How many people fit on the pontoon?

The 22’ pontoon seats up to 11 people; if you request a mate, the maximum becomes 10 guests.

Can I fish or crab from this boat?

No — fishing and crabbing are not permitted from this pontoon.

Are dogs allowed on board?

Yes, the operator is dog friendly — bring a leash and be mindful of other guests.

Do I need a boating license?

No license is required; guests without a license receive a boater instruction course at the shop before departure.

Where can I go on this rental?

Boundaries are Longport Bridge to the Garden State Parkway Bridge, with one crossing under the 9th Street Bridge on the Somers Point side; a route map is provided.

What time should children wear life jackets?

All children 13 and under must wear life jackets at all times on the dock and on the boat.

Back-Bay Pontoon Cruises in Ocean City, NJ — Family-Friendly Scenic Rentals

Ocean City's sheltered back bays unfold like a slow-moving parade of marsh grass and colonial-era waterfront houses. On a 22-foot Cruising Pontoon you can slide through those calm waterways without the chop of the Atlantic, making this rental a go-to choice for families, birthdays, and small social gatherings. Located in Ocean City, New Jersey, this pontoon experience runs between two and six hours and covers the protected corridor from the Longport Bridge to the Garden State Parkway Bridge, with one permitted crossing under the 9th Street Bridge on the Somers Point side. The boat itself is straightforward and reassuring: a 22’ pontoon powered by a 60 HP motor, seating up to eleven people, with a bimini top for shade. The operator allows dogs aboard and will provide a basic boater instruction course for guests who do not hold a license — practical touches that make this a low-stress option for first-time boaters. Note that fishing or crabbing is not allowed from this vessel, and pontoons may not beach; docking at waterfront restaurants requires a mate on board. Wildlife spotting is one of the true rewards of the route. Look for ospreys hovering over salt marsh channels, great blue herons stalking mudflats, and snowy egrets stepping lightly across tidal pools. The shoreline is dominated by tidal marshes and post-glacial barrier island geology; houses perch on pilings above ribbon-like creeks, and the flat, brackish habitats give the trip a quiet, observational quality rather than a high-adrenaline pace. Practical details matter: arrive thirty minutes early to complete paperwork and receive safety instruction, and remember all children thirteen and under must wear life jackets on the dock and on the boat. If you want to hand responsibilities to a mate so you can relax fully, request one at booking; with a mate you are limited to ten guests. Bring coolers, picnic food, and a camera — there is room to stow gear and plenty of photo opportunities along residential promenades, marsh inlets, and under the small bridges that frame the route. Why pick this over an open-ocean charter? The pontoon removes most of the variables that intimidate new boaters: calmer waters, slower speeds, and stable decks for socializing. For a half-day of easy cruising among salt marshes and neighborhood docks, the Cruising Pontoon in Ocean City offers a comfortable, safe way to meet the New Jersey coast on your schedule. On longer rentals, pilots often pause near quiet backchannels where clam diggers and kayaks drift by, and you can thread the pontoon gently alongside exposed mudflats at low tide for close views of fiddler crabs and saltmarsh cordgrass. Evening runs sharpen light and reduce boat traffic, making sunset cruises especially agreeable. Pack binoculars, sunscreen.