St Petersburg Speed Boat Adventure
4.8
St Petersburg Speed Boat Adventure
By Speed Boat Adventures
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About
Drive your own speedboat across Tampa Bay on this sightseeing tour, for which no previous experience is necessary. After a safety orientation, you’ll get aboard a F-13 mini speedboat and follow a guide from another vessel that’s equipped with a two-way communication system to ensure your safety and security. Plus, while cruising around, you’ll be able to explore the coastline and look out for dolphins.
Free cancellation • Full refund if cancelled up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time).
Reserve now & pay later • Secure your spot while staying flexible.
Lowest price guarantee • Find a lower price online? Get the difference refunded!
Ages 5-90, max of 8 per group
Duration: 1h 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Highlights
- Experience the rush of driving a speedboat with guidance of an expert
- No prior speedboat experience is required
- Learn the basics of boating before heading out on the water
- Book in advance and choose one of several time slots available throughout the day
- Your own F13 mini speedboat
- United States Coast Guard-approved lifejacket
- Professionally trained guide leading and narrating the tour
What's not included- Hotel pickup and drop off
- Before getting behind the helm, you’ll receive a standard safety orientation that covers boating basics and the rules of the water. You’ll then hop aboard a F-13 mini speedboat to explore the waters of Tampa Bay, from Fort DeSoto to Egmont Key and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. While following a guide who will be in a separate boat, you’ll learn about the Florida coastline and get to view islands, national wildlife refuges, and the historic Fort De Soto Park, which covers five islands on the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. Plus, you’ll be able to make stops at various points of interest during the tour, as well as spot dolphins, manatees, tortoises, sea birds, and more.
- Start:
- 1901 Pass a Grille Way, St Pete Beach, FL 33706, USAWalk to the left side of the Pass a Grille Marina building and out onto the dock.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5257SPBOAT- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for people with neck or back problems or a recent surgery to participate. Pregnant women should not participate.
- Bring a swimsuit in the summer and a jacket in the winter, sandals or flip-flops, towel, sun block, sunglasses
- The per-boat weight limit is 425 lbs (192kgs).
- You must be 18 years or older to drive a boat by yourself
- The boats do not have a storage compartment; bags can get wet
- No experience or boating license required
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5257SPBOAT
From
$90.95
per adult
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Toby B0 contributionsGreat Time!We had a lot of fun of the speed boat adventures! Captain Scott was very entertaining and knowledgable. I highly recommend this trip!Written March 3, 2024
- SallyKPowell0 contributionsSpeed Boat FunMy husband and I went out with Captain Scott yesterday and had a blast. Captain Scott was very informative. It is obvious that he loves what he does. We saw dolphins and a flock of white pelicans. Capt. Scott even gave us some local recommendations which we will definitely check out.Written February 21, 2024
- willfr0mny0 contributionsGreat adventure out at seaThis was by far an awesome experience. The speed boats are so fun and easy to use. As first timers, we were out speeding across the ocean in less than 15 minutes. The entire tour and route was clearly planned out and Captain Simon made the ride that much more fun with his conversations, fun facts and keeping us safe. He definitely is a great tour guide. We would love to come back and do this again when we return to Tampa.Written January 28, 2024
- erikk9410 contributionsGreat Experience!Scott was a great guide, and we had fun on the water! The boat was speedy and it was easy to navigate with Scott's guidance.Written October 13, 2023
- Franklyfrank210 contributionsNever turned up and can’t get a refundWe had a tour booked on the 14th August at 3pm, we received a text at 10:33 from a Captain Derek advising that due to a tour over running our session had been pushed back to 4pm. We arrived 30 mins prior to departure and waited till 4:20 and no one arrived. During that time we tried ringing the main number and replying to the earlier text and no response. We eventually left disappointed, we have since text and emailed the company asking for a refund but had no response. Hopefully they will read this and sort our refund otherwise we will be going through the credit card.Written August 17, 2023
- LJHDJH0 contributionsGreat funDefinitely worth the trip my son and myself had a great time. The boats are cool and plenty of time to enjoy.Written August 15, 2023
- Phyco960 contributionsAbsolutely FantasticCaptain Scott was awesome. Driving the little speed boats were a blast and a highlight of our trip. I would highly recommend doing this activity.Written July 28, 2023
- fojdurant0 contributionsSpeed BoatsA great time and an awesome guide. Prices are good. I would definitely return to rent boats again. A+Written July 28, 2023
- goveajose1800 contributionsIt was a fun experienceFirst time , Very fun just keep up because if not it’s a very bumpy ride , worth the price very nice views.Written July 18, 2023
- skydancer20210 contributionsWind in your hairScott was so nice and an excellent tour guide. It was very exilerating! The speedboats go anywhere between 42-45 miles per hour. I plan on doing it again real soon.Written June 13, 2023
