Our 15 Best St Petersburg Florida Dolphin Watching Tours

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

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

Set out from Tierra Verde Marina on a 25-foot pontoon with up to six people. Captain Noel, Megan, or Dave may guide you across Boca Ciega Bay to look for dolphins and manatees, then stop at Shell Key for beach snorkeling, swimming, and shell collecting. Water, gear, ice, and free parking are included.

“Go for 4 hours instead of 2. It was the highlight of our trip to Florida. Noel was the best and made sure we had a great experience..thank you Noel”

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2.Dolphin Watching/Eco Cruise, John’s Pass, Madeira Bch, FL

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 529 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $31

Set out from John's Pass with Dolphin Quest for a 90-minute eco cruise along Madeira Beach and St. Pete Bay. Guides such as Captain Steve, Captain Jim, Kirsten, and Grace point out bottlenose dolphins, manatees, waterfront homes, boats, and local sights. The boat holds up to 35 people and has a restroom, snacks, and drinks for sale.

“We saw a lot of dolphins Kirsten was really knowledgeable and answered all our questions She was also friendly and funny We had a wonderful time”

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3.Dolphin Watching Nature Cruise and Eco Tour from Hubbard’s Marina in John’s Pass

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 402 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $29

Cruise the calm waters near John’s Pass and Madeira Beach aboard Hubbard’s Marina’s Big Blue Boat. Your captain and crew share facts about dolphins, birds, local homes, boats, and beach history while searching for wildlife. The 90-minute trip has restrooms, indoor and outdoor seating, and snacks and drinks for sale.

“Easy walk up. Lots of food and shopping around dock area to enjoy before it after your cruise. Captain very knowledgeable about the area. We saw dolphins as promised but didn't expect a show like at all aquarium. Dolphins did what dolphins do!!!! We saw manatees too.”

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4.St. Pete Beach Dolphin Racer Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 344 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $36

Join Starlite Cruises at 3400 Pasadena Ave S for a 90-minute dolphin cruise around the Gulf of Mexico and nearby waterways. Your captain shares local and wildlife facts while the boat searches for dolphins riding the wake. The trip suits all ages, includes live commentary, and offers a free return ride if dolphins are not seen surfing.

“The captain and his assistant are funny and every time we've gone on this tour we've had an amazing time!”

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5.Dolphin Shelling Snorkeling Cruise in Tampa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 329 reviews · 3 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $66

Cruise from Madeira Beach to Shell Key Preserve on a small boat limited to six people. Your captain may include dolphins, shelling, snorkeling, and wildlife viewing, depending on weather and sea conditions. Snorkel gear, a cooler, and ice are provided. Captains including John, Tim, Hunter, Troy, and Elijah have led recent trips.

“My son & I had Troy for a captain and it was so fun! Troy knew where to go to see the dolphins and we even got them playing in our wake a few times. Overall I think we saw around 20 different dolphins. I would highly recommend this adventure.”

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6.St. Pete Dolphin Watching and Shelling Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 197 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $42

Cruise from St. Petersburg past waterfront estates, Gulfport, and distinctive bridges while watching for dolphins and other wildlife. Captains such as Paul, Chase, Barry, and Dillon share local insight before a 90-minute stop at Shell Key, Sand Dollar Island, or North Beach at Fort De Soto. Swim, search for shells, or relax aboard with a drink from the onboard bar.

“The respectful crew and of course seeing the dolphins. The crew was informative and courteous. So many dolphin encounters and the shelling was great too!”

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7.Dolphin Tour in St. Pete Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 119 reviews · from $30

Join Emily, Rob, or another Salty Pelican guide aboard the Dolphin Quest from Gulfport. This 90-minute cruise passes Pass-a-Grille Beach while you look for wild dolphins, manatees, rays, and seabirds. The shaded 40-foot pontoon holds up to 17 guests, includes a restroom, and returns to the starting dock.

“This was a great time for our family. We saw lots of dolphins, the captain & his wife were very informative & friendly! Great little excursion.”

