Destin Family Planning Checklist

Ask before booking

• Is there a minimum age, height or weight for this specific trip and boat?
• Is there shade aboard, and is there a restroom?
• Is there a ladder a tired child can actually climb?
• Can we come back early if a child has had enough, and does that change anything?
• What life jackets do you carry, and in what sizes?

Shape the day around the youngest

• Plan around the least water-confident traveller, not the most enthusiastic
• Check the departure hour against nap and bedtime, especially for evening trips
• One anchored activity per day; the rest of the day is recovery
• Put the beach immediately after any early or long outing
• Agree the leaving time before you arrive, so ending the day is not a negotiation

Never promise

• Do not promise a child they will see a dolphin — nobody can guarantee wildlife
• Do not promise clear water for snorkelling; visibility follows the previous days' weather
• Do not promise a catch
• Do promise the sunset. That one happens every evening.

Fill in per child

Ages, and any activity limits we were told

Swim ability, honestly assessed

Anything medical the operator should know

Life jacket sizes needed