Take A Tiki Cruise On Lake Havasu

Imagine strolling along the beach in Havasu City, Ariz., with the intention of getting on a boat and enjoying a nice sunny day floating on the lake. On your way to the boat, you come across a tiki bar and maybe you’re compelled to just sit, relax and get out of the heat for the day. Now you have a decision to make. Do you want to spend the day floating around on the boat on Lake Havasu or do you want to take it a bit easier and just hang out at the tiki bar? It’s a tough decision—or at least it was before you knew about Cruisin’ Tikis Havasu.

Drifting at a relaxing 4 to 6 miles per hour, Cruisin’ Tikis Havasu combines the two options into one floating tiki bar where up to six people can jump on and enjoy wafting on the water without passing on the fun of the tiki bar.

“We have a saying,” says Greg Licht, owner of Cruisin’ Tikis Havasu, “Why go bar hopping when you can hop on the bar? That’s our tagline.”

“It’s BYOB, bring your own ice chest. We have a blender on board, we have a fun thing called a shot paddle, and it’s cheaper that way. Bring your own booze and enjoy your day with your friends,” Licht adds.

Licht, a native of Havasu City, recalls seeing one of the floating Tikis while in Key West, Fla., and felt it would be perfect for Lake Havasu, and the results have met expectations.

Cruisin Daily
The normal schedule includes seven daily cruises, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., that run for about an hour and a half at a time, but people can elect to take the tiki all day if desired.

Licht says the reviews they get from the evening rides are especially great as people comment about how the ride is peaceful and quiet while they enjoy a drink or two and adore the lit-up city from the water.

The Cruisin’ Tiki can be used for just about anything from relaxing to a party to even a wedding. Their website suggests calling with any ideas and they will try to make it work, but they have had bachelor and bachelorette parties, birthday parties and vow renewals on the tiki, just to illustrate what can be done. 

The experience is customizable too, Licht mentioned, as those in the tiki get to bring their own food and drinks to the bar as well as their own music since the tiki is equipped with a Bluetooth-enabled sound system that can sync to any phone with Bluetooth capability so passengers can enjoy their own music.

Safety of the passengers on the tiki is a priority as it is captained by someone who has been vetted and trained through the United States Coast Guard requirements and the tiki contains enough life jackets for each passenger.

Origins Of The Cruisin’ Tiki
Natural curiosity compels one to ask how a floating tiki bar came about. That’s where Greg Darby comes in. Darby is the originator of this floating tiki idea and runs the Cruisin’ Tiki in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Darby said the idea came to him when he wanted to have a bar in his backyard where he could just sit and have a beer, but he didn’t want to give up his back yard for it. Because Darby is an engineer, he was able to concoct a floating bar in his backyard and then wondered what would happen if he installed a motor on it. So he installed a small engine, was advised to get a patent on it and took it from his backyard with his buddies over the sea wall on a king tide. 

Someone saw this and posted it on Facebook and Darby was soon getting blitzed by phone calls from people as far as Dubai requesting the floating bar. What started as a personal desire launched into a franchise with 52 boats across the country, including the one at Lake Havasu.

Those planning their next trip to Havasu City can book and learn more about the Cruisin’ Tiki through their website, www.cruisintikishavasu.com, or by calling 928-302-2444.