6 Dolphin Tours in Tampa & St Petersburg That Repay the Ticket

1.Little Toot Dolphin Adventure at Clearwater Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,594 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $37Our pick

Board the tugboat-style Little Toot at Clearwater Beach for a 75-minute narrated cruise through Clearwater Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico. The boat’s large wake attracts wild dolphins, often bringing them close to the stern. Choose sun or shade, move around onboard, and enjoy music, wildlife commentary, and views from a central marina departure.

“The boat was cute, clean and comfortable and the crew was friendly We saw multiple dolphins in the harbor area and out in the gulf. It was cool to see them jumping the boat wake like we were part of a show at Sea World! However, the experience would have been enhanced if we had learned more about the area and marine life along the way.”

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2.Clearwater Encounters with Dolphins Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,185 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35

Cruise Clearwater Harbor aboard a 40-foot Coast Guard-inspected boat with a captain and crew who search for bottlenose dolphins and explain the area’s wildlife. The trip lasts about 90 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes, including 20 to 30 minutes at Compass Island, where you can swim, hunt for shells, and let children search for treasure.

“The crew was lovely and the experience was wondrous. Saw dolphins, many birds, Mantas, and even got to see a Eagle ray jump straight out the water. As well as many rich people's houses 😁 The island stop was also great and we found many beautiful shell there.”

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3.Small Group 2 Hour Dolphin Cruise with Snorkeling to Shell Key

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,523 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75

Watch for dolphins and manatees on a two-hour cruise from Tierra Verde Marina Resort, then visit Shell Key for beach shelling and shallow-water snorkeling. The 25-foot pontoon carries no more than six people, with bottled water, gear, ice, and free parking included. Captains such as Noel, Megan, and Dave add local wildlife knowledge.

“We took this tour at the end of June. There was limited amount of sea life. …2 dolphins and 2 sea manatees. The sea life and shelling wasn’t as great as on our Hilton Head trip during the same month last year. The captain was very nice and we had the pontoon completely to ourselves… the reason for the 3 stars. But 2 members had to miss the tour at the last minute due to our granddaughter contracting a virus with a high grade fever. The tour company refused to accommodate us and change the tour to a later date. We did book the tour through Viator who also refused…”

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4.Guaranteed Dolphin Sighting Tour on Tropics Boat Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 947 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $37

Cruise from Clearwater Beach with The Tropics Boat Tours for about 1 hour 45 minutes in search of wild bottlenose dolphins. Your captain and crew share facts about marine life, the Gulf Coast, and waterfront mansions. Brad and Regan have earned special praise for their friendly commentary, though dolphin sightings are guaranteed through a free return ride, not always on the first trip.

“Had a blast highly recommend.. got to see a lot of dolphins and the crew is very knowledgeable about the area”

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5.Clearwater Beach: Dolphin & Island Sandbar Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 767 reviews · 2 hours · from $28Best value

Spend two hours cruising from Clearwater Beach with a USCG captain and English-speaking guide. Look for dolphins, hear local stories, then stop at One-Tree Island for a short swim. Bring your own drinks and snacks, use the onboard coolers, and expect free ice cream for children.

“The ride and the captain it was amazing seeing the dolphins”

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6.Mega Bite Dolphin Tour Boat in Clearwater Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 545 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $28

Ride Mega Bite, a 50-foot shark-themed boat, for about an hour around Clearwater Beach. The captain creates a large wake that can bring dolphins close, while the crew points out homes, islands, and local sights. Bring sealed snacks and drinks, use the onboard cooler, and consider a sunset departure for better views.

“Very nice staff loved it… We came from Chicago and would definitely come back the view was so perfect…”

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