island anchor stop requires a 3 or 4 hour excursion.  NO water stops with 2 hour excursions.  Paddle boards allowed use on 3 or 4 hour Catamaran excursions (NOT provided with Bowrider offering) .

 (Sample Excerpt ) 

The named party members agree to the following terms during their privately skippered charter, adult parents or guardians taking care to have any dependent children under their supervision at all times during the entirety of the excursion, whether on board or on shore excursion stops and in water. The person completing the form speaks for all named and acknowledges all named have read and agree:

1. Length of charter has been requested for duration of ___________ hours. No deposits were taken at any time prior to arrival. Hourly rate is ____$125/hr____________ = __________________. Payment is taken at the completion of the charter by cash, credit card, Zelle, VenMo or Apple.

2.  Approximated start time ___________ / End time _______________

3. Any guests that are NOT strong swimmers please tell your captain

4. Departure and return port is Homeport Marina, Dock A, Palm Harbor FL.

5. Date requested for charter _______________________________ .

6. It is agreed by all members that the Captain requests of his guests on board will follow his direction at all times (generally pertaining to safety issues while on board).

7. Crew is not responsible for lost items while on board or on shore. Overboard items lost due to wind, items falling overboard can occur so use caution. They cannot be retrieved.

8. Any alcoholic beverages brought on board will be responsibly consumed by those 21 and over according to Florida laws. Clearwater SunCoast Charters does not provide nor does the crew serve alcohol for consumption but does not limit its guests from bringing on board and drinking responsibly.  Absolutely no illegal substances allowed on board. No smoking, vaping or chewing tobacco on board at anytime.  

9. The captain will do his best to provide access to itinerary requested, taking into consideration weather, sea state, wind, tides and sea currents among other factors out of his control. Safety of the guests, crew and vessel are foremost.

10. No guarantees are expressed or implied when requesting viewing of sea wild life or other requests beyond our control.

11. Based on wind speeds and direction of travel of vessel, etc we will do our best to set sails but cannot be guaranteed in certain instances as weather in Florida is often changing.

12. Before departure, all clients were briefed on safety information of the vessel including location of life preservers, ship to shore radio function and other general safety items required when underway and at anchor.  Safety placards located in salon hanging next to VHF radio. 

13. Regarding trampoline use on front of vessel, no more than 1 adult at anytime on trampoline and no jumping allowed.  No one in party is to access top of house near main sail mast. 

14. While beached or at dock on a shore excursion, on or off vessel (for charters greater than 2 hours), clients are liable for their personal activities, guests and personal items. All named guests hold harmless from liability any off vessel activities they may undertake. It is highly recommended all clients entering water have water shoes to protect from rocks, and other potential sea life.  This was also indicated on our Services page on our website.

15. Regarding use of our paddle boards: take note of the captain’s suggestions when using. Wind speeds and water currents/ tides and depth of water can be risk factors for safe use. It is recommended to use life jackets. We do not recommend use if having consumed alcohol. 

16. All parties listed understand about rip currents (for those on shore excursions) and take responsibility for their own safety when swimming near beaches. We recommend staying in water that is waist to chest deep at all times, even with paddleboards.

17. Interactions (chasing or touching) with dolphin and manatee are prohibited by FL law.

18. We do not allow swimming from vessel unless at anchored shore excursion location. No jumping in water until Captain has given all clear after anchoring vessel for shore excursions. No diving from vessel is ever allowed due to shallow nature of our excursion locations.

19. Although rare, should unanticipated last-minute inclement weather cause delay in departure or early return or need to anchor, we will either fully cancel excursion or reschedule, at the sole discretion of the captain.  Should sustained wind speeds offshore exceed 15+ knots or high probability of lightening during the excursion, the captain is likely to cancel the excursion.

20. I/we named above, explicitly agree to HOLD HARMLESS Clearwater SunCoast Charters, LLC and Captain Derek Patterson personally, from any and all liability, especially as it pertains to actions accounting from consumption of alcohol, off vessel activities whether swimming, wading, paddle boarding or other similar water or beach shore activities.

** You will be asked to sign our Excursion Rules & Safety Waiver at time of boarding before departure.  Any questions before excursion date, please email Captain Derek .