Sarasota, Florida · Est. 2024
Your Best DayOn The WaterStarts Here.
Explore Sarasota Bay and pristine sandbars. Tie up at world-class waterfront restaurants, spot dolphins, and catch legendary sunsets. Premium pontoon rentals from local experts.
Transparent Pricing
Rentals & Pricing
We're here to create memories that matter. Explore Sarasota's most beautiful sandbars, tie up at legendary waterfront restaurants, and make the kind of day your family talks about for years. Premium experience. Smart pricing.
All rates are for the boat only — no captain required. A licensed captain add-on is available for an additional fee. Prices include fuel, safety equipment, and everything you need.
Self-drive rental — no boating license required in Florida for vessels under 26 ft. A licensed captain add-on is available upon request.
Half Day
Perfect for a quick sandbar run
- Fuel included
- Safety equipment provided
- Bluetooth speaker
- Cooler & ice
- Captain add-on available
Extended Day
Our most popular rental
- Fuel included
- Safety equipment provided
- Bluetooth speaker
- Cooler & ice
- Captain add-on available
- Time for dolphins + sandbar
Full Day
The ultimate Sarasota experience
- Fuel included
- Safety equipment provided
- Bluetooth speaker
- Cooler & ice
- Captain add-on available
- Full Sarasota Bay exploration
- Sunset return included
Three Ways to Experience Sarasota
Signature Experiences
Every rental is a blank canvas. Here's how our guests spend their best days on the water.
Sandbar Days
Sarasota's most iconic adventure. Start with lunch at one of our legendary waterfront restaurants — Old Salty Dog, Marina Jack's, or Casey Key Fish House — tie up your pontoon and dine on the water. Then cruise to the legendary South Lido sandbar or Beer Can Island, a hidden gem only locals know. Wade in crystal-clear knee-deep water, let the kids splash, and let the afternoon melt away. The water is so clear you can see your toes. This is the Sarasota experience that every visitor comes back for.
Sunset Cruises
There is no sunset on earth quite like a Sarasota Gulf Coast sunset — and there is no better seat in the house than the bow of your own pontoon boat. Watch the sky ignite in deep orange, magenta, and electric purple as the sun dips below the Gulf horizon. Couples, bachelorette parties, anniversaries — this is the one that makes people cry happy tears. Champagne not included, but highly recommended.
Dolphin & Family Fun
Sarasota Bay is home to one of the most studied bottlenose dolphin populations in the world — and they love showing off for pontoon boats. Cruise the bay and you'll almost certainly spot a pod surfing your wake, leaping alongside the boat, or hunting in the shallows. Add in manatees, pelicans, osprey, and the occasional sea turtle, and you've got a wildlife experience that rivals any guided tour — on your own schedule.
Seasonal Favorite
Bachelorette Boat Parties
June is bachelorette season in Sarasota, and Saltwater Sisters is the go-to for bride tribes. Champagne on the bow, sunset over the Gulf, and memories that last forever. From intimate groups to full-boat celebrations, we have hosted hundreds of bachelorette parties. See our gallery for proof — pink sashes, confetti, and pure joy.
Your Day, Captured
Photo Gallery
This is what your day on the water looks like. Sarasota Bay, the Gulf Coast, and everything in between.
South Lido Sandbar
Family Day on the Bay
Dolphin Encounter
Gulf Sunset Cruise
Beer Can Island
Dolphin Pod
Sarasota Sunset
Pontoon Life
Sarasota Bay Views
South Lido Beach
Ready to Launch
Crystal Clear Waters
Golden Hour
Aerial View
Mangrove Tunnels
Local Wildlife
Sandbar Views
Dusk on the Bay
Swim Stop
Bachelorette Celebration
Romantic Getaway
Fishing the Bay
Tubing Fun
Starfish Discovery
Boat Interior
Gulf Horizon
Manatee Sighting
Friends on the Water
Pink Pony Club Celebration
Champagne & Cheers
Bride Tribe on the Bay
Waterfront Dining Experience
Restaurant Dock at Sunset
Siesta Key White Sand
Family Memories
Sandbar Celebration
Dolphin Encounter Close-Up
Sandbar Celebration
Sandbar Party on the Bay
Family Sandbar Memories
Bachelorette Sandbar Sunset
Meet the Crew
Sarasota locals, licensed captains, and the friendliest dock crew on the Gulf Coast. This is the team that makes your day on the water unforgettable.
