Always On The Shore contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase, we make a small commission at no cost to you. For more information, please read the disclaimer page.
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!
7 Best St. Pete Sunset Cruises & Boat Tours
Booking a last-minute trip to St Pete Beach?
If so, we have you covered. Here are some top recommended hotels!
Top Hotels In St Pete Beach
Treasure Island Beach Resort – (Beautiful Beach View And Amenities)
Sunset Beach Suites – (Best Budget Hotel Near Madeira Beach)
FUSION Resort – (Top Rated Resort Located In Treasure Island)
Hilton Garden Inn – (Beachfront Hotel Near Long Key Beach)
Looking To Get Around In St Pete Beach?
Check out rental car rates here! 🚗
This tour is rated 5 Stars on Trip Advisor with over 856 reviews!
Tour length- Approximately 2 Hours
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!
What’s included:
√ Bottled water
√ Use of Snorkeling equipment
√ Parking at the marina
What a former guest said about the experience:
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
This tour is rated 5 Stars on Trip Advisor with over 2624 reviews!
Tour length- Approximately 2 hours
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.
What’s Included
√ Equipment including tandem kayaks, paddles, seats, and dry bags
√ Safety equipment including lifejackets and whistles
Here is what a past guest had to say about the tour:
We had Chris as our tour guide and he made it such an amazing experience. He took the time to explain where we were going and what we were experiencing. 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
Photo Credit- Speed Boat Adventures
This company is rated 5 Stars on Trip Advisor with over 387 reviews!
Tour length- Approximately 90 minutes
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 sight wildlife, and guiding you past gorgeous islands, beaches, wildlife refuges, and more.
What’s included:
√ Your own F13 mini speed boat
√ United States Coast Guard-approved life jacket
√ A professionally trained guide leading and narrating the tour
What a past guest has to say about the Speed Boat adventure:
We did the Speedboat Tour in mid-December. We were lucky as we were the only booking so we had Captain Scott to ourselves. It was a fantastic few hours. We were a little anxious as we don’t normally do water sports of the high adrenaline order! We had a safety meeting then meandered out of the harbor past numerous yachts… As we left the harbor we spotted a group of dolphins, what a start. But once we got outside and put the throttle down WOW!! We felt extremely safe with Captain Scott never more than 100 yards in front of us, who came back to us at times to fill us in on interesting facts about the bay and some of the mansions and owners in the area. A great morning out! – Paul_M
This company is rated 5 Stars on Trip Advisor with over 88 reviews!
Tour length- Approximately 2.5 Hours
Sail to Treasure Island, watch the sunset, and enjoy the sound of wind in the sails.
What’s included:
√ Soda/Pop
√ Bottled water
√ A Cooler with ice for any drinks you’d like to bring aboard yourself
√ Access to a bathroom on board
What a previous guest had to say about the sunset sail:
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
Photo Credit- Starlight Cruises
This tour is rated 4.5 Stars with over 192 reviews!
Tour length- Approximately 2 Hours
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.
What’s included
√ Buffet-style dinner served on board the boat
√ Unlimited soft drinks, beer, wine, and rum punch
√ Restroom available on board
√ Views of St. Pete Beach from the water
What a prior guest had to say about the Tropical Party Cruise:
Booked the 6 p.m. for my husband’s bday. To be honest I thought, “I hope the food is good.” Well the food was AMAZING, we had seconds. 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 10 being the best, we rate this cruise at 1,000. It’s a must do and it is kid friendly as well. – Tamara_R
This tour is rated 4.5 Stars with over 186 reviews!
Tour length- Approximately 1 Hour
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.
What’s included:
√ The trip out from the marina
√ Safety gear
√ 1 Parasailing Flight
Note: You can add Photo Packages and/or a GoPro for an additional fee.
What a former guest had to say about the experience:
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
Photo Credit- Starlight Cruises
This tour is rated 4.5 Stars with over 200 reviews!
Tour length- Approximately 2.5 Hours
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.
What’s included:
√ An evening cruise
√ Live music and dancing
Note: Dinner and drinks are available for purchase
What a former guest had to say about the experience:
Everyone is so nice and welcoming from the beginning. The service was impeccable. The food was so delicious and the drinks very yummy! The setting and the atmosphere was so romantic. The singing was lively and amazing. The yacht is beautiful! I really loved the attention to details. 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?
Never hit the water without your sunscreen. You’ll want at least SPF 30 to protect from the Florida sun.
Sun Bum Sun Screen
If you’re planning a boat cruise, quick drying beach towels are an essential item to pack. Unlike regular towels, quick drying beach towels are made from materials that dry quickly, meaning you won’t have to worry about them getting wet and heavy as the day goes on.
Quick Drying Beach Towel
Bring back memories from your underwater adventure with this waterproof camera that’s made for snorkeling!
Waterproof Camera
Keep your phone dry and take beautiful pictures under water with a waterproof phone case.
Waterproof Phone Case
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!
You may be interested in these related posts:
15 Best Beaches In Tampa, Florida! (2022)
12 Waterfront Restaurants- St Pete And Nearby To Try (2022)!
15 Memorable Day Trips From Tampa
16 Things To Do At The St. Pete Pier And Nearby
Travel Resources
Book Your Next Trip! For Accommodations and short-term rentals, I recommend Booking.com as they are the best in the business when it comes to rates and places to stay.
To Book Activities- For activities, I suggest booking with Viator, they have thousands of 5-star activities to choose from!
Looking To Start Your Own Travel Blog Or Take Yours To The Next Level?
Check Out This Free Workshop!– I personally joined Scale Your Travel Blog in 2021 and my website has grown exponentially.
