“It’s very popular,” said Beaudoin, a native of Connecticut. “We’re booking every day on the private charter.”
But the Tiki Time, with its limit of six passengers, wasn’t serving another audience – someone who wanted to simply kick back and cruise the Intracoastal Waterway at a leisurely pace.
“We bought the Tiki Queen,” said Captain Ross. “She’s built for a steady ride.”
Beaudoin said the Tiki Queen has an interesting and nostalgic past, especially for riders who are familiar with Conneaut Lake in Pennsylvania and Ohio’s Cedar Point Paddle Wheel Excursions.
“She traveled the Sandusky River for years around Cedar Point,” said Beaudoin. “Later she was the Kaylee Bell at Conneaut Lake.”
Beaudoin added that among the Kaylee Bell’s paperwork was evidence the boat had been created for the Columbus Zoo with the help of Jack Hannah to cruise the Scioto River.
To this day passengers aboard the Tiki Queen remember her from excursions in the 70s and 80s around Cedar Point, an amusement park that claimed some of the nation’s tallest and fastest roller coasters. Readers of the Meadville Tribune in Pennsylvania learned of the sale of the Kaylee Bell in the May 22, 2015 edition. It was announced the Kaylee Bell had a new home at Topsail Island.
In her new home, under a new name, the Tiki Queen is a 43-ft. paddle wheel. Beaudoin and Ross removed the ornamental riverboat capping overhead so the Tiki Queen easily maneuvers under the iconic Swing Bridge.
“We’re offering an afternoon tour which James talks about the area, the wildlife, and the waterway,” said Beaudoin. “Later in the day we offer a sunset and dolphin watch tour for $20 per seat.”
This cruise aboard the Tiki Queen travels to the south end of Topsail Island along the Intracoastal Waterway to Banks Channel.
Ross and his father, Phillip “Pops” Ross are popular captains. They are natives of the area. They grew up in Onslow County and they remember Topsail Island with fond childhood memories.
“I know this area and the waters,” said Ross. “I grew up fishing these waters.”
As captain, Ross is also prepping for conducting weddings aboard the Tiki Queen and Tiki Time.
“The first thing most people ask, ‘Are there restrooms onboard?” said Beaudoin. “The answer is yes.”
Tours and bookings are available online at www.TikiToursNC.com.
“We try to simplify bookings online, but we don’t mind answering questions and taking information over the telephone,” said Beaudoin.
The telephone number is 910-650-3223. Find them on Facebook, Twitter, and TripAdvisor too.
Both boats are docked at the Topsail Island Marina, 412 Roland Ave. in Surf City.
“We’re very pleased to be docked here,” said Beaudoin. “Topsail Island Marina offers boat fuel at a very reasonable rate. They are new to the area and we are happy to support a new business that is centrally located.”
For additional information about attractions on Topsail Island visit Pender County Tourism's website.