Maya Castellano
Co-Founder & Co-Owner
Born and raised on Siesta Key, Maya has been running boats on Sarasota Bay since she was twelve. She knows every sandbar, every dolphin hangout, and every shortcut through the mangroves. She started Saltwater Sisters with her sister Sierra to share the Sarasota she grew up with.
Sierra Castellano
Co-Founder & Co-Owner
The younger half of the founding duo, Sierra handles the business side but never misses a sunset cruise. A Sarasota High grad and lifelong boater, she believes every guest should leave the dock feeling like family. Ask her where to anchor at Beer Can Island — she has opinions.
Capt. Jake Harmon
Lead Boat Captain
USCG-licensed captain with over 4,000 hours on Gulf Coast waters. Jake grew up fishing the flats off Longboat Key and knows every sandbar, channel, and dolphin hangout on Sarasota Bay. Book him as your captain add-on and he'll take you to spots that aren't on any map.
Capt. Ryan Tate
Boat Captain
A former sailing instructor turned pontoon pro, Ryan has been navigating Sarasota Bay for over a decade. He's the calm-water specialist families request by name — patient with first-timers and encyclopedic about local wildlife. Ask him about the manatee spots.
Camille Rourke
Guest Experience Captain
Camille grew up on Anna Maria Island and knows the ICW like her own driveway. She leads our sunset cruise experiences and times every trip so you're anchored at the perfect sandbar when the sky lights up pink and gold.
Talia Winters
Dock Crew Lead
The first face you'll see at the ramp. Talia runs the dock like clockwork — boats fueled, coolers iced, safety briefings done with a smile. A Sarasota native who spent every summer of her childhood at Ken Thompson Park, right where she works today.
Jade Merrick
Dock Crew & Wildlife Guide
Jade keeps the energy high and the launches smooth. She grew up paddleboarding City Island and knows every dolphin pod by name. If your kids are nervous about their first boat trip, Jade is the one who turns them into future captains.
Nikki Alvarez
Guest Experience Coordinator
Nikki makes sure every detail of your day is dialed in — from route recommendations to birthday surprises on board. Raised in Sarasota's Gillespie Park neighborhood, she keeps a running list of the best waterfront lunch stops and shares it freely.
Brooke Ellison
Bookings Manager
The organizational engine behind Saltwater Sisters. Brooke handles every reservation personally and remembers returning guests by name. She moved to Sarasota for college, fell in love with the bay, and never left. Email her — she answers fast.
Reagan Doyle
Guest Experience Crew
Reagan is your on-water concierge for group events and celebrations. A Ringling College grad with an eye for the perfect photo spot, she'll point you to the exact angle for that golden-hour shot at the South Lido sandbar.
What Our Guests Say
Real Days, Real Stories
"We rented the 6-hour and took our three kids to the South Lido sandbar. The water was knee-deep and crystal clear — the kids didn't want to leave. Talia at the dock made check-in so easy. Already booked our next trip!"
Jennifer M.
Tampa, FL
"Booked the full day for our 10th anniversary and added Captain Camille. She timed our return perfectly so we caught the entire sunset over the Gulf. My wife cried. Worth every penny."
Marcus & Dana R.
Chicago, IL
"TEN girls, one pontoon, and the best day of the whole bachelorette weekend. We anchored at Beer Can Island, drifted for hours, and the Bluetooth speaker was a lifesaver. The Saltwater Sisters crew treated us like VIPs."
Ashley T.
Nashville, TN
"I live here and I've rented from every boat company in town. Saltwater Sisters is the best-run operation on the bay, period. Clean boats, fair prices, zero hassle. This is my go-to now."
David K.
Sarasota, FL
"Dolphins swam RIGHT NEXT to our boat for like ten minutes. My 7-year-old still talks about it every day. The booking process with Ashley was smooth and they even gave us a map of the best wildlife spots."
The Hendersons
Columbus, OH
"We did the 4-hour morning rental and it was the highlight of our Sarasota trip. Saw two manatees near the mangroves! The boat was spotless and the crew walked us through everything since we'd never driven one before."
Priya & Sam N.
Atlanta, GA
"Great boat, great price. Took my brothers out fishing on the flats. Only reason for 4 stars is we wished we'd booked 8 hours instead of 6 — time flies out there. That's on us. We'll be back."
Robert L.
