MTK Cruises FAQ
These are some of the most common questions our customers have about chartering a private boat in Montauk. Please contact us if you have a question not answered below, and we’ll be happy to help!
We are based out of Sam’s Star Island Yacht Club at 59 Star Island Rd, Montauk, NY 11954. Stay left as you enter the Yacht Club and park in the pebbled lot. We’re down the dock closest to that parking lot – just past the fishing charter boats, down the ramp and to the left.
Yes! Due to the high demand for our limited vessels, we highly recommend making a reservation in advance to secure your outing. We do require a valid credit card on file to hold your reservation, however you will not be charged until the day of your trip.
Due to the high demand and limited availability for our tours, we ask that you be sure you can make your reservation before booking. Once you have booked with us, you are responsible for the full rate of your tour. If the weather is exceptionally unpleasant, your captain may choose to cancel the outing at no charge to you. If we cancel for weather but it is SAFE to go out, we’ll leave it up to you if you want to go or not (some groups have a blast in the rain!).
Rain and inclement weather don’t make for a great day on the water. Cancellations due to weather are at the discretion of the captain, and you will be given the option of rescheduling your trip or cancelling at no cost to you. Due to the frequent inaccuracies of weather forecasts (especially in Montauk!), we do not cancel any outings until the day of your scheduled trip and do not accept cancellations due to forecasted weather.
Parties of 5 or more will be given pricing with gratuity included. For smaller parties, gratuity is not included in your trip prices, but is greatly appreciated. Our crew works very hard to provide a safe and fun outing, so if you enjoyed your experience please feel free to tip. A standard tip is 20%.
Yes! You can purchase a specific trip type or a dollar amount to gift to friends and family. They can then contact us to arrange their trip at their convenience. Please call to purchase.
Dress comfortably and check the weather on the day of your trip. A hat, sunglasses, and long sleeves may be appropriate to protect you from the mid-day sun. For footwear we recommend non-marking shoes or full sandals (not flip-flops, which can be dangerous on a boat). It can be cooler on the water so you may also want to bring a light jacket, especially for our sunset cruises or during the shoulder seasons.
Prepare like you’re going for a beach day. A hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, and reusable water bottle are at the top of our list. Bring a device loaded with your favorite playlist so you can connect to our Bluetooth stereo. Don’t forget a towel if you plan to go swimming!
Yes! You are welcome to bring any food and drinks you like including beer, wine, and liquor. We can provide many local food recommendations to bring aboard with you, and offer an exclusive catering menu available from Blue Elm Foods, a local favorite! Please drink responsibly; we want everyone to have a good time, but safety comes first and excess drinking can disrupt the crew and cause a hazard to everyone on board.
Absolutely! We have a Bluetooth-capable stereo that you are welcome to use with your own device and playlist. We recommend downloading your playlist in case you lose service on the water.
We take safety very seriously here at MTK Cruises. On each of our vessels we maintain life preservers, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, fire buckets, emergency radios, flares & smoke signals as required by the US Coast Guard.
Our pontoon and catamarans are all very stable vessels and we generally stay in calm, sheltered water. While it’s always a possibility, we have never had someone get seasick on one of our trips. If you are concerned or have a history of becoming seasick, consider using an over-the-counter aid such as Dramamine.
Yes! We are all about the authentic sailing experience, not just motoring around on a sailboat with our sails down. Montauk is known for our wind and weather, and we love sailing under wind power as long as there’s at least a light breeze.
We’re kid friendly! We often joke with parents about our pontoon being a big playpen – for both them and the kids!
Seniors are always welcome aboard. If you have difficulty getting up from low positions or are a bit unstable in your footing, we recommend our Tomoka pontoon over the sail catamaran.
Yes! All of our vessels have a head on board. Tomoka, our 33-passenger pontoon, has a full head with sink and running water. There are also restrooms at Sam’s Star Island Yacht Club, and we recommend using the bathroom before boarding for your trip.
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Get in Touch!
- Star Island Yacht Club
- 59 Star Island Rd
- Montauk, New York 11954