Pelican Adventures runs the widest range of deep sea fishing formats of any operator in our Destin field, all under one roof: a large walk on party boat, a shared semi private option, full private charters, and a dedicated swordfish boat. The 75 foot Vera Marie puts a day of bottom fishing within almost any budget at about $89 per person, and the operation scales up from there to a private charter or a long swordfish run. For a first timer, a family on a budget, or anyone who does not want to book a whole boat, it is the most accessible way onto the water in Destin.
The verdict and where it ranks
At 7.5 Pelican Adventures is a strong choice and ranks fifth in Destin, the value and access pick rather than the top of the field. Its strength is range: no other operator here covers walk on, semi private, private, and swordfish in one place, so it fits the widest set of budgets and groups. Where it sits behind the private boats above it is the day to day experience. A high volume, multi boat operation runs on rotating crews and, on the party boat, a crowded rail, so the day depends more on the boat and crew you draw than it does on a single owner run six pack such as 850 Charters or My Destin Charters. For a private day with a named captain, Maximus and Phoenix are the step up; for a large private group, the Lady Em is built for it. The full field is on the Destin ranking.
The boats
The headline boat is the Vera Marie, a 75 foot party boat that carries up to 65 anglers, a wide, stable platform that is the cheap, sociable way onto the Gulf. The swordfish and deep drop boat is the Deep Obsession, a 42 foot Hydracat rigged for the long runs to deep water. Private and semi private trips run on the operation’s charter boats. The party boat is the comfort trade every head boat carries: room to move on a big hull, but a tight, busy deck when the boat is full, and a day shared with strangers. The smaller semi private group and the private charters trade up to a less crowded deck at a higher rate.
The fishing and what you target
Out of Destin’s East Pass the operation fishes the full spread. The party boat and the semi private trips work the Gulf bottom for snapper, grouper, triggerfish, and amberjack in their open seasons, the bread and butter of a 6 hour day. The private charters scale that up with more time and range, and the Deep Obsession runs the specialized end: swordfish in 1,200 to 2,000 feet of water and deep dropping in 400 to 900 feet for tilefish and grouper. Red snapper is the summer headliner on the federal for-hire season. Gag grouper is closed for most of 2026 and amberjack stays shut through August 31, so confirm the open windows with Florida FWC before you pick a season specific trip.
Trips and prices
The pricing splits by format. The walk on party boat is the cheap way out at about $89 to $99 per person for a 6 hour trip, sold by the seat. The shared semi private trip runs about $149 to $169 per person for 6 hours on a smaller group of 8 to 25. A private charter is booked by the whole boat, 4 to 12 hours, with the rate by quote. The Deep Obsession swordfish and deep drop trip runs about $3,000 for the boat over 10 to 12 hours. Every trip includes the license, bait, tackle, equipment, and fish cleaning, which is most of what you need. For how the per person party boat math compares with booking a whole boat, our cost guide and the party boat versus private charter guide set them side by side.
The crew
A multi boat operation runs on rotating licensed captains rather than one owner at the helm, and the operation leans on generations of charter experience in the family. The sentiment is generally positive on the value and the crew, with reviewers noting mates who bait hooks and help first timers onto fish. It is also the kind of operation where the day varies more than on a single boat: on a busy walk on trip the deck is crowded and the experience uneven, the normal trade for a high volume party boat. That spread, strong on access and value but more variable trip to trip, is what holds the captain and crew and track record scores below the private boats.
Booking and what to know
Book through the operation’s site or booking booth, by phone, or in person at the harbor, and pick the format that fits your group: the party boat for the cheapest, most sociable day, the semi private for a less crowded deck, a private charter for your group alone, and the swordfish trip only if you want the long, specialized run. The boats depart Destin Harbor and the Miramar Beach area. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early to check in and find your boat or your spot at the rail. Bring sunscreen, a hat, a soft cooler for your fillets, and motion sickness medication if you are unsure of your stomach.
How we scored it
Pelican Adventures scores 7.5: the widest range of trip formats in Destin under one operator, from a low priced walk on party boat to a dedicated swordfish run, held below the private boats by the more variable crew and day a high volume, multi boat operation brings. Trips and access is its strongest factor by a clear margin. See how we scored this boat and the Destin ranking for the field.