If you're searching for a banana boat ride in Fort Pierce, you're asking the right question in the right place — but the answer might surprise you. Traditional inflatable banana boat rides (the kind towed behind a powerboat where riders sit astride a yellow inflatable and try not to fall off) are not a standard offering on the Indian River Lagoon. The lagoon's calm, protected waters and its extraordinary wildlife make it a better environment for experiences that are more immersive and more memorable than a banana boat ride — and Salty's Water Sports, with 5 Treasure Coast locations and 500+ five-star reviews, offers the best group water sports alternatives on the market. Here's everything available for groups in Fort Pierce in 2026.
Banana boat rides are a staple of ocean beach resorts — they work best in open water with consistent wave action, a long stretch of beach for the tow boat to operate, and a dedicated operator with the right equipment and insurance. The Indian River Lagoon is a different environment: a calm, shallow, wildlife-rich estuary where the priority is protecting the seagrass beds, the manatee population, and the resident dolphin pods. High-speed tow sports like banana boats, parasailing, and wakeboarding are restricted or impractical in most sections of the lagoon because of the shallow depth (averaging 4 feet), the no-wake zones near wildlife areas, and the general character of the waterway.
This is actually good news for groups visiting Fort Pierce. The experiences that are available on the Indian River Lagoon — guided dolphin tours, jet ski rentals, private boat charters, sunset cruises — are more interesting, more memorable, and more appropriate for the extraordinary natural environment than a banana boat ride. The lagoon's wildlife is the main attraction, and the best group water sports experiences are designed around it.
Group jet ski rentals are the most popular group water sports experience in Fort Pierce, and for good reason. Salty's Water Sports offers Sea-Doo GTX rentals for groups of any size — each GTX accommodates up to 3 riders, so a group of 6 can ride on 2 jet skis, a group of 9 on 3, and so on. The GTX's wide, stable hull makes it accessible for first-time riders, and the Indian River Lagoon's calm, flat water is an ideal environment for a group to spread out and explore at their own pace.
Group rentals can be booked as self-guided (you explore the lagoon on your own, with a briefing on the route and the rules) or as a guided Jet Ski Dolphin Tour, where a USCG-licensed guide leads the group through the dolphin nursery section of the lagoon. The guided tour is the better choice for groups that want a structured experience with a guaranteed highlight — Salty's 95% dolphin sighting rate means the group is almost certain to encounter wild dolphins during the tour. For groups of 8 or more, Salty's can arrange a dedicated guide and a customized route.
Group jet ski rentals are ideal for birthday parties, bachelor/bachelorette groups, corporate team outings, family reunions, and any occasion where a shared adventure is the goal. The experience of riding alongside wild dolphins in a group — everyone seeing the same pod at the same moment — creates a shared memory that's hard to replicate with any other activity.
The private Dolphin Boat Tour is the best group water sports option for mixed-age groups — families with young children, groups that include guests who aren't comfortable on a jet ski, or any occasion where everyone needs to be on the same boat. Salty's private pontoon boat charters accommodate up to 12 guests and are led by a USCG-licensed naturalist captain who narrates the experience throughout.
The private boat tour covers the dolphin nursery section of the Indian River Lagoon, with the captain positioning the boat near areas where dolphin pods are most likely to be feeding. The 95% dolphin sighting rate applies to boat tours as well as jet ski tours — the guides' knowledge of the lagoon's resident dolphin population is the key variable, not the type of vessel. Manatee sightings are common on morning tours from October through April, and the lagoon's birdlife — ospreys, pelicans, herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills — provides a constant backdrop throughout the tour.
Private boat charters are the best option for special occasions — birthdays, anniversaries, family reunions, corporate events — where you want a personalized experience without sharing the boat with strangers. The captain can accommodate special requests (specific routes, extended time in certain areas, fishing stops) and the shaded deck and comfortable seating make the experience enjoyable for guests of all ages and fitness levels.
The sunset cruise on the Indian River Lagoon is one of the most underrated group experiences on the Treasure Coast. The lagoon's wide, open horizon and the warm Florida light create spectacular sunsets — and the calm, protected water means the cruise is comfortable even for guests who are prone to seasickness on the ocean. Salty's sunset cruises depart in the late afternoon and run for approximately 90 minutes, covering the open lagoon sections with the best sunset views.
Sunset cruises are popular for bachelorette parties, anniversary celebrations, birthday dinners (bring your own food and drinks — Salty's allows coolers on the boat), and any occasion where a relaxed, scenic experience is the goal. The wildlife sighting rate on sunset cruises is lower than on morning dolphin tours, but dolphins and manatees are frequently seen in the late afternoon as they move to their evening feeding areas. The light quality at sunset is also exceptional for photography.
