What to expect when you rent a boat with Harbor Country Adventures
Captain for a Day
One thing that makes your HCA visit so unique is your ability to drive the boats yourself. Whether you’re a seasoned boater or just getting your sea legs, any licensed driver who is 21 or older can drive our boats.
BYOB
You read right, all of our cruises are BYOB! As long as you have a designated driver, the rest of your group are free to sip on adult beverages during the cruise, provided they are of legal age. Of course we advise you to drink responsibly (no hard alcohol is permitted) and to keep in mind that there are no bathrooms located on board our boats.
Optional Captain and Tour Guide
We are happy to offer licensed captains to accompany you on your cruise. All HCA Captains hold USCG Master Licenses. Please note, these services come at an additional fee and must be reserved ahead of time.
*DEPARTS FROM OUR DOCKSIDE LOCATION* The Electric Lady Party Cat offers a super smooth, quiet ride. At 16 feet in length, The Electric Lady sits up to 6 people plus a Captain and has a bimini top for shade, carpeted floor, plush seats with backrest cushions, a table with cup holders and a bluetooth stereo system. All USCG required safety equipment is also included.
FAQ'S
Our Main Dock is located at Millennium Plaza along Trail Creek. WE ARE LOCATED DIRECTLY BEHIND THE LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM. There is free parking at 1 Washington St, Michigan City, IN. GET DIRECTIONS
Yes! Driving the Electric Lady is on par with driving a golf cart and cruises at around 4-5 mph. Designated drivers must be 21 or older, have a valid drivers license and, of course, are not permitted to drink while driving. All passengers will receive a 5-10 minute tutorial from one of our expert crew members before setting out. Each boat is equipped with a detailed map so that you can plan your cruise along the water. If you’re uneasy about driving (or if all members of your group would rather enjoy the cruise with a drink in hand) we do offer USCG licensed captains for an additional $75/hour. These captains must be reserved beforehand so let us know prior to cruising if you are interested in hiring a captain.
Of course! A cruise isn’t complete without that perfect playlist! All boats come equipped with an AM/FM radio with Bluetooth.
Yes, children, no matter the size and age, count as passengers.
Not at all! We welcome customers of all ages but please note, regardless of age, every body counts as a passenger towards the capacity limits. This includes infants. Children aged 13 and under must wear a life jacket at all times which we provide at our location.
No, our boats do not have bathrooms (or “heads” for you nautical types) on board. We always encourage groups to use the restrooms available at the docks (especially groups with kids) before heading out on your cruise. Should you need to “hit the head” during your trip, you are welcome to return to the docks to do so. Please note, you may not stop anywhere else along the water for any reason, bathroom breaks included.
While the locations are wheelchair accessible, unfortunately our boats are not designed to be wheelchair accessible. But we have been able to accommodate some handicapped passengers in the past – please call our office for more details.
You may bring one small well-trained dog. You will be charged a $26 pet fee upon arrival. Dogs don’t count toward the passenger count of your vessel.
Yes, all children under the age of 13 MUST wear a life jacket at all times in accordance with Indiana State Law. We have life jackets of all sizes, including infant sizes. All adult life jackets are stowed in an easily accessible storage compartment that your crew member will show you prior to departure.
Upon arrival, one of our staff will check your ID and make sure your waiver was filled out prior to arrival, and then fill out a quick check-in waiver. After you are checked in, a crew member will bring you down to your boat and give a quick 5-10 minute safety orientation and answer any questions you may have. Once you are comfortable and prepared to start your cruise, your crew member will walk your boat to the end of the dock and bid you Bon Voyage!
We do not allow our boats to dock or tie up for any reason anywhere along the water except at our docks. This is not only for your safety, but to minimize damage to our boats. If you need to come back to the dock at anytime during your rental, simply radio ahead or call the office and your crew member will be waiting to assist you.
Our electric boats are not permitted out onto the lake, and all vessels must remain on Trail Creek or in the harbor for the duration of your cruise.
You must be 21 or over with a valid driver’s license.
As you’ve likely read, all of our rentals are BYOB! We encourage you to bring food and drinks, though advise against bringing glass beer bottles as you will be responsible to pay a clean up fee should they break. We recommend wine, champagne, beer and soda in cans and bottled water. No hard alcohol is permitted on our boats. Safety of our passengers is our number one concern and we reserve the right to restrict customers who are departing with excessive alcohol. For lack of a better phrase, please drink responsibly. You may not bring: firearms, illegal drugs, anything that can be lit (i.e., candles, cooking heaters,) fireworks, flammable liquid/gel/aerosol paint and/or dangerous chemicals. There is also no smoking (of any kind) permitted on the boats.
If you sense that there is a problem with your boat during your rental period, radio in or call the office. We will run you through some troubleshooting and, if the problem persists, we will come tow you back to the dock. It is important that you remain calm. If there is a problem, most of the time we can fix it over the phone or radio and you can continue your cruise.
A $500 security hold will be placed to the credit card on file to ensure the boat is returned without damage. Depending on the credit card, please note that it could take up to 48 hours to be released,