Every eco tour supports coastal restoration.

Explore the Estuary With Us!

Discover the Tampa Bay ecosystem with our expert marine science educators! Moored at Gate 23 on the St. Pete Pier, our USCG-certified eco-vessel provides family-friendly boat tours, dolphin tours, private charters, and school field trips. Guests will enjoy wildlife watching, learning about the area’s history, experiencing marine species up close, and more. Frequent sightings include dolphins, manatees, birds, stingrays, and more! Sunset cruises are also available. This is a fun, unique, affordable way to explore the estuary from the water.

Proceeds from your tour support the important environmental restoration work of Tampa Bay Watch. Our eco tours are wheelchair accessible upon request. Please contact tbwdcecotours@tampabaywatch.org at least 24 hours ahead of your trip to make arrangements.

Our Boat Tours Are Fun for All Ages!

Learn about our current eco tour programs below.

  • 90 minutes

    Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a marine biologist? When you step into our floating classroom, you'll find out!

    Every eco tour aboard the Discovery includes wildlife watching, a fisheries trawl to take a closer look at common local species, and an opportunity to participate in real scientific research.

    We often spot manatees, dolphins, a variety of birds, stingrays, fish, and so much more.

    Eco Tours do not include snorkeling, please book a Sandbar Snorkeling Excursion if you would like to get in the water.

    All proceeds support Tampa Bay Watch's mission to foster a healthy Tampa Bay watershed through community-driven restoration projects, education programs, and outreach initiatives.

  • 2 hours

    What did it take to build a thriving city by the bay? A whole lot of creativity, determination, and shoreline sculpting, as it turns out! On this tour, developed and hosted by Tampa Bay Watch and the St. Petersburg Museum of History, you’ll discover the history of St. Petersburg from the water – the good, the bad, and the funny. Join us on a relaxing boat tour to find out how a cast of colorful characters brought notorious local landmarks to life, and learn what happened to the Tampa Bay ecosystem as a result. It’s the perfect blend of history, science, and views.

    Liquid to Land tickets include same-day complimentary admission into the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center and the St. Petersburg Museum of History.

    All proceeds support Tampa Bay Watch's mission to foster a healthy Tampa Bay watershed through community-driven restoration projects, education programs, and outreach initiatives.

    The St. Petersburg Museum of History has been sharing the stories of the Sunshine City for over a century at its historic location on the St. Pete Pier.

  • 2 hours

    Splash around Tampa Bay with us this summer! Our sandbar excursions offer a chance to cool off while exploring the ecosystem. Guests can grab a dip net or borrow a mask and snorkel to join our knowledgeable marine science educators in search of fish, crabs, snails, seahorses, and more. You are also welcome to stroll or swim in the shallows.

    This program is family-friendly and open to ages 5 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

    FAQs

  • 60 minutes

    Discover the Tampa Bay ecosystem with expert marine science educators and the added bonus of sunset views!

    When you join us for a relaxing evening cruise aboard the Discovery, you'll experience wildlife watching, a visit to a local bird sanctuary island, learning about the area's history, and beautiful scenery as the sky changes colors over the downtown skyline.

    All proceeds support Tampa Bay Watch's mission to foster a healthy Tampa Bay watershed through community-driven restoration projects, education programs, and outreach initiatives.

  • 2 hours

    Curious about fishing in Tampa Bay but not sure where to start? During this boat-based course, we will cover essential topics like bait selection, appropriate gear usage, regulations, and local fish identification and handling–ensuring participants are equipped with the knowledge to fish responsibly and respectfully.

    Each participant will have access to a fishing rod and all essential gear for a hands-on experience during the workshop, with expert guidance readily available as needed.

    Perfect for:

    • Families and parents looking to foster responsible fishing practices.

    • Individuals interested in fishing responsibly and connecting with like-minded people.

    • Anglers who have recently relocated to the Tampa Bay area and want a better understanding of the local waters, responsible fishing practices, and common fish species in the area.

