7 Best St. Pete Sunset Cruises & Boat Tours!

Are you looking for the best St. Pete sunset cruises and boat tours?  Smart move!  St. Petersburg offers a ton of incredible on-the-water tours, from sailing and party cruises to speed boating, kayak trips, and parasailing. 

Enjoy romance, tranquility, adventure, and family fun in the midst of mangroves, sailing ships, secluded coves, and pods of dolphins.

No matter what kind of boat tour you’re interested in, you’ll find one you’ll love on this list of the best St. Pete Beach sunset cruises and boat tours.  Let’s get to it!   

Want to witness a Skyway light show while on a cruise? Interested in a glow-in-the-dark kayak tour? Want to know the best sunset cruise in St Petersburg?

With plenty of options online, choosing the right tour can be a hard time. Fret not, I’m here to help!

Below are the 7 best sunset cruises and boat tours in St Petersburg, Florida, all handpicked for your preference and desired activities!

 1. Dolphin Watch Cruise With Snorkeling To Shell Key – Best Dolphin Tour 

Tour Rating: 5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️    Length: 2 Hours      Check Rates Here

Whatever you do, you won’t want to miss the dolphin tours in St Petersburg Florida!  There is nothing like watching these amazing mammals in their element.

Consider booking this Dolphin Watch Cruise with Snorkeling to Shell Key.

You’ll board a 25-foot luxury pontoon boat, then cruise through Boca Ciega Bay and Shell Key in the Gulf of Mexico.

Along the way, you’ll get the chance to see manatees, rays, dolphins, and sea birds.

Once in Shell Key, you can swim, snorkel, or wander the beach looking for shells. It’s a lovely and picturesque tour.

This tour is kid-friendly!

Here’s what the past guest said about this tour:

“Dalton was great!  Full of knowledge and very friendly.  We saw so many dolphins and Shell Key was a relaxing and perfect way to end the trip.  Great trip!!  Definitely would recommend Island Ferry!”

Michelle_M ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

✅ What’s included in this tour:

• Bottled water

• Use of Snorkeling equipment

• Parking at the marina

2. Clear Kayak Tour Of Shell Key & Tampa Bay – Best Kayak Tour 

Tour Rating: 5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️    Length: 2 Hours      Check Rates Here

If you’re looking for St. Petersburg boat tours, look no further than this amazing Clear Kayak Tour. What a cool way to glimpse the underwater world!

During this kayak tour, you’ll see marine life (maybe even dolphins), coastal birds, and lush mangroves.

You’ll also stop at Shell Key for a refreshing swim. Chill on the beach, collect shells, and enjoy taking photos to document the experience.

Along the way, you’ll have excellent views of Tampa Bay. Your expert guide will give you information about the plants and animals you see, point out things you missed, and help you navigate the mangroves.

If you’ve never paddled before, don’t worry! This tour is designed to be accessible. You’ll learn handy tricks about navigating the waterways.

Here’s what a past guest said about this tour:

“We had Chris as our tour guide and he made it such an amazing experience… He was very informative and we learned a lot.  We had some wildlife sightings along the way including birds and dolphins.  Our favorite stop of the trip was Shell Key where we could take a swim.  It was a great day and would definitely come back again!”

Tammy_A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3. St. Petersburg Speed Boat Adventure – Best Speed Boat Tour

Tour Rating: 5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️    Length: 1.5 Hours      Check Rates Here

This Speed Boat Adventure is one of the best boat tours St Petersburg has to offer.

The tour starts off with a basic orientation about how to handle the boat and follow important boating rules.

Next, you’ll hop in a private F-13 mini speedboat and follow your guide (in another speedboat) through the congestion of the bay.

Now it’s time to put the throttle down! Zoom along over the waves exploring the Tampa Triangle.

Your guide will check in now and then, offering info about the Florida coastline, helping you see wildlife, and guiding you past gorgeous islands, beaches, wildlife refuges, and more.

Here’s what a past guest said about this tour:

“Captain Scott was amazing and made the day very enjoyable. Highly Recommend!! The sights, the history, and the experience were worth it!” 

