The Best Family Water Activities Near St. Pete Beach

St. Pete Beach is built for families who want real fun on the water. The Gulf of Mexico is wide open, Boca Ciega Bay is calm, and every day brings a new shot at adventure. You don’t need a plan—just a little curiosity and a crew ready to jump in. Here’s what actually makes a family trip here stick in your memory.

1. Dolphin Watching Tours

Dolphins don’t care about your schedule. They show up when they want, and when they do, it’s magic. We pile into the boat, head out with Captain Allen’s Aquatic Adventures, and keep our eyes peeled. Sometimes they swim right alongside, sometimes they leap, sometimes they just cruise by. It’s not a show—it’s the real thing. Want to see how close you can get? Check out the dolphin tour page.

2. Snorkeling Adventures

The water here is clear enough to see your toes—and everything else. Grab a mask, drop in, and you’re face-to-face with fish, shells, and the kind of sea life you usually only see in books. Kids get it right away: the best stuff is just below the surface. If you want the details, the snorkeling page has you covered.

3. Shelling Excursions

Shell Key and the nearby islands are loaded with shells you can actually keep. We walk the sand, dig a little, and fill our bags with colors and shapes you won’t find at the souvenir shop. The kids get competitive, the adults get nostalgic, and everyone ends up with a pocket full of stories. Our shelling and island hopping trips are the way to go.

4. Watersports Adventures

Some families want to relax. Others want to go fast. If you’re in the second group, this is your playground. Wakeboarding, tubing, kneeboarding—pick your speed and hang on. The water is warm, the gear is ready, and the only rule is to have fun. If you want to see what’s possible, check out wakeboarding and tubing.

5. Sunset Cruises

The sun drops fast over the Gulf, and the colors don’t wait for anyone. We get out on the water, find the right spot, and just watch. Phones come out, but the real memory is the quiet, the breeze, and the way everyone just stops for a minute. Private boats mean you get the view to yourself. The sunset cruises are the move.

Plan Your Family Water Adventure

This isn’t a checklist—it’s a handful of real moments you’ll talk about long after you leave. St. Pete Beach is built for families who want to do more than just sit on the sand. You’ll find dolphins, shells, and sunsets that don’t need a filter. You’ll get wet, you’ll get sandy, and you’ll want to come back.

Book your spot with Captain Allen’s Aquatic Adventures and see what the water has in store.

Book Your St. Pete Water Activity Now