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Nature & wildlife · St Petersburg

Top 10 nature & wildlife things to do in St Petersburg

Wildlife, forests, gardens, and the green pockets of St Petersburg that make it bearable in monsoon and beautiful by November. Day trips and short drives where the landscape is the point.

  1. Small group kayak tour of Shell Key Preserve, St Petersburg1

    1. Small group kayak tour of Shell Key Preserve

    5.0· 515 reviews· 3 hours

    Three hours with a guided small group — kayak through mangroves, explore seagrass meadows, and enjoy beach time on Shell Island.

    Claire had a quirky and humorous personality, and she provided an abundance of knowledge regarding the ecosystem and wildlife in the preserve. I would rate this a 10 out of 10 experience.AngelMarie_G
  2. Clear kayak tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay, St Petersburg2

    2. Clear kayak tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay

    5.0· 6224 reviews· 2 hours

    Two hours of paddling in a clear kayak through Shell Key Preserve, with chances to see dolphins and manatees in this vibrant marine environment.

    I had an enjoyable experience. Jenna, our guide, was knowledgeable, friendly, and made the day truly memorable.V5224KDmeganm
  3. Shell Key Island adventure — 2.5-hour dolphin and shell tour, St Petersburg3

    3. Shell Key Island adventure — 2.5-hour dolphin and shell tour

    4.9· 78 reviews· 2.5 hours

    Two and a half hours by boat — explore Shell Key's beaches, hunt for unique shells, and observe wild dolphins in their natural habitat.

    The crew was welcoming, humorous, and very helpful. We spotted numerous dolphins, including some newborns, and the beach where we collected shells was stunning. I strongly recommend this experience.Sarah_P
  1. Sunset sailing experience aboard a working schooner, St Petersburg4

    4. Sunset sailing experience aboard a working schooner

    4.9· 276 reviews· 2.5 hours

    Two hours on a classic schooner — sail the Gulf or Boca Ciega Bay, complimentary water, BYOB with cooler provided.

    We enjoyed a lovely evening on calm waters with wonderful company. Our captain Mike was knowledgeable and attentive to our questions. The sunset was stunning, and I even got to ring the bell! We’re planning to come back next year, and he had an excellent playlist as well.Dream441818
  2. 2-hour dolphin cruise and snorkeling at Shell Key, St Petersburg5

    5. 2-hour dolphin cruise and snorkeling at Shell Key

    4.9· 1593 reviews· 2 hours

    Two hours on a semi-private boat for a small group—watch dolphins and snorkel at Shell Key, with up to six passengers per boat.

    We encountered dolphins and manatees during our trip. This experience was fantastic, and our guide Troy did an excellent job.donnahS7348UM
  3. Ferry to Egmont Key State Park from Fort DeSoto Park, St Petersburg6

    6. Ferry to Egmont Key State Park from Fort DeSoto Park

    4.9· 367 reviews· 5 hours

    A round-trip ferry ride, approximately 45-60 minutes each way, to Egmont Key for beach activities, with three hours on the island for swimming and exploring.

    The day was truly enjoyable. The ride to and from Egmont Key was great, and I loved exploring the island before relaxing on the beach. The captain and crew were friendly, knowledgeable, and provided plenty of information.Janet_K
  4. Shelling cruise to Shell Key Preserve from John's Pass, St Petersburg7

    7. Shelling cruise to Shell Key Preserve from John's Pass

    4.8· 447 reviews· 3 hours

    Three-hour cruise from John's Pass to Shell Key Preserve, including one hour to explore the island and potential wildlife sightings en route.

    The experience was fantastic with a wonderful crew and great atmosphere. I enjoyed everything about it, and the island felt very secluded with beautiful weather. My only complaint is that I wished we could have stayed longer at Shell Key, but overall it was an excellent experience. I highly recommend it.Mariadela_B
  5. Sunset cruise and dolphin watching in St. Petersburg, St Petersburg8

    8. Sunset cruise and dolphin watching in St. Petersburg

    4.8· 26 reviews· 2 hours

    Two-hour cruise through Boca Ciega Bay at sunset—spot dolphins and enjoy cold drinks along the way.

    We had a fantastic experience, seeing numerous dolphins throughout the trip. The crew on the boat delivered excellent service, and the cocktails were refreshing.Rudy_D
  6. Semi-private dolphin watching and snorkeling cruise in St Petersburg, St Petersburg9

    9. Semi-private dolphin watching and snorkeling cruise in St Petersburg

    4.8· 339 reviews

    Two to three hours on the water — snorkel and watch dolphins in a semi-private group setting with a knowledgeable captain.

    The boat ride was a delightful experience. We spotted numerous dolphins and even caught sight of a manatee. Shell Key was stunning.Todd_S
  7. Dolphin watching eco tour from Hubbard's Marina, St Petersburg10

    10. Dolphin watching eco tour from Hubbard's Marina

    4.8· 437 reviews· 1.5 hours

    Two-hour cruise in calm back bay waters — see dolphins, seabirds, and the local fishing village on board the largest cruising vessel in Tampa Bay.

    It was a wonderful trip where we spotted many dolphins. The captain and crew were excellent. Our entire family, including our 2-year-old, had a fantastic time.Ian_O

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