Party & Head Boats

American Spirit | Destin Deep Sea Fishing Party Boat

116 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL

Added on September 23, 2026

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American Spirit | Destin Deep Sea Fishing Party Boat

Looking for Destin deep sea fishing trips that work for a whole crowd? The American Spirit is a 92-foot party boat that sails from Destin Harbor and is billed by its owners as the largest fishing vessel in the Destin fleet. The Coast Guard rates her for 149 passengers, but the crew caps fishing trips at roughly 60 to 65 anglers so everyone has room at the rail. Captain Jim Green, a lifelong Destin local with more than 30 years fishing these waters, runs the boat.

Trip Lengths and Prices

Every trip is a walk-on style headboat ticket, priced per person:

4-hour trip: $75 adult, $37.50 child or spectator (about 10 to 12 miles out)
6-hour trip: $95 adult, $47.50 child or spectator (about 15 to 18 miles out)
8-hour trip: $125 adult, $62.50 child or spectator (about 20 to 26 miles out)
10-hour trip: $155 adult, $77.50 child or spectator (25 to 30+ miles out)

Florida/Okaloosa County sales tax (7%) is added to every ticket, and card payments carry a 4% service charge. Seniors 65+ and active or retired military get $5 off. The boat has a 48-hour cancellation policy. As a rule of thumb, about half of any trip is spent running and half fishing.

What’s Included

Your ticket covers use of a rod and reel, terminal tackle, fresh cut bait (squid and Boston mackerel) and your fishing license, since anglers are covered under the boat’s license. A full galley sells breakfast sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, snacks and drinks, or you can bring your own food in a cooler under 60 quarts (no glass). There is also an upper deck where non-fishing spectators can ride along out of the action. Back at the dock, the mates clean fish for tips.

What You’ll Catch

The American Spirit is a bottom fishing boat that works natural and artificial reefs in roughly 60 to 150 feet of water, and deeper on the longer runs. Typical targets include red snapper, vermilion and gray snapper, gag and red grouper, greater amberjack and gray triggerfish. The crew sometimes trolls a lure on the run out for king mackerel, wahoo or tuna. Catches go on numbered stringers so your group takes home its own fish. Federal seasons, size and bag limits apply, so check what’s open before you book.

Getting There

The boat departs from Destin Harbor. Guests park in the designated lot at AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar; bring your parking ticket to the booth for a parking discount. Arrive 30 minutes before departure. Reservations are strongly recommended in summer, though walk-ups are welcome when space allows.

Private Charters

Groups can book the whole boat for $650 per hour for up to 40 people (4 to 10 hours), plus a per-person charge above 40. Call the booking booth for availability; sunset cruises can also be arranged. The same owners run Making Time, a 29-foot center console for groups of up to six.