15 Tampa & St Petersburg Tours to Build a Day Around

1.Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,800 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $79Our pick

Paddle a tandem clear kayak from Tierra Verde to Shell Key Preserve with a small group of up to 10. Guides such as Alessia, Jenna, Ben, and Chris point out birds, fish, mangroves, and dolphins, with time to explore the beach and collect shells.

“We had an amazing time on the water with our guide, Ben! It was very cool seeing all the wildlife and enjoying the beautiful Florida weather.”

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2.Little Toot Dolphin Adventure at Clearwater Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,594 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $37

Board the Little Toot at Clearwater Beach for a 75-minute narrated cruise through Clearwater Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico. The tugboat’s strong wake often draws wild dolphins close to the stern, where you can watch them play from shaded or sunny seats. Crew members, including Sherry, keep the ride lively with local commentary and music.

“Nice experience with good service and personnel. Orderly boarding and timely. Parking fees are additional at the marina”

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3.Sarasota Guided Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,440 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $59

Paddle from 190 Taft Drive through Little Sarasota Bay and the South Lido mangrove tunnels with guides such as Ian, Kenny, or Dinko. Choose a single or tandem kayak, learn about local wildlife, and keep watch for manatees, dolphins, rays, crabs, and birds.

“It was simply great. Our guides Kenny & Ian were knowledgeable and funny. We has some first time kayakers and they would do it again after this experience. We also saw a manatee”

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4.Historic Ybor City Food Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,210 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $89

Walk Tampa’s historic Ybor City with guides such as Cindy, Surch, or Kristie, stopping for four to six generous food and drink tastings. Expect Cuban sandwiches, shepherd’s pie, calzones, cannoli, and Cuban coffee, plus stories about the district’s Cuban, German, Spanish, and Italian roots.

“Amazing good time for myself and friends both the information and food stops. So very friendly what a great find.”

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5.Clearwater Encounters with Dolphins Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,185 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35

Join captains and crew members such as Sierra and Katlyn for a 90-minute Clearwater Harbor boat trip. Look for wild bottlenose dolphins, hear local facts, then stop at Compass Island to swim and collect shells. The 40-foot boat carries up to 38 people and returns to the marina.

“This was a nice relaxing boat cruise to see dolphins. Unfortunately there were no dolphins to be seen, but the company offers free cruises until you experience a dolphon sighting.”

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6.Calypso Queen Tropical Party Buffet Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,136 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $58

Board the Calypso Queen at Clearwater Beach Marina for a two-hour lunch or dinner cruise. Enjoy a tropical buffet, rum punch, beer, wine, and Pepsi products while the captain shares local stories. Evening sailings add a live DJ and dancing, with frozen drinks and other bar purchases available.

“We had a great time. The food was good, and the staff was friendly. The view was beautiful and relaxing. I'll be back!”

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7.Island Sunset and Skyway Light Show – 3hr Boat Cruise in St. Pete

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,871 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $80

Spend three hours cruising St. Pete’s waterfront, Shell Key Preserve, and Gulfport before walking Sand Dollar Island at sunset. Your crew may include Paul, Chase, Gavin, Noah, or Dillon, with shelling, dolphin-spotting areas, onboard drinks, and a colorful Skyway Bridge light show.

“Relaxing evening cruise. White sands, sea shell hunting, cruising and then awesome light displays. Our Captain made sure to turn the boat different ways so that everyone on the cruise could get good pictures.”

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8.Small Group 2 Hour Dolphin Cruise with Snorkeling to Shell Key

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,523 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75

Cruise Boca Ciega Bay with a captain such as Megan, Noel, or Dave, watching for dolphins, manatees, rays, and seabirds before stopping at Shell Key. Walk ashore to snorkel in shallow water, swim, and hunt for shells. The 25-foot pontoon carries no more than six people.

“Had a wonderful time! Our guide was great and informative and he really seems to enjoy what he does. We got to see dolphins and manatees.”

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9.Sarasota Mangrove Tunnel Guided Kayak Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,217 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65

Paddle from Ted Sperling Nature Park into Sarasota Bay and the Lido Key mangrove tunnels. Your guide teaches kayak safety, points out dolphins, manatees, birds, and fish, and shares local history. The small group has no more than 12 people, and guides include Cody, Jordan, Patrick, Jacob, and Steffan.

“Truly amazing experience, the guide is extremely knowledgeable about all nature, animals, birds and history topics. Made me feel very comfortable and safe, even considering it was my first time kayaking.”

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10.The Florida Aquarium Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 979 reviews · 1 day · from $36

Spend a day exploring The Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa, from dwarf seahorses and lemurs to sharks, stingrays, otters, alligators, and free-flying birds. Your admission includes three touch pools, presentations, and all main exhibits. Allow at least two hours, and bring a change of clothes for water play.

“I found this site just by a Google search, but worked great. We got tickets for a little more than $10 less per person from the direct tickets through the Aquarium. Great value. We are also able to skip any lines and go straight in (other than the security line). The aquarium had a lot to see and do. They have a splash pad and playground for kids as well.”

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11.Guaranteed Dolphin Sighting Tour on Tropics Boat Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 947 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $37

Set out from Clearwater Beach with The Tropics Boat Tours for a 1-hour-45-minute cruise led by the captain and crew. Watch for wild bottlenose dolphins, hear local stories, spot waterfront mansions, and enjoy music, drinks, and snacks. Sightings come with a free return ride if needed.

“We had an excellent time on our dolphin tour!! We saw so many dolphins, groups, singles and even jumping dolphins!!! Also, we saw a fever of sting rays!!! Even the captain and employees were excited taking pics it was such a rare event to see the sting rays. Highly recommend!!!”

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12.Mangroves, Manatees, and a Hidden Beach: Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 926 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $59

Paddle from Turtle Beach through Sarasota Bay and the Jim Neville Preserve with SURFit USA guides such as Orion, Billy, or Michael. Choose a single or tandem kayak or paddleboard, watch for manatees and dolphins, then stop at a beach or sandbar near the reopened Midnight Pass.

“Orion was a great tour guide with an environmental college background, so he was very knowledgeable! We even saw a manatee and its baby in January.”

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13.Clearwater Beach: Dolphin & Island Sandbar Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 767 reviews · 2 hours · from $28Best value

Cruise from Clearwater Beach with guides such as Matt, Eliza, Mark, and Zach, watch for dolphins, hear local stories, then swim at One-Tree Island. Bring your own drinks and snacks, use the onboard restroom, and enjoy free ice cream for children.

“Matt and Deana were awesome and the trip even though a tiny bit chilly this time of year was super fun. Loved seeing the dolphins!”

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14.Sunset Celebration Cruise on Tropics Boat Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 739 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $37

Board Tropics Boat Tours at 25 Causeway Blvd for a roughly two-hour catamaran ride from Clearwater Bay into the Gulf of Mexico. Expect sunset commentary, music, a Champagne toast, a bar with drinks for purchase, and possible dolphin sightings. Crew members including Reagan, Zach, and Captain J are praised for keeping the trip lively.

“We had a great time. The crew was nice and friendly. Beautiful sunset from the water. Recommend for a big group”

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15.2 Hour Sunset Cruise in Clearwater, Florida

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 646 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $39

Spend about two hours aboard a 46-foot Coast Guard-inspected boat with Captain Tracy, Captain TJ, or another local crew member. Cruise the Intracoastal Waterway and Gulf, watch for dolphins, enjoy commentary, and raise a complimentary champagne toast at sunset if you are 21 or older.

“Got to see lots of dolphins and the sunset was great. Drinks could have been cold, but can’t complain about it with the view.”

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