Sandbar Party Charter - private sailing charter in St. Petersburg
Private Charter

Sandbar Party Charter

Private sail from St. Pete to party at the sandbar

Duration 5–6 Hours
Guests Up to 6

Anchor by the sandbar and party like a local

On a summer weekend, the St. Pete sandbars fill with boats anchored in waist-deep turquoise water, music playing and dolphins occasionally stopping by. We sail you out aboard SV Cay Michele, a classic sailboat among the pontoons and party barges. It's a private charter for up to six, so you bring your own drinks, play your own music, and set your own pace. We cross Boca Ciega Bay under sail, anchor where the water is best that day, and run you to the sandbar by dinghy. When the party winds down, the boat is right there to relax on.

The Only Sailboat in the Lineup

Out at the sandbar it's mostly powerboats, pontoons and 50-foot party barges, rafted up and hard to tell apart. A classic sailboat anchored nearby looks like nothing else there. Your group arrives in the most photogenic boat at the sandbar.

Just Your People

The charter is yours alone, up to six guests. You won't be packed like a sardine in a boat with strangers. Bring your own drinks for the fridge, listen to your own playlist, and spend the day with your favorite people.

Under Sail Both Ways

Weather permitting, the sails go up crossing Boca Ciega Bay on the way out and again coming back. The sandbar is where you're headed, but the trip there and back is part of the experience.

The Day Is Yours

It's a private charter, so the day runs on your schedule. Stay at the sandbar as long as the party's going, then tell the captain what's next and he'll do what he can to make that happen. If the scene gets too rowdy, you can move to a quieter beach down the bay. If someone wants to learn a little sailing, there's time for that.

Your Captain Picks the Best Water

Your USCG-licensed captain knows how the tide and wind play out across these sandbars and anchors where the water is best. Some days that's the busy John's Pass scene; other days it's a calmer spot with more room to swim.

Your Air-Conditioned Home Base

The yacht is your base for the day: air-conditioned cabin, a restroom, a fridge for your drinks, and a Bluetooth sound system for your playlist. A GoDu dinghy carries you to and from the sandbar whenever you like.

Parking & Check-In

Teal Tide is based in Gulfport, FL (4630 29th Ave S). Once you book, your confirmation includes the exact departure dock, parking, and check-in directions. Please arrive 15 minutes before departure.

SV Cay Michele anchored in clear water at a St. Pete sandbar
Capt. Noah DeBickero - Owner & Operator of Teal Tide Sailing

Licensed, local, and passionate

Your charter will most likely be captained by Capt. Noah DeBickero, owner and operator of Teal Tide Sailing and a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed 100 Ton Master. Noah lives and sails these waters year-round and knows every channel, sandbar, and sunset angle on Tampa Bay.

Occasionally, your charter may be led by one of our other USCG-licensed captains, including Capt. Richie Mahoney (1600/3000 Ton Master) or Capt. Michael Martin (100 Ton Master). Every captain on our crew meets the same standard of professionalism, local expertise, and genuine hospitality.

We know these sandbars well

At the sandbars near St. Pete, most of what's anchored is powerboats, pontoons, and packed party barges. We're the classic sailboat sitting nearby. John's Pass is the sandbar everyone knows, but Tampa Bay has several worth anchoring at, and our captains pick whichever is the best for your group's vibe and arrival time.

If you're putting together a bachelorette weekend, our St. Pete bachelorette party guide has the full itinerary, and the sandbar sail makes a good Saturday centerpiece. For a quieter day on the water, the Island Explorer swaps the party scene for snorkeling and shelling at the barrier islands.

Frequently asked questions

Will we go to the John's Pass sandbar?
Often, yes. The John's Pass sandbar is near St. Pete Beach, between Treasure Island and Madeira Beach, is the busiest and best known of the local sandbars. It isn't your only option, though: your captain checks the tide and wind each day and anchors where the water is best for your departure time.
What's the difference between this and a sandbar party-boat tour?
A big party-boat tour puts you on a 50-passenger vessel with strangers, a fixed playlist, and a set route to the most crowded sandbar on a strict schedule. This is a private charter for up to six instead, on a classic sailboat, where you control the music, bring your own drinks, and go at your own speed.
Can we bring our own drinks?
Yes. Bring your favorite drinks, and use the fridge on board to keep them cold. The dinghy will carry a cooler with ice.
How many guests can come aboard?
SV Cay Michele is U.S. Coast Guard-licensed for up to six passengers.
What if our group is bigger than six?
Six is the hard limit on SV Cay Michele, but bigger groups aren't out of luck. Our St. Pete bachelorette guide covers a partner boat that runs private charters for groups of 7 to 17.
Do we actually get to sail, or just motor out?
Yes, you actually sail. Weather permitting, the sails go up on the way out and on the way back. The sandbar is the destination, but the sail across the bay is part of why people book a sailboat for this.
Do we have to spend the whole time at the sandbar?
Not at all. It's your private charter, so the day runs on your schedule. Stay as long as the party's going, then move on whenever you want, whether that means a quieter beach, a turn at the helm, or going to look for dolphins. You decide how long you stay and we follow your lead where we can.
How long is the charter, and what does it cost?
Choose a five-hour charter at $1,500 or a six-hour charter at $1,800, up to six guests either way. Departure is flexible; pick whatever time of day works for your group.

Why they choose us

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Book your Sandbar Party Charter charter

Book your Sandbar Party Charter

Private sailing charters and cruises for Up to 6 in St. Pete, just 20 minutes from Tampa. Check availability and reserve your charter aboard SV Cay Michele.

Check Availability

Or call 727-591-7245 · noah@tealtidesailing.com