Okay, so I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve been on a boat. My boys have never had the experience, so I was so thankful that we were able to take 2 cruises with Osprey Cruises when we visited South Padre Island for the weekend.
Osprey Cruises offers a variety of cruises so there is something for the whole family to enjoy. Like Thriller! Their 55′ Speedboat & Bay or Deep Sea Fishing trips would thrill my teens while their variety of Dinner, Sunset & Firework aboard the Dolphin & Pirate Cruises are great for everyone! Since I just had the two little ones, we took the Sea Life Eco-tour/Dolphin Watch Cruise & The Black Dragon Pirate Adventure Cruise, both of which we would take again. Come sail away with me as we explore the Dolphin Watch & Pirate Adventure Cruises.
Sea Life Eco-Tour / Dolphin Watch Cruise
We took this cruise the first day on the island, we thought it would be a great start to all the fun we would have that weekend. This cruise leaves from Pier 19, just through the KOA off of Padre Island Blvd. When you board the boat you are directed to the front of the boat where you get to take a family photo for a keepsake of your cruise (towards the end of the cruise they walk around with your photo for you to purchase for $10) we couldn’t pass that up!
Once the boat is out of the boat slip you are allowed to walk about the ship. There is upstairs for better views and an air-conditioned area with a bar that sells drinks & snacks. I prefer the views myself!
The cruise starts off with dragging the net through the Laguna Madre (the only hypersaline bay in the world that can sustain sea life) where they then pull up what wildlife they can, and teach you about each animal and how they are special. We pulled up a few stingrays & Atlantic croaker. During this time, they also let anyone who wanted to, to come take a picture behind the wheel of the boat.
After our educational lesson, we headed out of the bay so that we could dolphin spot. We saw several dolphins, and while they didn’t leap out of the water, everyone on board was still excited to spot a dolphin swimming in its natural habitat.
Before heading back to the pier, they took us out just far enough to get the iconic South Padre Island photo.
Black Dragon Pirate Adventure Cruise
Osprey knows how to send you on a pirate adventure. The Black Dragon Pirate Adventure Cruise begins with a 30-minute show by a lone pirate. He does aerial tricks, a bed of nails, sword swallowing and plenty of jokes.
After he is done with the show, he fires a cannon…
Just before we board the cruise they take down the kids names and give them name tags so that the pirates can call them by name. Just like with the Dolphin Cruise, when you board they take a souvenir photo with the captain. This ship has an upstairs seating area and a downstairs area with a bar.
This 2-hour cruise has plenty of entertainment and laughs. The pirates are very good with children and while they may pick on a few kids (ones that like the attention) they are very inclusive and try to get every kid to participate in the activities.
Each child who wanted to have a go at a pirate was able to have a sword fight with the pirate they choose.
Towards the end of the cruise, they have a “treasure hunt” on the main deck where the kids gather up lots of bootie in their buckets. Each cruise goer gets to go home with some bootie of their own (necklace for everyone and necklace & doubloon for kids).
Both of these cruises were perfect for my little guys. They still talk about them and love to look through photos to relive their adventures on the high seas.
With so many choices for adventure which Osprey Cruises adventure would you choose?
