A tiki boat is sailing Manhasset Bay this summer
A flower lei is placed around your neck as you step onto an open-air boat with a thatched tiki-hut bar — have you teleported to Hawaii? There’s no need to jet to far-off islands when you can board Port Tiki leaving out of Port Washington’s Inspiration Point.
Port Tiki offers private parties of up to 10 passengers the chance to cruise for 90 minutes through Manhasset Bay. “We provide a playlist of island jams. It’s an hour and a half escape from New York,” says Port Tiki Captain Ken Tokar. The boat passes historic houses, mansions and yachts, he says.
“It was glorious,” says Aimee Escher, 52, of Garden City, who recently booked the boat for an evening Sweet 16 celebration for her daughter, Katherine, and seven of Katherine’s friends. That was Escher’s second time on Port Tiki; she had previously gone in late June with eight of her own girlfriends and immediately knew she’d be returning for her Katherine’s birthday. “What teenage girl wouldn't completely dig this?” she says she thought to herself.
In addition to birthday parties, customers have celebrated family reunions, bachelorette parties and nights out with friends since the boat experience launched this summer, Tokar says. It’s bring your own drinks and food on board, and Port Tiki provides a cooler and ice, plates, cups and utensils. “There’s a mate on board who will serve whatever you bring,” Tokar says. The 26-foot quad-toon includes a restroom. The boat has also partnered with SoCuterie New York in Glen Head to offer charcuterie platters on board for an additional fee.
Private excursions can be scheduled every two hours between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m., Tokar says. They cost between $300 and $500 for up to six passengers, depending on day and time of departure, with each additional person up to 10 adding $25, Tokar says. Guests can also opt for a three-hour cruise.
Anna Peroutka, 58, a sales rep from Massapequa, has also cruised twice, both times with her husband, Frank Castelli, 54, a brick layer, and a group of other couples. She says she saw tiki boats featured on "The Real Housewives" TV shows — "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" took a cruise in Lake George and "The Real Housewives of Orange County" did one in Key West. "I wished I could find something like it and all of a sudden, here it was in our own backyard," Peroutka says. Her cruises lived up to her expectations, she says.
"We just had the time of our life," she says. "I didn't realize it would be such a slow, comfortable pace." She says she loved being part of the boating scene on the bay. "It's an affordable way to enjoy a day with friends."
Lori Ann Dredger Gabriel, 57, a real estate agent from Franklin Square, says the ride was slow and steady, so she didn't get seasick as she frequently does on boats. "You felt like you were on vacation — the tiki bar, a cute little outfit and island music," she says.
Katherine Escher says she loved her Sweet 16 party. Aimee Escher brought sushi and fresh fruit and waters for the guests, and she brought hula skirts for the girls to don on board, which they gamely did.
“I thought it was really relaxing,” Katherine says. “It’s very entertaining with Captain Ken. He had this mechanical parrot, and he played really good music.”
Aimee Escher says she plans to cruise yet again. “There’s something about the water … you could be in the crappiest place in your life, and it takes everything away,” Escher says.
A flower lei is placed around your neck as you step onto an open-air boat with a thatched tiki-hut bar — have you teleported to Hawaii? There’s no need to jet to far-off islands when you can board Port Tiki leaving out of Port Washington’s Inspiration Point.
Port Tiki offers private parties of up to 10 passengers the chance to cruise for 90 minutes through Manhasset Bay. “We provide a playlist of island jams. It’s an hour and a half escape from New York,” says Port Tiki Captain Ken Tokar. The boat passes historic houses, mansions and yachts, he says.
“It was glorious,” says Aimee Escher, 52, of Garden City, who recently booked the boat for an evening Sweet 16 celebration for her daughter, Katherine, and seven of Katherine’s friends. That was Escher’s second time on Port Tiki; she had previously gone in late June with eight of her own girlfriends and immediately knew she’d be returning for her Katherine’s birthday. “What teenage girl wouldn't completely dig this?” she says she thought to herself.
Laura Castelli, from New Jersey, relaxes on Port Tiki in Port Washington on July 30. Credit: Morgan Campbell
In addition to birthday parties, customers have celebrated family reunions, bachelorette parties and nights out with friends since the boat experience launched this summer, Tokar says. It’s bring your own drinks and food on board, and Port Tiki provides a cooler and ice, plates, cups and utensils. “There’s a mate on board who will serve whatever you bring,” Tokar says. The 26-foot quad-toon includes a restroom. The boat has also partnered with SoCuterie New York in Glen Head to offer charcuterie platters on board for an additional fee.
Port Tiki boat cruise
WHEN | WHERE Daily between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m., leaving from Inspiration Wharf, 405 Main St., Port Washington; sailing through September.
COST Private 90-minute trips cost between $300 and $500 for up to six passengers depending on the day and time; each additional passenger up to 10 is $25, plus 20% tip. Public trips not offered.
INFO 516-297-9296; porttiki.com
Private excursions can be scheduled every two hours between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m., Tokar says. They cost between $300 and $500 for up to six passengers, depending on day and time of departure, with each additional person up to 10 adding $25, Tokar says. Guests can also opt for a three-hour cruise.
Anna Peroutka, 58, a sales rep from Massapequa, has also cruised twice, both times with her husband, Frank Castelli, 54, a brick layer, and a group of other couples. She says she saw tiki boats featured on "The Real Housewives" TV shows — "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" took a cruise in Lake George and "The Real Housewives of Orange County" did one in Key West. "I wished I could find something like it and all of a sudden, here it was in our own backyard," Peroutka says. Her cruises lived up to her expectations, she says.
"We just had the time of our life," she says. "I didn't realize it would be such a slow, comfortable pace." She says she loved being part of the boating scene on the bay. "It's an affordable way to enjoy a day with friends."
Kathleen Berry, of Connecticut, left, Alex Picardi, of Commack, Susie Picardi, of Commack, Lauren Arena, of Georgia, Captain Ken Tokar, Laura Castelli, of New Jersey, Jeanine Contesini, of Massapequa Park, Anna Peroutka, of Massapequa Park, and Eileen Arena, of Geogria, on Port Tiki in Port Washington on July 30. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Lori Ann Dredger Gabriel, 57, a real estate agent from Franklin Square, says the ride was slow and steady, so she didn't get seasick as she frequently does on boats. "You felt like you were on vacation — the tiki bar, a cute little outfit and island music," she says.
Katherine Escher says she loved her Sweet 16 party. Aimee Escher brought sushi and fresh fruit and waters for the guests, and she brought hula skirts for the girls to don on board, which they gamely did.
“I thought it was really relaxing,” Katherine says. “It’s very entertaining with Captain Ken. He had this mechanical parrot, and he played really good music.”
Aimee Escher says she plans to cruise yet again. “There’s something about the water … you could be in the crappiest place in your life, and it takes everything away,” Escher says.
Beth Whitehouse writes about families, parenting and great things to do with the kids on Long Island. She’s been a Newsday editor and shared a 1997 Newsday staff Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the crash of TWA Flight 800.
