Visit Palm Beach

What Visit Palm Beach does

Visit Palm Beach is a privately held tour and excursion operator founded in 1996 and headquartered in Downtown West Palm Beach, Florida. The company runs a portfolio of more than 25 paid experiences spanning catamaran cruises, kayak and paddleboard tours and rentals, snorkeling excursions, bicycle tours and rentals, walking food tours, and private yacht charters, serving a mix of tourists, local residents, and group/corporate clients.

The operational backbone is a fleet of owned vessels — the 50-foot catamarans Hakuna Matata and Motunui, plus 24-foot Axopar, 32-foot Saxdor, and 29-foot Cobia boats — supported by three physical locations: the waterfront "Hut" visitor center at 138 South Flagler Drive, the Adventure Center at 226 Datura Street, and the catamaran departure dock at 141 S Flagler Drive. Customer-facing technology is limited to a WordPress website with embedded FareHarbor booking widgets for real-time reservations; no proprietary software, mobile app, or AI capabilities are disclosed.

The business model is direct-to-consumer, transactional ticketing with per-person and per-charter pricing ranging from $15 for happy-hour cruises to $2,280 for full-day private yacht charters. Revenue streams include tours and activities, equipment rentals, private charters, and gift cards. Distribution is omnichannel (FareHarbor online, phone, walk-in) and complemented by an aggregator "Become a Partner" program that resells third-party attractions through the VPB platform. Marketing relies on organic social, TripAdvisor reviews, earned media in Forbes and Travel + Leisure, and email newsletters.

Name

Visit Palm Beach

Legal name

Visit Palm Beach

Website

https://visitpalmbeach.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Visit Palm Beach is a private West Palm Beach tour operator founded in 1996 that sells cruises, kayak and paddleboard tours, snorkeling, bike tours, food tours, and private yacht charters to tourists, locals, and group clients across South Florida.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tour and Excursion Services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Recreational Goods Rental (532284)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Sightseeing & Scenic Boat Tours (Harbor, Sunset, Dolphin/Whale Watching) (THAJAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Kayaking, Canoeing & SUP Coastal Tours (THAAAIAF), Kayaking, Canoeing & SUP Tours (Guided/Paddling Excursions) (THAJAJAF), Marine Recreation Rentals & Tours Retail Counter (On-site Sales) (CRAMAIAM), Marine Wildlife & Birding Cruises (dolphins, seals, seabirds) (THAAAIAD)

Keywords

• Boat tours
• Kayak rentals
• Catamaran cruises
• Snorkeling excursions
• Guided bicycle tours

Headquarters

HQ city

West Palm Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tours and Activities: Revenue generated from selling tickets and reservations for various tours and activities including catamaran cruises, kayak tours, snorkeling excursions, bike rentals, food tours, and private charters. Prices range from $15 per person for certain cruises to $950+ for private boat charters.
2. Equipment Rentals: Revenue from renting kayaks, paddleboards, bicycles, and e-bikes to customers on hourly, daily, or weekly basis.
3. Private Charter Services: Premium private yacht and boat charter services ranging from $570 to $2,280 depending on vessel and duration, including Axopar, Saxdor, and Cobia boats.
4. Gift Cards: VPB Gift Cards sold online with promotional code SPRINGSAIL offering 20% discount.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Visit Palm Beach operates and sells directly booked cruises, tours, outdoor activities, and equipment rentals in the Palm Beaches of South Florida. Its core offerings are catamaran cruises aboard the owned 50-foot vessels Hakuna Matata and Motunui, guided kayak and paddleboard tours, snorkeling excursions, bicycle tours and rentals, a downtown walking food tour, and private yacht and boat charters. The company also rents kayaks, paddleboards, traditional bicycles, and e-bikes on hourly, daily, and weekly terms, and acts as a reseller for partner attractions.

