Summer is the best time to put your sun scream, swim suit, and sunglasses on to have a day out on the waters. Water bodies become the playground, party, getaway, and rest house for most people. It’s a lot of fun to lay down on a floating Island raft and float the heat and stress away.
Floating island rafts are best suited for lakes and calm rivers. They are designed to provide comfort, along with the space for all the needed fun during the heat attack. The rafts come in variety of designs and sizes, and depending on your needs, you can decide which is the best one for you and your family. Now, before we begin listing the top options available for you to choose from, let’s discuss the things you need to keep in mind before making a decision to buy a floating raft-
The Design –
Your Floating Island raft is made of Vinyl PVC which is easy to care for, and durable. The gauge or the thickness of the Floating Island raft differ according to your needs, so you should consider probable locations before buying. If you just want to float around in your pool, floating island rafts are made of 17 gauge or higher. For rivers, it’s 25 gauge or higher, and if you’re thinking of taking your raft out into the sea, you should at least bring a 30 gauge one. Fun fact, PVC is not affected by salt water so don’t worry about your raft being ruined by the salty sea water.
The Dimensions-
One major factor that’ll help you make a decision about your buy is, the space and volume of the rafts. Supposing you’re not looking to buy a whole floating Island for yourself, it can be for two people, or three, or four; up to twelve people. You can choose the perfect size for your whole group. The popular selection is between three to eight, but you can always add more people to your party. There are also a lot of different designs available so, there’s more to choose from. Depending on how many people you are buying for, here’s the list of your option in terms of capacity-
- For a 3 people Island raft the weight limit is 525 Pounds.
- For a 4 people Island raft the weight lit is 700 Pounds.
- For a 6 people Island raft the weight lit is 1,050 Pounds.
- For a 8 people Island raft the weight lit is 1,400 Pounds.
Transportation –
These are really easy to transport when deflated, but you’ll need an electrical outlet, and an electrical pump to inflate the raft. try not to overinflate as the air inside will expand in the heat and that might cause the raft to rupture. Carrying an already inflated raft can be a job for more than one. You can check out your desired spot beforehand to find the nearest electrical outlet.
Cost-
Your budget will be a factor in deciding which Floating Island raft you want to get. These rafts may cost more them your pool rafts. but they’re undeniably more comfortable and fun. They’re made for more company than yourself, and they’re perfect for a summer party. They are definitely a great investment for you. Forget the stress and unwind in a floating Island raft, with friends and family, and enjoy a refuge from all the stress and the heat.
Features –
Depending on the design you choose, you’ll get a variety of features for your Floating Island raft –
- Backrest and Headrest – This is going to be the most common feature of your floating island since the main goal here is comfort and relaxation. So lay down and rest your head, back, and the rest of your body.
- Wading pool –You’ll have a wading pool in many of the raft’s to cool off and have some water fun while on board your floating Island. It’s a great way for the let the kids enjoy, while ensuring they’re safe. Do make sure that they’re wearing the life jackets, just in case. This feature is perfect for the family outings.
- Canopy – This is an option included to provide needed shade and comfort for you to enjoy and unwind.
- Drink Holders – This is also a common feature in most of the raft’s. You can enjoy your favorite drink while laying back. The holders can easily hold your drinks for the time you choose to partake. Although the location, number, and design can differ from raft to raft.
- Coolers – Some Raft’s even have coolers to keep your drink cool. How about that?
- Tow ability- Not most of the raft’s are made to be towed behind a speedboat, but some of the rafts are. The main purpose of every raft is to provide comfort. But, if you are looking for such fun, you can choose the one that won’t be harmed if it’s towed.
Now that we’ve discussed the Floating Island rafts, it’s time to get acquainted with different options available for you based on best features, and quality and arranged by capacity of the people they can hold –
A Floating Island Raft for Two-
Intex River Run II Sport Lounge
If you want a small raft for up to two people, Intex Rive Run II Sport Lounge is the best option for you. It is 18 gauge, which is pretty strong, even for a snow tube. You can hang out in the pool, or in the lake, with your partner and enjoy your time on water. It has all the essential ingredients of a raft made for two. To begin, conveniently located between the backrests, is the cooler. The backrests are high enough for you to lay back and relax. There is a beverage holder, located on each side to contain your drinks. In the middle of the two seats is a storage compartment to contain your essentials. The strong mesh bottom allows you to keep your feet cold, while on the raft. It’s the perfect two floater island for you. If you decide to invite more party, just tie the rope to extend the chain.
