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Water & beach · St Petersburg

Top 10 water & beach things to do in St Petersburg

Boats, beaches, and the parts of St Petersburg you only see from the water. Ferry rides, sunset cruises, snorkel runs, and the occasional sailing day for travellers who measure good cities by their coastline.

  1. One-hour jet ski rental in St. Petersburg, St Petersburg1

    1. One-hour jet ski rental in St. Petersburg

    5.0· 2 reviews· 1 hours

    One-hour rental of a Sea-Doo GTX Pro in a designated 5-by-2-mile zone — ideal for one or two riders, with top speeds up to 55 mph.

    An incredible experience with wonderful staff and stunning waterways. They were incredibly helpful, relaxed, and maintained a high level of professionalism.Dallas_C
  2. Small group kayak tour of Shell Key Preserve, St Petersburg2

    2. 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
  3. Clear kayak tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay, St Petersburg3

    3. 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
  1. Evening boat cruise with sunset and light show in St. Petersburg, St Petersburg4

    4. Evening boat cruise with sunset and light show in St. Petersburg

    4.9· 2141 reviews· 3 hours

    Three-hour cruise aboard a 50ft catamaran — scenic views, dolphin sightings, sunset at Outback Key, and Skyway Bridge light show on the return.

    I have experienced many beautiful sunsets in Florida, but the one from our cruise at Sand Dollar Sandbar last night was incredible. The Cruise Captain and the bar waitress were attentive and courteous to everyone onboard. The three-hour duration was ideal, and all seats provided great views.586adelaidac
  2. Tiki boat cruise to John's Pass Sandbar from St. Petersburg, St Petersburg5

    5. Tiki boat cruise to John's Pass Sandbar from St. Petersburg

    4.9· 89 reviews· 2 hours

    Two-hour cruise to John's Pass Sandbar — choose between relaxing, bar hopping, or sightseeing; Bluetooth available for music.

    Kohlton served as an excellent guide, and the tiki boat had all the essentials we required. We smoothly pulled up, filled our cooler with beverages, and set off. I highly recommend this experience.Ashley_M
  3. Guided downtown St. Petersburg tour in a street-legal golf cart, St Petersburg6

    6. Guided downtown St. Petersburg tour in a street-legal golf cart

    4.9· 477 reviews

    Two-hour tour of downtown St. Petersburg in a deluxe golf cart — local history, culture insights, and waterfront highlights included.

    The tour of St. Petersburg was outstanding. Trish provided valuable insights and the golf cart made for an enjoyable way to see the sights. It covered all major highlights and included tips for further exploration. I highly recommend this as a fantastic introduction to St. Pete's.B_L
  4. Dolphin and sightseeing cruise in St. Pete Beach, St Petersburg7

    7. Dolphin and sightseeing cruise in St. Pete Beach

    4.9· 170 reviews· 1.5 hours

    Two-hour small-group cruise through Boca Ciega Bay, featuring dolphin watching and views of Gulfport, Eckerd College, Isla del Sol, and the Don CeSar.

    It was an excellent experience. I would definitely recommend it.Adventure52345111499
  5. Dolphin watching and sunset cruise in St. Petersburg, St Petersburg8

    8. Dolphin watching and sunset cruise in St. Petersburg

    4.9· 94 reviews· 2.5 hours

    Two-hour cruise on a 45ft catamaran — watch dolphins, search for shells at Shell Key, and enjoy a Gulf sunset.

    I had a wonderful time celebrating my stepdaughter's college graduation with family and friends. It was an amazing experience.virginiasL3273LW
  6. Sunset cruise on St. Pete Beach in a small group, St Petersburg9

    9. Sunset cruise on St. Pete Beach in a small group

    4.9· 473 reviews· 2 hours

    Two-hour cruise through residential canals, enjoy the sunset over the Gulf and keep an eye out for dolphins, with a maximum of six guests per boat.

    Our sunset cruise was a fantastic experience. We encountered dolphins and our guide was both incredible and very knowledgeable.372lindseyp
  7. Shell Key Island adventure — 2.5-hour dolphin and shell tour, St Petersburg10

    10. 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

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