The proposal you’ll both tell people about.
A proposal in the middle of a quiet Everglades channel, the engine off, the sawgrass bending in the breeze, no other boats, no other riders, just the two of you and a captain who knows when to look away. We’ve run dozens of these. Some are full productions with flowers waiting at the dock. Some are just you, her, and a ring box you’ve been carrying for three months. Either way, we handle it like it’s the only thing happening that day.
How a proposal tour actually works
You tell us the plan. We make the rest invisible.
You pick the spot on the route, we’ll suggest two or three good ones based on the time of day and the time of year. The captain stops the boat and kills the engine. You have the moment. Captain steps to the back of the boat and looks the other way. Once you give him the nod, engine on, we head back to the dock.
That’s the whole choreography. It’s deliberately simple. We’ve watched fancy productions go sideways and watched 30-second proposals go perfectly. The boat, the quiet, and the captain’s discretion are what you’re paying for. The rest is up to you.
Photography options
Three ways to capture it, depending on how surprised you want them to be.
Photographer aboard. Rides as the eighth passenger. Gets every angle, gets the lead-up, gets the reaction shot. Hardest to keep secret. We can recommend two photographers we’ve worked with who know how to ride along without spoiling it.
Photographer at the return dock. Less obvious. Catches the post-yes moment, the hug, the ring-on-the-finger shot. The proposal itself is captured by you or by the captain on your phone if you ask in advance.
Self-capture. Tripod on the front of the boat, GoPro on the bow, phone on a clamp. The captain doesn’t film because he’s steering. If you go this route, set up before the boat leaves the dock and lock the camera angle. No fiddling once you’re underway.
Anniversaries, vow renewals, engagement-celebration rides
Same private boat, different occasion. We’ve had:
- 5th, 10th, 25th, 40th anniversary couples
- Vow renewals (the captain isn’t ordained, bring your officiant)
- Engagement parties with up to 7 family members
- “We got engaged last week and want to do something quiet” rides
Tell us what the day is and we’ll match the tour to it.
Best months and best time of day
If you’re proposing in summer, take the morning slot. Storms close the day after 1 PM.
October through May is the easier window. Weather is predictable, light is dependable, golden hour actually happens. May through September is doable in the morning, riskier in the afternoon. We’ll tell you straight at booking which slots are safest for your date.
If a specific date matters more than a specific time of day (anniversary, milestone date), book early and we’ll work it in.
What we coordinate behind the scenes
We’re a small operation, which means we can actually do this. A larger tour company would tell you “we don’t do that” or upcharge you for a coordinator. We just handle it.
- Flowers and champagne waiting at the return dock. We’ll buy them, you reimburse on the final invoice.
- Custom signage at the dock (a printed banner with names, a chalkboard sign, etc.). Send us a photo of what you want.
- Music staging. Bluetooth speaker on the boat for one song at the moment, then off. We do not run a playlist for the full tour.
- Surprise factor protection. If the proposal is a surprise, we do not give anything away in pre-booking emails. We’ll route everything through whoever is doing the planning.
We do not surprise the rider with anything you didn’t ask for. No champagne pop, no music, no captain announcement unless you specifically ask for one.
Pricing and how to book
Standard private 90-minute tour pricing, with a coordination layer for the extras.
- Tour: standard private pricing, $325 to $700 by party size (see table below)
- Coordination fee for flowers/signage/music: case-by-case, usually a flat add-on
- Photographer is separate, we recommend two we trust
- Book at least 2 weeks ahead
| Party Size | Tour Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 riders (just the couple) | $325 | Most common proposal setup |
| 3 to 4 riders (couple + 1 to 2 witnesses) | $400 to $475 | Photographer counts as a rider |
| 5 to 7 riders (small witness party) | $550 to $700 | Family or close friends |
Want to extend past 90 minutes? $200 per additional 30 minutes. Most proposal tours stay at 90.
FAQ
Can I bring family or friends to witness the proposal?
Yes. Boat holds up to 7. Just tell us who knows and who doesn’t so we can keep the secret on our end.
Can you arrange flowers, champagne, or signage?
Yes. We’ll pick them up, set them up at the dock, and add the cost to your final invoice. Tell us at booking.
Is the captain going to be in our photos?
No. Once the boat stops, he steps to the back and waits. He’s not in the frame.
What happens if there’s rain that day?
We reschedule. Free. No one wants to remember “we got engaged in a thunderstorm.”
Can we book it last-minute?
We try. Two-week lead is ideal. Call us with a date and we’ll tell you straight what’s possible.
Do you offer vow renewal ceremonies on the boat?
Yes. The captain isn’t ordained, so bring your officiant. The boat is your venue.
Is the boat steady enough for me to kneel?
When the engine is off and we’re stopped, yes. We’ll position the boat into the wind so it doesn’t drift.
Can we extend past 90 minutes?
Yes, $200 per additional 30 minutes. Most proposal tours stay at 90.
Tell us your plan
Send us the date and the rough idea. We’ll work out the rest with you on the phone.
Call (561) 247-0393 or use the contact form.
