Sunshine Skyway Bridge Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• 2-Hour Sunset Cruise Tour in St. Petersburg

• Island Sunset and Skyway Light Show - 3-Hr Boat Cruise in St. Pete

• Premiere Private Sunset Cruise With Lights of the Skyway Bridge

• Boat Tour for Sunset Cruise and Sunset Bridge Tour Near St. Pete

• 90 Minute Jet Ski Ft Desoto Sand Bar Tour

There is no walking path along the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, and the toll for passenger vehicles is about US$1.75 in both directions. Tours on boats and jet skis around and beneath the bridge range from US$35 to US82. Private tours are available from US$350 per group.

Yes, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is worth visiting, especially if you're exploring the Tampa Bay area. The cable-stayed bridge stretches nearly 4 miles across Tampa Bay, connecting St. Petersburg to Bradenton. For the most unique vantage point, consider booking a Tampa Bay boat tour that passes under the bridge. Local tours are a great way to appreciate the scale of this bridge while learning about the region from a knowledgeable guide.

Per one customer who booked the 2-Hour Sunset Cruise Tour in St. Petersburg, "The boat was in time, while boarding we got a very friendly greeting from Captain Dennis and his crew! Big selection of wine, beer, and seltzers. The crew came out on deck to check on us and offered to take pictures of us and with friends. They had a great playlist for music as we rode out to the bridge. The experience seeing the bridge from that perspective was amazing."

Yes, you can fish from the piers that are accessible from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. These piers have dedicated parking lots and are family friendly. There’s a price to access the piers, but they close at sunset. All Florida residents and visitors need a fishing license to cast a line.

Because the Sunshine Skyway Bridge runs north and south, you can see both sunrises and sunsets from the bridge, and because it’s also on the western-facing portion of Florida’s Gulf Coast, it’s an ideal place to watch the sunset. You can also see rockets launch when skies are clear.

No, unfortunately you can’t—all cyclists and pedestrians must find a different route across Lower Tampa Bay. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a toll road that only permits vehicular traffic. However, there are small beaches and piers where drivers can stop and safely get out of their cars for photographs.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge connects the Bradenton/Palmetto area to the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area, which is four miles (6.4 kilometers). It usually takes between five and ten minutes to drive across the bridge, though that time may increase if there is heavy traffic congestion or car accidents present.

Yes, although the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a year-round commuter roadway, access is restricted in certain circumstances. For instance, when winds in the area reach or exceed 40mph (64kph), the Sunshine Skyway Bridge can be closed by state officials. High winds can happen at any time of the year.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Tampa:

• Clearwater Beach

• Ybor City

• The Florida Aquarium

• ZooTampa at Lowry Park

• Clearwater Marine Aquarium

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Tampa.