Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

Please read through all the questions before calling, many questions can be answered down below

Most Asked Information

1. Where are you located?
1. Cape May Inlet Marina
   1001 Ocean Drive
   Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260
   
   Our office to check in is in a small yellow building. DO NOT use a GPS, it will send you to North Wildwood. Google Maps is the most reliable. We are located between the Two-Mile Landing Restaurant and the Cape May Toll Bridge.
   
   Get Directions Here

2. How many passengers can go on the Thunder Cat?
1. Our Coast Guard regulations only allows our boat to take up to 49 passengers, regardless of size or age.
   
   
3. Do we need to make a reservation?
1. Reservations are not required but highly recommended. With only 49 passengers on board, we fill up quickly. We suggest booking a reservation at least a day or two in advance. BOOK ONLINE HERE
   
   
4. Is there an age limit?
1. The Thunder Cat is safe and fun for all ages from newborns to our elders. Our boat is safe and family friendly to all guests!
   
   
5. Will we get sea sick?
1. Not likely, however we are on the Atlantic Ocean. The Thunder Cat is a very large vessel and is in motion most of the time. The last thing we want is for anyone to get sick so if the weather is too rough, we simply do not go. We stay very close to the beaches and in the summer months it is usually very calm.
   
   
6. Will we get wet?
1. We do not intend to get you wet; however, you might get an ocean spray from a breeze.
   
   
7. How fast does the boat go?
1. The boat goes about 25-30 mph. You will have wind in your hair but will not be scared of the speed.
   
   
8. Will we also see whales?
1. No, whales are rare to see along the coast of New Jersey as they reside further north near Massachusetts.
   
   
9. Is there a bathroom on the boat?
1. In sailors’ terms we have a “head” on the boat which is a very small bathroom. We strongly recommend you use our clean bathroom on the dock prior to boarding.
   
   
10. Is there parking available?
1. Yes, our location has a large and free parking lot.
   
   
11. What make our Thunder Cat boat so unique?
1. The Thunder Cat is a one of a kind dolphin tour. We are different from our competitors as we create a very up close and personal experience with our crew and the dolphins. As opposed to our competitors that hold up to 350+ passengers, our tours are more intimate, holding 49. Our speedboat creates waves that allow the dolphins to jump and play along only yards behind our boat. Our location is allows us to be in the ocean within 5 minutes from leaving the dock. This will maximize our time spent with the dolphins.
   
   
12. Do you offer group rates?
1. Look under the specials page for coupons. If you are looking to rent out the entire boat, call our office for further details.
   
   
13. Is there assigned seating?
1. No, we have bench seating. Seating arrangements are first come, first serve.
   
   
14. Where is the best place to sit?
1. With no roof on our boat, every seat will allow you to see dolphins. We also allow you to stand up to get a closer look. We have our back bench reserved for children, so they can look right behind them.
   
   
15. Is it safe for pregnant women?
1. Yes, our boat is designated for all families; however, please make a note of it in your reservation. If the water seems a bit rough, we will notify you.

Time

1. When is the best time to see dolphins?
1. The dolphins gather along the coast of Wildwood and Cape May, very close to the beach, so we are able to see them all day.
   
   
2. How long is the boat ride?
1. All trips are 75 minutes except the 8AM trip which is only one hour long.
   
   
3. How early must we arrive?
1. We ask our guests to arrive 30 min. before departure. For example, for a 1PM tour, we ask you to arrive at 12:30PM. This time is used to check in, make payment if necessary, use the bathroom, board the boat, count our passengers, and untie our boat from the dock. Arriving early keeps the boat tour on time. Our captain runs a tight ship and leaves exactly on time.
   
   
4. What time does the boat leave?
1. We run on a tight schedule. The boat leaves no later than the listed departure time. If everyone arrives early, we leave early and provide a longer trip.
   
   
5. Will you hold my spot if I am running late?
1. We will try to wait as long as possible, but we must leave no later than our departure time to remain on schedule. Please consider traffic, checking in, using the bathroom, etc. in your travel plans.
   
   
6. What is the difference between the 8AM 1-hour tour and the other tours?
1. Nothing except the time length. Due to high demand for morning trips, we opened a 1-hour trip at 8AM.

Cancellations/Reschedule/Refunds Policy

1. How late can I cancel?
1. You must contact us at a minimum of 24-hours to cancel any, if not all, tickets for your party to receive a full refund.
   
   
2. What if the weather is bad?
1. If we cancel due to weather, we will notify you as soon as possible by either text message and/or email. You will have the option to reschedule or receive a full refund. Please make a note in your reservation if you are driving far specifically for this trip so we can warn you if the weather is uncertain.
   
   
3. What if I booked the wrong time by accident?
1. Please look over your confirmation email to ensure you scheduled the correct date and time. If you need to fix it, contact our office.
   
   
4. What if I miss my reservation?
1. If you missed the trip, we unfortunately cannot refund or reschedule you. Moving you to another time is taking that experience away from other guests.
   
   
5. What if I run into an emergency?
1. We understand emergencies happen; however, you would be surprised at how many people attempt to lie to us on a daily basis. It is because of these incidents that we must enforce a strict no-refund policy for less than 24-hour notice cancellations. We ask you to please understand this is a very popular activity that sells out daily and we try to accommodate all our guests.
   
   
6. What is the deadline for a full or partial refund?
1. We require a minimum of a 24-hour cancellation notice. Kindly notify us if even ONE person in your party will not show up as you are charged based on the reserved number of people in your party. We are a seasonal family business and want to provide our experience with as many guests as we can.

What to bring/wear

1. What should I wear?
1. Dress comfortable. You do not have to wear a bathing suit. Feel free to bring a light sweater (early trips tend to be colder on the water), but it might not always be needed. Bring sunscreen.
   
   
2. Can I bring a camera?
1. Yes, you will want to take plenty of pictures on our trip. Be careful with your camera, we are not responsible for any lost or damaged cameras.
   
   
3. Do I need to print out my boarding pass?
1. No. With your online reservation, we have all the information we need. Just know the name the reservation is under to say at the front desk.
   
   
4. Can I bring snacks and drinks?
1. No. We do not allow outside food and beverages on our boat. We offer beverages and snacks in our facility and on the boat ranging from $1.50-$3.00.
   
   
5. Can I bring alcohol?
1. No, we do not have an alcohol license for our boat.
   
   
6. Can I bring a stroller?
1. We do not have room for strollers on our boat. Infant car seats can be brought if there is space available, but that will not be determined until everyone is on board.
   
   
7. Can I bring a wheelchair?
1. Our boat is not wheelchair accessible; however, we will do everything we can to help a physically challenged person board our vessel. Please make a note online or let our reservationist know ahead of time.