Private boat tours & water sports for Gulfport, St. Pete Beach & Treasure Island · Call or text Captain Allen
Boat tours near Tampa
Private boat tours and water sports for Tampa guests, launching from our Gulfport ramp on Boca Ciega Bay.
Your boarding pass
Tampa to the ramp
$225
Your day on Tampa Bay
Tampa has the Riverwalk and Bayshore Boulevard, but the quiet beaches, sandbars and island ruins of lower Tampa Bay sit on the Pinellas side. Guests from South Tampa, Westshore and downtown cross the Gandy Bridge or the Howard Frankland Bridge and pull into our Gulfport launch about 35 to 45 minutes later. Captain Allen grew up on these waters and runs every Tampa Bay boat tour as a private charter for your group.
If you're searching for boat tours Tampa residents can reach without a long day of driving, here's where the boat is. We don't dock or pick up in Tampa. Every trip leaves from our Gulfport launch on Boca Ciega Bay, about 35 to 50 minutes across the bay.
The boat does not leave from Tampa, and that works in your favor. From Gulfport, the run to the mouth of the bay and the Gulf is short, so more of your time goes to the water instead of crossing it. Tampa families often book a longer charter to make the drive worthwhile and combine a few activities in one outing. A morning of tubing, a run to Egmont Key and an afternoon on a sandbar all fit in one 6-hour day.
Dolphins are active in the bay all year. Mornings and late afternoons usually bring the most activity, and pods often race the boat to play in its wake. Captain Allen slows down and keeps a respectful distance when a pod is close. A dolphin tour on lower Tampa Bay works for all ages, and life jackets come in sizes down to infants.
Tampa Bay snorkeling trips head to Egmont Key, where fish gather around the sunken ruins of Fort Dade. The island was once a Seminole camp and later a Spanish American War fort. Its lighthouse has stood since 1858, and gopher tortoises wander the trails near the ruins. Kids who would rather stay dry can hunt for shells on a shelling and island hopping tour.
Friends visiting Tampa for a celebration often want the energy of the water sports side. Captain Allen calls wakeboarding from Gulfport his personal favorite, and no experience is needed. Riders choose how much coaching they get. Groups can also book bachelor and bachelorette party boat charters with Bluetooth music, their own decorations and their own coolers.
Our private boat tours Tampa guests book and the boat charters Tampa groups reserve both start at the Gulfport ramp, where parking is free, so the city traffic is behind you before you step aboard.
Around town
South Tampa's Hyde Park and Bayshore neighborhoods sit closest to the Gandy Bridge. That makes them the quickest Tampa drive to Gulfport, often around 35 minutes outside rush hour. Families here like to pair a morning on the water with lunch in downtown Gulfport afterward.
Davis Islands residents live surrounded by water but mostly see the busy channels near the port. The lower bay is a different scene, with clear water near Egmont Key and long sandbars. A sunset cruise near Pass-A-Grille is a fun change from the city skyline.
Westshore hotels put business travelers near the Howard Frankland Bridge and the airport. A free afternoon is enough for a 2-hour dolphin trip or a quick tubing run on Boca Ciega Bay before an evening flight.
Visitors staying near the Riverwalk or the Florida Aquarium can see wild dolphins on the Pinellas side of the bay. From downtown, I-275 crosses the Howard Frankland toward St. Petersburg and Gulfport.
Pick your day on the water
Every trip below is open to Tampa groups. Rates are per trip, not per person, and the Gulfport boat tour prices list shows each package.
What our guests say
Recent words from guests who spent a day aboard Making Memories. More Google reviews of Captain Allen's tours cover every kind of trip.
Review from Kris Melaragni: Capt Allen was AWESOME. We went snorkeling, tubing and looked for shells and sand dollars. We had an incredible, memorable experience that will be remembered forever. I highly recommend Capt Allen. He’s the best!
Review from Olivia Madison: Allen was the absolute best! We had a party of 4 and he was nice, respectful and fun! We did tubing and wakeboarding and had a great boat ride. We definitely will be riding with Allen again!
Review from Amelia Levy: Allen was awesome!! He accommodated a large group of girls for a bachelorette trip with ease! 100% would boat with Allen again for any of our adventures 🐬🐠☀️
Meet me at the ramp
Every trip starts at our Gulfport boat launch location, never at a pickup point in Tampa.
Captain Allen's tips
The drive is the main planning piece for Tampa guests. Allow 35 to 50 minutes depending on your neighborhood and the bridge you take. The Gandy Bridge suits South Tampa, the Howard Frankland suits downtown and Westshore, and the Courtney Campbell Causeway works for northwest Tampa. Rush hour on any of them can add 20 minutes or more, so mid-morning starts are popular.
Build in 15 extra minutes at the ramp for sunscreen and a restroom stop. The Gulfport launch costs nothing to park at, and our Tampa Bay boat launch page has directions for the drive over from Tampa.
Summer brings afternoon thunderstorms to the whole bay, so morning departures are the safer pick in the hottest months. Winter tours bring cooler air, fewer boats and great sunsets. If the forecast looks rough, Captain Allen can move your trip to another day. The full weather and cancellation policy is in our boat tour FAQ.
Neighbors book with us too
Book online with 18 hours notice, or call or text for anything sooner. Before you drive down from Tampa, get to know Captain Allen, your Gulfport boat captain.