Product overview

Visit Palm Beach is a premier tour and excursion operator offering a diverse portfolio of water-based, land-based, and experiential activities across Palm Beach County, Florida. The company operates primarily from Downtown West Palm Beach and serves both visitors and residents. Their core offerings center around catamaran cruises (using the Hakuna Matata and Motunui vessels), kayak and paddleboard tours/rentals, snorkeling excursions, bicycle tours, food tours, and private yacht charters. The company acts as both a direct tour operator and an aggregator for partner attractions including the Cox Science Center, food tours, and Everglades excursions. A Visitor Information & Adventure Center serves as the central booking hub. The business has operated for nearly 30 years and integrates with FareHarbor for online booking functionality.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hakuna Matata: 50-foot catamaran operated by Visit Palm Beach for sunset cruises, sightseeing tours, snorkeling adventures, and special events.
• Motunui
• The Hut

Products and services

• Sunset Catamaran Cruise A 2-hour evening cruise aboard the 50-foot Hakuna Matata catamaran along the Downtown West Palm Beach skyline and Palm Beach Island mansions and mega-yachts, priced from $49 per person. Targeted at visitors and couples seeking a sunset sightseeing experience.
• Palm Beach Sightseeing Cruise A 1.5-hour partially narrated Intracoastal Waterway sightseeing cruise aboard the 50-foot Hakuna Matata catamaran, priced from $45 per adult. Targeted at first-time visitors wanting an introduction to the Palm Beaches.
• Motunui Sunset Sail A 2-hour luxury sunset sailing experience aboard the Motunui catamaran with Polynesian-inspired décor, professional crew, and tropical island-style music, priced from $59 per person. Targeted at visitors seeking a premium sailing experience.
• Sunday Mimosa Cruise A 2-hour Sunday brunch cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway with bottomless mimosas, Bloody Marys, or rum punch, priced from $40 per person. Targeted at groups and weekend visitors.
• West Palm Beach Catamaran Snorkel & Swim Adventure A 2-hour snorkel-focused cruise from Downtown West Palm Beach to a protected snorkeling lagoon near Peanut Island aboard Hakuna Matata, including certified in-water guide, snorkel gear, floats, and water toys, priced from $75 per person.
• Floatilla Party Cruise A 3-hour flamingo-themed summer party cruise featuring giant floats including the 15-seat flamingo float 'Wobble Wanda', water toys, and festive drinks, available June–September and priced from $78 per person.
• Motunui Sightseeing Cruise A 2-hour partially narrated Intracoastal Waterway cruise aboard the Motunui catamaran featuring shaded seating, cushioned seating with tables, and two deck-level restrooms, priced from $50 per person.
• Flamingle Happy Hour Cruise A 1.5-hour happy hour-priced cruise with tropical drink specials, music, and sunset scenery, priced from $15 per adult.
• 4th of July Fireworks Cruise A 2-hour cruise offering views of 4th on Flagler fireworks including beer, wine, hard seltzers, and soft drinks, departing 8–10pm with fireworks at 9pm, priced at $150 per person.
• Sip & Dip Cruise A 3-hour swimming adventure cruise along Palm Beach Island past the Port of Palm Beach to the Peanut Island area with kayaking, swimming, paddleboarding, and snorkeling activities, priced at $69 per adult and $45 per child.
• Guided Peanut Island Kayak Tour with Optional Snorkeling An 80-acre man-made tropical island kayak tour with optional snorkeling at Peanut Island in the Lake Worth Lagoon, priced at $85 per person for 2 hours.
• Sunset Kayak Tour A 2-hour sunset paddle through the Lake Worth Lagoon with wildlife viewing opportunities including Florida manatees and pink spoonbills; single kayak priced at $85, tandem kayak at $80.
• Sunrise Kayak Tour A 2-hour early morning kayak tour launching at sunrise with views of migratory birds, part of the Lake Worth Lagoon experience.
• Mangroves & Mansions 2-Hour Kayak Tour A 2-hour eco journey through mangroves in the Lake Worth Lagoon with views of Palm Beach mega-mansions, passing Society of the Four Arts gardens, Worth Avenue, Everglades Club, The Breakers Hotel, and Flagler Museum, starting at $85 per person.
• Birds to Riches 3-4 Hour Paddling Tour

