The verdict
Our pick
Shell Key Island Snorkeling Tour: Dolphins & Wildlife, Max 6★ 4.87 (1,647) · 2h
Best value
St Pete Beach: Private Shell Island Dolphin & Snorkeling Tour★ 4.65 (86) · 2h 15m
Top rated
Private Boat Charter St. Pete: Dolphins, Watersports & Snorkeling★ 5.00 (118) · 2h
All 9 options, side by side
✓ 2026-08-11Real price per person across the 8 options: US$ 48–US$ 95 (median US$ 71). With 100+ reviews: 5 of 9.
Default order: real price per person — the group price divided by the seats it includes.
Sort
Private experiences (3)
Tampa: Dolphin Shelling & Snorkeling Cruise with Private CharterYou’ll ride out from Tampa on a small-group cruise led by a local captain, spot wild dolphins (if luck’s on your side), snorkel for shells at Shell Key’s preserve, and enjoy cold drinks as you drift home. Expect laughter, salt air, and maybe even a moment or two of real calm you didn’t know you needed.
St. Pete Beach Snorkeling Private Boat with Watersports GearSnorkel from a private charter boat near St. Pete Beach with a live English-speaking captain, all watersports and snorkeling equipment included. You choose the length—2, 3 or 4 hours—and what you do on the water: snorkel, wakeboard, water ski, knee board, tube, island hop or shell hunt. The boat is yours alone, fuel is charged separately at the end of the trip.Is it for me?Book the 3-hour option if you want to try multiple activities without feeling rushed; pick 2 hours if you're fitting snorkeling into a beach day and want to keep it short, or 4 hours if you'd rather explore further and spend time at Egmont Key or another stop without watching the clock.
Egmont Key Private Boat Tour: Lighthouse & SnorkelA private 5-hour boat tour from St. Petersburg takes you to Egmont Key State Park, an island accessible only by water. You'll explore the historic lighthouse and Fort Dade ruins, snorkel around submerged structures where marine life gathers, watch for dolphins, and bird along the shoreline with a live English-speaking guide. Bottled water and fruit are included; groups stay at six people or fewer.Is it for me?Five hours is long enough to reach the island, explore the fort and lighthouse, snorkel, and watch for wildlife without feeling rushed—but short enough to fit into an afternoon if you're staying in St. Petersburg for a day or two. If you need a half-day excursion or want to spend the rest of your day elsewhere, this tour leaves room for that.
2 to 5 hours (3)
Egmont Key Island: Dolphin Cruise & Snorkeling Tour St PetersburgYou board a Gulf-side boat in St Petersburg, cruise past wild dolphins in their habitat, snorkel in clear water around Egmont Key's beaches, hunt for rare shells including Junonia specimens, and explore mangrove estuaries where manatees and sea birds move through the shallows. Snorkeling gear is provided, the vessel is Coast Guard-inspected, and the whole tour takes four hours with no experience required.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see wild dolphins and snorkel without arranging your own boat or gear—the crew's fifteen years of experience and the included equipment mean you show up and the Gulf does the rest.
Egmont Key Snorkeling Dolphin Tour: Ruins & Grass FlatsSnorkel Egmont Key on a semi-private boat tour with a live English-speaking captain who narrates the island's 1500s history as you approach. You choose between the advanced ruins site or beginner grass flats, both teeming with sea turtles, manatees, fish and birds; snorkeling gear, floats, water and cooler are included. Minimum four tickets required to depart.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to snorkel without renting or buying your own gear and without the worry of a boat leaving you behind—the captain stays on the water with your group the entire time, and dolphins show up on almost every departure.
Shell Key Kayak & Snorkel Tour: Paddle Mangrove TunnelsA 3-hour kayak tour from St. Pete that takes you through mangrove tunnels to Shell Key, where you spend about an hour swimming in the shallows, hunting for shells, or relaxing on the beach. Mask, snorkel, floatie, life jacket and dry bag are provided; your guide photographs the group throughout and emails the photos to you afterward. Children from age 5 are welcome, and the tour suits all fitness levels.Is it for me?Small groups work well here since the guide leads everyone together through the mangroves and stays with the group at Shell Key. If you want a tour where someone else handles the route and the timing, and you get to choose between paddling, snorkeling or just sitting on the beach once you arrive, this one does all three in a single morning or afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book with free cancellation?
Yes: 7 of the 9 options offer free cancellation, so you can book now and confirm your plans later.
How long do these experiences last?
Most options last between 2 and 5 hours.
Which one is the travelers' favorite?
Shell Key Island Snorkeling Tour: Dolphins & Wildlife, Max 6 is the travelers' favorite, rated 4.87 out of 5 across 1,647 reviews.
Are private options available?
Yes, 3 private experiences are available if you prefer a closed group.