- ZacheryAlexander0 contributionsGreat adventureCaptain Scott was very knowledgeable and we had great conversation on the trip as well. We credit him with keeping us safe while navigating around the tropical depression storm front.Written June 8, 2023
- WeOnVacationTho0 contributionsWonderful AdventureMy wife and I really enjoyed ourselves on this speed boat. Captain Derek is a great guide: very attentive, clear and caring. We loved it so much, we tried to book the following day but it was booked solid(as it should be).Written June 4, 2023
- Laurie C0 contributionsAwesome boating adventure!Our family had a great time driving the 2 person speed boats. Our guide was awesome! He helped us avoid the busiest areas on a major holiday boating weekend and kept us all safe. We were all able to go out together in 3 of the boats.Written May 29, 2023
- rdouglas830 contributionsAwesome timeThe Captain was amazing, he was fun, knowledgeable, charismatic and just down right enjoyable. He is a master of these crafts and the water.Written May 23, 2023
- 181mindib0 contributionsMost Fun Ever!We had a blast on the speed boats in the bay and are coming back in June of 2023. We will be renting them again. Very helpful and nice staff amd loads of fun!Written May 19, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.8
404 reviews
Excellent
354
Very good
28
Average
12
Poor
5
Terrible
5
Daniel A
Columbus, OH526 contributions
Do you think you have done everything well? How about adding the ability to drive a speed boat to your list? Well, that's exactly what I did. This was just flipping amazing. The location is a little off the beaten path. However, it has a beautiful beach right next to it, so if you show up early enough or stay after, there is basically a "local" beach, and it's beautiful. You want to show up a little early for the safety briefing and to take some great pics. You can bring whatever except alcohol or weapons so if you want to bring some water you can. I had no idea, so I didn't. Also, I would recommend great pockets or a fanny pack because you can't set your phone on the seat as it will slide into the back of the boat and be gone. I put mine in my shorts pocket between pics and videos. This is so cool. You are taught by a wonderful captain who has 30+ years of experience in the industry. He will lead you on a jet ski into the open water waters of Tampa Bay. You will get almost 45 minutes of high-speed boating excitement. Make sure to watch for any waves and follow all the tips and rules you learn in the beginning, and you will have a time of your life. You will go past places you can't see on land and experience going under bridges while being able to say, "I know how to drive a boat now." That's a bucket list if you ask me. I would highly recommend this thrilling adventure next time you are in Tampa. It really is like a Segway tour with speedboats!!! I went when it was like 65 degrees out, and with the sun, it was perfect. I recommend sunscreen and maybe a secure hot in the summertime. You must try this, though!! If this review helped you at all, please mark as helpful and follow me for more reviews around the world.
Written March 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniela J
1 contribution
Jan 2024 • Couples
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure! Our speed boat experience in St Pete was an absolute blast!
Captain Scott was exceptional - his expertise, enthusiasm, and warmth made us feel safe and relaxed throughout the journey.
It was a perfect combination of excitement and breathtaking scenery.
We highly recommend this adventure to anyone visiting St Pete
Captain Scott and the speed boat team deserve a 5-star rating and a huge thumbs up! 🚣♀️🌊❤️
Captain Scott was exceptional - his expertise, enthusiasm, and warmth made us feel safe and relaxed throughout the journey.
It was a perfect combination of excitement and breathtaking scenery.
We highly recommend this adventure to anyone visiting St Pete
Captain Scott and the speed boat team deserve a 5-star rating and a huge thumbs up! 🚣♀️🌊❤️
Written January 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Duderino
Seattle, WA1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Family
We had a great time on our mini-speedboat adventure!! We did a lot of things during our few weeks in the area and the
For me and my two adult kids (20's), it was a choice between jet skis and mini speedboats. I'm sure jet skis would have been fun, but we didn't regret choosing the speedboats. They are very easy to pilot and a ton of fun. Our captain was great, too. He did a good job of giving clear instruction, some interesting info, and plenty of time to just jet about and have a blast.
I had a little technical difficulty with my boat (the green boat), which did slow us down a bit. But, we had tons of fun, nonetheless. I mentioned it to our captain at the end of our trip. Shortly after that, I received a very nice call from the owner to apologize, promise to ensure it would be fixed immediately, and offer us some additional customer-service. I found this to be en excellent display of ownership and responsibility.
Please note that if your ride is like ours, most of it will be fairly smooth sailing until you get to the "washing machine" and the Gulf. Then, you will get wet and bounced about quite a bit. It's not crazy, unless you make it so, but it does get adventurous for a few minutes. For us, that was the funnest part, but if you want a leisurely dry cruise, this may not be for you.
This is a great adventure that I would recommend to any family that wants a little excitement on the water. We'll be back!!
For me and my two adult kids (20's), it was a choice between jet skis and mini speedboats. I'm sure jet skis would have been fun, but we didn't regret choosing the speedboats. They are very easy to pilot and a ton of fun. Our captain was great, too. He did a good job of giving clear instruction, some interesting info, and plenty of time to just jet about and have a blast.
