3 Hour Sunset Dinner Cruise by Solaris Yacht in Miramar Beach

The sunset is only part of the appeal here. You get a three-hour evening aboard the 125-foot Solaris, with a plated dinner, live music, open-air decks, and a chance to spot dolphins before the sky turns dark. I like the easy marina meeting point and the fact that every ticket includes the meal, entertainment, fees, and gratuity.

I also like the menu choices, especially the Gulf shrimp and grits, bronzed fish, and crab cakes. The big catch is seating: standard bookings may place you at a shared table, and some tables can be close to the boarding area or band. If quiet conversation matters, pay close attention to the Guaranteed Window Table option.

Key points to know before boarding

• The boat: You cruise on the 125-foot Solaris yacht, with indoor seating and outdoor views across three decks.
• The meal: Your ticket includes a three-course plated dinner, but you must choose your main course before the cruise.
• The mood: Live music, dancing, sunset views, and star-gazing make this more of an evening event than a simple boat ride.
• The seating issue: Standard seating is not guaranteed to be private or quiet. A window-table upgrade is worth considering for couples.
• The price: At $129 per person, the fare covers dinner, entertainment, taxes, fees, and gratuity. Drinks cost extra.
• The weather: The cruise needs good weather. If conditions force a dockside dinner or cancellation, the operator has a stated credit, rebooking, or refund policy.

Boarding the Solaris at Miramar Beach

Your evening begins at 8330 Mike Hayes Drive in Miramar Beach, at the Sandestin dock. The meeting point is easy to find, and you walk through the marina to reach the Solaris. The yacht leaves promptly at the scheduled time, so do not treat the departure like a loose beach-town suggestion.

Once aboard, your captain welcomes you, and a server takes you to your reserved table. This setup is orderly and helpful, especially if you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or family occasion and want the evening to start without confusion.

The Solaris can accommodate up to 149 people. That is a sizable crowd, not a small private sailboat. The benefit is a full evening atmosphere with music, dancing, several decks, and plenty of people around. The tradeoff is that table placement matters a great deal.

Standard seating may be arranged at a shared table with other parties. For a couple hoping for a private romantic dinner, that can be a surprise. A particularly poor table might be close to the boarding area or directly near the band, where foot traffic and sound make conversation hard.

If you want the best chance of a quieter, more private dinner, ask about the upgraded Guaranteed Window Table when booking. The provider says this is the way to guarantee a private table. A third-party booking may not carry the same seating advantages, so read the exact option carefully before paying.

The first half hour: views, breezes, and possible dolphins

The cruise gets underway before dinner. For roughly the first 30 minutes, you are free to enjoy the boat, watch the shoreline, and settle into the evening. This is the best time to visit the open-air sky deck while there is still light.

The upper deck gives you coastal breezes and broad views. Keep your eyes open for dolphins, though sightings are never guaranteed. The water and changing light are the main show, and the sunset timing gives you a natural reason to move between indoor and outdoor spaces.

One advantage of the Solaris is that you are not limited to a single viewing platform. You can return to the dining area, listen to the music, or head outside again. The description promises unobstructed sunset views from both indoor and outdoor areas, which is useful if wind or temperature makes the sky deck less comfortable.

That flexibility also helps if your table is near the band or a busy boarding area. You can step upstairs for a break, though conditions may be windy and the upper deck may become quite dark later in the evening. I would not count on the sky deck as a perfect substitute for a comfortable table.

The sunset portion is especially appealing if you want photographs, a birthday backdrop, or an anniversary setting. If you are more interested in seeing marine life and the water in full daylight, a daytime-to-evening departure may suit you better. The evening cruise gives you sunset and stars, but less time to see the water clearly after dark.

A three-course dinner with Gulf flavors

After about 30 minutes, the crew asks you to return to your table for dinner. The meal is plated and includes a wedge salad, your selected entrée, and a seasonal dessert. You must choose your main course before the cruise, so make that decision during booking rather than waiting until you sit down.

The menu gives you a useful range:

• Braised boneless short rib with smoked tomato cream sauce, garlic-roasted mashed potatoes, and seasonal vegetables
• Gulf shrimp and grits with stoneground yellow cheese grits, andouille sausage, and Creole sauce
• Bronzed Gulf fish with butter-poached preparation, lemon beurre blanc, wild rice, and seasonal vegetables
• Solaris Creole chicken with creamy andouille sauce, mashed potatoes, and seasonal vegetables
• Baked lump crab cakes with white wine and lemon butter sauce, wild rice, and vegetables
• Quinoa bowl with fresh herbs and sautéed vegetables

The shrimp and grits is the most naturally tied to the region, with Gulf shrimp, andouille sausage, and a zesty Creole sauce. The bronzed Gulf fish also makes sense if you want a seafood plate without the heavier flavors of sausage and cream.

The crab cakes are made with super lump crab and no breading. That sounds appealing if you prefer a cleaner crab flavor, but the preparation may not suit everyone. One diner found the crab cakes dry, while other meals, including shrimp and grits, received better marks. I would choose the crab cakes for the lump-crab content, not because they are the safest option on the menu.

The short rib and Creole chicken give you heartier choices, while the quinoa bowl covers a vegetarian preference. The menu is not a steakhouse menu, so do not book this expecting filet mignon. The food is built around Gulf seafood and Southern flavors.

The meal receives some of the strongest praise attached to this cruise, especially the crab cakes, shrimp and grits, fish, and attentive service. Still, expectations should be sensible. This is dinner served on a moving yacht for a large group, not a small chef’s counter. Portions may feel modest if you arrive very hungry, and the included three-course meal does not cover extra appetizers or drinks.

Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase onboard, generally costing $10 to $20 each. Appetizers, souvenir photos, and other add-ons may also cost extra. The base ticket includes the dinner described above, not every item sold on the boat.

