Home of the daily Dolphin Exploration Tours & Sunset Celebration Cruises!
Experience Clearwater Beach, its magnificent waterways, and its resident Bottlenose Dolphins onboard Clearwater Beach's Best Outdoor Activity of the year!
Board any of our Daily Cruises or join us for a Special Event. Our double-decker catamaran boasts an enclosed area in the shade, a sun deck, and a premium bar. We do not serve meals but have snacks available for purchase. Our crew will narrate your tour with snippets about the area and point out wildlife along the way.
You can also charter the boat for a Private Event throughout the year.
Last but not least, we care! We are the only Ocean Friendly certified commercial boat operation in all of Pinellas County and are proud to donate to local events and charities regularly.
Fun. Exciting. Family-friendly.
Independence Day Fireworks & Sunset Cruise
This event includes a sunset experience then go towards the Imagine Clearwater Grand Opening celebration for a fireworks experience. Returning approx. 9:45pm. $5.00 drink special. No drink packages will be available.
Dolphin Exploration Tours
Our Dolphin Exploration Tours will take you from Clearwater Bay out Clearwater Pass on the beautiful emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico (weather permitting) in search of the Sun Coast’s favorite…the Bottlenose Dolphin.
In addition to offering Guaranteed Dolphin Sightings*, your Captain will highlight some fascinating facts about the natural wonders our Gulf Coast offers as well as point out celebrity mansions along the way.
The tour offers something for everyone, including educational information on our area and our wildlife, and optional drink upgrades including unlimited beer and soft drinks for the adults!
Just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!
Sunset Celebration Cruises
The Tropics Sunset Celebration Cruise will take you from Clearwater Bay through Clearwater Pass to the beautiful Gulf of Mexico (weather permitting).
Sail the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Mexico as you view a breathtaking Florida sunset and — if you’re lucky you may witness the legendary green flash.
Your crew will point out some interesting facts about the natural wonders of the Gulf Coast as well as popular sights along the way. We are pleased to include a Complimentary Sunset Champagne Toast for all guests 21 and up."
Dolphin Exploration Tour "Happy Hour" (April - Sept)
We are offering a Happy Hour Tour (April - Sept). Offering $5 "You Call It" Drinks! Please check tour schedule for availability.
Our Dolphin Exploration Tours last approximately two hours and will take you from Clearwater Bay out Clearwater Pass on the beautiful emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico (weather permitting) in search of the Sun Coast’s favorite…the Bottlenose Dolphin. In addition to offering Guaranteed Dolphin Sightings**, your Captain will highlight some fascinating facts about the natural wonders our Gulf Coast offers as well as point out celebrity mansions along the way. The tour offers something for everyone, including educational information on our area and our wildlife! Just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!
*Adults 21+: $5 "You Call It" Drinks exclude frozen cocktails and doubles.
**Our Dolphin Sighting guarantee (receive a FREE return trip if Dolphins are NOT spotted during the program) applies to this special offer, but guests will NOT receive a FREE drink package on their return trip.
Subject to passenger minimums.
Private Charter
Celebrate the next special occasion on The Tropics for your very own Private Charter. There's nothing like having the 126-passenger double-decker catamaran all to yourself! From our regular day cruises to creating your own route or even going to a special destination, we can accommodate almost any request. We have even structured our pricing by season and time of day to make your Private Charter affordable. We also offer catering and drink options.
Packages start as low as $1,000.00 and are tiered depending on the total number of passengers.
Complete the form below to request information or for complete pricing details.
Connect with your Private Charter Coordinator Kristi today!
Gift Card
The Tropics Boat Tours offers gift cards for $30 (one daily tour ticket), $60 (two daily tour tickets), or any other increment of your choice. For example, you could give a friend or relative a $35 gift card for them to participate in our Annual Scavenger Hunt!
CityPASS
Spend less, Experience more. Save 52% on Tampa Bay's top 5 attractions! CityPASS® includes a Dolphin Exploration Tour or Sunset Celebration Cruise with The Tropics Boat Tours.
Admission Includes:
Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay
The Florida Aquarium
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
PLUS get admission to 2 more attractions of your choice:
The Tropics Boat Tours
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI)
Glazer Children’s Museum
Adult CityPASS®: $139
Child CityPASS® (ages 3-9): $124
CityPASS prices are tax inclusive
Visit the attractions at your own pace, in any order, over a 9-day period.
Why choose us?
There are many reasons to take our Dolphin Exploration Tours and Sunset Celebration Cruises in Clearwater Beach, Florida.
Our tours are led by experienced and passionate guides who know the area and the dolphins well, so you're guaranteed to have a unique and up-close experience with these amazing creatures. Our tours are a great value for the money, family-friendly, and enjoyable for people of all ages with competitive rates and discounts for groups. We hope to sail with you soon!
Dolphin Exploration Tours
Join us for an up-close and personal look at these amazing creatures! Our experienced guides will teach you all about dolphins and their environment while you enjoy the spectacular views of the coastline.
Sunset Celebration Cruises
Experience the beauty of the setting sun while cruising along the coast on our luxurious boat. Our knowledgeable staff will be on hand to answer any questions and help you make the most of your evening.
Family-Friendly Cruises
Our family-friendly cruises are the perfect way to explore the coast together.
