FAQs

LET US HELP YOU FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE ABOARD HAPPY DAYS!

Feel the salty breeze and warm sun on your face as you cruise down the beautiful, sapphire waters of Beaufort, NC. View everything from scenic salt marshes and wildlife to our local, waterfront culture!

No matter what you are celebrating, we want to be a part of it. Enjoy beautiful views, playful dolphin sightings, and our famous North Carolina sunsets. Learn what to expect during your tour by checking out the answers to our common customer questions below. If you need further assistance, please contact us at (252) 418-1224.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

Cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund. Cancellations made after this 24-hour window will be non-refundable. Same-day bookings are also final sales and non-refundable. This includes, but is not limited to, arriving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, arriving later than the scheduled departure time, not having a valid government-issued photo ID in your possession, no-shows, personal mishaps, and personal emergencies.

We will not adjust your booking 24 hours prior to your scheduled departure time if members of your party don’t show up for any reason. We recommend booking the number of passengers you know is 100% coming. Then add passengers to your reservation as you get confirmation that they can make it.

If Happy Days/Tiki Time Tours cancels due to weather or any other reason, you will receive a rain check or refund. Weather-dependent Go/No-go decisions are determined only by Happy Days/Tiki Time Tours and its associated crew. There are no exceptions.

Thank you for understanding our policy.

HOW DO I RESCHEDULE?

Call or email us with the date/time of the requested change, and we will do our best to accommodate.

IS THERE A BATHROOM ON THE BOAT?

No! We do not have a bathroom aboard Happy Days or Tiki Time. We apologize for any inconvenience.

WILL I BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGES?

Yes. The charterer will be held financially responsible for any damages made by their group to the boat or Happy Days Tours’ equipment. Happy Days Tours reserves the right to charge the card on file up to $500 for damages.

WHAT DAYS DO YOU OPERATE?

Open 7 days a week, depending on the weather.

9:30 am to Sunset - 7 days a week

WHAT IS YOUR TRIP SCHEDULE?

Our tours leave on the following schedule:

HAPPY DAYS

Dolphin Cruises

9:30 am - 1 1:00 am

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Wildlife and Scenic Tours

Trips leave every hour for 50-60 minutes

11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Sunset Cruises

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm (Sunset cruise during the peak season Mar - Sept)

4:30pm - 6:00 pm (Sunset cruise during the off - season Oct - Feb)

TIKI TIME

Daily Cruise

Trips leave every 2 hours

10:00 am - 6:00pm

Sunset Cruise

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

HOW DO I BOOK A CRUISE?

Select one of the "Book" links on our website. Select the cruise you want (public / private + day / sunset). Choose a date/time and the number of people in your group. Checkout with a credit card using our secure booking software. You will receive an email confirmation shortly after that. Or call us at (252) 418-1224, and we can book you by phone.

HOW DO I CHECK TOUR AVAILABILITY?

Select one of the multiple "Book" links on our website. Select the cruise you want (public / private + day / sunset). Search through the available charter times for your desired date(s).

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

All tours include complimentary bottled water and cooler full of ice!

HAPPY DAYS

Dolphin Cruise

Public

Adult (Ages 13+): $38

Child (Ages 12 & Under): $17

Private

$375 up to 12 guests

$38 each additional guest (up to 24 guests)

Daily Scenic Cruise

Public

Adult (Ages 13+): $30

Child (Ages 12 & Under): $15

Private

$550 up to 12 guests

$49 each additional guest (up to 24 guests)

Sunset Cruise

Public

Adult (Ages 13+): $49

Child (Ages 12 & Under): $49

Private

$550 up to 12 guests

$49 each additional guest (up to 24 guests)

Tiki Time

Daily Scenic Cruise

Public

Groups will be mixed (6 guests max)

Adult (Ages 13+): $59

Child (Ages 12 & Under): $49

Private

$400 (up to 6 guests)

Additional guests (up to 12 guests)

Adult (Ages 13+): $59

Child (Ages 12 & Under): $49

6-person minimum. Up to 1 2 passengers maximum. BYOB. The captain is hired and paid separately for parties larger than 6. A list of our favorite captains will be provided after your reservation is completed.

