Clearwater Tours: Top Cruises for Sightseeing and Adventure

Situated in Tampa Bay, Clearwater’s location provides the perfect place for sightseeing. Whether looking for an exciting activity or a place to unwind, the top Clearwater tours explore both the Gulf of Mexico and Clearwater Bay while giving visitors exactly what they want. Keep reading to learn about the top Clearwater boat tours and pick one to try today.

Top Clearwater Tours: 7 Cruises for Your Beach Vacation

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StarLite Majesty Dining Cruises

For more than 30 years, family-owned StarLite Majesty Dining Cruises has offered a variety of cruises that enabled it to become Florida’s largest daily excursion fleet. The company serves both Clearwater and St. Pete, located near Tampa Bay.

Couples enjoy daytime and evening yacht cruises, which feature dining service, music, and drinks in a romantic setting. For something more casual, check out daily tropical cruises and buffets complete with free beer, wine, and rum punch. Families can also book a Sea Life Safari Tour guided by a marine specialist from Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

The Tropics Boat Tours

With The Tropics Boat Tours, guests have two tours from which to choose: the dolphin exploration and sunset celebration. Dolphin tours last approximately two hours, starting from Clearwater Bay and extending into the Gulf of Mexico.

While learning about the area’s bottlenose dolphins, visitors also participate in educational programs for children and optional drink upgrades for adults. Those taking the sunset celebration cruise will relax for two hours, learn about the area and may see the legendary green flash. This tour also offers complimentary campaign for guests 21 and older.

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Florida Dolphin Tours

Florida Dolphin Tours has delighted guests for more than 20 years. The company operates several tours throughout the state, however its Clearwater tours rank as some of the best.

Most packages include lunch, and visitors even have the opportunity to meet Winter the dolphin, the star of Dolphin Tale. Other excursions include pirate cruises, wild dolphin encounters and deep-sea fishing adventures. Learn more about Florida Dolphin Tours.

Little Toot Dolphin Adventures

Hop aboard a tugboat and join Little Toot Dolphin Adventures for a sightseeing tour safe for all ages. Little Toot measures 40 feet and has restrooms and a canopy area for those who prefer shade. The boat is allowed to travel 3 miles into the Gulf, and creates a wake in which dolphins love to jump and play.

Families with smaller children can rest easy as Little Toot has high fencing, safety netting and restrooms on board. Tours last about 1.5 hours, and visitors also have access to soft drinks, water and beer, and guaranteed dolphin sightings.

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Kai Lani Catamaran

Another top company that offers Clearwater tours is Kai Lani Catamaran. Visitors can choose between three options including daily dolphin sailing cruises, daily sunset cruises and special events.

The dolphin excursion offers two hours of sailing for up to 41 guests on the 50-foot Catamaran. Sunset cruises are prefect for couples, birthdays and honeymoons, providing a way to enjoy the view with loved ones. Both tours offer beer and wine options, and don’t miss Sangria Sundays at sunset for a date-night activity.

Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise

Gear up for high-sea adventures and meet pirates on Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise. Among the top Clearwater tours for families, this pirate cruise offers safe entertainment.

Captain Memo’s ship resembles a real pirate ship equipped with everything needed for a safe trip. Guests may book a daytime cruise or champagne cruise, depending on the desired experience. Both tours offer free beer, wine and soft drinks, and Memo’s also hosts birthday parties, private parties and pirate weddings.

Sea Screamer

Know the bright yellow boat making its way down the coast? Then you’ve seen a Sea Screamer. As the world’s largest speedboat, Sea Screamer provides action-packed fun for all ages. This tour focuses on thrills and dolphin sightings, and each tour lasts about an hour.

On the boat, guests ride 35 miles per hour and enjoy amenities including restrooms and refreshments for a small fee. Guests should also expect to see celebrity mansions, historic sites and lots beach views.

Read about the top Clearwater kids activities or start planning and book your Clearwater vacation rental.