Things to do in St Petersburg
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Clear Kayak Paddling: Shell Key Preserve & Tampa BayClear kayak paddling in Shell Key Preserve, located in Tierra Verde near St. Pete Beach in the Tampa Bay area, puts you in a transparent kayak with a guide leading the way through mangroves, shallows and to a secluded beach. The 2-hour outing includes all equipment, safety gear and a guide who handles photos and points out wildlife. High tide opens a hidden mangrove tunnel; low tide leaves sandbars and shell-collecting beaches exposed. Dolphins, manatees, pelicans and crabs move through the water year-round, though sightings are not guaranteed.Is it for me?Two hours leaves the rest of your day open for other Tampa Bay activities, and the guide handles the navigation and wildlife spotting, so you focus on paddling and watching the water below. Bring one adult per child under 12 if you're paddling with kids, and plan around the tide if you want the mangrove tunnel or the exposed sandbars.
3-Hour Sunset Cruise St. Pete: Skyway Bridge Light ShowA 3-hour evening boat cruise on a 50-foot catamaran departing from St. Pete, traveling the Intracoastal past Shell Key Preserve and stopping at Sand Dollar Island for a sunset walk before returning to the Skyway Bridge for its nightly $15M light display. The boat carries a bar and restroom on board, and a live English-speaking guide shares facts about the bridge and the waterfront estates you pass. Infants sit on an adult's lap; service animals are welcome.Is it for me?Book from one of the four departure locations—Gulfport, MarineMax, or SkyBeach Resort—depending on which is closest to where you're staying. The fixed 3-hour schedule means the timing works around your evening without you having to plan the route or the stops.
Shell Key Island Snorkeling Tour: Dolphins & Wildlife, Max 6A semi-private snorkeling tour to Shell Key Island with a maximum of 6 passengers per boat, where you snorkel among dolphins, manatees, rays and wild birds in their natural habitat. The boat remains at the island for the entire 2-hour outing, and the crew provides snorkel gear, floating noodles, bottled water and a cooler with ice on board. You choose from three departure times: 9am, mid-day or 4:15pm. A minimum of 2 people per booking is required, and check-in is 30 minutes before departure.Is it for me?Small-group snorkeling means you'll actually see the wildlife instead of just other tourists, and the crew stays anchored so you can split your time between water and rest without rushing.
Kayaking at Shell Key with LED lights: Sunset to night glowNight kayaking on Shell Key Preserve in a clear kayak with LED lights that illuminate the water as you paddle. Choose between the Sunset Tour, which starts with the beach at dusk before the lights come on, or the Glow Tour, which launches straight into the mangrove tunnels after dark. A guide leads the way; minimum age 12, and you'll need moderate fitness and upper body mobility to climb in and out of the kayak.Is it for me?Book the Sunset Tour if you want to arrive early enough to watch the light change on the beach before the water lights up. Choose the Glow Tour if you're coming after dark or want the mangrove tunnel and LED glow to be the entire experience.
St. Petersburg: Jungle Prada History Walk & Tocobaga MoundYou’ll walk through a private seaside garden in St. Petersburg with a local historian, meet free-roaming peacocks, and stand atop Florida’s best-preserved Tocobaga Indian mound. Hear stories of explorers and ancient cultures while touching native plants — all with parking included and plenty of time for questions or just soaking in the quiet.
Madeira Beach: Dolphin Watching Eco Cruise & John's PassYou’ll cruise Boca Ciega Bay with local guides who know every corner of John’s Pass and Treasure Island. Watch bottlenose dolphins leap beside your boat (guaranteed sightings), feel sea spray on your skin, and catch glimpses of waterfront life along Madeira Beach—all without rushing or crowds.
St. Petersburg: Downtown Golf Cart Tour & Local Art StopsYou’ll ride through downtown St. Pete in a comfy golf cart with a local guide, stopping for waterfront views, colorful murals, and quiet parks. Expect stories you won’t find online, surprise art moments, and that feeling of being part of the city instead of just passing through.
Kayaking Shell Key Preserve: Mangrove tunnels and sandbarA small group guided kayak tour of the Shell Key Preserve, a protected 1,800-acre nature preserve at the mouth of Tampa Bay. You paddle stable double kayaks through hidden mangrove tunnels and seagrass meadows, then beach on Shell Island for swimming and shell hunting. The tour runs three hours with a guide, all equipment, and a boat ride to and from the launch site.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and leads the whole group together, so anyone comfortable following along in English and paddling for three hours will track the tour without strain. Children from age 8 paddle in doubles with an adult, which keeps the pace manageable for families.
Shell Key Shelling Cruise from John's Pass: Dolphins and seabirdsA three-hour shelling cruise departs from Hubbard's Marina at John's Pass and takes you by boat to Shell Key Preserve, a 195-acre barrier island in the mouth of Tampa Bay where you explore and collect shells for about an hour. The route crosses protected back bay waters where dolphins, seabirds and manatees often appear, and the return ride follows the gulf beaches when weather allows. All trips include an onboard restroom and suit any fitness level.Is it for me?You get a full morning on the water and the island without arranging your own boat or navigating to a remote spot—the fixed schedule and protected route mean the day holds together even if you are visiting for the first time and do not know the bay.
