Top St Petersburg Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

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.

Florida’s Gulf Coast offers amazing sunsets each night and locals will tell you that one of the best ways to view it is right from the water. Head down to the St. Pete Pier and join this cruise that offers an impressive sunset showcase. Sail to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, an impressive structure that’s also a fantastic backdrop for photographs. View the sunset from beneath the bridge then venture back to land for an evening in St. Pete.

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.

Get out on the water with the whole family on the Royal Conquest Pirate Ship. Cruise out from Madeira Beach for a family-friendly sightseeing and adventure pirate adventure cruise. Onboard, children can enjoy face painting, costumes, water fights, and other activities and entertainment.

Our 3hr Shell Key Shelling Trip is offered from Hubbard’s Marina inside Johns Pass and offers around one hour on the island exploring and shelling with around an hour ride down the back protected bay waters on a relaxing, safe, and fun trip onboard the HUB Cat 49. On the ride back to Johns Pass, we will cruise up our beautiful gulf beaches when weather allows, if it’s a little bumpy the ride back will also be in the back protected bay waters. We will often spot dolphins, seabirds, manatees and other wildlife on the ride out and back!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cruise to the protected shores of Shell Key Preserve on a guided boat tour focused on wildlife viewing and coastal exploration. Travel with a captain aboard a USCG-inspected vessel as you navigate through mangroves and open waters known for frequent dolphin sightings. Enjoy time ashore to explore one of the area’s most pristine barrier islands, great for all ages, with BYOB permitted before returning comfortably by boat.

Get on the water in Gulfport and let the captain of the Dolphin Quest get you up-close-and-personal with St. Petersburg’s local wildlife. This 40’ pontoon boat can fit two dozen guests who are keen to see rays, birds, manatees, and dolphins in the wild. You’ll pass by Pass-a-Grille Beach as the tour guide tells you about these marine habitats. A shady seat and restroom on board will keep you cool and comfortable.

Spend a sunset you’ll never forget on board a 45ft catamaran on this scenic cruise. Sit back, relax, and take in the amazing views while the crew sails you around some of the prettiest spots on the water. All you’ve got to do is keep your eyes on the changing colors of the horizon and look out for dolphins.

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.

Step aboard an evening cruise for dinner and drinks while you take in views of St. Pete Beach. Watch over the landmarks of St. Pete and munch on food from the tropical-themed buffet. Open bar means you won't go thirsty while jamming to island music from the onboard DJ and other entertainment.

Recently showcased by Misty Wells from Discovery Channel, this tour now carries a trusted stamp of approval. This is the only tour in St. Petersburg that takes you through 10 different districts in one trip, from historic neighborhoods to vibrant arts hubs, from boutique shopping streets to world-class murals and cultural landmarks. You’ll see more of St. Pete in a single tour than most visitors do in an entire weekend, all at an incredibly affordable price. It’s the ultimate all-in-one experience that blends history, art, culture, shopping, and surprises into one unforgettable ride.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This trip is a relaxing hour and a half cruise through the back protected bay waters then on the way home you get a front row seat for the sunset as the boat cruises along the beautiful gulf beaches showing you the beautiful beach hotels during the golden hour on your right with a gorgeous sunset to your left. During the sunset cruise we turn the music up a little louder and enjoy the festivities while captain announces information about the wildlife and surrounding areas. We don’t guarantee dolphins on the sunset cruise but we do see them often and if you drink enough free beer and wine who knows what you might see!

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.

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.

Explore the serene waters of Clam Bayou on our clear kayak tours, perfect for adventurers of all skill levels. Paddle beneath a stunning canopy of mangroves with a knowledgeable guide and enjoy the possibility of spotting manatees, dolphins, and birds such as herons and egrets in their natural habitat. Take in the scenic beauty just minutes from downtown St. Pete while learning about the local ecosystem. All gear is provided, including transparent kayaks, life jackets, and paddles. The calm waters are ideal for both beginners and experienced paddlers, offering a unique opportunity to see marine life through the transparent kayak hull. Kayak Info: Our clear tandem (2-seat) kayaks have a 385 lb combined weight limit to ensure proper weight distribution and safety. Solo use is available for guests over the limit or for odd-numbered groups—please contact the supplier after booking. Solo riders must not exceed 325 lb for safety and balance.