Little Pirates or the Pirate Tour: Taking Kids on a Boat From Side
Both boats dress the day up in eye patches and treasure maps, so from the outside they look like one product. They differ in a way that shows up on the bill and in the noise level.
Short answer
Little Pirates gives children their own costumes and a treasure hunt, charges less for ages 4 to 10, and lists no foam party. The Pirate tour is a bigger show with foam, a delta swim and a children's menu, but ages 4 to 10 pay the adult fare. Ages 0 to 3 are free on both.
Side by side
| Little Pirates | Pirate tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 4 to 10 | A reduced child fare | The same fare as an adult |
| Ages 0 to 3 | Free | Free |
| Dressing up | Costumes supplied, your own also welcome; face painting | Free face painting |
| The game | Treasure hunt on deck, games, sea stories | Secret map, tug-of-war, chasing a pirate |
| Swimming | Swim and snorkel stops along the coast | A swim at the river delta |
| Lunch | Child-friendly dishes on board | Spaghetti, chicken fingers, fish fingers |
| Foam party | None listed | Yes, with music and dancing |
| Listed length | About 5 to 6 hours | About 6 hours |
Picking by the child, not the theme
Think about what your child does in a crowd. A four-year-old who loves being given a job and a costume will probably be happiest on Little Pirates, where the fun is organised around finding things on deck. A nine-year-old who wants loud music and something to run towards may get more out of the Pirate tour's tug-of-war and foam.
Then look at the sum. With more than one child in the 4 to 10 band, the difference between a child fare and an adult fare adds up across a family. The prices page shows both tours so you can do the arithmetic for your own party.
Where the parents fit in
Children stay under their parents' supervision throughout. That is on the record for both styles of day, so these boats are not a place to hand your children over and disappear. There is room to sunbathe and the crew's games do much of the work, but you remain the person responsible. On the Pirate tour, parents are welcome to join the games and the swimming.
Food and practical things
If you have a fussy eater, the Pirate menu is on our record in detail. On Little Pirates the lunch is described as a selection of children's favourites, without a set menu. Extra drinks cost more on both. Pack swimwear, a change of clothes and a hat for each child, and remember high-factor sun cream.
Booking ahead is sensible for the Pirate tour, which fills quickly in the busiest weeks. You can withdraw from either at no charge while more than 48 hours remain.
Other tours with children
Most of the other boats accept families too, and the swim-and-foam days can suit older children well. Relax does not make much sense with children, since it is quiet by design and charges them the adult fare. For guests under four, read what to bring and contact us if you have particular concerns.