Live music, dancing, and three decks after dark

The in-house entertainment continues after dinner and can be heard from all three decks. The mood leans lively rather than hushed. You can listen from your table, dance under the stars, or head to the sky deck for a quieter look at the night.

The band is a major part of the experience. Several accounts praise the music, the singer and musicians, and the way the entertainment keeps the cruise moving after the meal. Couples have danced on the top deck, while families and larger groups have treated the cruise as a birthday or anniversary party.

This is a good match if you want dinner with a soundtrack and room to move. It is less ideal if you want a quiet meal with uninterrupted conversation. Volume can vary by table, and a seat close to the band may become uncomfortable. If you are sensitive to loud music, request a table away from the performance area and consider the window-table upgrade.

The evening has a few small extras that make it feel more personal. You can visit the captain in the pilothouse, look at the stars from the sky deck, and watch the distant lights along the coast. One particularly memorable possibility is a moon rising over the water after sunset, though the timing depends on the date.

The crew’s service is another consistent strength. A waiter named Derrick received special praise for being friendly and attentive, and Deshea was singled out for excellent service. The captain and crew are described as professional and helpful, including when special needs arose. Those details matter on a three-hour outing, since good service can smooth out the busy parts of a large dinner cruise.

Is $129 a fair price?

At $129 per person, this is not a bargain boat ride. For two people, the base cost is $258 before any alcoholic drinks or optional purchases. But the comparison changes once you count what is included: a three-hour cruise, a plated three-course dinner, live entertainment, taxes, fees, and gratuity.

I see the price as reasonable for a special occasion if you plan to use the whole package. You are paying for the boat, the setting, the sunset, the music, and the evening program, not just the food. The value is strongest for birthdays, anniversaries, family celebrations, and visitors who want one planned night rather than separate dinner and entertainment.

The value is weaker if your main goal is simply to eat a great meal. You can find less expensive dinners in the Destin area, and the food is only one part of this experience. It is also not the best use of your money if you dislike shared tables, live music, or scheduled group activities.

Budget for drinks separately. A couple ordering several cocktails can add a noticeable amount to the final bill. Read the inclusions before boarding so you know that appetizers, alcohol, and souvenir photos are not part of the $129 fare.

Weather, motion, and practical comfort

The cruise requires good weather. If conditions are too poor, the captain may keep the yacht dockside or cancel for safety. When the boat remains dockside because of weather, the operator says it provides a 20 percent credit from the ticket price. If the cruise is canceled because of bad weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

Even when the boat sails, wind and waves may affect your comfort. One poor experience involved motion sickness, with advice to take Dramamine hours before boarding. That is sensible if you are prone to seasickness, though you should use any medication according to its instructions and your own medical needs.

The yacht offers indoor and outdoor spaces, which gives you options. Still, the upper deck can be windy and dark after sunset. Bring a light layer if you plan to spend time outside, and do not assume the sunset deck will feel warm or calm all evening.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The minimum age for buying and consuming alcohol is 21. Confirmation arrives at booking, and free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this sunset dinner cruise?

I would recommend the Solaris to you if you want a polished evening with a clear beginning, middle, and end. The schedule is simple: board, watch the coast and sunset, eat dinner, then listen to music, dance, and enjoy the night sky.

It works especially well for:

• Couples celebrating an anniversary or birthday
• Families looking for an activity that includes dinner and entertainment
• Groups who enjoy live music and dancing
• Visitors who want Gulf seafood without planning a separate restaurant reservation
• Anyone who likes a scenic evening with several places to sit and look around

I would think twice if you need a quiet, private dinner by default. Standard seating may be shared, and the band can be loud. I would also reconsider if you are very sensitive to motion, since the boat can encounter waves even when storms are not present.

The cruise is booked, on average, about 11 days ahead. That suggests you should reserve before arriving in Destin, especially for a particular sunset date, anniversary, or birthday. Choose your entrée in advance and check whether your booking includes the private window-table option.

Final call: should you book the Solaris?

Book it if the full evening matters more to you than having a perfect restaurant meal. The Solaris combines sunset views, Gulf seafood, live music, dancing, and stargazing in one package. The strongest features are the friendly crew, broad menu, professional service, smooth celebratory mood, and the chance to move between three decks.

Skip it, or upgrade your seating, if loud music and shared tables would spoil the night. The single biggest practical tip is to protect your seating choice before you pay. For couples, the window-table upgrade may be the difference between a romantic dinner and a noisy evening beside the band.

At $129, this is a special-occasion purchase. For the right person, it gives you an easy, memorable night on the water without having to organize each part yourself. Just choose your entrée, plan for extra drink costs, prepare for some motion, and keep your expectations focused on the whole experience rather than dinner alone.

FAQ

Where does the Solaris dinner cruise depart?

The cruise departs from 8330 Mike Hayes Drive in Miramar Beach, Florida, at the Sandestin dock. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the dinner cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately three hours.

What does the $129 ticket include?

The ticket includes the three-course plated dinner, live in-house entertainment, all fees and taxes, and gratuities.

Do I choose my entrée on the boat?

No. You must select your main course before the cruise. Choices include short rib, shrimp and grits, bronzed Gulf fish, Creole chicken, lump crab cakes, and a quinoa bowl.

Are drinks included?

Alcoholic drinks are not included. They can be purchased onboard, generally for $10 to $20 per drink.

Can I see dolphins?

Dolphins may be visible during the cruise, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is a private table guaranteed?

Standard seating does not guarantee a private table. The provider states that the Guaranteed Window Table upgrade is the way to guarantee a private table.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The captain may keep the yacht dockside or cancel the cruise for safety. If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund. If the yacht remains dockside because of weather, the operator says it provides a 20 percent credit from the ticket price.