Dolphin Sightseeing Boat Tours
St. Pete Dolphin Sightseeing Tour
Experience Dolphins Up Close in St. Pete
Experience Dolphins
Up Close in St. Pete
Join us for an unforgettable day of dolphin watching in beautiful St. Pete! Step aboard The Pelican and get ready to witness dolphins leaping through the waves and spot seabirds like pelicans, egrets, herons, and osprey. If you’re lucky, you might even encounter manatees or sea turtles!
Price
Adults $59 | Children 12 and under $39
Duration
2-hour round-trip ride to Egmont Key and back for dolphin spotting
2 hours of island time with access to the boat and snorkeling gear
Details
Boarding begins 30 min prior to sailing
Departs from St. Pete Pier
While dolphins LOVE playing in the wake of our boat, we do not guarantee dolphin sightings.
Stunning Views and Onboard Comfort
Our 4-hour tour begins with a scenic, 1-hour cruise under the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge, offering prime dolphin-watching opportunities. From there, we head to Egmont Key for 2-hours of island exploration.
Depending on the tide and any waves, you could exit into waist-high water to get to shore. Our custom-built stairs allows for easy access from the boat onto the island, and getting back up for our return to the pier.
If you prefer to stay onboard, The Pelican provides ample shade for a laid-back experience. Hang out on deck and chat with our friendly crew about the local area and wildlife, soak in the coastal scenery, and listen to island music.
Unlike the ferry, The Pelican will remain docked at the island for you to have access to our facilities, as the island does not have amenities like restrooms or drinking water. Plus, we’ve got a selection of refreshing adult beverages available!
Dolphin Spotting from St. Pete Pier to Egmont Key
Upon departing Egmont Key, we will have an opportunity to once again search for dolphins along the 1-hour trip back to the St. Pete Pier.
All tours are fully narrated, informative and fun. For your convenience, refreshments, and snacks are available on board. The Pelican offers a covered outdoor area, an air-conditioned interior with 2 bathrooms, comfortable seating throughout, and open decks for catching the ocean breeze.
Important Notice: Alcohol, pets, drones, and glass are prohibited on Egmont Key due to its status as a wildlife preserve.
Things to do at Egmont Key
Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge and State Park is a picturesque, family-friendly island open to visitors of all ages, offering a wide range of activities. Relax on pristine beaches, swim in the crystal-clear waters, observe fascinating wildlife, and uncover the island’s hidden gems.
View Tortoises, Nesting Birds & Other Wildlife
Egmont Key provides an excellent habitat for the endangered Gopher Tortoise. Between 1000 - 1500 tortoises roam the interior of the island but can often be seen foraging on vegetation near the beach. As they are endangered, they can be admired but not touched! Florida box turtles can sometimes be seen as you walk the six miles of historic paths. Approximately 30-70 Loggerhead sea turtles nest on the island. Additionally, the island is refuge to over 30,000 nesting pairs of birds, and other wildlife. Bird sanctuaries at the south end of the island make up about 1/3 of Egmont Key, with approximately 97 acres set aside for wildlife to rest, nest, and feed.
Exploring Fort Dade, The Lighthouse & Nature Trail Hiking
Egmont Key is home to historic Fort Dade, built in 1898 and served during the Spanish American War. Although it never saw any battles it was occupied as a military reservation protecting the inlet of Tampa Bay until 1923. Walk through the historic ruins of Fort Dade or along the carriage paths that remain from the days when Fort Dade was an active community with 300 residents. One hundred year old brick roads form the base of most of the trails.
Swimming, Snorkeling & Shelling
Many varieties of shells wash ashore on the beaches of Egmont Key and sharks teeth are often found on the western shores. You can find seashells on the pristine white sand beaches surrounding the island or search for them while swimming or snorkeling. Collection of LIVE shells is not allowed.
To fully enjoy your adventure, we recommend bringing essentials like sunscreen, insect repellent, towels, bathing suits, sun-protective hats, and comfortable walking shoes for exploring the island’s trails and natural beauty.
Please note that as Egmont Key is a protected wildlife preserve, alcohol, glass, pets, kites, and drones are not permitted on the island.
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge view
Book Your Dolphin Sightseeing Tour Today!
Catch dolphins making a splash alongside the boat as we make our way to Egmont Key, where you can snorkel in crystal-clear waters, explore the historic Fort Dade, and encounter Florida’s rich wildlife, including gopher tortoises and seabirds.
What to bring on this tour:
Bathing suits and towels
Comfortable walking shoes
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Host your next party with The Pelican! Our 60-foot vessel holds up to 49 passengers and is available for special private charter events like birthdays, fundraisers, family reunions, corporate parties, and weddings.
For smaller gatherings our sister company, St. Pete Boat Tours, offers trips for up to 6 guests to explore Tampa Bay. All private charters are fun, fully crewed, and tailored to you!
Daily St. Pete Boat Charters
Get the best views of Downtown St. Pete and Tampa Bay from the water, on The Pelican!
What guests say about Dolphin Sightseeing on The Pelican
Curlytop
An amazing experience! The Captain & crew were so friendly and helpful, the St. Pete is a great boat - everything was perfect. On our way back, the captain even drove the boat in a giant donut so we could see the dolphins! Thank you for an unforgettable adventure!
Andy N.
Took son and his family on this boat trip. All had a phenomenal time! Crew professional, friendly and helpful at all times. Boat clean. Saw several dolphins and on the island several tortoises. Two hours on boat and two hours on island a nice balance. Highly recommend this experience!
Kari C.
We had a blast. The boat wasn't over crowded, which made it more personal. They let our boys hang out with the captain! The shelling was good around Egmont! They even made sure we were able to see some dolphins on the way back! They were very welcoming and helpful! We will definitely go on their boat again!
Ready to Set Sail?
Get the best views of Downtown St. Pete from the water, on The Pelican!
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