
Madeira Beach - Shell Key - Dolphins - Half Day Private Boat Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 22 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Madeira Beach - Shell Key - Dolphins - Half Day Private Boat Tour worth booking?
Madeira Beach - Shell Key - Dolphins - Half Day Private Boat Tour is a 4-hour experience in St Petersburg, United States, from $449 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 22 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 62 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (22)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $449 per person
Best value at the beach. We are a family owned boat tour operator in Madeira Beach. We specialize in private boat tours to secluded sandbars and barrier island beaches. Along the way we'll see dolphins, local wildlife an
What you get
About this experience
Best value at the beach. We are a family owned boat tour operator in Madeira Beach. We specialize in private boat tours to secluded sandbars and barrier island beaches. Along the way we'll see dolphins, local wildlife and beautiful waterfront homes. Once anchored at your beach of choice you can indulge in shelling, a leisurely beach walk and swimming in the clear blue waters. Your're welcome to bring your own snorkel equipment. Our goal is to make you safe, comfortable and to have fun engaging in the activities you choose. It's going to be a special day you won't forget.
What's included
Included
- Floats and water toys
- Bottled water
- Captain included with price
- Gas included with price
- Cooler and Ice
Not included
- Bring your own snorkel equipment if you like
What you'll see and do
John's Pass Village & Boardwalk
View John's Pass via Madeira Beach channel while searching for dolphins and local wildlife
Pass by without stopping
An undeveloped barrier island off Tampa Bay's Gulf Coast. A perfect spot for swimming, shelling, bird watching and enjoying paradise.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
St Petersburg
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- That's What Sea Said Charters
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The boat trip is a four hour excursion. The four hours includes the transport time
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 22 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Good for families
6 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
22 verified traveler reviews for Madeira Beach - Shell Key - Dolphins - Half Day Private Boat Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Capt Mike was wonderful...
Capt Mike was wonderful and the boat was safe and clean! Fantastic day out on the water, beaches and sandbars!!
via Viator
Awesome time with Captain Mike !!
Captain Mike was amazing. Perfect communication while booking after booking and during the boat trip. Mikes boat was easy to find, clean and everything was perfect. Mike brought us to two beautiful spots and let us determine what we wanted to do. I would go with captain Mike every day if could. Mike was excellent. Thank you for an amazing time.
via Viator
Hands down the best...
Hands down the best experience we had while visiting Madeira. Captain Mike checked all things off of our bucket list during our boat tour. He was fun, knowledgeable and accommodating. If you’re look for something fun to do with your family and friends I highly recommend taking a private boat tour with Captain Mike. Fun for all ages.
via Viator
Worth the extra cost to...
Worth the extra cost to do individually rather than on larger boat. Beautiful 4 hour trip with experienced captain. Be right on the water as you travel through the intercoastal and a bit of the gulf to a couple small "keys" / sandbars to walk and swim. Captain Mike communicated well via text; provided cooler for lunch and ice cold waters, access to personal music and most importantly heard us. When I was excited to see several dolphins he took the time on the way back to slow down and even waited for a pod to come nearby so they would follow the boat and jump in the wake. They looked happy and free - Best part of the day (he even grabbed a short video and sent it to us via text).
Response from the operator: Thanks so much for the favorable review Teresa. It was a pleasure to meet you and your son. Glad you enjoyed the day on the water. Capt Mike
via Viator
My family and I had the...
My family and I had the best day out on the water with Cpt Mike! My husband and I booked as a group of 5 with 14 and 10y old boys and my mother as well. Everything was a breeze and tailored to our preferences including departure time. We enjoyed shelling, swimming and taking in the scenery along the bay. But, the highlight was definitely when Mike got a pod of dolphins to play in the boat’s wake! We will be sure to recommend this trip to anyone we know coming to the area and hope to one day make it back ourselves!
Response from the operator: Thanks for the nice review Kelly. It was a pleasure meeting your family and talking about lacrosse with your son. Enjoy your summer and thanks again. Capt Mike.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 8
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 62
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Madeira Beach - Shell Key - Dolphins - Half Day Private Boat Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for St Petersburg.
How much does Madeira Beach - Shell Key - Dolphins - Half Day Private Boat Tour cost?
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Prices start at $449 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in St Petersburg usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Madeira Beach - Shell Key - Dolphins - Half Day Private Boat Tour take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in St Petersburg is not rushed.
Is Madeira Beach - Shell Key - Dolphins - Half Day Private Boat Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 22 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in St Petersburg, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Madeira Beach - Shell Key - Dolphins - Half Day Private Boat Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Madeira Beach - Shell Key - Dolphins - Half Day Private Boat Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Madeira Beach - Shell Key - Dolphins - Half Day Private Boat Tour?
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Around 8 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in St Petersburg can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in St Petersburg and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Madeira Beach - Shell Key - Dolphins - Half Day Private Boat Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central St Petersburg within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in St Petersburg?
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St Petersburg pairs beach time with a dense arts district: Dali Museum entry, mural walking tours, clear-kayak paddles through mangrove tunnels and boat runs out to Egmont Key and Shell Key. On Outty we rank every St Petersburg experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area, St. Petersburg Jungle Prada Site History Tour, Island Sunset and Skyway Light Show - 3hr Boat Cruise in St. Pete. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit St Petersburg?
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October to April, before the summer heat and afternoon storms. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in St Petersburg?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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