LOCAL

Cruise Crab Island on a tiki bar

Savannah Vasquez
svasquez@thedestinlog.com
Cruisin' Tikis Destin offers customers a private floating tiki bar with destinations to Crab Island or the Destin Harbor. [SAVANNAH VASQUEZ/DESTIN.COM]

Brothers Ian and Sean Blaise are bringing island life to Destin by way of a floating tiki bar. The new business, Cruisin’ Tikis Destin, offers a unique experience to those wishing to visit Crab Island or the Destin Harbor.

“The experience definitely provides a different perspective to looking at beautiful Destin from the water,” Ian Blaise said. “It takes a lot of stress off of driving yourself while trying to enjoy your libation. It’s just a really relaxing atmosphere.”

The private floating tiki bar includes a licensed captain, a Yeti cooler, stereo blue tooth sound system and shade. Customers can bring their own beer, wine and snacks and enjoy the experience with up to six people.

Ian said he and his brother got the idea for the floating tiki business when they saw the Cruisin’ Tiki franchise in Key West.

“Sean has his own charter business in Key West with historic tours and someone had Cruisin’ Tikis down there,” said Ian. “They are always booked and always busy, and we thought the sheltered waters of the Destin harbor are perfect for it.”

Ian, originally from South Florida, said with new tiki business he hopes to spend more time with his family, and less time working off-shore.

“I wanted to move closer to shore so I could be closer to family,” he said. “Right now I work four weeks on and two weeks off, but hopefully with this business I can work off-shore less.”

Currently Cruisin’ Tikis Destin has one tiki for rent and offers five tours a day that last an hour-and-a-half at a time. Ian said he and his brother plan to expand the business next year if it has a successful first run.

“This is the first one and hopefully next season we will have two more,” said Ian. “We are hoping for a lot of local support.”

Cruisin' Tikis Destin is located at 302 Harbor Blvd. behind Red Door Saloon in Destin. Tours are $49 a person for day cruises and $59 a person for sunset and fireworks cruises. For more information find them on Facebook by searching Cruisin’ Tikis Destin, visit https://cruisintikis.com or call 850-200-0573. 

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