Floating Island Raft for Three-
Bestway X3 3-Person Inflatable Floating Island
Best way X3 is a good floater for three people. Although it does not have a cooler, or drink holder, it is still a great cost- effective way to relax with company. It has no nets so you can dip your feet in water, while floating. If you want to enjoy beverages without getting out of your small island, you can get a floating cooler, like Intex Mega chill II floating cooler.
Floating Island Raft for Four-
AhhQua Bar
This Floating Island for four is as fun as its name. It’s made for sitting submerged in the water, maybe conversing your stress away with a central float, or the Bar, has a cooler and can hold up to 12 drinks. The four seats can float separately. With this, you can enjoy the water fully as it’s made keeping that in mind
Bestway Rapid Ride
Another four floater Island raft is Best way Rapid Ride Inflatable floating raft, which is not as open to water as AhhQua Bar, but you can still dip your feet in water, thanks to the open bottom.It has four cup holders and two coolers with lid, keeping your drinks cold. There is also a watertight storage compartment to keep your essentials.
Floating Island Raft for Six-
(Body Glove Paradise 6)
Body Glove paradise 6 is perfect for music lovers. It has six cup holders and two coolers to keep the drinks at the right temperature. It’s coolest feature is two waterproof speaker systems along with a water poof Mp3 Player. The player uses 8 x 1.5 V AA batteries to function.
(Bestway CoolerZ Tropical Breeze II)
It’s a nicer six person raft with a lot of wonderful features. It has a mesh center bottom that helps you in keeping your foot wet and cold. Too help you get on the raft easily, it has a swim up platform with heavy duty handles. The raft also has a detachable sunshade and a cooler bag.
(Bestway CoolerZ Tropical Breeze 6)
This one is grander in style and is made to host six people as well. Bestway CoolerZ Tropical Breeze 6 is very spacious and has extra wide pillow backrests for most comfortable experience. It has six cup holders and a cooler bag. The raft has a detachable sunshade and the mesh bottom ensures that your feet are cool.
Floating Island Raft for Eight-
Tropical Tahiti Floating Island
This eight-person floater Island can carry up to 1,700 is a rich in space and comfort. It has a wading pool and contoured lounges. There are eight cup holders and four coolers onboard. It has a built-in boarding system.
It is also available for Six people as well as for ten people.
If you need it for six people, it is available with two contoured sofas to seat four people. It also has two loungers on the sun tanning deck. The boarding platform is there and there are six cup holders and two coolers.
If you go with the Island for ten people, which is 208″ x 169″ x 30″ , at more than 17 feet, you can actually enjoy the Island feel. It has six seats with backrests and four contoured loungers. There are ten cup holders and two built in coolers. It also has boarding platform.
SPORTSSTUFF 54-2010 Fiesta Island
Sportsstuff 54-2010 Fiesta Island is as grand as its name. It is made to hold eight people. The mesh bottom keeps you cool and also is a bit more space for the kids to play. It has countered back arm rests and eight cup holders. With it, you get a detachable inflatable floating cooler, keeping you beverages cool and, near you.
The thing to keep in mind is that when inflated, it has one anchor on one side. That makes the raft sway. a good way to counter that is to use a sandbag anchor on the opposite side.
Floating Island Raft for Ten-
WOW World of Watersports, Tube A Rama
This huge island is 12 feet in diameter, and comes with eight seats; four with the mesh and four without the mesh. The central mesh keeps you cool while providing extra space. It has two built in coolers to keep your beverages cool.
Floating Island Raft for Twelve-
WOW World of Watersports 14-2090 Sports Stadium Islander
This is the monster of Floating Islands with diameter of 12 feet. This made for twelve floating Island has the weight capacity of 2, 640 pounds. This giant has twelve separate mesh seats. The center is largely empty, making getting in easier for the people.
These are some of the top Floating Island raft options available for adults. Make sure to keep in mind the basics of maintaining the rafts, once you have made the purchase.
- When you’re not using the raft, deflate it and store it in a suitable location. If you wish to keep it out, make sure it’s properly anchored.
- Don’t over inflate the rafts. In the heat, the air inside the rafts can expand, which can cause the raft to rupture. You don’t want that happening.
- If you’re going out on the lake see that it doesn’t have a lot of rocks. If you choose to go out to a river pr the sea, keep in mind to go out on a calm current. You can buy an oar online, just in case.
- Make sure the raft is properly balanced.
- If kids are onboard, make sure that they have the life jackets on. To make the experience better for them , you can buy water toys like squeaker, soft touch star, stacking rings etc.
- Keep ropes on you. They can come in handy.
Hopefully, this article was helpful and informative for you. Floating Island rafts are really fun and relaxing. When you want to escape the life on land, you can go out on your own Floating Island, and if you want, you can invite company too. Have fun!