Looking for something to do in Myrtle Beach on vacation? Look no further than Banana Boating at Express Watersports! Banana Boating is a wet and wild thrill ride that is perfect for everyone ages 5 to 95! The ride consists of a 35 minute ride from our docks in Murrells Inlet, SC out to the Atlantic Ocean and back, conditions permitting. Similar to our Jet Ski Rentals, the weather and sea conditions will affect the riding area as safety is our primary concern. You’ll still have a fantastic time regardless of the route we take!
One of our most common questions with the Banana Boats are “Will we get wet or fall in?” The short answer is, of course! As we’ve said, Watersports usually include water to some degree, and the Banana Boats are the in the running for the wettest activity we offer, as you’re a step up from tubing and are pretty close to the water at all times. Guests will have life jackets in case their grip gives out or they take a dive by choice or not, so there’s no worry about being able to swim! We do ask that guests at least be mildly comfortable with the water as to remain calm should they go for a swim, that way your Captain can pull the Banana Boat back to you for you to climb back up on top of.
Our Banana Boats have a handful of restrictions and recommendations to be aware of before booking. The minimum age requirement for this activity is five years old, with no true maximum age. We do suggest not participating in this activity if you have any prior back, heart, or knee issues for your own safety and comfort. Our Banana Boats can hold up to six participants at any given time and are rated for about 1500lbs total mass aboard. Ideally, a rough weight limit of 250lbs to 300lbs is what is enforced, but if guests can physically pull themselves up regardless of their weight, this per person limit can be flexible. We do allow for mixed groups to book at any given time, so you may share your banana boat with another family or two. If you’re looking for a private ride, be sure to book all six seats! During the peak season, we run two banana boats from 9am to 5pm every 45 minutes, so we can run larger groups back to back if need be. We strongly advise guests leave any valuables such as jewellery, cell phones, and any sunglasses/eyewear that you do not want to risk loosing, as the Ocean is known for taking these items from participants if they wind up falling in. Recovery of these is not guaranteed, so please leave the TikTok Live broadcasts for after the adventure!
Our Banana Boat rides take place from early March to Late October so there are plenty of options for you! For those shoulder months, we provide wetsuits free of charge if the water’s still too cold to be enjoyed with just a swimsuit. Goggles are available for an additional $1 fee should you forget to bring your own from home! A fair amount of folks in the past have asked us about sharks, alligators, and other wildlife perceived as “dangerous” by the general public. To better put your mind at ease, the only sharks we see in the riding area are usually no bigger than your foot, as they’re little shark pups that get swept in with the tides very rarely! As for the Alligators, they are incredibly rare to be spotted in Murrells Inlet, as Alligators are fresh water dwelling creatures and will avoid the salt water of Murrells Inlet if they can help it. Your captains work for tips, so if at the end of the trip you’ve felt they gave you a fantastic ride, they appreciate gratuities of any amount! We have an ATM on site, and our captains have Venmo, Cashapp, and Zelle!
