Cruisin’ Tikis tour may hit Savannah River

Nearby tourism destinations such as Charleston, Myrtle Beach and St. Augustine have Cruisin’ Tikis, tiki hutstyled vessels typically toting up to six people down waterways. The group conducts tours and cruises where guests can bring their own beverages on board. There are just over 40 locations across the U.S., according to the company’s website.

Now, the group is looking to enter the Savannah market with tiki tours down the Savannah River. Leaders from Cruisin’ Tikis gave a presentation Tuesday to the city’s Tourism Advisory Committee overviewing potential operations.

“We’d love for this style and this location to marry and match that of what we are doing very, very successfully in other places,” said Nicholas Monteleone, a Cruisin’ Tikis corporate representative at the meeting.

TAC is a city-created group that provides recommendations to Savannah City Council on tourism-related issues.

TAC did not vote on a recommendation for the tiki tours, because the group is still awaiting legal review from city staff on city jurisdiction over the tours. The Cruisin’ Tikis tour would take off from a private dock at River Street Marina, so there may be questions on the city’s authority to regulate the operation.

The U.S. Coast Guard regulates vessels, and the Cruisin’ Tikis floating tiki bars are U.S. Coast Guard-approved.

The presentation laid out a potential route for the tiki tours that would run from River Street Marina to Plant Riverside, staying about 10-15 feet away from the riverwalk through the trip, said Jonathan Silva, who would lead Cruisin’ Tiki Savannah. The presentation said the

“We’d love for this style and this location to marry and match that of what we are doing very, very successfully in other places.” Nicholas Monteleone

Cruisin’ Tikis corporate representative

tiki tours will give a “Polynesian feel” to accompany Savannah’s historic character.

The tours, which would hold a maximum capacity of six guests, would cover the origin of Savannah’s name, discuss the Savannah River’s early history and current uses, and Savannah’s historical landmark status, according to the presentation.

While the Cruisin’ Tikis do not serve alcohol on the vessel, they are equipped with coolers and ice for those who bring drinks on board, according to the company’s website.

Discussion by members of TAC primarily focused on whether or not the group should move a vote to a future meeting, given the need for the legal review. There were a few comments that signaled there may not be support for the tours.

Thomas Square Neighborhood Association President Jason Combs, who is a member of TAC, mentioned the city’s tourism ordinance does not allow boats. The restrictions under the ordinance say tour service vehicles shall not “be an amphibious or boat-type vehicle.”

Other members expressed concern with the current and shipping traffic. Sila said the Cruisin’ Tikis won’t cross the river and would not interfere with ship traffic.

Charlie Brazil, Old Town Trolley’s general manager of Savannah operations, said he is not opposed to tours on the Savannah River. But there may be other tour types better suited of the city’s major waterway, Brazil said.

“I do think there is a niche for that, but I don’t know if this is the right fit for that,” Brazil said.

Evan Lasseter is the city and county government reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at ELasseter@gannett.com.