Tampa is one of the spring break capitals of the world. Spring breakers cheerfully head to the jewel of Central Florida around mid-March to hang out with friends in a setting that could not be further from a stuffy classroom. It also helps that Tampa International Airport (TIA) offers tons of direct flights from cities all over the country.
The average high in Tampa in March is a blissful 78 degrees Fahrenheit. While people come to Tampa during spring break for the sunshine and warm temperatures for the first time, they return year after year for the amazing attractions, fun excursions, terrific restaurants, and glorious beaches! In fact, many people are surprised to discover just how much there is to do in the area during spring break.
A tour we think you'll love
Are you ready to experience a Tampa spring break? Planning an amazing Tampa Bay spring holiday all comes down to balancing the fun of being with the crowds with the relaxation of jetting off for private excursions to explore natural wonders with friends.
While Tampa has a reputation for attracting a “party” crowd during spring break, families also come here during time off from school to spend days soaking up the sun in between visits to aquariums, zoos, parks, and more. The point is that Tampa is for anyone who needs a little carefree fun after a long winter. Check out these nine spring break ideas if you’re ready for a record spring break!
1) Book A Private Boat Tour In Tampa Bay During Your Upcoming Spring Break
The ultimate way to get some bragging rights over your spring break in Tampa Bay is to book a private boat tour that takes you away from the crowds. If you really want to make everyone green with envy, just upload some once-in-a-lifetime photos of your group next to bottlenose dolphins in the wild!
You might be asking how exactly you can make that happen. The answer is to book a spot on one of our Dolphin Exploration Tours or Sunset Celebration Cruises in Clearwater Beach, Florida. Hop aboard one of our epic boat tours and get ready to soak in breathtaking views of:
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Clearwater Bay
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Clearwater Pass
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The Gulf of Mexico
The excursions set sail on Ocean Friendly-certified commercial double-decker catamarans. You’ll be sitting pretty on a vessel with a sun deck, an enclosed shaded area, and a high-end bar with snacks where you can purchase drinks and or a quick bite to eat.
With help from guides who will narrate your tour to point out wildlife sightings during the journey, you’ll never miss an opportunity to snap photos of the majestic creatures that are likely to make appearances during your Tampa Bay experience.
Our boat tours are perfect for friends, families, or solo travelers simply looking for some serene time on the water. Don’t miss your chance to create one of the most memorable experiences of your spring break. Book a spot for the whole group with The Tropics Boat Tours!
2) Visit The Clearwater Marine Aquarium During Spring Break
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is an institution that has been dedicated to preserving and protecting marine life for more than 50 years. The organization is devoted to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick and injured marine animals that arrive at its doors. Visitors have opportunities to meet these animals! Exhibits include:
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VIP dolphin experiences
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Building salads with sea turtles
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Feeding stingrays
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Shark care experiences
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Atlantis Theatre
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Manatee Ecosystems
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Otter Oasis
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Shark Pass
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Turtle Cove
Don’t miss your chance to learn and explore at this rehabilitation-focused aquarium and care center! You will never look at the ocean the same way again.
3) Explore The Florida Aquarium In Tampa Bay
Fun with marine life can continue at another highly-rated aquarium in Florida! The Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa is a 250,000-square-foot campus that is home to more than 7,000 aquatic animals and plants. Habitats include:
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Shorelines
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Journey to Madagascar
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Stingray Beach
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No Bone Zone
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Coral Reef
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Moon Bay Waves of Wonder
Don’t miss a chance to count sea turtles, sharks, lemurs, otters, tiny seahorses, and many more land and aquatic creatures among your friends during this incredible spring break excursion! For families, there’s also a fun splash pad where kids can cool off in a water play area.
4) See The Wonders At Tampa Riverwalk
What if you just want to take an enchanted stroll to enjoy the mid-March weather during your spring break in Tampa? Perfect for both daytime and nighttime views, Tampa Riverwalk is a 2.6-mile pedestrian trail located along the Hillsborough River.
What’s incredible about this space is that it extends along most of Tampa’s downtown waterfront area. As you cover the entire route of the Tampa Riverwalk, you’ll come across the Tampa Bay History Center, Tampa Convention Center, Amalie Arena, art installations, and many other cool spots.