For large groups (10+ people), the best option is a combination of jet ski rentals and a private boat charter running simultaneously. This allows the more adventurous members of the group to ride jet skis while the rest of the group follows on the boat — everyone covers the same route, sees the same wildlife, and shares the same experience, but each person chooses the experience that suits them. Salty's can coordinate this combination from the Fort Pierce location, with the jet ski group and the boat group departing together and meeting at key points along the route.
This combination is particularly popular for corporate team outings and large family reunions where the group has a wide range of ages and comfort levels with water sports. The boat provides a safety net for the jet ski group — if anyone wants to stop riding and join the boat, the captain can accommodate them — and the shared route means the group stays together throughout the experience.
Group bookings at Salty's require advance notice — especially for groups of 6 or more, where multiple jet skis and/or a private boat charter need to be reserved. The Fort Pierce location is the most popular and fills fastest, especially on weekends and holidays from October through April. Book at least 1–2 weeks in advance for groups of 6–10, and 2–4 weeks in advance for groups of 10 or more.
All riders must be at least 8 years old to operate a jet ski independently. Children under 8 can ride as passengers with an adult driver. All participants must sign a waiver before the activity. Life jackets are provided for all participants and are required to be worn at all times on the water. Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+), polarized sunglasses, and water shoes are strongly recommended.
Salty's Fort Pierce location is at 1 Ave A, Fort Pierce, FL 34950, directly on the Indian River Lagoon. Parking is available on-site. Book online at saltyswatersports.com or call (772) 448-4516 to discuss group pricing and availability.
If your group wants to combine water sports with other Fort Pierce activities, the city has several excellent options within a short drive of the Salty's location. Fort Pierce Inlet State Park (10 minutes by car, accessible by boat from Salty's) has excellent snorkeling, fishing, and beach access on the Atlantic side of Hutchinson Island. 12A Buoy restaurant on the Fort Pierce waterfront is the best post-water-sports dining option for groups — a waterfront seafood restaurant with a full bar, a large outdoor deck, and a menu built around fresh local catch. Manatee Observation and Education Center (free admission) is a short walk from the Salty's location and offers educational exhibits on the Indian River Lagoon's wildlife.
Traditional banana boat rides are not widely available on the Indian River Lagoon in Fort Pierce. The lagoon's shallow depth, no-wake zones, and wildlife protection areas make tow sports impractical in most sections. However, Salty's Water Sports offers group water sports experiences that are more exciting and more memorable than a banana boat ride: group jet ski rentals on Sea-Doo GTX models, guided Jet Ski Dolphin Tours with a 95% dolphin sighting rate, private Dolphin Boat Tours for up to 12 guests, and sunset cruises. Book at saltyswatersports.com or call (772) 448-4516.
Fort Pierce offers group jet ski rentals (Sea-Doo GTX, up to 3 riders per ski), guided Jet Ski Dolphin Tours (groups of any size, 95% dolphin sighting rate), private Dolphin Boat Tours (up to 12 guests, USCG-licensed naturalist captain), sunset cruises, and combination jet ski + boat packages for large groups. All experiences are operated by Salty's Water Sports from the Fort Pierce location on the Indian River Lagoon. Advance booking is required for groups of 6 or more.
For groups of 6–10, book at least 1–2 weeks in advance. For groups of 10 or more, book 2–4 weeks in advance. The Fort Pierce location is the most popular Salty's location and fills fastest on weekends and holidays from October through April. Morning slots (departing 8–10 AM) are the most sought-after for dolphin sighting rates and calm water conditions. Book online at saltyswatersports.com or call (772) 448-4516.
The best birthday party water sports experience in Fort Pierce depends on the group's age range and preferences. For active groups of adults and older teens, the Group Jet Ski Dolphin Tour is the top choice — riding alongside wild dolphins on Sea-Doo GTX jet skis creates a shared memory that's hard to beat. For mixed-age groups including young children, the Private Dolphin Boat Tour (up to 12 guests) is the better option — everyone is on the same boat, the experience is narrated by a USCG-licensed captain, and the 95% dolphin sighting rate applies. For a more relaxed celebration, the Sunset Cruise is ideal — bring food and drinks and enjoy the lagoon at golden hour.
Choose your Salty's experience, select the most convenient launch location, and reserve online. Questions? Call (772) 448-4516.