The 11 Tours in Clearwater That Earn Their Price

1.Little Toot Dolphin Adventure at Clearwater Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,594 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $37Our pick

Board the tugboat-style Little Toot at Clearwater Beach for a narrated 75-minute cruise through Clearwater Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico. The boat’s broad wake often attracts wild dolphins, which may swim, leap, and play close behind the vessel. Choose sun or shade, walk around onboard, and enjoy commentary from the captain and crew.

“Beautiful boat ride of the bay, even if we had not seen dolphins. Luckily, at the end we did and that great video of them jumping over waves behind us playing with the boat. Only complaint is that although everyone on the crew was nice, the woman narrating the Tour had a heavy accent and was speaking in a melodic voice, so I could not understand half of what she was saying. Perhaps it was a problem with the microphone. Maybe too close to her mouth?”

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2.Clearwater Encounters with Dolphins Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,185 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35

Cruise Clearwater Harbor on a 40-foot Coast Guard-inspected boat with a captain sharing local facts and wildlife notes. Watch for bottlenose dolphins, then stop 20 to 30 minutes at Compass Island, a tidal sandbar where you can swim and collect shells. The crew may include Sierra or Katlyn, both praised for their warm, engaging approach.

“Great time! I went with my best friend and we had a good time. We saw dolphins which was so fun. Although we only saw a few the captain gave us all a free ride to get a chance to see more dolphins and that we can use the Free Ride ticket anytime! Great people fun times”

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3.Calypso Queen Tropical Party Buffet Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,136 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $58

Board the Calypso Queen at Clearwater Beach Marina for a two-hour lunch or dinner cruise. Enjoy a tropical buffet, rum punch, beer, wine, and Pepsi products while the boat follows Clearwater’s coastline. Day cruises include captain-led commentary. Evening sailings add a live DJ and dancing. Parking costs extra, and vegetarian meals can be requested.

“We wished it was about an hour longer. We had an amazing time. The atmosphere was really chill and the servers were really nice too. I'm planning to go back with my husband.”

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4.Guaranteed Dolphin Sighting Tour on Tropics Boat Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 947 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $37

Cruise from Clearwater Beach with The Tropics Boat Tours for about 1 hour 45 minutes in search of wild bottlenose dolphins. Your captain and crew share facts about Gulf Coast wildlife, point out waterfront mansions, and keep the ride lively with music. Food and drinks are available to buy, and a free re-ride is offered if dolphins do not appear.

“Our hosts were awesome! Stinks when wildlife decide they don’t want to be seen! That’s ok, they offered us another free ride that doesn’t expire. We can go tomorrow or next year!”

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5.Clearwater Beach: Dolphin & Island Sandbar Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 767 reviews · 2 hours · from $28Best value

Join Fins Up Clearwater for a two-hour boat ride from 25 Causeway Blvd. Guides such as Matt, Zack, Eliza, and Mark search for dolphins, share local facts, then stop at One-Tree Island for about 20 to 30 minutes of swimming. Bring drinks, snacks, sunscreen, and water shoes. Kids get free ice cream.

“Matt and Mark were great guides. They found dolphins quickly and let us watch them for quite a bit. They shut off the boat motor and were respectful of the marine animals. I have excellent video of the sighting and wish I brought my go pro on an extension to see the dolphins underwater. The island was not what I expected, much smaller and not private - other people were also coming to explore the very public beach. Other people in our group were crowding around us while we were trying to catch rays laying on the beach, nothing against the tour, more as fyi for others not from the…”

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6.Sunset Celebration Cruise on Tropics Boat Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 739 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $37

Sail from Clearwater Bay into the Gulf of Mexico on a roughly two-hour catamaran cruise. Captain J and the crew provide light commentary, music, and a Champagne toast at sunset. Dolphins may appear, but they are never promised. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and light snacks are available to buy.

“Informative and funny tour guide with fantastic sites to see worth going and a beautiful sunset of course”

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7.2 Hour Sunset Cruise in Clearwater, Florida

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 646 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $39

Cruise Clearwater’s Intracoastal Waterway and Gulf waters aboard a 46-foot Coast Guard-inspected boat. Captain Tracy, Captain TJ, and Tiffany have been praised for friendly hosting and dolphin spotting. Expect sunset views, local commentary, a champagne toast for those 21 and older, and drinks available for purchase.

“Got to see lots of dolphins and the sunset was great. Drinks could have been cold, but can’t complain about it with the view.”

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8.Mega Bite Dolphin Tour Boat in Clearwater Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 545 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $28

Board the 50-foot Mega Bite at 25 Causeway Blvd for a narrated Clearwater Beach cruise with dolphin spotting, waterfront sights, and a powerful wake built to attract playful dolphins. Rob, Kira, and the crew add friendly touches, including shark teeth for children. Bring sealed snacks and drinks, use the cooler, and expect about one hour on board.

“It was awesome!!!! Rob and Kira were the crew the were awesome too!!! Saw some dolphins the scenery was great! Rob showed my autistic son his shark tooth collection and gave my son a tooth which he said mama do you believe how nice that man was??”

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9.Clearwater Evening Yacht Cruise with Optional Dining

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 464 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $40

Board the 115-foot StarLite Majesty at 25 Causeway Boulevard for a three-hour Tampa Bay cruise. You’ll have an indoor table with picture windows, outdoor decks, live entertainment, dancing, and the option to buy a three-course dinner, drinks, and cocktails onboard. It suits couples, families, and birthday celebrations.

“Our waitress was very friendly and kind. I enjoyed my cruise so much and so did my family. We were celebrating my mom’s 84th birthday and the DJ congratulated my mom…..the food was delicious.”

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10.Half-Day Private Boating On Black Hurricane – Clearwater Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 429 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Take a private four-hour boat ride from Clearwater with a captain such as Adam, Randy, Marcos, or Mike. Cruise toward Caladesi Island, Honeymoon Island, and Three Rooker Sand Bar, watching for dolphins and other wildlife. Swim, collect shells, float, or simply enjoy the Gulf views. Pickup may be arranged at a convenient waterfront location.

“It was a great experience. Captain Michael took good care of us making sure we had a good time covering all the 3 islands”

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11.Half- Day Private Boating On Tahoe Funship – Clearwater Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 344 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Spend four private hours aboard the Tahoe Funship with a captain such as Ed, Marcos, or Frank. Cruise from Clearwater toward Caladesi Island, Honeymoon Island, and Three Rooker Sand Bar, with time for dolphins, swimming, shelling, floating, and the boat’s waterslide. You can shape the route around your group.

“Jordan was excellent. Very safe and fun experience. Weather wasn't great but we had a good time anyhow. Would book again for sure.”

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