Up to 49 · Shared
Dolphin & Scenic Bay Sightseeing Cruise
The main cruise, on the big tri-toon.
| Per person | $59 |
|---|
Editorial spotlight · 715 Pensacola Beach Boulevard
2026 Sunshine Awards nomineeBest Dolphin Crew
Frisky Mermaid Dolphin Cruises
Started in 2018 by two career hoteliers who decided to run boats the way they ran hotels. An all tri-toon fleet, three licensed captains including the region’s first female 50-ton master, and dolphin cruises that go all the way from a $59 seat to an all-day excursion with a beach stop and snorkel gear.
- Dolphin cruise
- $59
- All-day excursion
- $189
- 5.0
- Reviews
- 3,466
Editorial spotlight. Frisky Mermaid Dolphin Cruises is a nominee in the 2026 Sunshine Awards. They did not pay for this page and had no say in it. We earn a commission when you book through the links here; your price is the same.
The operation
Hoteliers who moved to the water
Deandra “Dee” and Steve Holcomb founded the company in 2018 after more than thirty years in luxury hospitality, both in executive roles at Hilton and Embassy Suites properties. Steve, a Certified Hotel Administrator, runs fleet operations, safety and maintenance; Dee handles guest experience and community relations and formerly chaired the Visit Pensacola board.
The captains are named on the site: Maryjo Loucks, who goes by Captain MJ, a Coast Guard 25-ton master with a background in education; Captain Steve Crowder, a 50-ton master the company credits with a 100 percent dolphin sighting record; and Captain Ally Laurent, a 50-ton master and, per the company, the first female captain at that level in the region. The fleet is all tri-toon, taking up to 49 passengers, with additional docks at Sabine Marina and behind Shaggy’s.
“An all tri-toon rental fleet and a team backed by 50+ years of combined hospitality experience.”
- DH
Co-founder, guest experience
Dee Holcomb
- SH
Co-founder, fleet operations
Steve Holcomb
- MJ
Captain, USCG 25-ton master
Maryjo Loucks
- SC
Captain, USCG 50-ton master
Steve Crowder
- AL
Captain, USCG 50-ton master
Ally Laurent
Names and licences as listed on the company’s About page.
The one to book
Sand Island Beach Stop and Dolphin Tour
The dolphin run plus a stop at Sand Island with adult snorkel equipment aboard, which is the version worth the extra money over the straight sightseeing cruise.
$95 a seat. The half-day Pensacola Beach excursion is $125 and the all-day Mermazing trip $189.
| Per person | $95 |
|---|---|
| Half day | $125 |
| All day | $189 |
Checked against FareHarbor on October 2, 2026.
Check AvailabilityThe boats
All tri-toon, up to 49
Per the About page and the booking listings.
Large tri-toon
- Guests
- Up to 49
- Private charter
- $1,299
Mid tri-toon
- Guests
- Up to 20
- Private charter
- $895
Small tri-toon
- Guests
- Up to 6
- Private, two hours
- $295
Book it
Cruises and rentals
Public seats per person; private charters per boat. Checked against FareHarbor on October 2, 2026.
Shared · Gear included
Snorkel Stop with Adult Equipment
Dolphins, then a shallow-water snorkel.
| Per person | $54 |
|---|
Half day · Shared
Seas the Half Day Pensacola Beach Excursion
Longer run, beach time, snorkel gear.
| Per person | $125 |
|---|---|
| Private | $495 |
Full day · Shared
Seas the Mermazing All Day Experience
The whole day on the water.
| Per person | $189 |
|---|---|
| Private | $1,490 |
4, 6 or 8 hours
Pontoon Boat Rental
Drive it yourself around Santa Rosa Sound.
| Four hours | $295 |
|---|
2 hours · Private
Private Dolphin Tour, Up to 6
The small boat, privately.
| Two hours | $295 |
|---|
Before you go
Know before you go
Departure
715 Pensacola Beach Blvd, with additional docks at Sabine Marina and behind Shaggy’s. Check which your booking uses.
Licence
Pontoon rentals are bareboat; Florida requires a boater education card for anyone born after January 1, 1988.
Snorkel gear
Adult equipment is included on the snorkel stop, half-day and all-day trips.
Other services
The company also runs burial-at-sea charters, booked separately.
Reviews
What guests say
- 5.0Google3,466 reviews as of October 2, 2026
- 2018FoundedBy Dee and Steve Holcomb
- 49GuestsOn the largest tri-toon
Reviewers single out the all-female crew days, Captain Steve and deckhand Heidi, and the upper deck on the big boat; several mention snacks and drinks available aboard.
Questions
Good to know
Where does it leave from?
715 Pensacola Beach Blvd, with two other docks in use.
What does it cost?
$59 for the dolphin and scenic bay cruise; $95 with the Sand Island stop. Checked October 2, 2026.
Is snorkel gear included?
Adult equipment on the snorkel stop and the longer excursions.
Can we rent a boat instead?
Yes, pontoons from $295 for four hours, with multi-day rates.
Hotel standards, on a tri-toon
Dolphin cruises at $59, beach and snorkel days from $95.
Check Availability