3 Hour Destin Dinner Cruise: Solaris Yacht in Miramar Beach

Dinner at sea has a way of changing the evening. The 125-foot Solaris yacht combines a plated three-course meal, live music, and wide views from three indoor and outdoor decks, making it one of the more unusual evening activities around Destin. I like the polished setting and the chance to move between the dining rooms, open-air sky deck, and pilothouse during one relaxed outing.

I also like that the $65 price includes dinner, coffee or tea, taxes, fees, and gratuities. The main consideration is timing: this is not sold as a dedicated sunset cruise, and alcoholic drinks cost extra. The dinner cruise can offer sunset views, but the exact light and timing depend on the season and conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• 125-foot yacht with three decks: You can eat indoors, feel the coastal air on the sky deck, or listen to music from another level after dinner.
• Three-course plated meal: Dinner includes a salad, your choice of chef-prepared entree, and dessert.
• Live music throughout the yacht: The in-house entertainment continues after dinner, when the mood shifts toward singing and dancing.
• Departs from Baytowne Marina at 6:00 p.m.: The Solaris leaves promptly, so arrive with enough time to walk down the marina to the boat.
• $65 includes the main costs: Coffee or tea, dinner, taxes, fees, and gratuities are included. Alcohol is extra.
• Good for an evening celebration: The setting suits couples, families, and groups looking for dinner with entertainment rather than a quiet restaurant meal.

Arriving at Baytowne Marina in Miramar Beach

Your evening begins at 8330 Mike Hayes Drive in Miramar Beach, at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. From there, you walk down Baytowne Marina to the Solaris. This short marina approach helps set the tone, but it also means you should not treat the 6:00 p.m. departure like a loose reservation at a restaurant.

The yacht leaves promptly at the scheduled time. I would arrive early enough to find the meeting point, walk to the boat, and board without rushing. A mobile ticket is accepted, which keeps the check-in process simple, but you still need to have your booking available on your phone.

Once aboard, the captain greets you and a server takes you to your reserved table. That reserved seating matters. You do not need to compete for a place near the windows, then spend the first part of dinner wondering where to sit.

The Solaris has panoramic windows throughout its indoor dining rooms, so you can keep views in sight even if you prefer air conditioning or the weather turns less comfortable. The open-air sky deck gives you a different experience, with coastal breezes and a higher view across the water.

The Solaris Yacht and its three decks

The Solaris is the only dining and entertainment yacht in Northwest Florida, according to the experience description. At 125 feet, it is large enough to offer several distinct spaces rather than one single dining room.

That variety is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise. You can begin at your table, then step outside for fresh air, look for dolphins from the sky deck, or find a spot where the live music carries across the yacht. You are not locked into a single view for three hours.

The indoor dining rooms are the practical choice when you want to focus on your meal. Panoramic windows keep the cruise connected to the water, even while you sit comfortably indoors. The sky deck is the more scenic option, especially before dinner and later in the evening when the stars may become visible.

The pilothouse is another worthwhile stop. You can visit the captain there, adding a small behind-the-scenes moment to an otherwise polished dinner setting. No special pilothouse program is described, so think of it as an opportunity to look around and greet the captain, not a formal tour.

The first 30 minutes on the water

After departure, live music begins as the Solaris moves away from the dock. The first part of the cruise gives you time to settle in, look through the windows, and head to the sky deck before dinner.

About 30 minutes into the cruise, you are asked to return to your table for the meal. This timing creates a useful rhythm. You get some time to enjoy the boat and views first, then dinner is served while you are seated in the more formal dining area.

You may see dolphins from the sky deck, but that is a possibility, not a promised sighting. The same applies to sunset. The yacht offers open views that can be excellent around evening light, but the experience is specifically noted as not being a sunset cruise. If catching a sunset is your main goal, I would not book this solely for that reason.

The wider point is that the cruise is designed around the full evening, not a single scenic moment. The water, music, food, and changing light all share the spotlight.

A three-course dinner with a choice of entree

Dinner is plated and served in three courses. It begins with a fresh salad, followed by your choice of chef-prepared entree, and ends with dessert. The menu focuses on fresh Gulf seafood, prime beef, and Southern classics.

That selection gives the cruise a broad appeal. You can choose seafood for a meal tied to the Gulf Coast, or select prime beef or another Southern dish if you prefer something more familiar. The supplied information does not list the exact entree choices, so you should check the current menu when booking or boarding if a particular dish matters to you.

Coffee and tea are included. Alcoholic drinks are available for separate purchase once aboard, but they are not part of the $65 price. This is worth keeping in mind when comparing the cruise with a regular dinner out. The advertised price covers the meal and the basic service costs, but a cocktail, wine, or other alcoholic drink will raise your final bill.

The dinner is described as upscale, but the evening is not only about formal dining. Once the plates are cleared, the atmosphere becomes more social. One especially useful detail is that the music can be heard from all three decks, so you can move around without losing the main entertainment.

Live music changes the mood after dinner

The strongest praise attached to this cruise focuses on the combination of food, service, music, and dancing. One detailed rating described the food as excellent, the service as great, and the live music as a major part of the fun. After dinner, the boat reportedly comes alive with singing and dancing.