St Petersburg Sunset Cruise: Dolphins & Gulf Views, Small GroupsYou board a six-person boat at Tierra Verde Marina and cruise the residential canals of St Petersburg one hour before sunset, spotting dolphins and manatees along the way. The small group size means no crowds and no shouting guides. Bottled water is included, and blankets are provided during winter months. You're back by dusk, ready for dinner onshore.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the St Petersburg sunset without the noise and crowds of larger tour boats — the six-person limit is what makes the dolphins visible and the conversation possible.
Dolphin Watching Cruise John's Pass: The Big Blue BoatA narrated dolphin watching cruise departing from Hubbard's Marina in John's Pass aboard the Big Blue Boat, the largest and most stable vessel in the Tampa Bay area. The 90-minute tour covers calm, protected back bay waters where dolphins, manatees, seabirds and nesting islands are common sights. Restrooms and an onboard snack bar are available throughout; all tours are fully narrated by a live English-speaking guide and the vessel is U.S. Coast Guard certified.Is it for me?Book this cruise if you want the largest, most stable boat in the Tampa Bay area—the size and weight keep the ride smooth in the back bay, which is what lets you focus on dolphins and manatees instead of the motion of the water.
Dolphin Racer Adventure Cruise in St. Pete BeachA dolphin watching cruise departing from St. Pete Beach with live captain narration, lasting 90 to 120 minutes on the scenic waterways surrounding the Gulf beaches. The operator guarantees dolphin surfing — dolphins jumping and playing in the wake behind the boat — or your next trip is free. All ages welcome, and you board and disembark at the same location in the St. Pete Beach area.Is it for me?Book this cruise if you want to see dolphins jump and play without spending the day arranging a boat or guessing whether they'll show — the guarantee and the narration handle both.
Egmont Key Ferry from Fort De Soto: Dolphins & Island ShellingYou board at Fort De Soto Bay Pier for a 45-to-60-minute ferry ride where dolphins and sea turtles often appear. Once on Egmont Key, you get three hours to swim, shell, explore Fort Dade, or watch for gopher tortoises. The ferry includes onboard restroom access and runs daily spring through summer, nearly daily the rest of the year.Is it for me?Pick this if you want a half-day island trip without arranging your own boat or managing timing—the ferry schedule and three-hour island window handle both, and the dolphin sightings on the ride there are what make the journey itself worth the ticket.
Gulf of Mexico: Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Dolphin ViewsYou’ll feel that salty Gulf breeze as you set off from Cambria Hotel docks, drink in hand if you want, watching dolphins play while music drifts over the water. With a friendly captain and good company, you’ll catch golden sunset light across famous homes before cruising along the beach after dusk—one of those evenings that lingers long after it ends.
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.
Shell Key Ferry: Uninhabited Island & Wildlife from Ft. DeSotoYou’ll board at Fort De Soto and take a quick ferry across bright water to Shell Key—a wild barrier island where you can spot dolphins or manatees on the way, hunt for shells along quiet beaches, or even camp overnight if you’re feeling adventurous. Bring your own snacks, maybe too many like I did, and let yourself slow down for a while.
Madeira Beach Parasailing: 10-Minute Flight & Water ViewsYou'll parasail for 10–12 minutes over Madeira Beach with a USCG-licensed captain, lifted hundreds of feet by a winch boat and lowered with a soft water landing. The outing takes 30 minutes to an hour total. Safety gear is included, and you can fly solo, in tandem, or as a group of three. Optional photo packages capture the flight.Is it for me?Book this if you want to parasail over the Gulf without worrying about equipment age or captain experience — the 26-year track record and 200,000+ completed flights mean you're not the test case.
Deep Sea Fishing from Madeira Beach: Half-Day CatchA half-day deep sea fishing trip from John's Pass in Madeira Beach puts you on the water for three hours targeting grey snapper, porgies, black seabass, hogfish, mangrove snapper and occasional mackerel or kingfish. Rod rentals and bait are included; a live English-speaking guide leads the outing. Your catch goes home with you or to The Friendly Fisherman Seafood Restaurant, located next door to the marina, where the kitchen will prepare it for you to eat right there.Is it for me?Five hours total means three hours on the water, leaving your morning or afternoon free for other plans—pick this one if you want to fish without losing a full day, or if you're building a day around a meal at the restaurant next door.
Treasure Island: Sunset Schooner Sailing & BYOB Shared CruiseYou’ll catch Treasure Island’s sunset from a classic schooner with BYOB freedom, free drinks and blankets for chilly breezes. Watch dolphins glide past as local crew steer through changing colors—there’s space to chat or just listen to the water under your feet. Bring your favorite drink and end up sharing stories with strangers who feel like friends by dusk.
St Petersburg Axe Throwing: 90-Minute Guided Session & CompetitionYou'll receive a safety briefing and hands-on coaching from certified instructors, then throw single and double-handed axes at your own pace while competing in a friendly match against your group. The session runs 90 minutes in a lodge-style venue where all areas are wheelchair accessible and no prior experience is required. Book directly for your preferred time slot.Is it for me?Book this if you want to try something genuinely different without needing any prior skill — the instructors handle the learning curve, and the fixed 90-minute format means you're done and satisfied without overthinking it.
