St Pete: Sunset Boat Cruise & Skyway Bridge Light Show

Summary

Evening boat ride in St Pete with dolphins shells and lights

You’ll feel Florida’s warm breeze as you cruise St Pete’s coast at sunset, spot dolphins by Shell Key, wander Outback Key’s sand with a drink in hand, then watch the Skyway Bridge explode in color after dark. With friendly crew and time to just be present on deck—it’s an evening that lingers long after you dock.

What’s the experience like?

Someone hands me a cold drink before I even realize I need one. The catamaran’s deck feels warm under my bare feet, and the salty air is thick with that Florida mix of sunscreen and seaweed. We’re gliding past these waterfront mansions—some with glass walls, some with those weird flamingo statues out front. Our captain, Mike (who grew up here), points out which house belongs to a retired baseball player. I try to imagine living there but get distracted by a pelican dive-bombing for its dinner.

The main keyword here is sunset boat cruise in St Pete, but honestly, it’s the little things that stick—like passing under the Pinellas Bayway bridge, where the shadows make everything look kind of cathedral-like for a second. There’s this moment when we drift past Gulfport and you can hear someone playing guitar onshore, just faintly over the water. A couple of us try to guess the song but nobody gets it right. Then we stop at Outback Key (I didn’t even know that was a real place) and everyone sort of spills off onto sand that still holds some heat from the day. I find a shell shaped like a tiny ear and think about keeping it for luck.

Back on board after sunset—the sky’s gone burnt orange fading to purple—I’m not really ready to leave the island behind yet. The crew passes around snacks and tells us stories about how dolphins sometimes follow them all the way home (we saw two earlier, or maybe it was just one very fast dolphin). Then comes the Skyway Bridge light show, which is way more dramatic than I expected—$15 million worth of LEDs flickering across the water while someone tries to take our group photo but keeps laughing too hard to hold the camera steady. It’s kind of perfect though.

I keep thinking about that last stretch back toward St Pete, when most people go quiet except for one kid who asks if he can drive (he can’t). The wind picks up and you can smell salt again, sharp and clean. Not sure if it was the lights or just being out there with strangers who suddenly felt like friends—but yeah, I’d do this sunset boat cruise again tomorrow if I could.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Evening boat cruise and light show

• Pass by waterfront millionaires' homes
• Pass St. Petersburg's Gulf Port community
• Pass under Pinellas Bayway bridge
• Stop at Sand Dollar Island for sunset walk
• Return trip to Skyway Bridge
• Enjoy $15M Skyway Light Show

Top questions

How long is the St Pete sunset boat cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately 3 hours from departure to return.

Does this tour include dolphin sightings?

Dolphin sightings are common along Shell Key Preserve during the cruise but not guaranteed.

Is there a restroom on board?

Yes, there is a restroom available on board the catamaran.

Can we bring drinks ashore at Outback Key?

Yes, you’re welcome to take your drinks ashore during the stop at Outback Key.

What is included in this sunset boat cruise?

The tour includes access to a bar on board and restroom facilities; service animals are allowed.

Will we see the Skyway Bridge light show?

Yes, you’ll stop by Sunshine Skyway Bridge for its nightly $15M light show before returning.

Is pickup included for this tour?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; guests should arrive at the departure point themselves.

Are children or infants allowed on this cruise?

Infants are allowed but must sit on an adult's lap; suitable for all fitness levels.

What’s included

Your evening includes cruising aboard a 50ft custom catamaran with both bar service and restroom access on board. You’ll disembark onto Outback Key for sunset beach time before returning via Skyway Bridge’s nightly light show—all led by local crew who share stories along the way.