TOUR OFFERINGS

The eco-vessel is docked in the downtown St. Petersburg Municipal Marina at gate 23 just a few slips down from Fresco's restaurant. It is not docked at the Discovery Center.

Boat Slip Address: 400 2nd Ave NE Slip Q47, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

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Boarding will begin 10-15 minutes prior to the tour’s departure. For times around holidays and peak seasons, please allow at least 30 extra minutes for you and/or your party to locate parking and walk to the boat. Please note that during high peak times, parking may not be available at the pier.

There is street parking and two parking lots available to the public on the pier. However, spaces are often limited on weekends, holidays, and peak seasons (spring and summer). There is additional parking throughout the downtown area. We recommend using the Sundial Parking Garage located a few blocks away. All parking is paid.

You are welcome to bring food and drink on the vessel to stay hydrated and energized. We do not allow alcohol on the eco-vessel. The only refreshments sold on the boat are canned waters for $3. Refillable water bottles are highly encouraged!

Yes, there is a bathroom, or a “head” on the eco-vessel. It is available for passengers to use throughout the duration of the trip.

We do not offer refunds if your party is late or misses the tour.

Yes. the eco-vessel is wheelchair accessible.

There are two options for wheelchair boarding. If a guest is not completely wheelchair-bound, they are able to step up onto the boat for boarding and navigate around the boat with the wheelchair. For guests that are completely wheelchair-bound, a ramp is available, but there will be an alternative pick-up location nearby on the Pier. If you require the use of a wheelchair ramp, please coordinate with the eco-vessel crew at least 24 hours prior to your trip by emailing tbwdcecotours@tampabaywatch.org.

Please dress with consideration to the Florida climate and weather. Sun protection is highly recommended.

Our tours are perfect for all ages! Certain specialty tours have specific age restrictions for the safety and comfort of our guests. Our Fishing Workshops are for ages 10+, and our Sandbar Snorkeling Excursions are for ages 5+.

Yes, pets are allowed on the eco-vessel, so long as they are well behaved and on a leash.

Tours will still go out in the rain. Visibility, lightning, and high winds are what would limit a tour from going out. If a tour is canceled due to inclement weather, you will be notified.

Our tour is more than a boat ride, it is a hands-on educational experience of all things Tampa Bay. Each trip is led by an expert marine scientist and includes a research-based fisheries trawl net pull. This allows guests to get up close with marine life native to Tampa Bay, including fishes and invertebrates!

An otter trawl net is a cone-shaped net similar to those used by shrimp fisheries. The trawl net we use is relatively small. It functions like a funnel; as the boat moves backwards anything rustled into the net moves towards its smallest end. The net is connected to the boat with two lines. The largest part of the net, or its mouth, is pulled open by floats on its top and two otter boards on the side. Animals are gently brushed into the net from a tickle chain at the bottom of the mouth of the net.

No, we use an otter trawl net which is designed to gently move through underwater habitat. Further, we rotate through 30 designated trawl sites, each of which receive a rest period of a week or more before we return. All animals collected are also handled with care and returned to the bay by the end of the day.

Animals collected using the otter trawl will vary among pulls, but usually consists of a mix of native fish and invertebrate species. Examples of species we might find are pinfish, pufferfish, seahorses, and crabs. Each tour also includes a boat-based visit to a local bird sanctuary island. Other forms of wildlife, such as dolphins and manatees, may also be seen as we move through the Tampa Bay waters.