Sailing the Lights: Palm Coast’s Holiday Boat Parade Aboard Captain Rich’s Sea Love 2

Palm Coast’s holiday lights take on a different scale when viewed from the water. The Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade on December 5 invites visitors to board Captain Rich’s Sea Love 2, a 65-foot old‑school Florida boat, for a 3.5-hour cruise that departs and returns to Yacht Harbor Marina at 106 Yacht Harbor Dr, Palm Coast, FL 32137, USA. Riding with the parade—rather than watching from shore—means you’ll glide past lineups of festooned vessels, float beneath strings of bulbs, and feel the community’s seasonal energy from the cold air and a warm cup in hand. Captain Rich’s Sea Love 2 is Northeast Florida’s original party boat. Inside, a cabin described as “Hemingway-meets-London-pub” is decked with classic holiday décor and serves beer, wine and a cordial bar with $4 alcoholic drinks alongside hot chocolate, cider, coffee and tea. With room for about 65 passengers, an upper deck for viewing, live music, and Santa aboard, this trip blends family-friendly pageantry with a lively adult atmosphere—perfect for groups, couples, or families who want to celebrate on the water. The setting is salt marsh and intracoastal waterway shoreline where light bounces off tidal channels and mangrove edges. Look for wading birds, osprey above, and the slow silhouette of a manatee or dolphin if you’re lucky. The parade itself is a local tradition that highlights coastal boat culture; being part of it means your vessel is both audience and performer among decorated skiffs, trawlers and yachts. Practical notes: the cruise runs 4:30–8:00 PM and is a round trip from I Dock of Yacht Harbor Marina. Dress in layers—nights on the water are colder than the street—and bring a camera with a fast lens for low-light captures. Seats are limited to about 50–65, so reserve early if you want to guarantee a spot or a place on the upper deck. The onboard bar accepts adults 21+ for alcoholic beverages; nonalcoholic options and family amenities are available. Why this outing stands out: few holiday traditions let you move through a parade’s procession, close enough to the bows and bowsprits to see the effort and personality in each display. Captain Rich’s crew curates a rowdy, warm holiday atmosphere that feels specific to Palm Coast—sea-air salt, practical Floridian nostalgia, and a community that celebrates its shoreline. For anyone visiting Palm Coast in early December, this boat parade is an unmistakable way to spend an evening. Arrive early to board at I Dock and allow time for marina parking; Yacht Harbor Marina can be busy on event nights. Expect friendly crew announcements and a chance to meet Santa for a photo. If seas are choppy the captain may adjust speed—this outing is festive, social, and designed for steady coastal waters.