I had a little technical difficulty with my boat (the green boat), which did slow us down a bit. But, we had tons of fun, nonetheless. I mentioned it to our captain at the end of our trip. Shortly after that, I received a very nice call from the owner to apologize, promise to ensure it would be fixed immediately, and offer us some additional customer-service. I found this to be en excellent display of ownership and responsibility.
Please note that if your ride is like ours, most of it will be fairly smooth sailing until you get to the "washing machine" and the Gulf. Then, you will get wet and bounced about quite a bit. It's not crazy, unless you make it so, but it does get adventurous for a few minutes. For us, that was the funnest part, but if you want a leisurely dry cruise, this may not be for you.
This is a great adventure that I would recommend to any family that wants a little excitement on the water. We'll be back!!
Written October 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane N
17 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
It's our first time trying speed boat, so I was a little nervous. Scott was a great tour guide. He gave us heads up and checked on our speed regularly. He also led us to this area with so many dolphines, and he knew how to draw them closer to our boat. It's a wonderful experience, and highly recommended.
Written September 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aryan
Los Angeles, CA5 contributions
Dec 2021
The speed boat itself was fun but our guide was bad. The information said no prior experience was needed. But the guide had a very bad attitude was very impatient when our boat had some troubles. Moreover, the information said we would learn about the Florida coastline and make stops at various points. However, the guide only narrated once and did not stop at any spot. We had to keep catching him during the tour.
Another bad thing was that we gave him $10 as a tip after the tour, but he said we must give at least 20% gratuity which is $30. And still said we should give more than that because we had some troubles when driving. We finally gave him $30 as he asked but we felt very uncomfortable and disappointed. Will never come back.
Another bad thing was that we gave him $10 as a tip after the tour, but he said we must give at least 20% gratuity which is $30. And still said we should give more than that because we had some troubles when driving. We finally gave him $30 as he asked but we felt very uncomfortable and disappointed. Will never come back.
Written January 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aaron D
The Woodlands, TX1 contribution
Upon arrival to our boat tour we were greeted by the captain who would be ushering our vessel. The boat was ready on time and we were provided with basic operating instructions. After a brief warm up to learn the ropes we were off on our tour. Our tour guide guided us around the bay at a variety of speeds and pointed out several points of interest. The boat we were provided had an adequate amount of power and had excellent maneuverability. There was enough room to bring small bag and still have room for 2 adults. I would definitely recommend this tour as it offers a great view of the bay with lots of photo opportunities.
Written July 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meghan K
6 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
We went on the speedboat adventure with Captain Scott. We enjoyed the speedboat and learning about the area. Scott was very helpful and a great teacher. The waves were pretty high the day we went out but he took us to some of the calmer waters and made sure everyone had a great time.
Written July 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Larissa B
Miami, FL38 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
We had a great experience with Speed Boats Adventures! We are a family of 4. Our boys are 17 and 19, they drove their own speed boat and they loved it. Our guide was great, explained to us how to drive the boats before taking off. We followed him all the way, stopping at certain points, he would explain some background of the area. We also saw dolphins swimming very close to us! The ocean was choppy that day, but the speed boats handled beautifully. We will definitely recommend this experience.
Written November 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janine R
2 contributions
Jun 2022
I did the 2 person speed boat adventure for father's day. What an incredible time we had!!! We are a little older and our guide patiently helped my husband in and out of the boat and explained the rules thoroughly. It is super easy to find, lots of free parking and we felt very safe while satisfying our "need for speed". We will definately do this again!!
Written June 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deb
3 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
It was so fun! You cannot hear the guide through the walkie talkie but it was awesome to be on the water and, seeing beautiful home and driving fast! I would do it again. I would recommend a Monday as it will not be as rough on the water. The guide told us to book next time directly though them as this site charges $30 more than direct booking!
Written February 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hmm. There are life jackets but no seat belts. The ride can be quite bumpy but I would guess the boats are very difficult or almost impossible to tip over. If he would be seated between two adults and is not afraid of roller coasters then I would say yes. Otherwise probably not a good idea. Hope this helps
Written April 15, 2022
what if I dont want to drive and have the tour guide drive me and my 2 daughters... is that possible?
Written March 17, 2022
I don't think so as the boat doesn't seem big enough for 4. Probably be a squeeze depending on size of daughters for 3
Written March 18, 2022
I have owned 2 waterski boats in past. Is it possible for your boat to pull a skier if they bring own equipment and sign liability releases?
Written February 20, 2022
how far are you from aloft hotel downtown Tampa ??
Written October 19, 2021
Jacob S
McKinney, Texas
We arrive on July 27 and leave August 2. We have 8 adults so we would need 4 boats. Do you have availability on any of the days of our vacation?
Written May 30, 2021
Can my 15 year old son drive the boat with me in it?
Written February 12, 2020
Mary Rose
The Villages, Florida
I will be traveling solo. Is it difficult to find someone to share a speed boat with?
Written March 8, 2019
My daughter was solo (with the instructor) in her boat and loved it. The lighter the boat the easier it moves.
Written March 10, 2019
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