Xtreme H2O - Destin Florida

Yamaha 3 person wave-runner

Xtreme H2O
7 Calhoun Ave.
Destin FL
850-978-3060

Website: Xtreme H2O
Admission Cost: $115 for 90 minutes

Time: 2 hours
Trev's Rating: 5 stars

Description:

Xtreme H2O offers a variety of excursions for the adventurous thrill-seeker.  Para-sail high above the crystal clear water, rent a pontoon boat for half to a full day or take a wave runner dolphin tour.  They are conveniently located adjacent to Destin harbor and north of the East Pass bridge (Destin Bridge). The boat launch is directly across from Crab Island meaning you'll have little to no time riding in the no wake zones giving you ample free time to explore.

This post is related to the 90 minute wave-runner dolphin tour.

Our family discussed renting wave-runners. My personal thought was that I wouldn't get the value for the price.  $115 for 90 minutes seemed like a high price tag for the short duration.  As I internally debated about the value I justified the price as three people could fit on a single wave runner and per-person cost was equivalent to one of the chartered dolphin tours.  The value is one-hundred times better due to the smaller group and intimate connection to the dolphins. Our Destin native tour guide led us northeast in Choctawhatchee Bay and into Joes Bayou where we were immediately surrounded by a pod of 50+ dolphins. As we idled the dolphins breached all around the waver runners in all directions providing an up close and personal connection with them. Several dolphins swam directly under our wave runner and they would breach the surface close enough to reach out and touch (we didn't).  The experience was absolutely incredible.  Our guide pointed seven miles east to the Mid Bay Bridge and another 7 miles west to Brooks Bridge on Okaloosa Island defining our exploration boundaries and to be back by 10:30 AM. My jaw dropped in awe at the enormous area of square miles we were just given free reign.  I stayed with the pod of dolphins for several minutes before returning to the bay and getting familiar with the features of the wave runner.  Our guide explained that they are not governed (speed limited) and have a top speed of 50 MPH.  I don't think my speedometer topped 20 as I explored the bay returning to Crab Island to check out the various floating tiki huts, bounce houses and water fun.  We encountered a second pod of five to ten dolphins nearby that drew our attention and soon realized that there was about 10 minutes remaining before we needed to return the wave runners.  Time flew fat too quickly.

This was (by far) our best experience in Destin.  The fun-filled, awesome adventure was an extraordinary experience for the family at an extremely fair price. I will highly recommend Extreme H2O and will definitely be a return customer to Xtreme H20.

There are no hidden fees or fuel surcharges.  The rate price you see on their website is the price you pay.

My only complaint was access to a restroom.  A single person shared gender restroom is available however the line was three to four people deep and the facilities resembled that of an outhouse.

A nearby dolphin

Dolphins close to our wave runner

Waterworld on Crab Island

AJ's Seaquest - Destin Fl

A dolphin breaching the water surface

AJ's Seaquest Sunset Cruise
116 Harbor Blvd
Destin FL 32541
850-837-2222

Admission:

Adults = $29.68 Each
Children = $19.08 Each
Kids 4 and under = Free

Website:  AJ's Seaquest

Check the schedule posted on the website for times and availability of each excursion.

Time: 1.5 / 2 hours

Trev's Rating: 4 stars

Description:

AJ's offers several tourist options in Destin starting with it's restaurant, water sports and two different boat tours the Seaquest speed boat and the Daniel Webster sail boat each offering several tour options.  This post details AJ's Sunset Cruise on the 53 foot Seaquest.

Seaquest tours:

Snorkeling trip:  A 2.5 hour excursion to swim, snorkel, suntan or relax. Snorkeling equipment along with swim toys and floats are provided (I'm not certain whether this is new or re-used equipment). Post-snorkel you'll explore the coast searching for dolphins.

Daytime Dolphin Cruise: A 1.5 hour cruise touring Destin harbor, through Destin pass and into the Gulf of Mexico searching for dolphins and/or explore Choctawhatchee Bay.  Kids can Captain the boat as the crew quenches your thirst with complimentary beer, wine and soda.

Sunset Dolphin Cruise: A 2 hour cruse identical to the daytime cruise described above but with additional time to see sunset over the Gulf of Mexico.

Fireworks Cruise: A 60 minute cruise to experience Destin's fireworks display.  Available on Thursday evenings and special occasions.

The home of famous singers

Check in at the kiosk adjacent to AJ's Seafood Restaurant on the Destin Harbor walk approximately 30 minutes prior to departure.  Bring your confirmation ticket and identification as you board the 89 passenger (wheelchair accessible) Seaquest.  Seats in the front offer better views however are bumpier and not recommended for individuals with queasy stomachs.  Seats to the left and right of the bridge are comfortable but only offer 180 degree views and the rear seats have good views with minimal bumps, shakes and swaying.  Complimentary beer, wine and soda is offered as you start the journey through Destin Harbor.  Your captain points out local restaurants, boats and homes of celebrity residents as you tour the harbor.  Enjoy the custom selected music played over the loud speakers before your captain pushes the throttle down increasing speed through Destin pass into the choppy waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  The tour has a 98% success rate of finding a pack of dolphins swimming in the clear water.  You'll get plenty of photo opportunities as the boat circles dolphins and potentially additional sea life.

Upon return you'll speed back into the harbor continuing under the Destin Bridge passing waist deep Crab Island on your left. The boat idles into the shallower and calmer waters of Choctawatchee Bay making it the perfect setting for kayaking or paddle boarding.  Keep your eyes peeled for Dolphins as the Captain gives kids the opportunity to steer the boat and toot the blow horn as the sun sets over the Gulf.  Unfortunately the overcast cloud cover created a view-less (and photo-less) sunset.  Return to the dock in the fading dusk.

There was a sense of commercialism as we toured the harbor and the Captain recommended various hot spots to dine or visit.  The Captain increased the marketability of the Seaquest by cranking the volume of his iTunes playlist as we passed creating a dance party-esque atmosphere on the boat making the tour appear more fun than it actually was.

Fishing boats docked in Destin Harbor

A pirate tour ship