There’s nothing like the excitement of Tampa outdoor activities when planning a fun, unforgettable vacation in the Tampa Bay area. With sun, sand, and amazing coastal waterways, Tampa is a hub for outdoor activities that offer ways to connect deeply with nature.
For wildlife lovers, there’s no better place to see dolphins and manatees in the wild than Tampa. Whether you’re looking for thrills from gliding over lush canopies on a zip line or the peaceful beauty of a boardwalk at sunset, all kinds of adventures in nature are waiting for you.
A tour we think you'll love
Keep reading to discover the top outdoor activities that Tampa travelers of all ages will love!
1) Setting Sail On Magical, Memorable Dolphin Exploration Cruises
A dolphin excursion is truly one of the most memorable and magical Tampa outdoor activities for travelers of all ages. Imagine setting sail on a double-decker catamaran fitted with a dreamy sun deck and cozy shaded areas to experience the beauty of Clearwater Beach!
When you book an excursion with the Tropics Boat Tours, we even guarantee a dolphin sighting! Here’s a look at our amazing adventures:
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Dolphin Exploration Tours – Cruise through Clearwater Bay and Clearwater Pass to explore the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico in search of bottlenose dolphins in the wild. An experienced captain will guide you on a fun tour showcasing both natural beauty and celebrity mansions along the route. If you don’t spot a dolphin during your trip, you can book another tour free of charge.
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Sunset Celebration Cruises – Travel from Clearwater Bay through Clearwater Pass to see a mesmerizing sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. During this amazing sunset journey, guests ages 21 and up enjoy a complimentary sunset champagne toast.
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Private Charter – Booking our 126-passenger catamaran for your private group event offers one of the most exclusive and exciting outdoor activities in Tampa. Create one of our regular cruises or select a custom route. We even offer drink and catering options.
A cruise is the perfect way to connect with the natural beauty of Tampa! As an Ocean Friendly-certified tour agency in Tampa, we’re proud to provide a way to be part of a waste-free tourism effort for our clients who want to cherish the natural beauty and wildlife of Tampa Bay.
With affordable rates and tons of flexibility for bookings, we offer an easy way to explore Clearwater Bay for every occasion. Ready to dive into the best outdoor activities Tampa has to offer? Grab your friends or family and start exploring the natural beauty and thrilling adventures waiting for you.
Book your next unforgettable experience today and make memories that will last a lifetime!
2) Visiting The Florida Aquarium
There’s nothing like a day at the world-class Florida Aquarium. With an emphasis on nature conservation, the aquarium has many fun exhibits and learning experiences for tourists of all ages. Here’s what’s waiting in each of the unique habitats that make up the aquarium:
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Wetlands of Florida – Contained within an iconic 80-foot glass dome, this habitat hosts sea turtles, freshwater fish, river otters, spoonbills, white ibises, and a wetland trail.
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Journey to Madagascar – Discover lemurs, roaches, and other species native to Madagascar.
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Shorelines – Explore the nature and ecosystems of coastal Florida while encountering eels, spiny lobsters, pufferfish, and more.
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Stingray Beach – One of the most famous attractions in the aquarium, this habitat offers opportunities to touch slick, velvety rays!
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The Tide Pool – Touch sea stars and watch the tide roll in!
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MORPH’D – Learn about electric eels, paddlefish, mudskippers, red shrimp, poison dart frogs, and more in this exhibit showing off Florida’s colorful and camouflaged creatures!
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Coral Reef – The aquarium’s largest habitat, Coral Reef contains 500,000 gallons of water housing sand tiger sharks, sea turtles, giant Atlantic rays, and several species of reef-dwelling fish. Watch in wonder from behind a panoramic glass window!
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Reef Secrets – Explore a world filled with seahorses and pipehorses!
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Waves of Wonder – Be mesmerized by the colors of jellyfish, clownfish, anemones, honeycomb rays, loggerhead sea turtles, and other wildlife species.
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Moon Bay – This exhibit is one of the rare places where you can actually encounter the moon jelly that is famed for its translucent, moon-like bells.
Good To Know: The Penguin Encounter is a popular add-on experience that brings you behind the scenes with the aquarium’s animal care professionals for 45 minutes for exclusive access to the African penguin colony. Tickets must be booked and paid in advance.
3) Zipping At Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve
Experience the thrill of zip-lining through treetops at Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve! This unforgettable adventure offers a fresh perspective and endless outdoor fun in the Tampa Bay area.
Located in Oldsmar, the Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve is a 396-acre preserve showcasing the area’s diverse upland and coastal greenery and wildlife. The preserve features a fishing pier, observation tower, playground, picnic shelters, and more.
Of course, one of the most unexpected adventures waiting within the preserve is a zip line course! When you zip line here, you’ll see the preserve from the sky on a 55-foot-tall tower. The zip line course features five zip lines of different lengths, a 200-foot suspension bridge, log bridges, catwalk bridges, and much more!
Good To Know: The preserve is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Parking is free. However, there is a fee to rent shelters.
4) Walking Alongside The Rapids At Hillsborough River State Park
Hillsborough River State Park is simply one of the top places to savor Florida’s birds, colorful flowers, and fascinating reptiles in wild, raw nature. It’s the perfect place for a relaxing picnic or leisurely walk along the Rapids Trail to enjoy the scenic landscape.
The rapids here are actually Class II river rapids that are considered rare for Florida. Many visitors also enjoy kayaking or canoeing in the Hillsborough River.
Strolling by the rapids at Hillsborough River State Park is a fun way to enjoy nature. The sounds of the water and the colorful birds make it a great spot to relax and explore!
Good To Know: Overnight campsites are available here. Amenities include a café, recreation hall, and two pavilions. Bicycle, kayak, and canoe rentals are also available.
5) Going Wild At Busch Gardens Tampa
Enjoy thrills, excitement, adventures, and memories that will last a lifetime at Busch Gardens Tampa. This 335-acre animal farm and theme park has been one of the country’s most beloved attractions since opening in the summer of 1959.
Here’s a quick look at some of the most exciting things to do in the park:
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Rides – The iconic, heart-pounding rides at Busch Gardens Tampa include Phoenix Rising, Iron Gwazi, Cheetah Hunt, Falcon’s Fury, and Congo River Rapids.
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Safari Tours – Venture to the Serengeti Plain® in an open-air vehicle for an exciting safari experience that brings you close to a wide range of animals.
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Specialty Tours – Choose from the Hippo Insider Tour, Penguin Insider Tour, Sloth Encounter, Giraffe Encounter Tour, and many more!
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Restaurants – Choose from nearly 15 different restaurants, dessert spots, taprooms, and more.
Pro Tip: Choosing your visit day carefully! If you want to skip the crowds, visit Busch Gardens on a weekday. However, weekends are better if you want access to more performance and special programs.
6) Seeing Florida’s Gentle Giants At The Tampa Manatee Viewing Center
Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center features beautiful boardwalks and trails overlooking warm waters where manatees love to gather. In addition to being one of the country’s most important protected marine preserves, this attraction offers tons of scenic spots and trails.
Here’s a look at the beauty of nature that’s waiting:
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Tidal Walk – Part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, the Manatee Viewing Center’s tidal walk is a 900-foot, fully ADA-compliant walkway offering gorgeous views of coastal plants and local wildlife. The water discharge canal at the end of the walkway is the top place to spot manatees.
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Ray Touch Tank – In collaboration with the Florida Aquarium, Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center offers a ray touch tank.
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Coastal Habitat Trail – Follow a nature trail that wanders through a saltern, coastal high marsh, and coastal strand habitat.
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Observation Tower – This wildlife and nature observation tower gives views of an estuary and Tampa Bay from 50 feet up.
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Educational Building – Enjoy indoor and outdoor activities as you meander through mangrove tunnels, explore seagrass beds, and see real manatee bones!
Good To Know: This is a seasonal attraction. During the time when manatees “winter” in Florida waters, they are attracted to the warm, calm waters produced by the power plant. The center opens each year from Nov. 1 through April 15 to offer peak wintertime Manatee viewing.
7) Kayaking In The Mangrove Tunnels Of Weedon Island Preserve In St. Petersburg
If you’re up for a 25-minute car drive outside of Tampa, Weedon Island Preserve offers a 4-mile loop through gorgeous natural tunnels formed by dense mangrove branches hanging over the water. The route is ideal for both kayaking and paddleboarding.
Kayaking through the mangrove tunnels of Weedon Island Preserve is like entering a hidden paradise! As you paddle along, you’ll be surrounded by lush greenery and the gentle sounds of nature. Keep an eye out for playful dolphins and colorful birds that call this place home. It’s a perfect way to unwind and connect with the beauty of Florida’s coast. Plus, the preserve has so much more to explore, making it a fantastic day trip!
Pro Tip: Don’t Rush to Leave! After peacefully gliding along mangrove tunnels, stay in the 3,000-acre preserve a bit longer to enjoy a long list of things to see and do that includes boardwalks, trails, the Weedon Island Cultural Natural History Center, and much more.
8) Swimming At Picnic Island Beach
If you’re looking for a simple spot where nature lovers can bask in beautiful sunsets and calm waters, Picnic Island Beach is one of Tampa’s best local parks. This picturesque and secluded park features white sand, tranquil and shallow water that’s ideal for swimming, a sand volleyball court, and a fishing pier.
Picnic Island Beach is a must-visit for its peaceful vibe and beautiful scenery. The calm waters are perfect for a fun swim, and the soft sand is great for relaxing. It’s a wonderful spot for families and friends to hang out, play, or just chill. Plus, the sunsets here are simply stunning, making it a lovely place to end your day in Tampa!
Good To Know: Traveling to Tampa with a pet? Picnic Island Beach has a separate gated dog beach located just south of the fishing pier.
9) Covering The Tampa Riverwalk
There’s simply no better option if you want to spend time having outdoor fun while still feeling connected to the city than walking the Tampa Riverwalk. This 2.6-mile pedestrian pathway follows the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa to connect travelers to many of the city’s best attractions, parks, and public spaces.
The Tampa Riverwalk is a great spot to soak up the beauty of the city while enjoying some fresh air. You can walk, bike, or jog while taking in gorgeous waterfront views and glimpses of birds and various types of wildlife. Plus, with so many attractions nearby, you can easily pop into a park or grab a bite to eat. It’s a fun way to experience the heart of Tampa!
Good To Know: While safety should always be prioritized when walking at night in any city, travelers coming to soak in Tampa’s nightlife can appreciate that walking tail is considered well-lit and busy at night. In fact, many popular bars on the Tampa Bay nightlife scene are located along this route.
Experience One Of The Best Outdoor Activities Tampa Visitors Can Choose – See Dolphins In Tampa Bay With Us
No other excursion offers the thrill of setting sail for tranquil waters where bottlenose dolphins live off the coast of Tampa! At The Tropics Boat Tours, our laid-back versions of outdoor activities allow you to relax on a luxury catamaran while your captain and crew handle all the details.
Whether you’re looking for daytime nature exploration or sparkling sunset adventures, our tours are perfect for all ages. Book your spot with us for the experience of a lifetime!
