Dolphin Tour in St. Pete Beach
Description
Soak up the Florida sunshine on a laid-back dolphin and sightseeing cruise through the sparkling waters of Boca Ciega Bay. Keep watch for playful bottlenose dolphins as we glide past the colorful waterfront of Gulfport, the scenic campus of Eckerd College, the luxury homes of Isla del Sol, and the iconic pink Don CeSar along St. Pete Beach. With warm Gulf breezes, panoramic coastal views, and a relaxed atmosphere onboard, this small-group boat tour is the perfect way to experience St. Petersburg from the water.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Kick off your adventure in charming Gulfport, a colorful waterfront village where sailboats sway, pelicans dive, and sunsets steal the show. This laid-back bayside town blends Old Florida charm with beachy, artsy energy. Stroll the marina, snap photos by the historic waterfront casino, and soak up the relaxed coastal vibe before cruising into Boca Ciega Bay in search of dolphins. It’s the perfect start to your Salty Pelican getaway.
Soak up the sunshine along St. Pete Beach, where powder-soft white sand meets sparkling turquoise Gulf waters. Cruise past swaying palms and the famous pink Don CeSar as seabirds glide overhead and dolphins play offshore. With warm breezes, postcard sunsets, and pure Florida beach energy, this iconic stretch of coastline delivers the ultimate vacation backdrop for your Salty Pelican adventure. ☀️
Cruise past the legendary Don CeSar, the iconic pink “Palace” that has defined the skyline of St. Pete Beach since 1928. Built during the roaring twenties by developer Thomas Rowe, this grand Mediterranean Revival resort quickly became a playground for America’s elite, hosting celebrities, dignitaries, and even U.S. presidents. During World War II, it served as a military hospital before returning to its glamorous resort roots. From the water, its blush-pink towers rise dramatically above the sugar-white sand and sparkling Gulf waters — one of the most photographed sights on Florida’s west coast. Warm sea breezes, circling seabirds, and frequent dolphin sightings make this historic landmark feel alive with vacation energy. It’s not just a hotel — it’s a piece of Florida history wrapped in sunshine, and a highlight of your Salty Pelican cruise.
Glide past the sun-soaked shores of Isla del Sol, where palm-lined waterfront homes, sailboats, and sparkling blue waters set the scene for classic Florida living. Tucked between Gulfport and St. Pete Beach, this tropical island community feels like a hidden slice of paradise. Keep your camera ready — dolphins often cruise these calm bay waters, adding a little extra magic to your Salty Pelican adventure.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(191)
love that we got to see dolphins and the captain was a great guide with info about the area. beverages available onboard with free water bottles
Thank you so much for the wonderful 5-star review! We’re so glad you enjoyed seeing the dolphins and learning more about our beautiful area from the captain. It’s great to hear you appreciated the complimentary bottled water and onboard beverages as well. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back aboard for another adventure soon!
We had an incredible time with Salty Pelican Boat Tours! From start to finish, the trip was seamless and exceptionally well run. The captain’s local knowledge was outstanding—he pointed out amazing hidden spots, shared fascinating local history, and knew exactly where to take us for the best views along the route. As a parent taking my kids out on the water, safety is always my top priority, and Salty Pelican blew me away. The safety brief was thorough, the boat was impeccably maintained, and the captain went out of his way to make sure the kids were secure, comfortable, and having fun the entire time. It made for a completely stress-free experience for the adults, allowing us to relax with a perfectly ice-cold beer while taking in the scenery. Watched dolphins in their natural habitat as well
Thank you so much for this incredible review! It truly means the world to our family business. We’re thrilled to hear that your entire family had such a memorable experience and that our local knowledge, dolphin sightings, and beautiful scenery made the trip so special. Safety is at the heart of everything we do, especially when little ones are aboard, so it means a great deal to know you felt comfortable, informed, and able to relax while the kids had fun. We’re also glad you enjoyed an ice-cold beer from our onboard bar while watching dolphins in their natural habitat! Thank you for choosing Salty Pelican Boat Tours, and we can’t wait to welcome your family back for another adventure on the water.
Th captain and Avery were great! While we love tours when visiting (or returning to) a city, we don’t love when they talk the entire time. This was a great balance of information while allowing us time to roam the boat, take pictures, enjoy the views, watch for dolphins (which we saw!!) and just relax. I’d do another tour when them for sure!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We’re thrilled to hear that Captain Bob and Avery found the perfect balance between sharing information and giving you plenty of time to relax, take photos, enjoy the scenery, and watch for dolphins. We’re so glad you got to see them! Thank you for choosing to spend time with us, and it means so much to hear you’d join us again. We can’t wait to welcome you back aboard for another adventure!
You will see dolphins. This tour was a nice break from the beach. Captain was very knowledgeable. I would recommend this dolphin boat tour to others.
Here's a warm, professional response that acknowledges the 4-star review while reinforcing the positive experience: > Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback! We're so glad you enjoyed getting out on the water, seeing dolphins, and learning from our captain. It's wonderful to hear our tour provided a nice change of pace from the beach and that you'd recommend us to others. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back aboard the next time you're in the area!
It was just wonderful and very relaxing. I saw the dolphins and differenf types of birds. I me and my family were relaxed and had a wonderful time.
Thank you so much for your kind review! We're so glad you and your family had a relaxing time and enjoyed seeing the dolphins and beautiful birds. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back aboard again soon! 🐬🦅🌅💙
Great experience - the kids loved it. The guides were fantastic
Thank you for your kind review! We're so glad your kids had a great time and that you enjoyed the experience. We'll be sure to share your kind words with our crew. We hope to welcome your family back aboard again soon! 🐬😊🌅
Nice ride, great friendly captains. Comfortable boat with shade or sun seating. Bonus we saw dolphins
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're so glad you enjoyed the ride and appreciated our friendly captains. It's great to hear the boat's comfortable seating gave you the option to relax in the sun or cool off in the shade—and spotting dolphins is always the perfect bonus! We hope to welcome you back aboard for another adventure soon. 🐬☀️
This was a very nice event. Very personable. They know what they are doing and knowledgeable!!! Was a great experience
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're so happy to hear you had a great experience with us. Our crew takes pride in creating a welcoming, personable atmosphere while sharing their knowledge of the local area and wildlife, so your feedback means a lot. We truly appreciate you choosing to cruise with us and hope to see you back on board for another adventure soon! 🐬☀️🌊
Very good. Good guys know the water. Tom and Roy very good!
Thank you for the great review! We're so glad you had a wonderful time on the water with us. We'll be sure to pass your kind words along to Tom and Roy—they'll really appreciate the shoutout! Thank you for choosing to cruise with us, and we hope to welcome you back aboard for another great adventure soon. 🌊🐬😊
This was an excellent fun-filled trip. The boat was clean and well maintained. The captain was entertaining and did a great job navigating the waters and finding dolphins. The boat holds 17 and we had plenty of room to move around, and most of the seating is covered. They sell soft drinks, beer, and seltzers on board at cheap prices and free bottled water. Great time and will repeat
Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We're delighted to hear you had such a fun-filled day on the water. It's wonderful to know you found the boat clean, comfortable, and spacious, and that our captain helped make the trip both entertaining and memorable by finding plenty of dolphins. We're also glad you enjoyed the onboard refreshments and complimentary bottled water. Thank you for your kind words and for mentioning the little details that made your experience special. We truly appreciate your support and can't wait to welcome you back aboard for another great adventure! 🐬☀️⛵🍻