Words From Our Guests
It was a great trip. We enjoyed the narratives from the people in the boat, the other people were fun to be around. We saw Dolphins and enjoyed the view, whether it was other boats, the skyline and the Sunset.I would recommend it to others who have never done it before and for those who have done it
Christina B
15th February 2023
When I booked this tour, I was under the impression our tour would be a bit more intimate, I didn’t expect so many passengers. Our sunset tour was started off on a bad note because someone wanted to save places to sit on the boat and refused to let me sit. As someone with a handicap-that was just rude. (None of the boat crew was nearby to assist at the time. So we moved back downstairs.)The waters are so beautiful. The crew was fun. They forgot us (the passengers downstairs) when they handed out champagne. We felt our cruise was cut a bit short due to the sunset falling behind the clouds.
Angel T
13th February 2023
Good trip
Lena Gorecki
10th February 2023
Captain Josh and Andrew have the absolute best dolphin tours in Clearwater. Dolphins were swimming next to the boat... best time you will have in Florida. They might suck at disc golf but they are the best at boat tours in the area, showing you around the harbor and beyond!
Travis B.
10th February 2023
Had such a wonderful time. Beautiful sunset cruise. Great time. Thank you
Traciemelillo Sopranostvshow
9th February 2023
Do NOT buy a soda cup as had to wait for 20 minutes when boat was full and missed scenery.
Judy Mayer
6th February 2023
The tour was well organized and managed. I mostly enjoyed the time spent in the gulf where we saw dolphins.
ThomasG
6th February 2023
Delighting in dolphins and stunning sunsets in Clearwater Beach, Florida
Welcome to our tour company in Clearwater Beach, Florida! We are so excited to be here and to offer our breathtaking sights, resident bottlenose dolphins, unbelievable sunsets, and a warm welcoming community to everyone. We are located in the heart of Clearwater Beach and we are proud to be a part of such a wonderful and welcoming community. Our sunsets are some of the most beautiful in the world and our dolphins are always a hit with the kids.
We warmly welcome you to come and experience all that our company has to offer!
Frequently asked questions
Our tours are 1 hour and 45 minutes in duration from dock to dock. We also have an additional 15 minutes of boarding prior to each tour.
Yes, we offer beer, wine, soft drinks, and a full liquor bar for purchase on board. We also offer drink packages that may be purchased from the booth prior to departure.
In the unlikely event we do not see dolphins during a dolphin tour (not valid on sunset tours) you will be able to take another dolphin tour free of charge at a later time. Drink packages purchased during the original tour are not refundable and do not apply to your next dolphin tour.
Yes, we do have restrooms on board for the use of our guests. Please keep in mind that these are marine heads. Please note any signage in the restrooms regarding what may be flushed down the toilets.
Yes, while we are an outdoor activity our open-air lower level does provide shade and protection from the elements. Note that guests in wheelchairs may not be able to access this area based on the size of their wheelchairs.
Unfortunately, you may not bring food on board as we do not have appropriate areas for consumption. We do offer light snacks on board for purchase.
Yes, please visit our private charter section for more information. You may also email charters@thetropicsboattours.com for more information.
Unfortunately, we do not allow pets on board during our tours unless it is a service animal.
Yes, our ramp is wide enough to cater to most wheelchairs. However, if the wheelchair is wider than 22" the wheelchair will not fit through the lower deck threshold. If so, our wheelchair guest may be confined to the bow (front) area of the boat. We do consider this the best seat in the house. Another option is if the guest does have some walking ability he/she can collapse the wheelchair and the first seat on the inside lower level is just two steps from the threshold. When boarding, our wheelchair guests board last for prime seating on the bow. Our crew is not permitted to lift wheelchairs or any mobility equipment.
Our daily tour schedule changes with the Sunset time throughout the year. Our schedule is updated in real-time when you click on the Book Now section for each tour offered.
Yes, our ramp is wide enough to cater to most strollers. However, if the stroller is wider than 22" the stroller will not fit through the lower deck threshold. If so, the stroller may be confined to the bow (front) area of the boat. We do consider this the best seat in the house. Another option is to collapse the stroller and bring it into the lower cabin to re-open. You are also welcome to leave unneeded strollers on the dock. We are not responsible for unattended strollers but our booth is staffed until the Sunset Cruise departs.
No, one completed waiver is satisfactory for the entire party/group.
First, purchase CityPASS online CityPASS online for immediate, paperless mobile delivery.
Next, simply click here click here to schedule your tour.
Present your CityPASS tickets at the ticket booth one hour before departure.
No, masks are not required to be worn per CDC guidelines.
You will find the Marina Parking lot at the forth exist out of the roundabout at the end of the bridge when coming to Clearwater Beach. That parking lot is reserved for Marina Activities on a first come, first served basis. We recommend having one person go to our Tropics Booth while the other looks for a parking space. The Booth Staff will give you a parking code that will you allow you to book enough time in the parking space for the duration of your stay in the Marina.
We do our best to notify all guests when in climate weather impacts our tour times. At times we do wait until we can clearly assess the weather as it changes quickly in Florida. You can expect to receive a notification when we have to cancel any tour.
Yes, kids of all ages are permitted on our Happy Hour Dolphin Tour when it is available.
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