WHERE DO I GET ON THE BOAT?

500 Front Street

Beaufort NC 28516

Dock 5 & 6

WHEN SHOULD MY GROUP ARRIVE?

We suggest arriving at your booked location 30 minutes before your scheduled departure to secure parking, complete the waiver forms, and receive the captain's safety briefing. If your group arrives late for a private tour, it will shorten your cruising time. For public tours, the boat will not wait if you are late, and no refunds or rescheduling will be available.

HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN I BRING?

For private charters, we can hold up to 24 passengers in total on Happy Days and 6 passengers in total for Tiki Time. For groups of over 6 passengers up to 12 total passengers on the Tiki Time, the captain is hired and paid separately. We will provide this information after booking.

For public tours, we can hold up to 24 passengers on Happy Days and no more than 6 passengers in total on Tiki Time.

**You can book a private tour with less than 6 passengers. However, the price minimum will remain the same.

HOW LONG IS THE TOUR?

Each cruise varies depending on the tour. Anywhere from 50 minutes to 2 hours depending on the charter you wish to book.

WILL I SEE DOLPHINS?

Although it is not guaranteed, we enjoy frequent dolphin sightings during our cruises. Your best opportunity to see dolphins will be during our 9:30 am and sunset trip when the waterways are less busy.

HOW FAST ARE THE BOAT CRUISES?

The boat cruises are designed for toasting n’ coasting with good company. Our USCG Captains maintain a speed that will allow you to soak in all the Beaufort waterway has to offer.

WHAT IF I WANT TO STAY OUT LONGER?

You can extend any of your charters by booking two consecutive trips

ARE CHILDREN ALLOWED?

Yes! Children are allowed but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Children under the age of 12 are required to wear a USCG-approved life vest. You are more than welcome to bring your own life vest. Please contact us in advance if you’re bringing children aboard so we can ensure the tour boats are equipped with enough appropriately sized life-vests.

CAN I BRING MY PET?

We’re big pet people, but for the safety of all our guests, pets are not allowed on our public tours. Pets are permitted for any private charter that you book. Service animals are allowed on public tours. Please bring your own pet life jacket.

CAN I EAT AND DRINK ON THE BOAT?

Yes! You can bring on board any food and drink items you want to have with you. We offer cooler filled with ice. We ask that you have a valid government-issued ID if you intend to consume alcoholic beverages while aboard.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

There’s no dress code. Your favorite Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops are always a good start. We encourage everyone to dress casually and comfortably. Be mindful of the weather, i.e., bring sunscreen (but do not apply spray sunscreen while on the boat as it creates a slipping hazard for others). In the cooler months, a jacket and close-toed shoes may be appropriate, but keep in mind that cold for us and cold for you may be drastically different. Snowbirds always find a way of surprising us!

CAN I PLAY MY OWN MUSIC?

Yes! Our tour boats are equipped with a Bluetooth speaker; however, if it’s not a private charter, we ask that you be respectful of other guests regarding song choice. We also have a wide variety of island/beach-themed playlists for you to enjoy.

WHO DRIVES THE HAPPY DAYS TOUR BOATS?

A US Coast Guard certified captain will be provided for all trips. On Tiki Time for groups with more than 6 passengers, you are the owner of the vessel and are required to enter a boat ownership agreement and hire a captain for your private voyage. We have a list of USCG-qualified captains on standby that are experienced and rated to drive our boats. Please call us at (252) 418-1224 with any questions, and we can assist you in this simple process. But most importantly, sit back, relax, and enjoy your unique touring experience!

WHAT IF IT’S RAINING?

In North Carolina, we have a saying, “if you don’t like the weather, wait 15 minutes”. Happy Days/Tiki Time operates rain or shine, with guest safety at the forefront of our operation. Our experienced captains regularly check the weather radar and will make the final Go/No-Go decision. If your tour is canceled due to weather (typically high winds and thunderstorms) before departure, we will issue a full refund or rain check, your choice. Please Keep in mind that the boat will still operate in light rain as long as no thunder or lightning occurs. We can also delay trips up to 30 minutes before making any cancellations. We will refund your group accordingly if we come back early due to the weather. Please come prepared for the weather to make your experience more enjoyable.