FAQ | Jolly Sailing & Dolphin Cruise

We sail in the protected waters of Santa Rosa Sound and Pensacola Bay, where conditions are quite favorable for boating. Seasickness is highly unlikely to occur while sailing, as it is generally a much smoother ride than on a powerboat. The sails stabilize the boat and keep it from rolling and pitching. Also, there are no noxious engine fumes to contend with, which often contributes to the problem. To date, none of our passengers have experienced seasickness on our vessels.
We have had passengers of all ages on board, from 3 months to 85 years of age. Our boats are safe, comfortable and fun for all ages. There are several safety measures in place, including lifelines, a throwable life-sling on deck, and life jackets. Kids are able to move all around the deck while we are cruising. Our young guests have a great time, often saying the trip was the highlight of their Pensacola Beach vacation.
Wear comfortable clothing, and a swimsuit if desired. In cooler months, a jacket is recommended. *Your Captain requests that you wear shoes with non-marking soles, as they will leave stubborn marks on the deck. We also discourage heels. Barefoot is the way to go on the boat! You may want a change of clothes if planning to swim or snorkel. Other items you might need include sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, towel, and camera. You may also bring your cellphone or mp3 device to plug into our stereo. On snorkel trips, snorkel gear, including flotation devices are provided.
We encourage guests age 21+ to bring their favorite libations aboard. We provide complimentary ice, cups, plastic glassware, sodas, and water. You are welcome to bring any favorite drinks or food you would like, which the crew will be happy to serve up for you. For safety reasons, we request that you bring aluminum cans instead of glass. Bottled wine or champagne is acceptable, and can be stored in the cooler. Guests may also bring their own cooler.
There is an enclosed restroom/changing area (known as a head in nautical terms) located on board, which is clean, private, and ready for guests to use.
All trips are subject to the Captain’s approval of weather and water conditions. In the event a trip is canceled, we will attempt to reschedule the trip on another day. If this is not possible, guests will not be charged.
If you need to cancel, we require a 24-hour notice prior to your scheduled trip. If you cancel within 24 hours, you will be charged.
We accept cash and credit/debit cards. If you book directly through the reservation calendar online, you will be charged in full. If you would like to pay in cash you may call us with a credit card number to hold your reservation and pay in cash or charge to the card on the day of the trip. If we need to cancel the trip due to weather or conditions, or if you cancel 24 hours or more in advance of the scheduled trip, you will be fully refunded. Please call us with any questions.
Though we cannot guarantee a dolphin sighting, it is quite likely to see them feeding and frolicking in the bay. It is more likely to spot them on our powerboat tours, as we can go faster and cover more water than we can on the sailboat. We see them on most trips, along with fish and other wildlife. Keep a lookout for pelicans, gulls, herons, ospreys, eagles, cormorants, fish, crabs, sea turtles, rays and other creatures. You never know what you might see on any given day.
Gratuity is always appreciated but never expected.