That detail helps define the experience better than the word dinner cruise alone. This is not simply a quiet meal beside the water. The evening shifts from seated dining to a more active celebration, with live entertainment continuing across the yacht.

You can dance under the stars, listen from the dining areas, or return to the sky deck for a calmer pause. That flexibility helps couples and groups with different ideas of a good night. One person can dance while another takes in the view.

If you want a silent, intimate meal with little background noise, this may not be your best pick. The live music and social energy are central to the cruise. If you like the idea of a dinner that turns into an evening out, the entertainment is a real strength.

Views, dolphins, and the sky deck

The sky deck is where the Solaris feels most connected to the coast. You can enjoy the breeze, look across the water, and possibly spot dolphins. Because the deck is open air, conditions will affect how comfortable it feels, but the yacht also provides indoor spaces with panoramic windows.

The views are not limited to the opening part of the cruise. After dinner, you can return outside for stargazing or spend time under the night sky. That makes the three-hour schedule feel less like a fixed meal and more like a series of small experiences linked together.

I would plan to use the sky deck both before and after dinner. Before the meal, it is a good place to take in the departure and evening light. Later, it offers a quieter counterpoint to the music and dancing.

The open deck also gives you the best chance of seeing wildlife, but you should keep expectations reasonable. Dolphins are possible, not guaranteed. This is a dinner cruise with scenic opportunities, not a dedicated wildlife tour.

Is $65 a fair price?

At $65, the Solaris cruise sits above the price of a basic casual dinner, but the comparison is not quite equal. Your fee includes a three-course plated meal, a three-hour yacht outing, live entertainment, coffee or tea, taxes, fees, and gratuities.

The included gratuities are useful because they make the advertised price easier to understand. You do not need to calculate a separate tip for the meal and service. Alcohol is the main obvious extra.

I see the best value here for someone who wants several parts of an evening handled in one booking. You get transportation by boat during the experience, reserved seating, dinner, music, views, and a return to the same meeting point. A separate restaurant meal followed by live entertainment could cost as much or more, though that depends on what you order.

The value is weaker if you care only about the food. The cruise asks you to pay for the setting and entertainment as well. It is also not ideal if you want to choose a restaurant menu in detail or control the length of the evening.

One published rating put the experience at 4.1 out of 5 from 10 reviews, while a detailed five-star account praised the food, service, music, and dancing but also noted that it was not a cheap night. That is a fair way to frame the price. This is a special evening, not a budget meal.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend the Solaris to couples celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or simply looking for a dressed-up evening with more movement than a restaurant dinner. The water setting adds a sense of occasion without requiring a full-day tour.

It also suits families and groups who want a shared activity. The three decks make it easier for people to choose their own pace. You can sit at the table, listen to music, dance, or step outside for views.

The cruise is less suited to someone seeking a quiet sunset outing, because it is not specifically sold as a sunset cruise and the music becomes an important part of the night. It is also a less natural fit for anyone who wants a very casual, low-cost dinner.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The maximum capacity is 149 people, so this is a sizable yacht experience rather than a small private boat trip. That larger scale supports the music and dancing, but it also means you should not expect a secluded charter.

Timing, weather, and cancellation details

The cruise begins at 6:00 p.m. and lasts about three hours, returning to the starting point. Since the yacht leaves promptly, arriving early is the smart move.

Confirmation is provided within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The experience requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low enrollment cancels the cruise, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. Cutoff times follow local time in Destin.

The minimum age for buying and consuming alcohol is 21. That age rule applies to alcohol, not to participation in the cruise itself.

Should you book the Solaris dinner cruise?

Book it if you want a complete evening built around a yacht setting, plated dinner, live music, and the chance to dance afterward. I especially like the flexibility of the three decks and the fact that dinner, gratuities, fees, and entertainment are included in the $65 base price.

Think twice if your priority is a guaranteed sunset, a quiet meal, or the lowest possible dinner cost. The strongest reason to choose Solaris is the whole package: food, water views, music, and a little evening theater. For a celebration or a memorable night in Destin, that combination makes the price easier to justify.

FAQ

Where does the Solaris dinner cruise depart?

It departs from 8330 Mike Hayes Drive in Miramar Beach, Florida, at Baytowne Marina in the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 6:00 p.m. The yacht leaves promptly, so allow time to walk down the marina and board.

How long does the dinner cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours and ends back at the original meeting point.

Is this a dedicated sunset cruise?

No. The experience is specifically noted as not being a sunset cruise, although you may have sunset views depending on the timing and weather.

What food is included?

The dinner includes a fresh salad, your choice of chef-prepared entree, and dessert. Menu choices include fresh Gulf seafood, prime beef, and Southern classics.

Are drinks included in the price?

Coffee and tea are included. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase separately aboard the yacht.

Is live entertainment included?

Yes. Live, in-house entertainment is included, and the music can be heard from all three decks.

Are taxes and gratuities included?

Yes. All fees, taxes, and gratuities are included in the listed price.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.

Is the cruise accessible to most people?

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity has a maximum capacity of 149 people.