10 Charter Boats for Scattering Ashes in Florida in 2026

Charter boats for scattering ashes in Florida offer families a way to honor their loved ones with an ocean ceremony after cremation.

When families receive cremated remains from After, many choose to scatter them at sea. This is a decision that requires planning, legal compliance, and the right vessel.

This guide compares Florida charter services by location, pricing, and ceremony options to help you make an informed choice.

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Florida Charter Services: At a Glance

This table includes starting prices, locations, and key features to help you narrow your options quickly.

Use it to identify services that match your budget, group size, and ceremony preferences before reading detailed reviews.

What to Know Before Booking a Charter in Florida

Federal law requires scattering cremated remains at least three nautical miles from shore. Most Florida charter services follow EPA guidelines and provide coordinates to document the exact location.

You'll receive a certificate with your loved one's name, ceremony date, and GPS coordinates.

Typical Charter Inclusions

Charter services typically include several standard features. The captain navigates to legal scattering zones and handles EPA documentation.

Most boats provide biodegradable containers, memorial certificates, and assistance during the ceremony. Some services offer additional features like rose petals, video documentation, or extended ceremony time.

Price Factors That Affect Your Cost

Charter costs vary based on several factors. Attended services, where families join the ceremony, cost $375 to $1,800+, depending on group size and duration.

Unattended services, where the captain scatters remains alone, start around $100-$425. Additional fees may apply for extended time, multiple scatterings, or extra certificates.

1. Ocean Ashes: Best for Nationwide Shipping

Ocean Ashes operates from St. Pete Beach and serves families across all 50 states. They specialize in unattended ceremonies where you ship cremated remains for professional scattering in the Gulf of Mexico.

What they offer: The service includes HD video of the ceremony, GPS coordinates, and a custom certificate.

St. Pete Beach sits on Florida’s Gulf Coast, so ceremonies take place in the Gulf of Mexico. Ocean conditions and currents vary by day, and the captain handles the route and legal distance offshore for scattering.

Carbon-neutral operations and eco-friendly practices make this a green burial option.

Pricing: Unattended service starts at $189. Attended ceremonies available from St. Pete Beach with rose petals and farewell notes.

Best for: Families who cannot travel to Florida or prefer an affordable, documented ceremony without attending in person.

2. Florida Ashes at Sea: Best Value for Attended Services

Florida Ashes at Sea operates out of Stuart, Florida.

What they offer: Attended services include exclusive vessel use, assistance with scattering, and memorial certificates. The charter travels three miles offshore for a two-hour ceremony. Families can extend time, add multiple scatterings, or request additional certificates.

Pricing: Unattended scattering costs $100. Attended charters start at $1,000 for two hours. Extended time adds $100 per half hour.

Best for: Families seeking professional, affordable services with flexible, year-round scheduling.

3. Still Water Charters: Best for Faith-Based Ceremonies

Still Water Charters operates out of Clearwater with Captain Jeff Rudolph, both a Coast Guard Master Captain and an ordained Assemblies of God minister. He conducts ceremonies according to your family's wishes.

What they offer: The service brings families to the Gulf of Mexico off Clearwater for a solemn committal ceremony. You receive a certificate documenting the location, date, and time. Professional video documentation available as an add-on.

Pricing: Unattended scattering starts at $150. Attended ceremonies start at $475 (1-6 guests) and $925 (7-12 guests), with final pricing depending on timing and ceremony preferences.

Best for: Families wanting religious elements incorporated into the ceremony or pastoral guidance during the service.

4. Gulf Coast Family Charters: Best for Traditional Ceremonies

Gulf Coast Family Charters provides three-hour charters with traditional burial-at-sea ceremonies. The captain performs the service with the Captain's Prayer and includes a dozen red roses.

What they offer: The charter transports families three miles from shore for the ceremony. You can release remains from an urn or use biodegradable containers. Real flowers are permitted. The service handles all EPA filings and provides a memorial certificate with exact coordinates.

Pricing: Three-hour charter costs $775.

Best for: Families preferring traditional maritime ceremony elements with professional EPA compliance.

5. Pensacola Beach Boat Charters: Best for Panhandle Families

Pensacola Beach Boat Charters operates luxury vessels in the western Florida panhandle. They provide intimate, private charters focused on respectful ceremonies.

What they offer: Two-hour private charters on their Luxury Ranger Boat include a peaceful Gulf of Mexico ceremony. The compassionate crew handles all details, letting families focus on saying goodbye.

Pricing: A two-hour charter costs $399.

Best for: Families in the Pensacola or western Florida area seeking affordable private charters.

6. Cruise Fish Dive: Best for Extended Memorials

Cruise Fish Dive accommodates groups from one to 32 people across multiple boats. They offer standard ceremonies plus unique options like Eternal Reef memorials.

What they offer: Cruises last 1.5 hours minimum, with options to extend for dolphin encounters or sunset timing. The Eternal Reef option encapsulates remains in an artificial reef ball for underwater placement, creating a permanent memorial site that families can visit annually.

Pricing: Small groups (1-6) cost $375 for 1.5 hours. Larger groups (1-24) cost $1,600. Add 20% gratuity; no sales tax applies.

Best for: Families wanting flexible timing, larger groups, or permanent reef memorial options.

7. Smile n Wave: Best for Intimate Groups

Captain Pam operates a trimaran from Destin, offering ash-spreading and memorial cruises in the Gulf of Mexico. The service emphasizes intimate, personalized ceremonies.

What they offer: The charter stops in the Gulf for families to memorialize and scatter remains. Captain Pam also offers memorial cruises without scattering for families wanting an ocean remembrance without remains present.

Pricing: Ash-spreading charter costs $450.

