CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS 

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* Cancellations more than 48 hours of start time are eligible for refund. 

* No-shows are not eligible for a refund.

* There is no prorating for unused time, late departures, early returns, or missed departures.

* There are no refunds once you leave the dock.

* Customers will receive a full refund or credit if BILOXI BOAT TOURS cancels the reservation prior to departure due to weather, mechanical, or personnel factors.

* BILOXI BOAT TOURS reserves the right to cancel, terminate, or modify reservations/agreements if any aspect is deemed unsafe including but not limited to sea conditions, weather, or inappropriate behavior of persons or dogs.

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Do I need to make a reservation?

Reservations require payment in advance--cash or card--and must be paidupon booking. If you don't want to pay until departure time, you will not have a confirmed reservation/boat/seat/captain.

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It's best to make a reservation to ensure you have a boat and/or captain on the day you prefer! BILOXI BOAT TOURS operates by appointment. 

 

We can accommodate walk-ups only if our staff is on-site and there is boat/space/captain available. Call or book online!

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We are happy to arrange custom events, corporate projects, and captain trips longer than 2 hours. Just call.

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How many people can be on a boat?

 FOR PUBLIC & PRIVATE EXCURSIONS 
The Captain's USCG license allows for 6 passengers max each boat.

Fishing tour allows for 4 passengers--no children under 5, no pets.
All humans count--no exceptions per USCG rules.
Max 3 dogs on private tours. 

Pets NOT permitted on public tours unless your party books 6 seats.

Can we go to Ship or Horn Island?
NOPE--these are small pontoon boats not built for traveling in a true, unpredictable gulf environment. Deer Island and Katrina Reef (conditions permitting) make up the southern boundary.​​

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So where CAN we go? 

 FOR PRIVATE EXCURSIONS 
The Catch & Release Fishing is a private, in-shore excursion. Children under 5 and pets are not permitted. Up to 4 passengers are permitted.

The Ocean Springs Bayou Tour may include Deer Island, Biloxi Bay & Back Bay, and Fort Bayou (Ocean Springs). Up to 3 dogs allowed.

 

 FOR PUBLIC EXCURSIONS 
The Deer Island Ferry is a drop-off/pick-up exclusively for Deer Island. Explore & swim all over the island! The west end beach is the preferred drop-off spot, but the northern dock near the woods may be available if tides permit. Pets prohibited unless your party books all 6 seats making it a private excursion..

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Other tours and cruises will determined by weather and sea conditions. Generally, the route is along Deer Island and Biloxi Beach in the channel.

What if there's bad weather?

Once you leave the dock, there are no refunds if you return early for any reason. If BILOXI BOAT TOURS or your party cancels due to unfavorable weather/sea conditions, a full refund or reschedule is available prior to leaving the dock.

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Savvy boaters assess the risks and consider their skill level and the comfort of their group. In boating there is more to the weather than sunshine or rain. Wind, waves, and thunderstorms can be the most dangerous phenomena on the water. 

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Afternoon storms with gusty wind and lightning occur frequently in June, July, and August and can rapidly present several hazards at the same time. A forecast of 50% scattered rain/storms is standard for summer afternoons in Mississippi. If a Small Craft Advisory (or worse) is issued and wind is gusting over 20mph, reservations will be revised.

Can you rescue us in bad weather??

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 FOR DEER ISLAND FERRY 

Depends on the the conditions. If strong wind and waves prevent the boat from safely reaching the island, if rain reduces visibility drastically, or if lightning is severe, then you will have to wait out the storm on the island. It may or may not be fun. 

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What about dogs?

Dogs are permitted on the Deer Island Ferry and Biloxi Boat Ride ONLY if your party books all 6 seats making it a private excursion. Pets are not permitted on the Deer Island Sunset Cruise.

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Dogs are welcome on the Ocean Springs Bayou Tour.

 

State law requires dogs to be leashed when on the island, and pet waste must be collected and removed from the island.

Drinking salt water will make your pup sick in ways that are very unpleasant. Please remember to bring items to keep her/him comfortable especially if boating or the climate here is unfamiliar. 

 

Offer your furry pal plenty of freshwater, food, shade, and time to get used to the situation. We encourage you to bring a leash, properly fitted doggie life jacket, and a favorite toy.
 

Can we have a memorial service to scatter ashes on the water? Can we release balloons?

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There are federal laws that govern memorials at sea. Releasing human or pet remains is not within our scope of operations. Please refer to EPA Regulations to plan your service legally and inquire with offshore fishing charter guides.

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Balloons are prohibited on our boats. They are easily lost in the wind and are considered littering. Balloons do not stay in the air forever and come back down as trash. Sea turtles often confuse deflated balloons for jellyfish and become injured by eating them.

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Is the water safe?
Mississippi beaches are OPEN! See MDEQ for more information. 

 

Beach advisories can be issued or rescinded any time. Bacteria levels along the beaches are frequently checked.

Can I do a sunset trip?
Check out the Deer Island Sunset Cruise. This trip lasts 1.25 hours.

What costs am I responsible for?
Base price + booking fee are due upon booking. Tips aren't expected but always appreciated.

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We can customize excursions for special occasions and corporate projects. Feel free to give us a call for your specific needs!

How do I get to the boat?
Times cannot be extended for late departures. Please call us if you will be late so we can coordinate other reservations.

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We will meet you on the dock at the boat. See directions here.

