Experience the thrill of driving a speedboat across the crystal blue waters of Tampa Bay on this sightseeing tour. Hop on board an F-13 mini speedboat and get ready for adventure. Follow a trained guide in a separate boat with a two-way communication system installed to talk back and forth. Check out the beautiful Florida coast and look for pods of dolphins and other wildlife swimming below or gliding down and around from above.

St Petersburg speedboat adventure
Captain your own speedboat on a guided and narrated tour
Zoom through Tampa Bay
Pass by national wildlife refuges and the historic Fort De Soto Park

What's Included

Your own F13 mini speedboat
United States Coast Guard-approved lifejacket
Professionally trained guide leading and narrating the tour

Hotel pickup and drop off

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

1901 Pass a Grille Way, St Pete Beach, FL 33706, USA
Walk to the left side of the Pass a Grille Marina building and out onto the dock.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

This Tampa Bay speedboat adventure begins with a routine safety orientation on the basics of boating and the rules of the water. There’s no previous experience necessary, so just listen and learn. It will be easy, though, like driving a go-kart on the water.

With that out of the way, it’s time to have some fun in what’s known as the Tampa Triangle, which runs from Fort DeSoto to Egmont Key and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

Hop in an F-13 mini speedboat and put that throttle down — carefully, of course. The guide will provide an introduction to the beautiful Florida coastline while traveling past islands, national wildlife refuges and the historic St. Pete's beach, which covers over 1,000 acres (405 hectares) on five interconnected islands, or keys. Make several stops along the way at various points of interest.

Check out the stunning Florida coastline and look for pods of dolphins, manatees, gopher tortoises, sea birds and other wildlife swimming below or gliding down and around from above. Watch out for a 15-foot (4.5 meters) hammerhead shark the locals call Old Hitler. He has a mouth full of hooks because nobody can catch him.

Switch up the drivers during the stops, and continue your thrilling adventure!

Additional Info

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.
Not wheelchair accessible
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 tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Jackie_R

This was the best part about our trip to the Tampa/Clearwater area. Being in control of a boat was a first for us and we had a blast and highly recommend. Scott our Captain was a blast and made us feel very comfortable and checked in with us frequently to make certain we were ok. The free parking was a plus and on the same premises.

Reviews

5.0

451 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 451 reviews

Better than a large tourist boat

Scott_B, Apr 2024

This is a unique experience driving a boat and seeing the city from a different perspective. Scott, our guide, did an excellent job of showing us how to drive the boat and navigate the waterways. He led the way and we followed him. This was more fun than being on a large tourist boat. I highly recommend this experience.

We are local to the area...

Lauren_N, Mar 2024

We are local to the area and see the speedboat tour often and decided to check this tour out for ourselves! Our guide Scott was hilarious, insightful and informative. The whole process was smooth. Driving the boat was easy to learn and a lot of fun. We had a great time!

Great fun and worth your time and good deal!

Brenda_P, Mar 2024

Captain Scott was a great instructor and tour guide. My husband and I had a lot of fun and it was quite exhilarating!

You will have a blast. Just do it!!!!

Jackie_R, Mar 2024

Speed boat trip St Pete

Robert_B, Jan 2024

It was a great experience and we loved it! Very nice and experienced guide and we had a lot of pleasure out on the water!

Fun fun fun

Sheila_K, Dec 2023

I was very nervous at first but after we got going it was the best experience! I would definitely do it again. Thanks Scott!

Best Tour Ever

shana8122, Sep 2023

I can’t swim but I had a blast on this tour! Dustin made everyone feel safe and made sure we all had fun. This is a guided tour.

Great

Shelley_D, Jul 2023

Awesome guide was great loved it would do it again anytime easy to get to water great boats were a lot of fun

Well worth the money ….....

Travis_M, Jul 2023

Well worth the money ….. lots to see, so much fun and the staff is wonderful if you are in the area it’s a wonderful experience

Speed Boats

Terrell_C, Jul 2023

We had an amazing time on our adventure with Captain Scott, who was truly the best. I highly recommend this experience to anyone seeking a thrilling and unforgettable journey. The breathtaking scenery and incredible fun created memories that will last a lifetime.

We loved getting a bigger...

Lori_T, Jun 2023

We loved getting a bigger perspective of the beautiful area since we were visiting for the first time. It was a fun and enjoyable ride and we would do it again for sure!

Extremely exciting

Nikki_H, Jun 2023

I loved it and I had a great time, I’m definitely coming back. It was an exciting adventure. I’ll be telling everyone about it.

You don't want to miss this adventure

Steve_G, May 2023

Captain Scott was amazing and made the day very enjoyable. Highly Recommend!! The sights, the history and the experience was worth it!

Fun adventure despite dull Guide

Ann_S, Mar 2023

Driving the speed boat was a lot of fun. However, our Guide left a lot to be desired. From the moment we met him, we could tell he did not want to take us out on this adventure. He said it was too cold and windy. We couldn’t reschedule so he had no choice. He dressed like he was going snow skiing. It was 72 degrees! He barely pointed out any points of interest. I have to say that in all the adventures I have done, he by far was the worst tour guide I’ve ever had. We felt obligated to tip but honestly, he didn’t deserve it. Loved the ride which made up for the fact that he was as dull as dull can be. Someone needs to teach him how to smile and be a tad bit friendly.

Horrible customer service

Srdjan_S, Mar 2023

The boat ride itself was fun but Captain Derek was very rude and unprofessional. He lacked customer service skills and kept telling me I have to stay in the white line behind him meanwhile he’s driving off like 200 miles per hour and I’m trying my best to keep within 200 yards of him. It seemed more like he was going out for a jetski ride for himself and my job was to stay within a mile of him as my boat was nowhere near as fast as his jetski.

Guide was not friendly....

DEBRA_M, Feb 2023

Guide was not friendly. Would have appreciated hearing more history about the area. Would have liked to go in canals at lower rate of speed.

Not a good experience

patty_h, Feb 2023

Poor guide who was not friendly. Very windy and rough Would have liked more history of the area from the guide.

A Good Time on the Water

Kent_B, Jan 2023

The speedboat ride was an exciting experience that my grandson really enjoyed. I was driving the boat which was a new experience for myself, so I enjoyed it as well. Going so fast in a boat was new to both of us what with the bouncing over waves and catching water spray, we both had a good time. I would certainly recommend it to friends and family.

Great day of fun and...

Samantha_G, Jul 2022

Great day of fun and learning about the area from a different view . The boat was awesome and the guide was really nice and chill

Fun!

Amanda_C, Jun 2022

Very fun! Friendly staff and boats are easy to operate. Definitely worth the money and would book again.

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