FAQs

If you are boarding from the Santa Barbara Harbor, we dock in front of the Maritime Museum, which is located next to Brophy Bros. If you are joining us from Stearns Wharf, we dock across the pier from the Moby Dick Restaurant. Please see our Santa Barbara Waterfront Map for more information.

Our harbor tour is approximately 15 minutes and takes you to many of Santa Barbara’s most popular restaurants and destinations. Riding the boat in both directions ultimately results in a 30-minute total experience.

Santa Barbara can be warm during the day and cool in the evening, so it’s a good idea to wear layers or bring a light jacket. We also welcome strollers that can be folded down to a smaller size during the ride.

Lil’ Toot allows service animals but does not permit pets. We also do not permit double-wide strollers, non-collapsible wheelchairs, bicycles, or other large recreational equipment.

Lil’ Toot allows service animals but does not permit pets.

Our trips depart every half hour from Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearns Wharf. See our Calendar for daily departures. Stearns Wharf departures start 15-minutes after opening and continue every 30-minutes. Santa Barbara Harbor departures start at opening times and continue every 30-minutes.

One-way fare aboard our Santa Barbara water taxi is $5 for adults and $2 for children. Return trip tickets may be purchased at the kiosks on each side of the harbor. A Lil’ Toot Private Charter is $250 per hour.

Kid’s Birthday Parties are just $99 for a 45-minute cruise in the Santa Barbara harbor. Every child gets a chance to drive the boat and the birthday child gets an official Lil’ Toot Sailor Hat.

Our boat rides are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. We do accept reservations for private charters and special events.

If you are at Stearns Wharf, there is paid parking on the pier. If you are at the Santa Barbara Harbor, both 90-minute free parking and paid parking are available.

Although California State Law currently allows prescription cannabis to be legal, it is not legal while boating since the ocean is considered Federal Waters. All illegal drugs and all forms of cannabis are not permitted on any of the boats for any reason.

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are unhappy with your experience, we will refund your money. Customers will receive a refund, less online booking fee, and a 10% cancellation fee, with a 2-week notice of cancellation for private charters. The reservation is for the specific time booked and not transferable to another time. If we have to cancel a trip due to weather or any other reason, we will refund 100% of your purchase price.

Unfortunately, our boat does not accommodate wheelchairs, and due to the vessel having steps, it may be unsuitable for some people. With loading and unloading passengers from an open ocean pier (Stearns Wharf), we are unable to board passengers that require assistance from others or any special equipment. This is for their safety and the safety of others.