Steve_G ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Your own F13 mini speed boat

• United States Coast Guard-approved life jacket

• A professionally trained guide leading and narrating the tour

4. Suncoast Sunset Sailing Experience – Best Sailing Tour

Tour Rating: 5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️    Length: 2.5 Hours      Check Rates Here

If you’re looking for romantic or tranquil St Petersburg boat tours, check out this wonderful Sunset Sailing Experience.

It’s the perfect tour to celebrate a special event or the joy of being alive in a lovely place.

Sail to Treasure Island, watch the sunset, and enjoy the sound of wind in the sails.

Here’s what a past guest said about this tour:

“We had a great crew and cruise. The sunset was gorgeous. I love to sail.  It was a dream come true.  It was such a romantic evening with my wife.”

Jamie_L ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

✅ What’s included in this tour:

• Soda/Pop

• Bottled water

• A Cooler with ice for any drinks you’d like to bring aboard yourself

• Access to a bathroom on board

👉 Prefer to sail during the day?  Check out this Suncoast Sailing’s Day Sailing Experience

5. Tropical Party Cruise – Best Dinner Cruise

Tour Rating: 4.5 Stars  ⭐️⭐️⭐️    Length: 2 Hours      Check Rates Here

Join this Calypso Breeze Tropical Party Cruise for an unforgettable evening.

Dance to the music, eat a yummy meal from the tropical-themed buffet, and enjoy unlimited drinks from the open bar.

All the while, the boat will be cruising past St. Pete Beach.

This tour is kid-friendly. They can boogie on the top deck, chow down on their buffet favorites, and get a sugar rush from all the free soda.

Nothing beats dinner and tunes on the water to soak in the splendor of the Florida Coast.

Here’s what a past guest said about this tour:

“Booked the 6 p.m. for my husband’s birthday… The food was AMAZING, we had seconds.  The staff was so professional and friendly.  We would definitely return, it was worth every penny. Fun and relaxing cruise.  Beautiful cruise seeing dolphins, beautiful Bay homes. On a scale of 10 being the best, we rate this cruise at 1,000.  It’s a must and it is kid-friendly as well.”

Tamara_R ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

6. Parasail Flight At Madeira Beach

Tour Rating: 4.5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️    Length: 1 Hour      Check Rates Here

Another fabulous way to enjoy St. Pete is to go on a Parasail Flight at Madeira Beach. 

The tour starts out with a boat trip.  Then you’ll hop in the parasail by yourself or with up to two more people and soar over the waves.

This sounds like so much fun and is perfect for families, couples, and groups of friends.

Here’s what a past guest said about this tour:

“It was my first time parasailing AND my first time on a boat.  I absolutely loved how perky and friendly the captain was.  They made sure we were properly harnessed in and we had a good amount of time in the air.  Felt safe and had fun the whole time.  10/10 would recommend!”

Delilah_H ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

7. Evening Yacht Cruise With Optional Dining In St Petersburg

Tour Rating: 4.5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️    Length: 2.5 Hours      Check Rates Here

Another highly-rated St. Petersburg boat tour is this Evening Yacht Cruise.

Step onto this 113-foot-long dining yacht and sail into the Gulf of Mexico.  Explore both decks until you find your favorite spot to take in the views of Tampa Bay.

You can also opt to have dinner and/or drinks aboard to make the evening extra special and fun.

There is live music, so if you’d like, you can finish off by dancing with your partner or friends.

Here’s what a past guest said about this tour:

“Everyone is so nice and welcoming… service was impeccable, the food was so delicious, and the drinks very yummy!  The setting and the atmosphere were so romantic.  The singing was lively and amazing.  The yacht is beautiful!  I really loved the attention to detail.  How they went above and beyond to make each individual feel special and how they celebrated everyone’s special occasion.  I never had such a beautiful experience in my life.  Thank you!”

Annette_G ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What Should I Bring On The Boat Tour?

Final Thoughts: 7 Best St. Pete Sunset Cruises & Boat Tours

White sand beaches, dolphins, manatees, and mangroves all add to the charm of visiting St. Pete.  What better way to enjoy them than with these incredible beach sunset cruises and boat tours?

Book one (or a few) of your favorites and go have an awesome time.  St Pete boat tours and sunset cruises for the win!

Additional St Petersburg Travel Blogs