Top St Petersburg Day Trips

St Petersburg is a popular spot for fishing along Florida’s West Coast, with miles of backcountry waters and islands to explore. This private fishing charter can be completely customized to suit your preferences, with an expert guide on hand to offer tips and maximize your chances of a catch. Bring lunch or some beers on-board, cruise around the bay and barrier islands, and try your luck fishing for trout, snapper, mackerel, and redfish.

Get out on the water and look for dolphins and other wildlife with this nature boat cruise. Make your way to Madeira Beach to board “The Big Blue Boat,” the largest and most stable dolphin watching boat in the Tampa Bay area, then cruise out in search of dolphins, manatees, sea birds, and more, with full narration along the way.

Set sail aboard the iconic schooner Suncoast Horizon in the picturesque waters of Treasure Island, Florida, about an hour before sunset for an unforgettable experience. Enjoy smooth sailing, stunning sunsets, and starry skies, with cozy blankets provided in case you want to relax or cuddle on deck. Complimentary sodas and water are available, and a cooler with ice to stash any BYO beverages.

Get out on the water and see Tampa Bay from a new perspective with this kayaking tour. Ride in a clear kayak—which has the advantage of greater visibility of the underwater world. Along the way look out for coastal birds, marine life, and the beautiful mangroves. No need to worry about missing out on photo opportunities—the trip includes photo stops and a break at Shell Key to enjoy its beach and sandbars.

Part-bar, part-boat, all-around fun: this unique boat cruise takes you on a floating tiki bar around the St. Pete Pier. Hop aboard and let a Coast Guard licensed captain sail you through the water while you sip on alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Bring your own food, drinks, and up to five others for a few hours of fun. You can also use the boat’s Bluetooth speaker to play your own music.

Look for dolphins around Boca Ciega Bay in St. Pete Beach on a cruise in the Tampa Bay Area. Continue into the Gulf of Mexico to visit Shell Key island, a wildlife preserve where you can snorkel, swim, or collect shells on the beach. Depending on the season, you might spot dolphins, manatees, rays, and a variety of seabirds. This family-friendly tour offers both a late morning and afternoon departure, making it easy to suit your schedule.

Discover St. Petersburg's undeveloped Shell Key Preserve on this exciting kayak excursion. Join a small group and gear up for your adventure through mangrove tunnels and shallow seagrass meadows. While you paddle, observe local wildlife like sea turtles and seabirds and stop at Shell Island to collect seashells or go for a swim.

Go snorkeling around Egmont Key and look for dolphins and other wildlife on this half-day boat tour from Madeira Beach with a small group. Learn about the history of Egmont Key and look for wildlife such as dolphins, manatees, and turtles on the boat ride, then go snorkeling with the provided gear. Options include the ruins for more advanced snorkelers and the grass flats for beginner.

While in Treasure Island, see the beautiful area without getting caught in the crowds on land. This Treasure Island Sailing Experience lets you go on a small-group cruise around either the Gulf of Mexico or Boca Ciega Bay. You can bring your own drinks as a cooler is provided for cruiser goers to use, or you can enjoy the included soda and bottled water.

Climb aboard a boat for a dolphin quest cruise in Madeira Beach with this sightseeing tour. Explore the waters of Boca Ciega Bay and keep an eye out for playful bottlenose dolphins. Admire views of the beautiful homes on Treasure Island as you cruise through intercoastal waters. Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks are available for purchase on board.

Take a relaxed sunset cruise launching from St. Pete Beach and view a different side of the city on this shared small group boat ride. Although it’s shared, the passenger count is kept low to create a semi-intimate experience as you cruise through residential canals to view local mansions. As you pass by Tierra Verde, you might see dolphins swimming near your boat. Bottled water is provided, as well as blankets in the cooler months.

Your own private 42’ Bali 4.2 catamaran with no shared crowds — just your group, captain, and crew. Sweet Escape offers a premium all-inclusive charter experience from St. Petersburg with fuel, ice, bottled water, soft drinks, light snacks, Bluetooth music, paddleboards, floating mat, snorkel gear, towels, shaded seating, and spacious lounge areas included. Each trip is customized around your group’s priorities, whether you want scenic cruising, swimming, relaxing, sightseeing, sunset views, or a special celebration on the water.

Shell Key Preserve is only accessible by water, and if you don’t own a boat, it can be hard to get to the area to explore it. This Shell Key Preserve Snorkeling Cruise from Tampa takes you to the 1,800-acre (728-hectare) wildlife preserve to snorkel and look for shells and wildlife. Some of the wildlife you may see along your journey, includes dolphins, birds, manatees, hermits crabs, fish, and horseshoe crabs.

Your own private 42’ Bali 4.2 catamaran with no shared crowds — just your group, captain, and crew. Sweet Escape offers a premium all-inclusive charter experience from St. Petersburg with fuel, ice, bottled water, soft drinks, light snacks, Bluetooth music, paddleboards, floating mat, snorkel gear, towels, shaded seating, and spacious lounge areas included. Each trip is customized around your group’s priorities, whether you want scenic cruising, swimming, relaxing, sightseeing, sunset views, or a special celebration on the water.

Your own private 42’ Bali 4.2 catamaran with no shared crowds — just your group, captain, and crew. Sweet Escape offers a premium all-inclusive charter experience from St. Petersburg with fuel, ice, bottled water, soft drinks, light snacks, Bluetooth music, paddleboards, floating mat, snorkel gear, towels, shaded seating, and spacious lounge areas included. Each trip is customized around your group’s priorities, whether you want scenic cruising, swimming, relaxing, sightseeing, sunset views, or a special celebration on the water.

Your own private 42’ Bali 4.2 catamaran with no shared crowds — just your group, captain, and crew. Sweet Escape offers a premium all-inclusive charter experience from St. Petersburg with fuel, ice, bottled water, soft drinks, light snacks, Bluetooth music, paddleboards, floating mat, snorkel gear, towels, shaded seating, and spacious lounge areas included. Each trip is customized around your group’s priorities, whether you want scenic cruising, swimming, relaxing, sightseeing, sunset views, or a special celebration on the water.

If you're looking for a place to watch the sun set over Florida's stunning water, but don't want to just sit dockside, this Gulf of Mexico Sunset Cruise from Madeira Beach takes you out on the water to do just that. Bring your own alcohol (or non-alcoholic drinks) and enjoy the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico.