Updated October 2026 · By Danny Nappi, Tampa Bay local and founder of Vacation Florida
Clearwater Beach has one of the busiest boat scenes on the Gulf Coast, and almost every tour leaves from the same place: Clearwater Beach Marina at 25 Causeway Blvd. Bottlenose dolphins live year-round in Clearwater Harbor and the nearby Gulf, so a dolphin cruise is the classic first-timer move. Here are the tours worth booking, from quick speedboat runs to private charters, plus the ferry to one of Florida’s best beaches.
The Short Answer
The best Clearwater dolphin tours are Little Toot (4.9 stars from 5,800+ reviews, about 75 minutes), the Sea Screamer speedboat (about an hour, dolphins ride the wake) and Tropics Boat Tours (double-decker with a bar). Most cost about $30–$40 per adult. My pick for groups is an A Boat Day private charter on their double-decker Funship with a waterslide, and don’t skip the ferry from Honeymoon Island to Caladesi Island.
Danny’s Pick: A Boat Day Private Charter
A few years back I took the A Boat Day double-decker slide charter out to some of the local islands with a couple of friends, and we had a blast. We went down the slide over and over and totally acted like little kids. The owners are super great local people. If you’re staying in Clearwater, I highly recommend booking an A Boat Day charter.
Clearwater Boat Tours at a Glance
| Tour | From | Length | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Toot | ~$31 | 75 min | 4.9 (5,800+) | Families, first-timers |
| Sea Screamer | ~$40 | ~1 hr | 4.9 (400+) | Thrill seekers |
| Tropics Boat Tours | ~$32 | 90 min | 4.5 (990+) | Adults, sunset cruise |
| Get Wet Dolphin Tour | Check rates | 90 min | — | Small groups |
| Calypso Queen | ~$37 ($70 buffet) | 1.5–2 hrs | 4.3 (2,300+) | Party cruise with buffet |
| A Boat Day Funship (Danny’s pick) | Check rates | 4–8 hrs | — | Groups up to 8 |
Prices and ratings as listed on booking sites in October 2026 and may change.
Best Clearwater Dolphin Tours
1. Little Toot Dolphin Adventure
The most-reviewed dolphin tour in Clearwater, with a 4.9-star rating from more than 5,800 reviews. Little Toot is a 40-foot tugboat that sits low to the water, and its big wake is a magnet for dolphins that love to jump and surf behind the boat. The narrated cruise runs about 75 minutes through Clearwater Harbor and out into the Gulf, with several departures a day plus a sunset trip. Drinks on board are cash only.
👉 Book Little Toot Dolphin Adventure
2. Sea Screamer (Speedboat Dolphin Ride)
Clearwater’s speedboat option. The 73-foot Sea Screamer runs fast out into the Gulf, and dolphins often play in its wake. Trips last about an hour and leave at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Arrive 45 minutes early, since marina construction can slow down parking and check-in.
More on this tour: Sea Screamer reviews, departure times and tips
3. Tropics Boat Tours
A double-decker catamaran with a full bar, leaving from Slip 5 at Clearwater Beach Marina. The dolphin cruise runs about 90 minutes from the harbor out to the Gulf, and a 2-hour sunset cruise is a great date-night option.
4. Get Wet Dolphin & Sightseeing Tour
A smaller-group, 90-minute cruise along the Intracoastal from Clearwater Beach Marina. A good pick if you want a more relaxed ride than the big party boats.
👉 Check availability with Get Wet
More on this tour: Get Wet dolphin tour details and reviews
5. Calypso Queen (Buffet Party Cruise)
A Clearwater classic from Starlite Cruises, leaving from Slip 56. Choose the 1.5-hour narrated sightseeing cruise or the 2-hour buffet cruise with an island-style spread, beer, wine and rum punch. It focuses more on the scenery and birdlife of Clearwater Harbor than on dolphins.
More on this cruise: Calypso Queen details and tips
Private Boat Charters in Clearwater
Traveling with a group? This is the one I’ve done myself. The Funship from A Boat Day is a 25-foot double-decker boat with a waterslide that takes up to 8 people out for 4 to 8 hours of dolphin spotting, shelling and swimming at the barrier islands. Water, gratuity and fuel are included. Book a Funship charter.
Deep Sea Fishing in Clearwater
Want to reel something in? Fish Eye Sport Fishing runs private charters out of Clearwater Beach with three licensed captains, led by owner Capt. Brandon Fraley. Deep sea trips on their 32-foot Contender run from 4 hours to a full day, with seasonal red snapper, goliath grouper and shark trips. Prefer calmer water? They also run inshore trips on a 24-foot bay boat, including a 2-hour kids trip. Book well ahead for weekends and spring break.
Charter details: FishEye Sportfishing deep sea and inshore trips
Banana Boat Rides and Water Fun
For a quick thrill, the banana boat ride at Shephard’s Beach Resort lasts about 20 minutes and starts around $35. It is a fun add-on for teens and groups. Book the banana boat ride.
Ride details: Banana boat ride at Shephard’s
The Ferry to Caladesi Island
Danny’s Take
I’ve taken the ferry from Honeymoon Island over to Caladesi Island. There’s no road onto the island, so the ferry is the easiest way to get there.
- Where: The Caladesi Connection ferry leaves from Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, about 20 minutes north of Clearwater Beach.
- Cost: $20 for adults, $10 for ages 6–12, free for 5 and under, plus the Honeymoon Island park entry fee ($8 per vehicle).
- Time on the island: About 4 hours. The first boat leaves at 10 a.m.
- Good to know: No pets on the ferry. Bring water, snacks and shade.
Plan your visit: Caladesi Island State Park and Honeymoon Island State Park.
Tips for Booking a Clearwater Boat Tour
- Parking: Most tours leave from Clearwater Beach Marina (25 Causeway Blvd). Parking fills up fast, so arrive early.
- Dolphin sightings: Several operators advertise guaranteed sightings. Check each tour’s policy if that matters to you.
- Best time: Morning trips tend to have calmer water, and sunset cruises are the most scenic.
- Bring: Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and cash for drinks or tips.
Planning your stay? See our Clearwater Beach vacation guide, compare Clearwater Beach vs St. Pete Beach, or heading down in March? Check our Florida spring break guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best dolphin tour in Clearwater?
Little Toot is the most-reviewed dolphin tour in Clearwater, with a 4.9-star rating from more than 5,800 reviews. For a faster ride, the Sea Screamer speedboat is a popular alternative.
How much is a dolphin tour in Clearwater Beach?
Most Clearwater dolphin tours cost about $30 to $40 per adult for 60 to 90 minutes. Buffet cruises and private charters cost more.
Where do Clearwater boat tours leave from?
Most tours depart from Clearwater Beach Marina at 25 Causeway Blvd, at the base of the Memorial Causeway on Clearwater Beach.
Will I see dolphins in Clearwater?
Bottlenose dolphins live year-round in Clearwater Harbor and the Gulf, and sightings are very common. Several operators advertise guaranteed sightings.
How do you get to Caladesi Island?
Take the Caladesi Connection ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids 6–12, plus the park entry fee.
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