Venice, Florida

Poseidon Fishing Charters provides fishing charters in Tampa Bay, offering experiences for catching trophy fish, family fishing, relaxing days with dolphin sightings, beaches, and waterfront dining. Captain Steve is highlighted for knowledgeable guidance on various trips including shark fishing and inshore fishing.

StarLite Cruises is a family-owned business based in the Clearwater and St. Petersburg area of Florida, operating since 1986. With decades of experience, it has grown from a single vessel to Florida’s largest daily excursion fleet, serving over three million passengers. The company is known for its diverse offerings, including award-winning dining yachts, tropical cruises, and dolphin adventures, all set against the scenic backdrop of Florida’s inland and coastal waters. Its reputation for excellent service and variety makes it a standout choice for both locals and visitors seeking memorable water-based experiences. The fleet includes elegant dining yachts like the StarLite Majesty and StarLite Sapphire, which provide chef-prepared meals, live entertainment, and panoramic waterfront views ideal for special occasions or casual outings. For those seeking a more relaxed atmosphere, Calypso Tropical Cruises and Tiki Island Cruises offer casual buffet dining, tropical vibes, and social settings. Adventure seekers can enjoy the high-speed Dolphin Racer Adventure, featuring narrated tours with guaranteed dolphin sightings. The company also accommodates private events, group charters, and themed cruises, ensuring a tailored experience for birthdays, anniversaries, or corporate gatherings.

Located in the St. Pete Beach area of Florida, this business offers a unique marine adventure aboard a bright yellow vessel known for its open deck seating accommodating up to 120 passengers. The boat operates from Corey Causeway in South Pasadena and specializes in an engaging "race with dolphins" experience. As the boat creates a large wake, dolphins are often seen jumping and body surfing alongside, providing an exciting and interactive wildlife encounter. The narrated cruise explores the scenic waterways surrounding the Gulf Beaches, combining natural beauty with informative commentary about the local environment. The primary offering is a dolphin surfing and sightseeing cruise designed for visitors seeking both adventure and relaxation on the water. The experience caters to a wide range of customers, including families, tourists, and nature enthusiasts interested in observing dolphins in their natural habitat. The knowledgeable crew enhances the journey with interesting stories and facts, making the trip both educational and entertaining. This excursion provides a memorable way to explore the coastal area while enjoying close encounters with marine life in a comfortable and spacious setting.

Cruisin' Tikis Cape Coral offers unique floating tiki bar cruises on USCG-certified boats, providing captains, coolers with ice, and Bluetooth stereo. Guests can bring their own food and beverages (BYOB) for public and private tours to experience Cape Coral's waterways, suitable for family, parties, and events, with two boats available.

Sarasota Bay Explorers is a marine eco-tourism company based in Sarasota, Florida, located at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, the former site of Mote Marine Aquarium. With a strong partnership with Mote Marine Laboratory, the company offers expertly guided boat tours led by knowledgeable marine biologists. These tours provide an educational and interactive experience focused on the natural beauty and wildlife of Sarasota Bay, including opportunities to observe dolphins, manatees, and native bird species. The company’s commitment to hands-on learning and eco-conservation makes it a distinctive choice for visitors seeking an immersive marine adventure on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The business offers a variety of tours and private charters tailored to different interests and group sizes. Popular options include the Sea Life Encounter Cruise, a 1.75-hour educational journey featuring wildlife observation and a visit to an uninhabited island, and the Sarasota Sunset Cruise, which showcases stunning coastal sunsets over the Gulf. Private charters accommodate both small and large groups, making them ideal for special events, school field trips, and corporate outings. Guests can expect a relaxed yet informative experience aboard spacious 40-foot pontoon boats, with opportunities to engage directly with marine life and enjoy the scenic waters of Sarasota Bay.

Marina Jack is a premier marina and waterfront dining destination in downtown Sarasota, Florida, since 1968, offering transient dockage, wet slips for vessels up to 228 feet, boat rentals, on-site charters including fishing and cruises, yacht services, fuel dock, and dining options overlooking Sarasota Bay. It provides boat rentals for 2, 4, or 8 hours equipped for fishing, beach hopping, swimming, and cruising, along with on-site charters like Tightlines Sportfishing for inshore and offshore fishing.

Freedom Boat Club, established in 1989 and headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, is the world’s largest and oldest members-only boat club with over 400 locations worldwide. With more than 35 years of experience, the club offers a revolutionary alternative to traditional boat ownership by providing members access to a diverse fleet of premium boats without the hassles of maintenance, storage, insurance, or repairs. Members benefit from concierge-level dockside support and unlimited training from certified captains, ensuring safety and confidence on the water. The club’s extensive network spans North America, Europe, and Australia, allowing members to explore a variety of waterways with ease. At the St. Petersburg Skyway location, members enjoy access to Loggerhead Marina, a prime gateway to destinations such as Egmont Key, Fort De Soto, and the Skyway Bridge. The marina offers amenities including a clubhouse, boat supplies, restrooms, and complimentary parking. The fleet features a wide selection of boats suited for cruising, fishing, and watersports, including pontoons, center consoles, bowriders, and offshore fishing boats. Membership plans provide unlimited boating with no hourly fees, and members can reserve boats online or by phone. This location caters to boaters of all skill levels, offering free training and a seamless, walk-on, walk-off boating experience in one of Florida’s most scenic coastal areas.