5) Explore Habitats From Around The World At Zoo Tampa In Lowry Park
This is what “going wild” on spring break in Tampa Bay is really all about! Highly regarded Zoo Tampa is a 63-acre center for Florida wildlife conservation and biodiversity. The big wildlife attractions here include:
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Florida panthers
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African elephants
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African painted dogs
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African penguins
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Giant tortoises
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Malayan tigers
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Queensland koalas
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Red wolves
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West Indian manatees
Don’t let this opportunity to explore a world-class zoo slip away! Embark on a wild adventure with your family or friends and discover habitats from all corners of the globe.
6) Take An Excursion To Treasure Island
Located just north of St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island is a slice of heaven on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Many people spending spring break on Tampa Bay carve out time to enjoy miles and miles of white-sand beaches lined with brilliant turquoise water on this beautiful barrier island! This is also a popular spot for paddleboard and kayak rentals.
7) Play At Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
One of the biggest attractions in the Tampa Bay area is Busch Gardens! This 335-acre theme park is dedicated to the creatures and landscapes of Asia and Africa.
For those seeking thrills, this incredible list of rides is perfect for letting off some steam during spring break following a rigorous semester:
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Serengeti Flyer
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Iron Gwazi
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Cheetah Hunt
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Tigris
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Cobra’s Curse
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Falcon’s Fury
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Congo River Rapids
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Scorpion
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Skyride
You will be completely transported to a new continent without ever leaving Florida when you explore the park’s 65-acre Serengeti Plain in an open-air touring vehicle! Other highlights include cheetah insider tours, tiger insider tours, orangutan insider tours, “keeper for a day” tours, and much more! The park also has opportunities for shopping and dining.
8) Plan A Lazy Beach Day At Clearwater Beach During Your Tampa Bay Spring Break
There’s no shortage of incredible beaches to enjoy during spring break in Tampa Bay. Clearwater Beach stands out as a top place to spend time relaxing and playing due to its reputation for having luxuriously soft white sand and peaceful water. In fact, this beach’s serenity attracts people who love jet skiing, parasailing, and paddling.
Do stay late to check out the nightly celebration at Pier 60 at Clearwater Beach! During the Sunsets at Pier 60 event, artisans and street performers gather to offer live music, magical acts, and tasty “street” food!
9) Experience The Finer Things In Life During Spring Break In Tampa And Downtown St. Pete
Stay At The Godfrey Hotel & Cabanas Tampa
This last tip is a reminder to soak up the luxury that is all around you in Tampa. While not every night of a spring break getaway in Tampa can be a five-star affair, try to see if you can splurge on a weekend stay at the famous Godfrey Hotel in Tampa. This Godfrey Hotel is an island-inspired hotel located on the edge of Tampa Bay’s waterfront that offers unparalleled comfort.
Celebrate In Style In Downtown Tampa
Next, put aside time for dinner, drinks, and music at popular spots around downtown Tampa. Here’s a rundown of the best spots for making some weekend dinner reservations over spring break:
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Sal Rosa – Caribbean restaurant
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Harpoon Harry’s Crab House – Seafood restaurant
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Maestro’s Restaurant – American restaurant
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Urban Cantina – Mexican restaurant
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Predalina – Mediterranean restaurant
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Remedy – Bar & grill
St. Pete Beach Is The Ultimate Destination For Spring Break
If you are staying closer to St. Pete Beach, you’ll have no trouble finding great places for dining, drinks, and music that give you reasons to get dressed to the nines for a night out. Some upscale spots near downtown St. Pete to check out include:
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Palm Court Italian Grille – Italian restaurant
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Castile – New American restaurant
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82 Degrees – Bar & grill
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Salty Tiki’s Beach Bar & Lounge
Plan An Unforgettable Tampa Bay Spring Break
While a Tampa Bay holiday is a common choice during spring break, you don’t have to have a cookie-cutter experience just because you happen to be going where the crowds go!
One way to make your Tampa Bay spring break feel like it was made just for you is to book a once-in-a-lifetime boat tour.
We, at The Tropics Boat Tours offer world-class tours that let you experience the natural side of Tampa Bay that few spring breakers ever get to experience! With spots filling up quickly ahead of the busy spring break season, you don’t want to wait to book tickets for your whole crew!
Let us help you make your spring break something you’ll be talking about for the rest of your life!
