Tidal Wave Water Sports

What Tidal Wave Water Sports does

Tidal Wave Water Sports (legal entity Watertoys LLC) is a Charleston, SC-based water sports activity operator established in 1996. The company provides jet ski rentals, parasailing, charter cruises, and partner-mediated fishing, kayaking, and sailing experiences to tourists, families, and celebration groups across the Charleston metropolitan area. Operations span four dock locations — Downtown Charleston (50 Immigration St.), Shem Creek/Mount Pleasant (2 Shrimp Boat Lane), Isle of Palms (1513 Palm Blvd), and Folly Beach (97 Center St) — with a free shuttle service to Isle of Palms. The company holds the first official SeaDoo "Uncharted" Outfitter designation on the East Coast and is one of only 19 such outfitters in the U.S., supported by an in-house team of certified SeaDoo mechanics.

Name

Tidal Wave Water Sports

Legal name

Watertoys LLC

Website

https://tidalwavewatersports.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Tidal Wave Water Sports (Watertoys LLC) is a Charleston, SC-based water sports operator, active since 1996, offering SeaDoo jet ski rentals, parasailing, charter cruises, and partner-mediated fishing, kayaking, and sailing experiences to tourists, families, and celebration groups across four dock locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Sports and Recreational Marine Services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Water Transportation (483)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Jet Ski, Parasailing & Tow Sports (Wakeboard, Waterski, Tubing) (THAJAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

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

Keywords

• Jet ski rentals
• Guided harbor tours
• Parasailing excursions
• Charter cruises
• Dolphin watching tours

Headquarters

HQ city

Charleston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Jet Ski Rentals: Hourly and multi-hour jet ski rentals on SeaDoo personal watercraft. Revenue generated per rental based on duration and whether single or double occupancy. Prices vary by weekday/weekend.
2. Guided Tours: Guided jet ski harbor tours and 3-hour barrier island adventure tours with experienced local guides.
3. Charter Cruises: Private and public charter boat cruises including sunset cruises, dolphin watching, bachelorette parties, and custom charters. Revenue per charter based on duration and group size.
4. Parasailing: Parasailing excursions offering single, tandem, and observer options at Shem Creek location.
5. Partner Activity Bookings: Revenue from partner water activities including fishing charters, kayak rentals, and sailing catamaran experiences booked through the Tidal Wave platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Tidal Wave Water Sports operates a fleet of SeaDoo GTX 130 jet skis (130HP, 50mph) and charter boats to deliver direct-to-consumer water sports experiences from four Charleston-area dock locations. Core offerings include hourly jet ski rentals, guided jet ski harbor tours, 3-hour jet ski safari adventures, parasailing excursions, and a portfolio of charter cruises (sunset, dolphin watching, custom, and bachelorette party cruises on the Captain Cocktail party boat). The company also acts as a booking platform for partner activities including fishing charters, kayak expeditions, and sailing catamaran trips.

Product overview

Tidal Wave Water Sports is a water-based recreational activity operator offering jet ski rentals and tours, parasailing, and various cruise experiences. The company operates from multiple locations in Charleston, SC (Downtown Charleston, Shem Creek, Isle of Palms, Folly Beach) and provides a fleet of Sea-Doo jet skis (GTX 130 models) for rentals and guided tours. Core offerings include Jet Ski Rentals (1-hour standalone rentals), Jet Ski Harbor Tours (1-hour guided harbor sightseeing), and 3-Hour Jet Ski Safari Adventures (barrier island exploration). The cruise portfolio comprises Private Custom Charters, Dolphin Watching Cruises, Bachelorette Party Cruises (on the Captain Cocktail party boat), and Sunset Cruises (public and private options). Partner services include Fishing Charters (Flatsbroke Fishing), Kayak Rentals (Nature Adventures), and Sailing Catamaran experiences (Palmetto Breeze). The company has been operating since 1996 and holds an official Seadoo 'Uncharted' Outfitter designation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Captain Cocktail Cruises: Charleston's party boat for public and private cruises, a floating party barge offering BYOB cruises with games and entertainment.
• Palmetto Breeze

