Retrospec Siesta Dock Inflatable Platform Review

The square-shaped Retrospec Siesta Dock comes in 7′ or 10′ versions. I tested the larger Siesta Dock XL option, and it’s a beast of floating awesomeness.

California-based Retrospec is an outdoor gear company most known for its budget-friendly city-cruising bikes. The company’s expansion into water gear caught my attention because I test and review paddleboards, inflatable docks, kayaks, whitewater rafts, as well as other fun beach, lake, and river gear.

What I appreciate most about the Siesta Dock XL is its massive size and budget-friendly price point. Unlike most less expensive inflatable docks that are only 4-inches thick, the Siesta Docks are twice as thick, float higher, and include a comfortable EVA foam deck with plenty of grab handles that make it easier to climb aboard.

The Siesta Docks are made with internal “drop-stitch” fibers that keep the top and bottom from ballooning from inflation. The result is a flat, surprisingly stable surface.

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Siesta Dock Inflatable Platform Review

Any time our family heads to the beach, and particularly when our friends will be joining us, I like to bring along an inflatable swim dock. I’ve tested and reviewed both small and large inflatable docks, and both sizes have their pros and cons.

Kids and teenagers don’t seem to care whether the inflatable dock is small or large because they’ll find a way to play on it, jump from it, splash around on it, and soak up the sun when they need a break. The adults in my circle of friends tend to like inflatable docks for lounging and relaxing, often with beverage in hand.

Siesta Dock 7′ vs 10′

If your beach time is limited to 2-4 people, choose the 7′ Siesta Dock because it’ll be much easier to carry and nearly as fun as the 10′ version. For larger groups, bigger is often better. After dozens of trips with inflatable docks over the years, I’ve never heard anyone complain that an inflatable dock was too big.

Carrying Tips

Carrying a large dock can be a challenge. While one guy might be able to carry a 75-pound dock by himself, it’s an awkward weight that’s hard to manage, even when it’s packed inside the included carry bag.

The bag has oversized handles that are best used for carrying the XL version between two people, slinging the straps over a shoulder.

Alternately, I like to inflate the XL dock in the parking lot, if possible, then utilize three teenagers to help carry the dock to the beach. There is a handle on each corner to help spread the weight.

Lots of Grab Handles

In addition to eight perimeter carry handles, Retrospec includes eight topside grab handles to help make it easier to pull yourself onto the dock when the dock is in deeper water.

Kids can often scramble aboard docks without grab handles, but some adults need the extra grip and leverage to climb aboard unless they’re agile and in great shape. Plus, the EVA foam deck keeps slipping and sliding to a minimum.

D-Rings and Attachment Points

Stainless steel D-rings let you connect multiple docks together. One heavy-duty D-link in the corner is designed for an anchor rope, but there is also a second anchor option in the center on the underside of the dock if you want to hide the anchor line or keep it out of the way. I tested the Retrospec Mainstay 3.5lb Folding Grapnel Anchor Kit and it worked great.

Retrospec also includes four of its fabric-based EasyLink Connection points on the deck, which can be used for lashing down a cooler or attaching Retrospec AerComfort Seat accessories.

Inflation Tips

The biggest drawback to the Retrospec Siesta Dock XL 10′ is the long inflation time required to pump it up to a minimum 7 PSI. Because it’s 8″ thick, there is a lot of air volume in this dock.

If you’re using this dock, you likely have several kids who can be tasked to take turns inflating it, so that’s an option. It takes about 20 minutes to inflate with the included hand pump, which can seem like hours when the water is so close and calling to you and your kids.

I prefer to use an electric pump to inflate large docks, but most electric pumps need to be plugged into a 12V outlet in your vehicle. If you don’t have parking space, you’ll need a portable option.

My personal favorite inflation device is a battery-powered DeWalt Shop Blower. It can produce a high volume of air quickly, and its high-quality batteries hold a charge well. This blower, and models like it, don’t deliver high pressure air, so you’ll need to top off the Siesta Dock with the included high-pressure hand pump to get it up to 7+ PSI. I use the DeWalt blower to inflate my large, 15-foot NRS Otter raft and it saves a lot of time. The blower comes with some attachments for some inflatables, but all you really need to do is hold the round rubber nozzle over the dock’s H3 valve to push air inside quickly.

How to Care for Your Siesta Dock

Most drop-stitch docks are made with fairly durable PVC material with welded or fused seams. I’ve drug docks over rocky beaches and they’ve survived well, but still, sharp rocks are sharp rocks so pay attention and try to avoid them.

In my opinion, the biggest risk to longevity is improper storage, particularly when wet. If you pack up a wet dock at the beach, then take it home and store it in your garage, you’ll likely open it up a couple weeks later to find a bunch of nasty black mold.

Even it’s mostly dry at the beach, the fabric-covered grab handles take longer to dry out. If they’re packed inside of a bag, wet, they’ll be ground zero for mold growth.

Here’s what I do with swim docks: After returning from an awesome day at the beach, by the next day, I open the dock to let it dry out completely before repacking it for longer term storage. Yes, it’s a bit annoying, but it ensures that our wet gear can last multiple seasons.

If you are lucky enough to have a cabin on a lake, I would not leave this dock floating in full sun all summer long and expect it to survive. (Frankly, I am not aware of any portable inflatable docks that are UV-resistant enough to for this purpose.)

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Competitive Alternatives and Options:

There are several different kinds of inflatable floating docks in different shapes that might be better for you. Here are a few options you may want to also consider:

BOTE Hangout Dock — The BOTE Hangout Dock has been around for years, and it’s one of the best floating docks available. The build quality is fantastic. Like the Retrospec Siesta Docks, the Hangout Docks are available in two size options, 7×7 and 10×10. The drawback to the BOTE option is the higher cost, about twice as much as the Retrospec. So why is the Hangout Dock such a great deal? If you can afford the higher cost, the overall quality is worth the expense. BOTE focuses completely on outdoor watercraft, inflatable furniture, and related gear. Every piece of BOTE gear I’ve personally tested has been awesome and has lasted multiple seasons.

Bass Pro Shops Swim Dock — Like the Siesta Dock, the Bass Pro Shops Swim Dock has a full-coverage EVA foam deck and plenty of grab handles and D-rings. The most important difference is that has a medium-sized 8’x8′ square shape, giving you extra play space. At 6-inches thick, it’s not as tall on the water but it still has plenty of buoyancy.

Mission Reef Lite — If you’re unsure about packing around a heavier dock, the Mission Reef Lite is an ultralight option that’s particularly good for single parents or parents of young children. It weighs just 24 pounds, making it much easier to carry compared to most inflatable docks. In addition, it has a built-in mesh ramp that makes it easy for young children to climb aboard.

The Bottom Line: Is the Siesta Dock Right for You?

If you have a larger family or a circle of friends who get together at the lake, the 10×10-foot Siesta Dock XL provides a spacious private island for water play. It’s a great home base that expands your recreation space out into the lake where there is often less pressure from other swimmers. It is heavy and cumbersome to pack around, but if you have enough helping hands, it’s worth it. As for the price, it’s not quite as rugged as premium options that costs twice as much, but it still punches above its price point, making it a good deal.

If you can’t count on multiple people to help carry the 10′ version, the Siesta Dock 7‘ can float multiple adults and kids and provide a similar experience with the same core design components. The 7’x7′-deck is smaller, but it has the same EVA foam and similar grab handles and D-rings. Better yet, it’s much easier to carry and store.

My own family and friends have had a great time on the Siesta Dock XL, and if your kids like to swim, they’ll likely incorporate a swim dock pretty much instantly in their beach day fun.