 

Check in @ Point Cadet Marina, DOCK D #38 (one dock east of Harbor Building)--behind Golden Nugget garage. Look for Go Topless Fishing. 

 FOR PUBLIC & PRIVATE EXCURSIONS 
Expect 10 minutes for boarding and safety briefing. Boat departs marina promptly!

Can we pick up people elsewhere?

No, your entire party must depart/return to/from Point Cadet Marina--no exceptions.

Who can book a tour/cruise/ferry?

At least 1 person in your party must be at least 18. Others may be of any age.

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What about booze, etc?

Neither unsafe/rude behavior nor underage drinking will be tolerated and will result in the termination of your trip without refund.

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NOT PERMITTED: Illegal substances, underage drinking, "smoking."

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 FOR PUBLIC EXCURSIONS 

Adults 21+ may bring an unmarked drink aboard to enjoy.

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Glass is prohibited.

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Illegal substances are not allowed . . . and illegal.

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 FOR PRIVATE EXCURSIONS 

Alcohol is permitted for passengers 21+. The Designated Operator must refrain from anything that could cause physical or mental impairment. Illegal substances and underage drinking are prohibited.

What kind of boats do you have?
Traditional pontoons with comfortable seating and biminis.

What CAN we do? Can we fish?
The Mississippi Sound, Biloxi Bay, and Biloxi River offer plenty of water-based activities.

 

Fishing is permitted only on fishing tour. 

 FOR PRIVATE EXCURSIONS 
The Deer & Bay Sightseeing Tour is a private, 2-hour excursion exploring the Sound and Bay including Deer Island if conditions permit. Fishing is not permitted.

 

The Catch & Release Fishing is a 4-hour, private in-shore excursion for up to 4 passengers (no children under 5). Fishing license, bait, tackle, and gear provided.

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 FOR PUBLIC EXCURSIONS 
The Deer Island Ferry is a drop-off/pick-up exclusively for Deer Island. Explore & swim all over the island! The west end beach is the preferred drop-off spot, but the northern dock near the woods may be available if tides permit. Dogs prohibited unless your party books all 6 seats making it a private excursion.

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 DEER ISLAND FERRY 

Fishing from the boat is not permitted on this excursion. Passengers must provide their own fishing licenses for use on the island.​

What can we NOT do?

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 FOR ALL 
NOT PERMITTED:

Illegal substances

Underage drinking

Bow-riding

Tubing

Water-skiing

Jumping off/riding on upper deck of water slide boat

Releasing human or pet remains (per EPA Federal Law)
 

 DEER ISLAND FERRY 
Fishing from the boat is not permitted on this excursion. Passengers must provide their own fishing licenses for use on the island.​

 

For a licensed fishing excursion with captain, book the Catch & Release Family Fishing Tour.

What do we need to bring with us?
Plenty of water, cooler (glass containers are prohibited on Deer Island and beaches), snacks, towels, weather appropriate clothing, hats, sunglasses, flip flops/water shoes, and phone. 

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A waterproof container is suggested for personal electronics, wallets, and purses. Passengers are welcome to bring their own life jackets if they are marked as USCG Approved.

What do you provide?
We provide a life jacket for each passenger, required emergency gear such as life ring or throwable float, air horn, flares, and fire extinguisher. Each boat also has an anchor, local nautical chart, boat hook/pole, and dock lines that travel with you. 

Anyone under 13 years old is required to wear a properly fitted life jacket any time the boat is moving--no exceptions. We have sizes ranging from infant to XXXL that you may borrow for your outing. Passengers are welcome to bring their own life jackets if they are marked as USCG Approved.

Fish, sharks, and other critters?
Check out Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and MDFWP for fishing information. Fishing licenses may be acquired at the tackle shop here in Point Cadet Marina or a local Walmart or Academy Sports.

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During the first weekend in June each year, the license requirement is void for fishing in all MS public waters. Each July 4th is Free Saltwater Fishing Day in MS--no license is required that day for fishing south of Interstate 10. Read more here.

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No big, scary sharks nearby.
 
Spot soaring cranes, swooping pelicans, chatty gulls, osprey carrying fish, even migrating geese and monarch butterflies depending upon the time of year. You may spot an alligator lounging in the bayou. Catch minnows dancing and mullet jumping. Along the beaches you'll find so many cool shells and bones, maybe even a horseshoe crab shell. Please don't take away the hermit crabs from their native environments! They will not survive.

During the summer jellyfish are present in the water, and they also wash onto the beach. Scan the water and sand for them. The bigger jellyfish with flowy tentacles have a very painful sting.

Look out for everyone's favorite. Please do not crowd or chase the dolphins! 

Everywhere you look there will be something interesting whether it's in the water, on the land, or in the sky!

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Any suggestions where to stay?

If you want to be on the same block as BILOXI BOAT TOURS, we share concrete with the Golden Nugget Casino & Margaritaville Resort Biloxi (that's our pontoon boat in the photo! 😁).

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Golden Nugget, Margaritaville, and Point Cadet Marina are on the same block. You can walk from your room to the docks in 5 minutes or less.

 

Ocean Springs' popular vacation rentals are within 3 miles just across Biloxi Bay from us. 

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For semi-local unique rentals, check out Twisted Run Retreat in Vancleave and Fulmer's Farmstead in Beaumont.

 

Looking for breathtaking RV sites? Check out Biloxi Bay RV Resort in Ocean Springs (approx. 10 minutes away) and Indian Point RV Resort in Gautier (approx. 35 minutes away).