St Petersburg Dolphin Eco Boat Tour: Private Wildlife Cruise

Search for dolphins on the water without needing your own boat

A private 2-hour dolphin eco boat tour from Gulfport that takes you through St Petersburg's coastal waters in search of dolphins and other marine wildlife. The boat passes the historic Don CeSar Hotel while your guide points out what you're seeing and explains the marine ecosystem. All fees and taxes are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dolphin eco boat tour and sightseeing

• Explore Bird Island by boat
• Pass by The Don CeSar Hotel
• Search for dolphins and wildlife

The experience

You start at Gulfport, where the boat departs for a 2-hour tour through the waters around Bird Island. The route passes the Don CeSar Hotel (the historic pink building built in the early 1900s that locals call the Pink Palace), while you scan the water for dolphins in their natural habitat. A live English-speaking guide narrates the journey and helps you spot wildlife as it appears.

The tour is built around searching for dolphins and other marine life rather than a fixed itinerary of stops. What you see depends on what's active that day: dolphins, manatees, birds and other creatures that live in these waters. The boat moves at a pace that lets you watch and photograph without rushing past.

This is an eco-focused tour, meaning the operation prioritizes the animals' wellbeing over a guaranteed sighting. Infants can come along if they sit on an adult's lap, and the boat works for all fitness levels. Service animals are welcome. Bring your own food and drink, as none is provided on board.

What’s included

• All fees and taxes are included in the price.
• a live guide who speaks English narrates the tour and helps you spot wildlife.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Beach Charters By The Bay

Is this one for you?The tour departs from Gulfport, so it works well if you're staying in the St Petersburg area without a car or want to avoid driving to a different launch point. The 2-hour length fits a free afternoon without dominating your whole day.

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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 is the Don CeSar Hotel and why does the boat pass it?

The Don CeSar Hotel is a historic building constructed in the early 1900s, known locally as the Pink Palace for its distinctive pink color. The boat passes it during the tour as a landmark while you're searching for dolphins in the surrounding waters.

How long does the dolphin tour take?

The tour runs for 2 hours from start to finish, spent on the water searching for dolphins and other wildlife around Bird Island and the St Petersburg area.

Will I definitely see dolphins on this tour?

The tour is a dolphin search rather than a guaranteed sighting. What you encounter depends on which animals are active that day. The guide helps you spot whatever wildlife appears, but the eco-focused approach prioritizes the animals' natural behavior over a promised encounter.

What wildlife besides dolphins might I see?

While dolphins are the focus, the waters around St Petersburg are home to manatees, various bird species and other marine life. Your guide will point out whatever is visible during your 2-hour tour.

Can I bring food and drinks on the boat?

Food and drink are not provided, so bring your own if you want to eat or drink during the 2-hour tour.