Best for: Small, intimate groups seeking a personal touch and flexible ceremony approach.

8. Ashes at Sea Cruise: Best for Large Gatherings

Ashes at Sea Cruise operates catamarans from Palm Beach Inlet, accommodating up to 49 guests for memorial voyages. They help families plan details and provide an experienced crew.

What they offer: Multiple catamaran options fit different group sizes. Services include photos, videos, beverage packages, and flexible duration. Families select timing, location, and arrangements.

Pricing: A smaller catamaran (under 20 people) is $1,050-$1,900 for 2-4 hours. A larger catamaran is $1,300-$4,500, depending on group size and duration. Add 15-20% gratuity.

Best for: Large family gatherings or memorial services requiring substantial guest capacity.

9. Dignity at Sea: Best for Private Yacht Ceremonies

Dignity at Sea operates out of Loggerhead Marina in Ponce Inlet, Florida, serving families along Florida’s East Coast. They offer both attended memorial cruises (family joins) and non-attended services (captain conducts the ceremony when families can’t be present).

What they offer: Attended services depart on a private 50-foot motor yacht with a USCG-licensed, insured captain. The cruise travels about three miles offshore for the scattering, with total time typically around two hours (and flexibility to shorten or extend the time).

Crew provides complimentary soft drinks, water, juice, and coffee. Families may bring champagne, wine, or other beverages for a toast. Families can also bring music and photos/videos to play on onboard screens.

Non-attended services include receiving cremains via USPS or a funeral director, scattering about three miles offshore (typically within seven days of receipt), photos provided to the family, and a memorial certificate mailed afterward with the date and coordinates.

Pricing: Contact for current rates.

Best for: Families who want a private yacht setting with hosting support, flexible ceremony planning, and an option for non-attended scattering when travel isn’t possible.

10. Ft. Lauderdale Burials at Sea: Best for Gulf Stream Scattering Charters

Ft. Lauderdale Burials at Sea offers private burial-at-sea charters departing from Fort Lauderdale, where Gulf Stream waters are especially accessible offshore. They run trips for both small family groups and larger gatherings, with different vessels based on how many guests you’re bringing.

What they offer: Private charters to the Gulf Stream waters off Fort Lauderdale for ash scattering at sea. Most trips are set up for a memorial moment on the back deck. Families can share prayers, readings, or personal remarks before scattering cremains.

For groups of 6 or fewer, they use a 46-foot Hatteraswith an indoor salon cabin and additional seating on the flybridge. For groups of 7+, they offer the 55-foot Mary B III, a larger boat with wraparound bench seating.

Typical charter time is up to 2 hours, with the scattering portion often taking around 1 hour and 40 minutes. Families may bring flowers to release, and the captain may do a nautical send-off (circling the memorial flower field) before heading back to port.

Pricing: $600 for groups of 6 or fewer. $925 for groups of 7+ aboard the Mary B III. Food and drinks are not included, but groups can bring their own (coolers and ice are provided).

Best for: Families who want a Fort Lauderdale departure with direct access to the Gulf Stream waters, plus clear pricing tiers for either a small private group or a larger memorial gathering.

How to Choose the Right Charter Service

The right charter depends on your specific needs and circumstances. Consider location first. Choose services operating near where the family can gather.

Evaluate whether you want an attended or unattended ceremony based on who can participate. Review what's included in base pricing.

Some services provide certificates, rose petals, and EPA filing as standard features. Others charge separately for these items.

Compare total costs, including gratuity and any add-ons you want. Think about ceremony style preferences.

Some families want religious elements, while others prefer secular services. Group size matters too. Ensure the vessel accommodates everyone comfortably.

Planning a Cremation With After

After receiving cremated remains from After's cremation services, families have time to arrange charter boats for scattering ashes in Florida. Most services work with flexible schedules to accommodate family travel and gathering logistics.

If you’re considering cremation and need to talk to someone about the process, our team is here to guide you through your options with transparency, care, and zero pressure. You can call us 24/7 at 1-844-760-0427 or explore plans online.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Far Offshore Do Charter Boats Go for Scattering Ashes in Florida?

Charter boats for scattering ashes in Florida must travel at least three nautical miles from shore to comply with EPA regulations.

Most services travel exactly three miles unless families request a longer distance. The captain provides GPS coordinates documenting the precise location for your records.

Can I Scatter Ashes From the Beach in Florida?

You must check local regulations if you want to scatter ashes from the beach in Florida. But you can scatter ashes at least three miles offshore.

State or local rules handle scattering ashes on land (including beach sand), and policies can vary by city, county, or beach authority. If you’re considering beach scattering, check local guidelines first.

Scattering ashes into ocean waters is regulated under federal EPA rules, which require scattering to happen at least three nautical miles offshore.

If you want the simplest compliance path, a charter can take you offshore and handle the EPA reporting.

Do I Need Permission to Scatter Ashes at Sea in Florida?

You don't need advance permission from the EPA to scatter cremated remains at sea. However, federal law requires notifying the EPA within 30 days after scattering.

Most charter services file this paperwork as part of their standard service.

How Much Does It Cost to Scatter Ashes at Sea in Florida?

Unattended scattering services, where the captain performs the ceremony without family present, cost $100-$425.

Attended charters, where families join the ceremony, range from $375 to $1,800+, depending on group size, duration, and amenities. Add 15-20% gratuity for most services.

What Can I Bring on a Scattering Charter?

Most charter boats allow families to bring photos, music, readings, and real flowers on a scattering charter.

Biodegradable items are permitted, like rose petals or wreaths. Plastic or silk flowers are typically prohibited. Confirm specific policies with your chosen charter service before the ceremony.