    Key details:

    $20 per participant

    Gear included - provided by IGFA and FWC

    A fishing license is not required for this workshop

    Catch and release fishing only

    Duration - approx 2 hours

    Opportunity to win prizes

    Suggested items to bring - water, sun protection, positive attitude!

  • 75 minutes

    Join us for a birdwatching excursion aboard our eco-vessel and let’s spot feathered friends in their natural habitat. This program includes a boat-based visit to a local bird sanctuary island with plenty of time for observation, and our educators will share their knowledge of the local avian population. All proceeds support Tampa Bay Watch's mission to foster a healthy Tampa Bay watershed through community-driven restoration projects, education programs, and outreach initiatives.

    This program is offered seasonally, please check our calendar for availability.

  • 90 minutes

    What is there to learn from a dolphin's dorsal fin? A lot, actually — and the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center's dolphin research team is ready to tell you all about it on this tour! You'll learn basic dolphin biology, find out how we study these top predators using photo-identification, and get to know some of the individuals that frequent the waters surrounding the St. Pete Pier on a first-name basis. We hope you'll join us for a fintastic time.

    This program is offered seasonally, please check our calendar for availability.

Our Calendar

Give the Gift of Exploration!

Give the gift of estuary exploration! Are you looking for the perfect present for someone who enjoys unique experiences and loves being on the water? Treat your family and friends to a trip aboard the Discovery by purchasing gift cards in advance. Gift cards can be redeemed on any tour offering or private charter. Click here to buy.

Private Charters

Host your next event aboard the Discovery. Our crew looks forward to designing a private charter just for you. We'll customize the trip route and duration, educational content, and other details to meet your needs. Great for families, celebrations, holiday parties, and company outings. For additional information, pricing, and availability, please click here for our brochure or email tbwdcecotours@tampabaywatch.org.

Field Trips

Board our 45-foot eco-vessel for a unique, field-based learning experience. Participants will observe a bird hatchery, scan the bay for manatees and dolphins, and participate in citizen science initiatives. Your group will also use a trawl net to sample the seagrass and count invertebrates alongside our marine biologists. It's science in action! Click here to read about our programs and contact tbwdcecotours@tampabaywatch.org to learn more.

Group Rates

If you are purchasing tickets for a group of 10 people or more, please contact us to learn more about group rates.

  • “We had a great time and learned a lot about Tampa Bay. The marine biologists were very interactive with us … and boy we got to see lots of variety. Mud crabs, cowfish, shrimp and even a seahorse …the tour was the highlight of my visit to the St. Pete area!”

  • “The entire staff on the Tampa Bay Watch eco-tour were friendly and informative from start to finish. Our Tampa Bay tour guide, Savannah, was incredibly well informed regarding the fragile environment surrounding us. She explained her research efforts and kept us interested throughout the tour. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!”

  • “Very educational and great for children. We went as a family with a 2 year old and 3 year old. They loved being on the boat and learning about the ecosystem and animals in the bay. The staff was very professional and knowledgable. I would really recommend them for anyone wanting to learn and have a fun boat trip.”

  • "Such a great experience for myself and my family! Captain Bill, Aubrey and Regina did an awesome job educating us about the bay and all the wildlife and things we saw! Extra special bonus points for the cameos from a large sea turtle and a dolphin! I would definitely recommend if you are visiting or are locals like us!"

Questions?

Click here to read our FAQs page. If you have other questions, please email tbwdcecotours@tampabaywatch.org for assistance.

Our boat slip address is 400 2nd Ave NE Slip Q47, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Click here to view a map of our departure location.

Helpful Hint: We do not sell refreshements on the boat, so consider bringing your own eco-friendly reusable water bottle to stay hydrated in the Florida heat.

Click here to read our Liability and Media Release Policy.

Read what visitors are saying about our eco tours on Tripadvisor and Google!