Things to do in St Petersburg
Sort
St. Pete Dolphin Watching and Shelling Cruise: 3-Hour TourA three-hour St. Pete dolphin-watching and shelling cruise combines two 45-minute passes along the intercoastal waterways with up to an hour and a half ashore at Shell Island to swim and hunt for shells. The boat departs from one of four St. Pete-area locations and carries a live English-speaking guide, onboard bar and restroom, and plenty of shade for anyone who prefers to stay aboard and watch the waterfront homes and historic Gulfport pass by. Infants sit on an adult's lap; service animals are welcome.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to split your time between water and beach—the two dolphin-watching passes give you a real chance to see them, and the island stop lets you actually get in the water and hunt shells instead of just watching from the boat. The fixed three-hour window means you're back by early afternoon and can do something else the same day.
Madeira Beach: Pirate Cruise at John's Pass for FamiliesYou’ll step aboard a real pirate ship at John’s Pass in Madeira Beach, join lively games led by costumed crew, take in Gulf views with your family, and maybe spot dolphins along the way. Expect playful moments for kids—and adults who don’t mind being silly—with water included and plenty of time to soak up local color.
St Pete: Dolphin Watching Cruise & Shell Key Sunset StopYou’ll board a spacious catamaran in St Pete for dolphin watching along Shell Key Preserve, guided by locals who know every story behind those waters. Wander barefoot on Shell Key at sunset, hunt for shells or just listen to waves. Return beneath Pinellas Bayway Bridge’s arches as dusk settles in—maybe not every photo will be perfect, but you’ll remember how it felt.
St. Pete Beach: Dolphin Cruise & Boca Ciega Bay Boat TourYou’ll cruise from laid-back Gulfport through Boca Ciega Bay with a local captain, watching for dolphins as you pass Isla del Sol’s waterfront homes and the famous pink Don CeSar hotel. Expect warm breezes, close-up wildlife moments, and genuine Florida energy — plus space to relax or just watch kids get excited about every single splash.
St. Pete Sandbar Party Boat: 21+ Day Cruise & Floating BarYou board a 50-foot catamaran in St. Petersburg, cruise 30 to 45 minutes through the Intercoastal to Eleanor Island's sandbar, and spend the day floating with a drink and hundreds of other boats. The crew provides floats and runs the bar; you bring sunscreen and decide whether to buy drinks individually or grab an all-you-can-drink pass. A restroom is on board. The return trip follows the same route back to the dock.Is it for me?Book this if you want the sandbar party scene without owning a boat and without figuring out the logistics—the crew handles the navigation and the bar, so you just show up and float. It's built for groups and day drinkers who want the local weekend vibe at full volume.
Shell Key Preserve: Kayak Tour with Mangrove Tunnels & Island StopYou’ll paddle calm waters with a local guide through Shell Key Preserve, slip beneath mangrove tunnels if tides allow, watch for dolphins or manatees, then wander Shell Key Island at your own pace. Expect laughter, salt air on your skin, and small moments that linger long after you’ve rinsed off the sand.
Guided Clear Kayak Adventure in St Pete’s Shell KeyYou’ll glide across calm waters in a clear kayak, spotting dolphins, rays, and birds up close with an expert guide leading the way through Shell Key’s hidden mangroves. Perfect for curious travelers who want to see St Pete’s wild side from a whole new angle.
St Petersburg Segway Tour: 8 miles, Museum Admission IncludedA 2-hour guided Segway tour through downtown St Petersburg covers the waterfront, Pier Park and the Old Northeast neighborhood, with a live English-speaking guide and audio headset. Tour includes 20-minute training, helmet, water and admission to the Museum of History afterward. Maximum 6 riders per tour; riders must be at least 11 years old and weigh between 100 and 300 lbs.Is it for me?If you're new to St Petersburg or have a free afternoon and no car, this tour solves the distance problem — 8 miles of downtown in two hours without walking or driving yourself — and the Museum admission afterward means you're not hunting for another activity to fill the day.
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.
Saint Petersburg: Eco Segway Tour & Sunken Gardens EntryYou’ll glide along Tampa Bay’s seawall on a Segway, catch glimpses of dolphins or manatees if luck’s on your side, then explore four lush acres inside Sunken Gardens with flamingos and koi ponds all around. Your local guide keeps things relaxed and shares stories as you go. It’s an easygoing way to feel close to Saint Petersburg’s nature without breaking a sweat.
Shell Key Island: Dolphin Cruise & Shell Hunting from St PetersburgYou board a boat in St Petersburg, cruise through Dolphin Bay watching wild Bottlenose dolphins, pass through mangrove estuaries where manatees surface, then wade to Shell Key's beach to hunt for conchs, whelks, and rare Junonia shells. The whole trip takes 2.5 hours with a cooler included and BYOB permitted, so you're back in time for the rest of your day.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see wild dolphins and collect shells without committing a full day to the water—the 2.5-hour window fits between other plans, and the crew's fifteen years of experience means you'll actually find what you came for instead of spending the time searching.
