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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.
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."
Lighted Holiday Boat Parade Cruise
Boarding at 5:30 pm. Tickets are $35 Adults $20 Children (4-12 years old). This is a family friendly event. Holiday Music will be played and guests have access to our Premium Bar. NOTE: We do not participate in the parade but watch it from the water. Festively decorated boats will launch from Island Estates at 6:30 pm and work their way through all of the Island Estates canals and then parade past Coachman Park around 8:30 pm. Might return a tad late.
Tampa Bay CityPASS®
Family fun starts with Tampa Bay CityPASS®! Save 53% on Tampa Bay's top 5 attractions. CityPASS® includes a Dolphin Exploration Tour or Sunset Celebration Cruise with The Tropics Boat Tours. You’ll also have admission to Bush Gardens® Tampa Bay, The Florida Aquarium, Zoo Tampa, and a 4th attraction of your choice. Choose which attraction as you go. Visit the attractions at your own pace, in any order, over 9 days.
Adult CityPASS®: $144
Child CityPASS® (ages 3-9): $129
CityPASS prices are tax inclusive
One easy purchase saves time & money. First, buy CityPASS® online, then click here to choose your cruise and make your reservation.
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!
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!
New Year's Eve Fireworks Cruise
Boarding at 9:30 pm. Tickets are $55 for Adults (21+ ONLY). Tickets include an extended cruise, access to our Premium Bar, and a Champagne toast at midnight. There will be New Year’s Eve music all cruise long and a Fireworks display from the water off sand key Park. Reservations are highly encouraged as this event sells out annually.
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.
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.
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.
Our family-friendly cruises are the perfect way to explore the coast together.
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.
We are not wheelchair accessible at this time.
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. Due to construction, parking at the marina is extremely limited. Listed are some other parking options.
North Beach Parking Garage, 490 Poinsettia Ave, Clearwater, FL 33767. $3/hr. 15 minute walk.
Surf Style Megastore, 315 S Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33767. Pricing varies. 10 minute walk.
Pier 60 Hotel Supplemental Parking Garage, 101 Coronado Dr, Clearwater, FL 33767. Pricing varies. 10 minute walk.
There is public parking available in downtown Clearwater and transportation to the marina can be found on the Clearwater Ferry or the Jolley Trolley. Please check their respective websites for their schedules and rates. Clearwaterferry.com
Clearwaterjolleytrolley.com
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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