Located in Gulfport, Florida, this company is the oldest and largest provider of dolphin watching, snorkeling, and island adventure cruises in the Tampa Bay area. Operating four single-hull boats that accommodate up to 35 passengers each, the business offers unique dolphin encounters where wild dolphins jump and play in the boat’s wake—a feature not found on other tours. Their central location provides convenient access to notable attractions such as Egmont Key, Fort Dade, and John’s Pass Village, enhancing the sightseeing experience. With Coast Guard certified captains and experienced crews, the company emphasizes safety, comfort, and family-friendly service, welcoming guests of all ages. The company offers a variety of tours including four-hour dolphin snorkeling cruises to Egmont Key and three-hour dolphin and shelling cruises to Shell Island. Guests can explore historic sites, swim in clear, calm waters, and collect seashells on secluded beaches accessible only by boat. Snorkeling gear is provided, and all snorkelers are supervised to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Private charters are also available for groups up to 49 people, offering customizable trips such as sunset cruises, corporate events, and educational tours. Throughout each excursion, passengers enjoy close-up views of dolphins, opportunities for photography, and the chance to create lasting memories in a natural island paradise.

Discover Sarasota Tours is a locally owned tour company based in Sarasota, Florida, specializing in air-conditioned trolley tours that showcase the rich cultural history and vibrant communities of Sarasota and Venice. With extensive experience in providing engaging and informative excursions, the company offers a unique way to explore the region’s most notable landmarks, neighborhoods, and stories. Their fleet includes Dolly The Trolley, a 31-seat enclosed vehicle designed for comfort and convenience, allowing guests to enjoy the sights year-round. What sets this company apart is its diverse range of interactive and themed tours, combining entertainment with education to create memorable experiences for visitors and locals alike. The company’s offerings include a variety of specialized tours such as the Sarasota City Sightseeing Tour, the interactive Murder Mystery Trolley, and behind-the-scenes access to the Sarasota Opera House. Other popular experiences feature art crawls, wine tastings at local vineyards, historical explorations of circus heritage, and seasonal events like haunted tours and musical cabarets. These tours cater to a wide audience, including families, groups, and cultural enthusiasts, providing opportunities to learn about local history, architecture, and the arts in an engaging setting. Each tour is carefully curated to highlight the unique aspects of the area, often incorporating live performances, guided commentary, and exclusive access to venues, ensuring a rich and enjoyable outing for all participants.

MarineMax operates premier boating dealerships and marinas in Clearwater and St. Petersburg, Florida, serving the Tampa Bay area with over 30 years of experience. As the world’s largest lifestyle retailer of recreational boats and yachts, the company offers an extensive selection of premium brands including Boston Whaler, Sea Ray, Azimut, Bertram, and Galeon Yachts. MarineMax distinguishes itself through a comprehensive approach that combines boat sales, expert service, financing options, and educational programs, all designed to enhance the boating lifestyle. Their Clearwater and St. Petersburg locations provide access to high-quality vessels and boast full-service marinas equipped to accommodate a wide range of boats and yachts. MarineMax caters to boating enthusiasts of all levels, from beginners to seasoned captains, offering tailored services such as boat maintenance, repairs, winterization, and storage solutions performed by factory-certified technicians. Customers can explore a diverse inventory that includes sport catamarans, luxury day boats, offshore vessels, and superyachts, ensuring options for family leisure, watersports, fishing, and luxury cruising. Additionally, MarineMax hosts educational classes and exclusive events to build boating confidence and community engagement. With flexible financing and a dedicated team, the company provides a seamless ownership experience, supporting customers throughout their entire boating journey.

MarineMax Clearwater, located on the west shore of Tampa Bay in Clearwater, Florida, has been serving the boating community for over 30 years. As part of the world’s largest lifestyle retailer of recreational boats and yachts, it offers an extensive selection of premium boats from renowned brands such as Boston Whaler, Cruisers Yachts, Sea Ray, Aquila Power Catamarans, Azimut, Galeon Yachts, Bertram Yachts, and Ocean Alexander. The dealership is distinguished by its comprehensive approach to boating, combining a wide inventory with expert customer service, financing options, educational classes, and exclusive events designed to enhance the ownership experience. The dealership caters to a diverse range of boating enthusiasts, from novices to seasoned captains, providing tailored solutions for leisure cruising, watersports, fishing, and luxury yachting. MarineMax Clearwater offers full-service support including factory-certified maintenance, repairs, engine upgrades, and secure storage facilities to keep vessels in optimal condition year-round. Customers benefit from personalized guidance throughout their boating journey, access to the latest boating technology, and opportunities to participate in community events and Getaways® trips. This integrated model ensures that every aspect of boat ownership is managed with professionalism and care, making MarineMax Clearwater a trusted partner for boating adventures in the Tampa Bay area.

Located in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, Tampa Bay Yacht Charter offers USCG-certified luxury yacht charters aboard the 43-foot Viking motor yacht Smooth C's. This vessel is uniquely certified to carry up to 20 passengers with two crew members, making it the only charter in the St. Pete/Tampa area authorized for more than six passengers. Conveniently situated near Interstate 275 with free on-site parking, the company specializes in private crewed charters and dockside event spaces, serving the St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota, and downtown Tampa regions. Their extensive experience and certification ensure a safe and upscale maritime experience for both corporate and social occasions. The charter services cater to a variety of events including corporate meetings, executive retreats, team-building activities, weddings, birthdays, and special celebrations such as Gasparilla and the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Typical cruises last two to four hours and explore scenic routes around Snell Island, the North and South Yacht Basins, and notable landmarks like the Vinoy Renaissance Resort, the Dali Museum, and the new St. Pete Pier. Longer cruises may extend to destinations such as Downtown Tampa, Pass-A-Grille, and Anna Maria Island, offering guests opportunities for dining and sightseeing. The company emphasizes personalized experiences with custom routes and professional crew service, providing an elegant and memorable way to enjoy the Tampa Bay waterfront.