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8.Egmont Key Snorkeling Dolphin Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 98 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $95

This four-hour boat trip from Madeira Beach takes up to six people toward Egmont Key for snorkeling, wildlife, and island time. You get gear, water, and an onboard cooler. Captain Brian, John, Chris, Mike, Troy, Elijah, and others have led recent trips, with dolphin sightings often part of the fun, though weather can change the route.

“Great time, Captain Chris is awesome. Such a beautiful time on the water, saw Manatees, Dolphins and much more. Thank you :)”

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9.4 Hour Egmont Key Island Tour With Dolphins & Snorkeling Included

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 94 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $79

From Gulfport, Island Boat Adventures takes you by boat toward Egmont Key or a nearby substitute when conditions require it. Expect dolphin and manatee sightings, snorkeling with equipment provided, and about 90 minutes to explore an island beach, hunt shells, and walk among wildlife. John, Tanner, and Tom have served as guides.

“Great experience! We saw manatees, dolphins, snokleling, beautiful beaches. My only thing is that there is a “requirement for 18-20% tip” yet I didn’t feel like there was a huge reason for it. No one went above and beyond for anything that we did. If you are going to require that, add it to the price of the excursion.”

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10.Private Boat: Island Cruise and Dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Set out from downtown St. Petersburg with Captain Tyler or Captain Justin for a private cruise around Tampa Bay. Look for dolphins, Roseate spoonbills, herons, ibis, pelicans, and cormorants, then swim, snorkel, tube, or relax with your own food and music. Longer trips reach Shell Key, Bunces Pass, or Egmont Key.

“We were visiting family in the area and wanted to see a sunset and learn a little bit more about the area. Captain Tyler was extremely knowledgeable and very accommodating to us traveling with a 2 year old. The bird sanctuary stop was sooo amazing!”

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11.Barrier Island, Shelling and Dolphin Tour in St Petersburg, Fl

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $420

Captain Joe of Salt and Mist Sea Tours takes your private group from O’Neill’s Marina into Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico for about three hours. Expect wildlife viewing, a barrier island beach stop, shell hunting, waterfront homes, and time for swimming or lunch. Bottled water and ice are included. Food, alcohol, fuel, and gratuity cost extra.

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12.Dolphin /Shelling/Snorkeling tours Private Charters

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 59 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $55

You’ll cruise from Treasure Island aboard Adventure 1, a Coast Guard-inspected boat with a restroom and shaded seating. The captain and crew look for dolphins, then stop near Shell Key for about 45 minutes of shell collecting and possible snorkeling. Bring a container for shells. Wildlife sightings and water clarity depend on conditions.

“The boat ride was amazing!! Along the way we seen the beautiful dolphins and sea birds. We got off the boat near a secluded island and looked for shells and also got to snorkel. A wonderful experience/expedition.”

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13.St. Pete Dolphin Watching and Island Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 45 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $56

Set out from Gulfport on a small-group cruise for up to 25 people. Guide Justice shares local details as you pass sailboats, bridges, Pass-a-Grille Beach, and Shell Key Preserve. Watch for dolphins, use the onboard bar, then spend about 45 minutes hunting shells or walking the beach at sunset.

“What a fantastic experience! Justice is very knowledgeable about the surrounding area. We saw tons of dolphins and we had a great time! 💕”

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14.1-hour Dolphin Sightseeing Adventure Cruise from Madeira Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · from $28Best value

Board the Shark Boat at John’s Pass for a 60-minute ride through Boca Ciega Bay. The captain and mate search for dolphins and use the boat’s wake to encourage playful jumps. Crew members such as Captain Jim, Dustin, Grace, Chris, and Tracy have earned praise for friendly help, photos, and family entertainment.

“Had a fun day, enjoyed the beautiful weather and the dolphins was cool as they swam together along side of the boat 🚢⛵”

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15.2.5 Hour Shell Key Island Adventure Including Dolphins And Shells

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $59

From Gulfport, Captain Mike, John, Tom, or another local captain takes you across Dolphin Bay to Shell Key. Look for dolphins, manatees, birds, sand dollars, conchs, whelks, and possibly a Junonia shell. You get time ashore to walk, swim, relax, and collect shells. BYOB is allowed, and a cooler is provided.

“Our captain was very knowledgeable about the places to go, He helped us find shells and sand dollars. He told us great stories and he was just too cool.”

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