Private Gulf Coast eco tour: Dolphins, manatees & island beaches

Spot dolphins and manatees, then unwind on a secluded island beach just for you

A half-day private guided eco tour of Florida's Gulf Coast explores Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Island by boat, with time to look for dolphins, manatees, birds and shells, and to swim or relax on the beach. The tour includes private transportation and a live English-speaking guide. It runs 3.5 hours and suits all fitness levels, with wheelchair-accessible transport and room for infants and service animals.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Caladesi Island1h
2. Honeymoon Island1h

Explore Florida Gulf Coast islands

• Visit Caladesi Island
• Look for shells and swim
• Explore Honeymoon Island beach and trail
• Observe wildlife on Honeymoon Island
• Enjoy Anclote Key Preserve waters and beaches

The experience

You start with pickup in a private vehicle and head out on the water to hunt for wildlife. The boat moves between Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Island, two barrier islands off Florida's Gulf Coast where dolphins and manatees surface regularly. A live guide points out what to watch for, not just the marine mammals, but also eagles, osprey and great horned owls overhead, plus gopher tortoises and armadillos on land. Bottled water is included to keep you hydrated during the search.

Once the boat reaches the islands, you get time to explore on your own terms. At Caladesi Island, walk the shoreline hunting for shells, wade into the blue-green Gulf water to swim, or simply sit on the sand. Honeymoon Island offers more than four miles of beach and a three-mile trail through one of the last remaining virgin slash pine forests if you want to venture inland. The islands are part of state parks, so the setting is protected and less crowded than developed beaches.

The whole outing takes 3.5 hours from start to finish. Because it's a private tour, the guide adjusts the pace and stops to match what your group wants to see: linger longer if the dolphins are active, cut the island time short if you'd rather stay on the water. Transportation is wheelchair accessible, and infants can ride in a stroller or sit on an adult's lap, so families with different mobility needs can all go.

What’s included

• Private transportation to and from the boat.
• a live English-speaking guide for the full 3.5 hours.
• bottled water throughout the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesSaturday and SundayDepartures at 08:30 and 13:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Captain Ketch Charters

Is this one for you?Pick this if you're staying without a rental car. We provide transportation to the launch point and handle getting you there.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife will I actually see on this eco tour?

Dolphins and manatees are the main draw, and the guide watches for them throughout the boat portion. Eagles, osprey and great horned owls are common overhead, especially at Honeymoon Island, and you may spot gopher tortoises, raccoons and armadillos on land. Sightings depend on the day and season, but the guide knows where these animals typically appear.

Can I swim and collect shells, or is it just looking from the boat?

You get time on both Caladesi and Honeymoon Islands to do both. At Caladesi Island, the itinerary includes time to hunt for shells, swim in the Gulf, or simply relax on the beach. Honeymoon Island has four miles of shoreline to explore at your own pace.

How does pickup work if I don't have a car?

Private transportation is included, so the guide picks you up at your hotel or accommodation and drives you to the boat launch. You don't need to arrange your own way there or worry about parking.

Is this tour suitable for young children or people with mobility issues?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a stroller or pram, and infants can sit on an adult's lap during the boat ride. The transportation is wheelchair accessible, and the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, so families with different needs can participate together.