Sunset Cruise & Bridge Tour near St Pete: Two Options

The bridges glow in different colors every night after sunset.

Choose between two sunset boat tours departing St Pete: the intracoastal cruise watches for dolphins and homes on the water before catching the sunset in the gulf, or the bridge tour heads to Bunces Pass for sunset, then cruises past the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (lit in LEDs), Tierra Verde Bridge (blue-purple), and Bayway Bridge (white). A live English-speaking captain leads both. Actual start times vary with sunset. You'll receive the exact time after booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset cruise with wildlife and bridges

• Choose sunset intracoastal cruise or bridge tour
• Look for dolphins and wildlife
• Cruise intracoastal and view waterfront homes (intracoastal option)
• Head out into the gulf to catch sunset
• For bridge tour, cruise to Bunces Pass for sunset
• Cruise to Sunshine Skyway Bridge and view LED lights
• Visit Tierra Verde Bridge lit blueish purple
• Wrap up at Bayway Bridge lit red, white, and blue

The experience

The two options split after you board: the intracoastal cruise keeps you on the calm waterway looking for dolphins and wildlife while passing the homes along the shore, then heads out into the gulf to watch the sun drop. The bridge tour takes a different route: out to Bunces Pass first to catch sunset there, then turns back toward the lit bridges that make up the second half of the evening.

Once darkness falls, the bridge tour becomes the main event. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge switches colors most nights, lit by hundreds of LED lights. From there you cruise to the Tierra Verde Bridge glowing in blue-purple, and finish at the Bayway Bridge with its white cathedral-like architecture. Both tours keep you watching for dolphins and other wildlife throughout. The captain navigates and provides live commentary in English.

Timing shifts with the seasons (sunset happens earlier in winter, later in summer), so the operator will reach out after you book with your actual departure time, even though the listing shows 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. as the standard slots. The whole experience runs roughly two hours on the water.

What’s included

• A live English-speaking captain.
• wildlife watching throughout the cruise.
• for the bridge tour, views of three illuminated bridges after sunset.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private boat tour for a sunset cruiseGuide in English · Available from 23 Nov · 18:30

Charter for the Sunset Bridge TourGuide in English · Available from 23 Nov · 19:00

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 1h 45m, runs every day at 18:30 and 19:00, from US$ 285 per group, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 18:30 and 19:00Another time? ›

GroupPrivate4 group tours ›

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to18h before

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 yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Allens Aquatic Adventures

Is this one for you?Pick the intracoastal cruise if you want a slower pace and more time spotting dolphins in the calm waterway. Pick the bridge tour if the illuminated bridges and the variety of three different lit structures matter more to you than the wildlife search.

Traveler reviews

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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's the difference between the intracoastal cruise and the bridge tour?

The intracoastal cruise focuses on the calm waterway, dolphins, and waterfront homes before heading to the gulf for sunset. The bridge tour skips the intracoastal, goes straight to Bunces Pass for sunset, then spends the second half cruising past three illuminated bridges (Sunshine Skyway, Tierra Verde, and Bayway) each lit in different colors.

Will we actually see dolphins on this tour?

Both tours keep watch for dolphins and other wildlife throughout the cruise, but sightings are not guaranteed. The intracoastal route offers more chances since you spend time in that calmer waterway where dolphins are more common.

What time does the boat actually leave?

The listing shows 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. depending on which tour you pick, but the actual start time shifts with sunset. The operator will contact you after booking with the exact departure time for your date.

Can I bring a small child or infant?

Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the cruise. Small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and the tour is suitable for all fitness levels. Service animals are allowed on board.