Products and services

• Jet Ski Rentals One-hour Sea-Doo jet ski rentals for single or double riders on GTX 130 models hitting top speeds of 50mph. Available at Downtown Charleston, Isle of Palms, and Folly Beach locations. Drivers must be 16 years old; no guides required after a safety briefing.
• Jet Ski Harbor Tours One-hour guided jet ski tour of Charleston Harbor featuring views of Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown, Castle Pinckney, and the Charleston Aquarium. Maximum individual rider weight 220lbs.
• 3 Hour Jet Ski Safari Adventure High-speed 3-hour jet ski adventure tour covering 30 miles through South Carolina barrier islands with a stop at Capers Island. Explores backwaters, secluded shorelines, and Charleston Harbor attractions. Drivers must be 16 years old.
• Parasailing Parasailing excursions with up to 800 feet of line offering tandem flights and aerial views of the Charleston waterfront. Single ($85), tandem ($170), and observer ($35) options at the Shem Creek location. Maximum weight 220lbs per person; minimum age 10 years.
• Private Custom Charters Private boat charters with a designated captain serving as personal chauffeur. Available for family fun, sightseeing, dolphin watching, party scenes, and sunset viewing. Pricing from $1,000 for 2 hours, $1,500 for 3 hours, $2,000 for 4 hours/half day. Accommodates up to 6 people per group.
• Dolphin Watching Cruises Two-hour eco tour through Grey Bay and Hamlin Sound featuring bottlenose dolphin viewing and wildlife photography opportunities. Available for groups of 6-7 to 12 people at $1,000.
• Bachelorette Party Cruises Private party boat cruises on the 'Captain Cocktail' party barge for bachelor and bachelorette parties. Docks at Downtown Charleston, Shem Creek, Isle of Palms, Kiawah Island, and Folly Beach. Tiered pricing starting at $950 for up to 14 guests (2hr), $1,050 for 15-18 guests, $1,150 for 19-22 guests; additional hours at $475-$575. Maximum 24 people.
• Sunset Cruises Public and private sunset charter cruises offering views of Charleston's waterfront. Public shared cruises on the Captain Cocktail party boat at $49 per person; private 2-hour cruises at $1,000 plus fuel cost.
• Captain Cocktail Cruises Charleston's party boat offering public and private cruises year-round. BYOB (no glass) and food allowed; cooler and ice supplied. Features a floating platform, floaties, games, and built-in Twister board. Operates as a sub-brand of Tidal Wave Water Sports.
• Fishing Charters Partner fishing charters including Flatsbroke Fishing with Captain 'Chappy'. Targets sharks, sheephead, red drum, amber jack, spadefish, black seabass, flounder, redfish, and speckled sea trout depending on season and tides. Bookable through Tidal Wave's website.
• Kayak Rentals Partner kayak rental service through Nature Adventures offering day and overnight expeditions to Heritage Preserve, Capers Island, Penny Creek, and blackwater swamps in the ACE Basin. Bookable via the FareHarbor platform embedded on Tidal Wave's site.
• Palmetto Breeze Sailing Catamaran Partner sailing catamaran featuring a spacious wooden deck, covered seating at a 'barefoot' bar, moveable deck chairs, 2 bathrooms, and speakers throughout the ship. Bookable through FareHarbor.

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Seadoo (BRP)coreTechnology or IntegrationTidal Wave is the first official Seadoo 'Uncharted' Outfitter on the East Coast. Only 19 Uncharted outfitters exist in the U.S. This partnership ensures access to newest SeaDoo models and highest industry standards for watercraft quality and maintenance.
• Captain Cocktail CruisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCharleston's favorite party boat operating as Captain Cocktail - a floating BYOB party barge with built-in twister board, floaties, and games. Offers public and private cruises year-round, docking at Downtown Charleston, Shem Creek, Isle of Palms, Folly Beach, and Kiawah Island.
• Palmetto BreezeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSailing catamaran offering sophistication, comfort and speed with spacious wooden deck, covered seating, 'barefoot' bar, moveable deck chairs, 2 bathrooms, and speakers throughout. Bookable through FareHarbor.
• Flatsbroke Fishing ChartersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFishing charter with Captain 'Chappy', a second-generation Redfish charter captain with flat bottom boat access to spots larger boats cannot reach. Offers fishing for Sharks, Sheephead, Reddrum, Amber Jack, and more.
• Kayak Charleston SCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNature Adventures partnership for day and overnight kayak expeditions to Heritage Preserve, Capers Island, Penny Creek, blackwater swamp in ACE Basin, and other Lowcountry waterways.
• HOBA RidesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOffshore deep sea fishing partnerships offering Shark, Sheephead, Reddrum, Amber Jack, Spadefish, Black Seabass, Flounder, Redfish, and Speckled Sea Trout fishing experiences.
• FareHarborcoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline booking platform integration for Captain Cocktail Cruises, Palmetto Breeze sailing, and kayak rentals enabling seamless reservation experiences for customers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• GetMyBoat: Online boat rental and water experiences marketplace connecting consumers directly with boat owners and operators worldwide. An ecosystem participant that disintermediates single-market operators like Tidal Wave by aggregating supply across destinations and competing for organic search intent on Charleston water activities.
• Viator: Tripadvisor-owned online marketplace for tours, attractions, and experiences including water sports worldwide. A distribution channel/competitor that captures demand for Charleston water sports searches and offers consumer price comparison against Tidal Wave's direct booking channel.

Direct peers

• Charleston Water Taxi: Water-based sightseeing and harbor transportation service operating across the same Charleston waterfront destinations Tidal Wave tours (Ravenel Bridge, Harbor, downtown docks). Comparable in passenger vessel operation, harbor route network, and Charleston tourist customer base.
• Sea Screamer: Panama City Beach, Florida dolphin cruise and water sports operator running large-capacity sightseeing cruises and combination water sports packages. Comparable business model—tourist-facing boat tours with dolphin watching and watersports upsells in a coastal tourism market.
• Spiritline Cruises: Mount Pleasant/Charleston harbor cruise and sightseeing boat operator offering harbor tours, sunset cruises, and dolphin cruises from the same Charleston waterfront market. Directly comparable as a charter cruise competitor overlapping with Tidal Wave's sunset, dolphin watching, and bachelorette cruise offerings.
• Coastal Expeditions: Charleston-based kayak and eco-tour operator offering Lowcountry paddling and Capers Island expeditions. Tidal Wave resells kayak rentals through Kayak Charleston SC; Coastal Expeditions is in the adjacent guided nature tour segment competing for the same eco-tourist spending in the same waterways.
• Sandbar Water Sports: Hilton Head Island-based jet ski rental and parasailing operator serving tourists in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Closely comparable model to Tidal Wave: same state, same coastal water sports categories, similar DTC booking, and similar fleet of personal watercraft for hourly and tour-based rentals.

Broad incumbents

• Old Town Trolley Tours: Established sightseeing tour operator (parent: Historic Tours of America) running hop-on-hop-off trolley tours in Charleston plus broader U.S. markets. A larger incumbent serving the same Charleston tourist customers and competing for the same Charleston tourism wallet, though focused on land-based rather than water-based experiences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tidal-wave-water-sports

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Tidal Wave Water Sports