Top St Petersburg Outdoor Activities

If you want to explore the waters near St. Pete Beach at night, but are too intimidated to journey out on your own because the area is home to a lot of marine life, this tour is a great choice. This St. Pete Beach Glass Bottom Kayak LED Night Tour lets you go out with a guide who knows the area and its ecosystem well and who can easily lead the way even in the dark.

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.

Sail past beaches, skylines, and wildlife on this Dolphin Racer Adventure from St. Pete. Take in the views and keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins that are known to reside in the area. Listen to informative commentary from your guide throughout the ride and enjoy the scenery as you cruise. Note: dolphin surfing is guaranteed, or your next trip is free.

Spice up any Florida vacation with a cruise on the Gulf of Mexico. Beginning in St. Petersburg, enjoy a beautiful sunset (depending upon the time of year) and listen to live music on board the elegant 'StarLite Sapphire' yacht. Choose from the open-air observation deck or the climate-controlled cabin inside. Either way, the view is spectacular. Then dance the night away or take a romantic stroll along the deck.

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.

This kayak tour offers a balanced way to explore coastal ecosystems while remaining accessible for a range of experience levels. Guests benefit from guided navigation through mangrove tunnels, with opportunities to spot local wildlife along the route. With beach time at Shell Key, complimentary photos, and a private setting, it provides a personalized, well-paced outdoor experience with lasting takeaways.

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.

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.

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.

See a sunset you’ll never forget on board a sightseeing cruise. Sit back, relax, and sail along the Shell Key Preserve with a crew to take you to some great dolphin-spotting areas. Stop at Outback Key with a drink in your hand to watch the sun hit the horizon and look for seashells. On your way back, catch the light show at Skyway Bridge.

The Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge is a serene, secluded island in Tampa Bay that’s popular for hiking and fishing. Go beyond the beauty of St. Pete’s Beaches and visit this island on a relaxing half-day tour. Sail from the St. Pete Pier over to Egmont Key and spend a few hours wandering miles of white sand beaches. Bottled water is available but you can bring your own food and drink to enjoy a quiet island lunch.

If you’re looking for a Florida adventure on the water, but don’t want to plan a daring activity yourself, leave it up to this Madeira Beach Parasail Flight. You’ll go out on the water aboard a boat with a group, then take to the skies on a parasail. Picture packages are available for an additional fee to capture your memories.

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.

Sightsee around Downtown St. Petersburg, Florida in comfort and ease—and discover more of its top landmarks than you could if you were exploring on foot—thanks to this time-saving street-legal golf cart tour. Learn all about the city’s culture and history from your guide with your small group of fellow travelers, and pick your guide’s brain about what to do and where to eat next.

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.

Admire a perspective of St. Petersburg that few other visitors get to see, and have the best chance of spotting dolphins and other wildlife, on this sunset sailing tour. Meet your guide and group right at the marina, hop aboard your vessel (landing fee separate expense), and set sail. Venture across Boca Ceiga Bay, and look out for bottlenose dolphins, manatees, sea birds, and more, all while the sun sinks below the horizon.

Experience the thrill of the open water on a premium Sea-Doo GTX Pro—perfect for both first-time riders and adrenaline seekers. Powered by a responsive 130HP engine, this jet ski delivers smooth acceleration and top speeds of up to 50–55 mph, giving you the perfect mix of excitement and control. Its wide, stable hull design ensures a more comfortable, drier ride in mild Gulf conditions, so you can focus on the fun instead of the splash. Designed for up to two riders (400 lb combined weight limit), it’s an ideal adventure to share with a friend or loved one. Your 1-hour ride takes place within a designated 5-by-2-mile riding zone in the beautiful Gulf of Mexico—offering plenty of space to cruise, explore, and enjoy the freedom of the water while maintaining a safe, fun, guided experience. -Any driver born after 1987 must possess a Boater's Safety Card. Must be N.A.S.B.L.A affiliated. -Any driver born after 1987 can get a Florida Boater's Safety card from an online provider.

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.

Discover Floridian wildlife and St. Petersburg on a 2-hour paddle board tour. No need to get your paddle board past TSA, as all equipment is convenient provided for you. Enjoy a basic rundown of paddle boarding before the tour begins.  Once you feel comfortable, follow your guide into the bayou and past the Historical Snell Isles. Enjoy narration about the local flora and fauna with stops at Bird Island and manatee hotspots.

If you’ve ever dreamt of exploring your very own deserted island, a day trip to Egmont Key State Park may just be just the ticket. The ruins of Fort Dade (a military garrison built during the Spanish-American War in 1898) and a working lighthouse that’s more than 150 years old. The lighthouse is a relic of the prominent role the island played in Florida’s Seminole Indian War in 1854 as well as the Civil War. Immerse yourself in the island’s rich past by walking around Fort Dade, including a carriage brick road, sidewalks, gun batteries and a guardhouse. The guardhouse building has been restored to serve as a visitor center and small museum (hours are sporadic). Learn more about the island’s environment and heritage through wildlife and history exhibits here. Plus: Encounter playful dolphins in their natural habitat, a heartwarming spectacle that underscores our commitment to responsible tourism.

Island Boat Adventures! Over 15 years of experience, we specialize in tours to Egmont Key where you can snorkel in the sparkling waters of the Gulf, explore beautiful beaches, hunt for rare shells, or simply unwind on pristine shores. Our enthusiastic crew is dedicated to giving you an amazing experience. Whether you're here for adventure or relaxation, we’ve got you covered. Watch wild Bottlenose Dolphins play in their natural habitat as we cruise through Gulf waters, and explore the lush mangroves and estuaries where manatees, sea birds, and other wildlife thrive. Egmont Key is a Florida gem with abundant beautiful shells washing up daily. Snorkel among vibrant marine life or simply relax on the untouched beaches. Our expert crew will take you on a journey to the pristine shores of Egmont Key, where you can snorkel the sparkling waters of the Gulf, explore beautiful beaches, hunt for rare and unique shells, or simply relax in a serene, unspoiled setting. All ages! BYOB permitted

Get epic aerial views of Saint Pete Beach on this parasailing tour. This fun, safe activity requires no experience and is suitable for everyone. Launch off a speedboat and fly high up in the air for 10 to 15 minutes, taking in the sun and sand around you as well as area landmarks and maybe even some dolphins. Total time on the boat is about one hour.

The deep waters off John’s Pass are an angler’s dream, but without a boat or insider knowledge it can be tricky to find the best fishing spots. This family-friendly fishing trip is the perfect solution. You can also hire the gear and have a local restaurant prepare your fish after the trip (own cost), so you can enjoy all the fishing fun without any of the mess or the stress.