Sometimes the best vacation memories come from trying something a little different. During our latest trip to the Myrtle Beach area, we traded an ordinary Saturday night for music, drinks, beautiful views, and plenty of laughs aboard the PonTiki Myrtle Beach sunset cruise.
We took the cruise with a group of six friends on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The atmosphere was lively, the crew was fantastic, and the sunset over the Intracoastal Waterway gave us the perfect backdrop for a fun night out.
At $60 per person, including beer, wine, hard seltzers, soda, and water, we felt the experience was worth the price. If you are looking for something different to do during a Myrtle Beach getaway, PonTiki deserves a spot on your list.
What Is the PonTiki Myrtle Beach Sunset Cruise?
PonTiki Myrtle Beach operates public and private party-boat cruises from Little River, South Carolina. Although the name says Myrtle Beach, the boat actually departs from Little River, north of the main Myrtle Beach tourist area.
The public sunset cruise is a two-hour trip along the Intracoastal Waterway. The boat features music, lighting, an onboard restroom, comfortable areas for socializing, and an all-inclusive drink bar. The company also offers themed cruises and other seasonal experiences, so available choices may depend on when you visit. You can find the latest options on the official PonTiki Myrtle Beach website.
This is not a quiet, narrated sightseeing tour. It is called a sunset party cruise for a reason. Expect upbeat music, conversation, dancing, drinks, and a lively crowd ready to have a good time.
However, it did not feel as though you had to dance or be the center of attention to enjoy it. You could join the party, sit back with your drink, watch the scenery, or do a little of both.
Our PonTiki Myrtle Beach Sunset Cruise Experience
We boarded with our group of six and quickly realized that this would be a lively evening. The music was playing, drinks were flowing, and everyone seemed ready to relax and have fun.
One of the best parts of our experience was the crew. Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and ready to help passengers enjoy the cruise. A good crew can make or break an excursion like this, and the PonTiki crew helped create a fun atmosphere from the moment we stepped aboard.
The cruise never felt stuffy or overly formal. There was no complicated schedule or list of activities to follow. We simply boarded, ordered drinks, enjoyed the music, and watched the scenery pass by.
It was the kind of experience where you could forget about the rest of your plans for a couple of hours and enjoy being out on the water with friends.
Drinks Are Included, but Food Is Not
Our $60 Saturday-night ticket included beer, wine, hard seltzers, soda, and water. Having drinks included made the ticket price feel more reasonable because we did not have to pay separately every time we visited the bar.
There was no food included or available as part of our cruise. We definitely recommend eating before boarding, especially if you plan to enjoy the included alcoholic beverages.
Fortunately, there is a terrific waterfront restaurant right next door.
Dinner at Blue Drum Before the Cruise
Before boarding PonTiki, we ate at Blue Drum Waterfront Restaurant, which is conveniently located beside the departure area. Pairing dinner at Blue Drum with the sunset cruise made the evening feel like one complete experience instead of two separate stops.
Blue Drum sits along the Intracoastal Waterway and specializes in seafood and Lowcountry-inspired dishes. Its current menu includes options such as shrimp and grits, crab cakes, she-crab soup, steaks, raw-bar selections, and several seafood appetizers. View the Blue Drum menu and restaurant information.
Our food was awesome, and eating next door removed the stress of having to drive from a restaurant to the boat and worry about arriving late.
If you plan to do the same, allow plenty of time for your meal. You do not want to rush through dinner or find yourself watching the clock while waiting for your food. A reservation would be worth considering, especially on a busy Saturday evening.
This dinner-and-cruise combination would work particularly well for:
- A couples’ night out
- A birthday celebration
- A weekend getaway with friends
- An anniversary trip
- A bachelor or bachelorette weekend
- A small group celebration
Watching the Sunset from the Water
The sunset was one of the main reasons we chose this particular cruise, and it did not disappoint.
There is something special about watching the sky change color from a boat. You are away from the traffic, buildings, and busy sidewalks that define much of the Myrtle Beach area. Instead, you get open views across the water while the evening light reflects off the Intracoastal Waterway.
Bring your phone or camera and make sure it is charged. The changing light creates plenty of photo opportunities, especially as the boat passes waterfront homes and other landmarks.
Our cruise had an energetic party atmosphere, but the sunset still gave the evening a peaceful and scenic side. That combination helped make the trip enjoyable: it was lively without losing the beauty of being out on the water.
Passing the Governor’s Lighthouse
One of the memorable sights along our cruise was the Governor’s Lighthouse in Little River.
The lighthouse was commissioned in 1984 by South Carolina Governor Richard Riley and was created to honor the state’s past and present governors. Although it resembles a traditional working lighthouse, it is a privately owned replica rather than an official navigational lighthouse. It stands at the end of Coquina Harbour and is easiest for visitors to appreciate from the water. Learn more about the Governor’s Lighthouse.
Seeing it from the boat gave us another interesting photo opportunity and added a recognizable local landmark to the cruise.
Is the PonTiki Sunset Cruise Worth $60?
For us, the answer was yes.
Our Saturday-night cruise cost $60 per person. For that price, we received a two-hour cruise, a beautiful sunset, music, a lively atmosphere, friendly service, and included drinks.
Whether it represents good value for you will depend on what you want from the evening. Someone looking only for inexpensive sightseeing may prefer a traditional boat tour. However, if you would normally spend money on drinks and entertainment during a night out, the PonTiki package begins to make more sense.
We especially recommend it for a group. Sharing the experience with six people gave us a built-in group to talk, laugh, and take pictures with, while the public-cruise atmosphere allowed us to meet and mingle with other passengers.
Remember that prices, departure times, drink selections, and cruise offerings can change. Check the official website before making your plans.
Tips for Taking a PonTiki Myrtle Beach Sunset Cruise
A little planning can help you get the most from the evening.
Eat before boarding
No food was included on our sunset cruise. Have a full meal beforehand rather than relying on snacks, particularly if you intend to drink alcohol.
Arrive early
Give yourself time to park, locate the boarding area, check in, and gather your group. Arriving late could mean missing the boat—literally.
Check the weather
This is an outdoor experience, and the temperature can feel cooler once you are moving across the water after sunset. Check the forecast and bring a light layer if needed.
Wear comfortable shoes
Choose shoes that are comfortable and secure enough for walking on a boat. This is probably not the evening for unstable heels or footwear that becomes slippery when wet.
Bring identification
If you plan to drink, bring a valid photo ID. Do not assume that being obviously over 21 means you will not need it.
Charge your phone
You will likely take more photos and videos than expected. Between the sunset, lighthouse, water views, and your group, there are plenty of reasons to keep your camera ready.
Arrange a safe ride
Because alcoholic beverages are included, choose a designated driver or arrange transportation back to your hotel or rental before boarding.
Confirm what is included
Cruise offerings can vary by date or season. Review the current description when booking so you know which drinks, amenities, and experiences are included.
Who Would Enjoy This Cruise?
The PonTiki Myrtle Beach sunset cruise is a good fit for adults who enjoy music, drinks, socializing, and being on the water.
It may be especially appealing to couples traveling with friends or anyone celebrating a special occasion. You do not have to be an all-night party person, but you should be comfortable with upbeat music and a lively atmosphere.
If you prefer a quiet sunset cruise with soft background music and detailed narration, this might not be the best match. PonTiki leans into the party experience, and that is part of its charm.
Our Final Thoughts
Our group of six had a great time aboard the PonTiki Myrtle Beach sunset cruise. The crew was awesome and friendly, the atmosphere was lively, and the sunset made an already enjoyable evening even better.
Passing the Governor’s Lighthouse gave us another memorable sight, while dinner at Blue Drum beforehand made the evening easy to plan. We could enjoy a delicious waterfront meal, walk next door, and then spend two hours cruising with music and included drinks.
Would we recommend it? Absolutely.
If you are visiting the Myrtle Beach area and want a fun alternative to another evening at a restaurant, show, or crowded attraction, this sunset party cruise offers a completely different way to enjoy the coast.
Gather a few friends, eat a good dinner, and get ready for a lively night on the water. This was one little trip that gave us a very big evening.