Fort Wayne, IN
"Celebrated my 30th on the water with 8 friends. Nikki helped us plan the whole route — sandbar first, then a sunset finish. The gradient sky over Sarasota Bay was unreal. Best birthday ever."
Gabriella S.
Miami, FL
"We escape Buffalo winters every year and this was the best day of our whole stay. Captain Jade took us places we never would have found ourselves. Saw dolphins, a bald eagle, and the prettiest sandbar in Florida."
Tom & Linda W.
Buffalo, NY
"Six girls, zero boating experience, and we felt completely safe the whole time. The safety briefing was thorough but fun. We anchored at the sandbar, played music, and got the most incredible photos. 10/10."
Kayla B.
Orlando, FL
"Rented for a family reunion — 11 of us across three generations. Grandpa said it was the best day he's had in years. The boat handled beautifully and the crew's local tips made us feel like insiders."
James P.
Louisville, KY
"Our honeymoon splurge and worth every cent. We did the full-day rental, packed a picnic, and island-hopped from Lido to Longboat. Ended with a Gulf sunset that looked photoshopped. Magical."
Sofia & Erik D.
Minneapolis, MN
Saltwater Sisters Boat Club
Membership Tiers
Join the Saltwater Sisters Boat Club. Lock in priority access, member rates, and exclusive perks. Create unlimited memories on Sarasota Bay at a fraction of the cost of competitors.
Standard
Priority Access & Member Rates
Pricing
Perfect for locals and frequent visitors who want priority access and member rates.
- Priority booking (up to 30 days out)
- 2 outings per month included
- 20% discount on all rentals
- Free captain add-on (1x/month)
- Member-only events access
- Exclusive WhatsApp group
- Birthday month free rental
- Referral bonuses
VIP
Unlimited Bookings & VIP Treatment
Pricing
The ultimate membership. Unlimited bookings, 4 Retreat event tickets per month, and the full VIP treatment on Sarasota Bay.
- Unlimited bookings — any day, any time
- 4 General Admission tickets to any Retreat event
- 30% discount on all rentals
- Free captain add-on (unlimited)
- Guest passes (4 per month)
- Sunset cruise credits ($250/month)
- Priority Retreat event access & discounts
- Exclusive VIP Boat Club events
- Dedicated VIP concierge service
Book Anytime
Priority booking windows and guaranteed access
Exclusive Perks
Member-only events, discounts, and surprises
VIP Treatment
Concierge service and personalized attention
Exclusive On-Water Events
Private Island Retreats
Seven themed on-water events on Sarasota Bay. From Latin vibes to wellness journeys, each Retreat is an exclusive experience you won't find anywhere else.
Latin Retreat
Salsa, Tropical Vibes & Island Energy
Matt's food truck, live Latin music, DJs spinning reggaeton and salsa, tropical cocktails, ice cream. Dancing on the deck, island party energy, pure celebration on the water.
Cabana Retreat
Luxury VIP Tiers & Bottle Service
Private white canvas cabanas set up on the water platform, bottle service, private waitstaff, gourmet appetizers, champagne, the most exclusive experience on Sarasota Bay.
Trop Rock Retreat
Jimmy Buffett Vibes & Island Cocktails
Live trop rock bands, island cocktails, laid-back beach games, steel drums, and that perfect tropical rock energy. Flip-flops, Hawaiian shirts, and good vibes on Sarasota Bay.
Cowgirl/Cowboy Retreat
Boot-Scootin' on the Water
Country western themed on-water party with line dancing, country music, BBQ, mechanical bull setup on the deck, cowboy hats, and boot-scootin' energy. Yeehaw on Sarasota Bay.
Reggae Retreat
Caribbean Vibes & Dancehall Energy
Reggae DJs and live performers, Caribbean food, rum drinks, island vibes, and that perfect laid-back dancehall energy. One love, one retreat, one bay.
Hip-Hop/Rap Retreat
Urban Energy on the Water
Hip-hop and rap DJs and live performers, urban island party energy, premium cocktails, gourmet food, and that high-energy vibe. City meets island on Sarasota Bay.
Wellness Retreat
Yoga, Sound Bath & Mindful Healing
Sunrise and sunset yoga on the water, sound bath healing ceremonies, kayak yoga, wellness workshops, organic food, herbal teas, and pure peaceful energy. Mindful healing on Sarasota Bay.
Questions? Let's Talk