Quantifiable outcome

• Voted USA Today's #1 Food Tour in the United States for the Downtown West Palm Beach Walking Food Tour
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FareHarborcoreTechnology or IntegrationFareHarbor provides the embedded booking and reservation system for Visit Palm Beach's website, enabling customers to browse availability, select tours, and purchase tickets online. This partnership is fundamental to the company's e-commerce operations.
• Palm Beach SnorkelingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for certified in-water snorkel guides during catamaran snorkel and swim adventures, providing expert guidance and safety for snorkeling excursions near Peanut Island.
• The Hut (Waterfront Location)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOn-site waterfront operation at 138 South Flagler Drive offering cruise check-in, equipment rentals, visitor information, and refreshments. Serves as the primary physical touchpoint for customers.
• Tour and Attraction OperatorsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor'Become a Partner' program inviting tour operators, activity providers, and attractions to partner with Visit Palm Beach for marketing, retail & advertising space, or reselling their tours through the VPB platform.
• TripAdvisorcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTripAdvisor listing and Travelers' Choice Award recipient. Platform drives significant organic discovery and bookings through reviews, ratings, and traveler engagement.
• West Palm Beach Food TourcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership offering the Downtown West Palm Beach Walking Food Tour, which has been voted USA Today's #1 Food Tour in the United States, featured as a premium offering on the Visit Palm Beach platform.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Delray Yacht Cruises: South Florida-based yacht and cruise operator offering sunset cruises, sightseeing tours, and private charters in the Delray Beach/Boca Raton area. Comparable business model in the same South Florida intra-coastal cruising market, just south of Palm Beach.
• Key West Express: Florida-based passenger ferry and excursion operator running routes between Fort Myers and Key West. Comparable as a Florida marine tourism operator with vessel-based leisure cruises, though operating on a longer-distance ferry model.
• Miami Cruises: South Florida-based cruise and boat tour operator offering sightseeing cruises, party cruises, and private charters in the Miami area. Direct functional peer in catamaran-style leisure cruises but operating in a different South Florida geography.
• Water Taxi (Fort Lauderdale): Regional water-based transportation and sightseeing service operating in South Florida. Comparable in offering narrated Intracoastal-style sightseeing cruises, though focused on Fort Lauderdale rather than Palm Beach, making it a regional peer rather than direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Viator (Tripadvisor Experiences): A global tours, activities, and experiences marketplace owned by Tripadvisor. Visit Palm Beach is listed on Viator as a supplier, and the two operate in the same activity-booking ecosystem with overlapping customer discovery paths.
• GetYourGuide: Global online marketplace for tours, attractions, and activities. Operates at a different scale but competes for the same tourist activity-spend wallet, particularly in Florida destinations where both surface Palm Beach experiences.
• Airbnb Experiences: Online platform for booking tours, activities, and experiences hosted by locals. Competes for the same tourist activity-spend, particularly in destination markets like Palm Beach, though Airbnb Experiences focuses more on individual hosts than operator-run activities.
• Peek: Software and booking platform for tours, activities, and attractions. While not a direct competitor, Peek serves the same operator-side market that Visit Palm Beach inhabits as a tour activity operator using FareHarbor.

Direct peers

• Boatsetter: Peer-to-peer boat rental and charter marketplace. Comparable through the boat rental/charter model — Visit Palm Beach operates a similar service using owned vessels (Axopar, Saxdor) for short-term charters and hourly/daily rentals.
• Sailo: Online boat charter and yacht rental marketplace. Directly comparable to Visit Palm Beach's premium private charter offerings (Axopar, Saxdor, Cobia vessels) targeting celebration groups and corporate clients seeking boat experiences.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/visitpalmbeach
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/visitpalmbeach
• Facebookfacebook.com/visitpalmbeach
• Instagraminstagram.com/visitpalmbeach
• Pinterestpinterest.com/2930f12117e51b0ebff711394e8a56

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Visit Palm Beach