Private Boat Charter St. Pete: Dolphins, Watersports & SnorkelingA private boat charter in St. Petersburg puts you on the water with a captain, snorkeling equipment and watersports gear for dolphin watching, wakeboarding, tubing, snorkeling or island hopping. You choose the activity and the length of your trip—two, three, four or six hours—and the captain runs the boat while you focus on what you came to do. Service animals are welcome, and infants can ride along.Is it for me?Your captain handles navigation and boat management while you focus on dolphins, snorkeling, watersports or whatever brought you out on the water.
Treasure Island: Day Sailing Tour on Real Schooner BoatYou’ll step aboard a real schooner in Treasure Island with a small group (max 25), feeling salt spray as you sail under wind power—no engines roaring here. Spot dolphins if you’re lucky, bring your own drinks (they’ve got coolers), and let local crew handle everything else. It’s relaxed Florida sailing—with bottled water included—that’ll leave you grinning long after you’re back on shore.
St Petersburg: E-Bike Tour Murals, Dali Museum & Waterfront SightsYou’ll ride an e-bike along St Petersburg’s waterfront with a local guide, spotting dolphins and manatees (if you’re lucky), pausing for murals and palm gardens, and catching glowing views of the Dalí Museum after hours. Feel the city’s energy as you pass historic parks and watch planes lift off by the bay — it’s more vivid than you’d expect.
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.
St Petersburg: Private Island Cruise & Dolphin WatchingYou board a private boat with Captain Tyler and spend 2 to 5 hours exploring Tampa Bay's islands and waterways. The core trip includes Coffee Pot Bayou's bird sanctuary and dolphin-spotting along the neighborhoods; longer upgrades add Shell Key's beaches, Bunces Pass's Gulf-edge sandbar, or Egmont Key's historic ruins and gopher tortoises. Tubing and snorkeling gear are included, and you can bring your own food and drinks. The boat has a full bathroom and swim ladder, and you choose whether to cruise, tube, or anchor and float.Is it for me?Book this if you want to explore Tampa Bay's islands and sandbars without arranging your own boat or worrying about navigation—Captain Tyler handles the route and knows where to find dolphins and birds, which is what makes the whole day feel less like sightseeing and more like being shown around.
St. Pete Pier: Floating Tiki Bar Cruise with BYOB & Private BoatYou arrive at St. Pete Pier with your own drinks and snacks, board a private or shared tiki boat with a licensed captain, and cruise the waterfront while playing your music and watching the skyline. The boat includes a cooler with ice and a Bluetooth speaker; you bring everything else. Groups up to six can book the entire boat, or join other travelers on a per-person basis.Is it for me?Book this if you want to skip the overpriced bar scene and control your own experience on the water — the BYOB setup and private captain are what make a casual afternoon on the bay actually affordable and fun.
Tiki Boat Cruise to John's Pass Sandbar, Madeira BeachYou’ll climb aboard a spacious tiki boat at Madeira Beach for a laid-back cruise to John’s Pass sandbar. With your own music playing and dolphins sometimes popping up nearby, you’ll soak up sun and laughter alongside locals and friends. Expect cold bottled water, plenty of room to dance or relax, and moments that stay with you long after you’re back on shore.Is it for me?You control the playlist, choose between sandbar lounging, bar-hopping, or cruising, and bring your own drinks—we provide the coolers and ice.
St. Pete: Party Bike Bar Crawl & Murals with Trolley PubYou’ll pedal through downtown St. Pete on a party bike with other travelers, stopping at lively bars and colorful murals while your guide shares stories and keeps things light. Expect music you can control, BYOB vibes (with a cooler onboard), and maybe even some friendly dogs at one of the breweries. It’s social without pressure—just enough adventure for an afternoon you’ll remember.
Kayaking Shell Key Preserve: Mangrove tunnels and wildlifeGuided kayaking tour of Shell Key Preserve near Tampa Bay, paddling through mangrove islands, seagrass flats and pristine beaches while looking for dolphins and manatees. The tour runs about three hours with a live English-speaking guide, double kayaks, all equipment provided, and a 30-minute beach stop at Shell Key itself. No paddling experience is required; the guide covers a waterproof overview before launch and discusses the preserve's ecosystem and history along the way.Is it for me?Book the clear kayak option if you want to see the seagrass and shallow bottom while you paddle; choose the standard sit-on-top if you prioritize stability and comfort on the water. Either way, the shallow depth and mangrove environment mean you're exploring a protected ecosystem rather than open bay, so wildlife sightings and the tunnels (when tides allow) are what set this preserve apart from deeper-water kayaking elsewhere in Tampa Bay.
