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SEA LIFE ENCOUNTER CRUISE

EDUCATIONAL & EXCITING SARASOTA BOAT TOURS

Quick Details

Adult

Ages 13 and Older

$ 36

Child

Ages 3 to 12

$ 31

Infant

Ages 2 and Younger

Free

Observe & Handle Local Wildlife on Our Eco Boat Tours of Sarasota Bay

Embark on a captivating Sea Life Encounter Cruise with our eco-friendly Sarasota Bay boat tours. Our two-hour journey through Sarasota & Roberts Bays offers an educational & interactive experience for all ages.

Guided by an experienced marine biologist, this eco boat tour on Sarasota Bay showcases the area’s diverse wildlife, including the Florida manatee and bottlenose dolphins. Explore, on foot, nature of an uninhabited island to discover the area’s local flora and fauna. This eco boat tour will also navigate around bird rookery islands perfect for bird watching including pelicans, herons, ibis and egrets. The highlight of this trip is the collection of a sample of marine life using a trawl net to discover critters living at the bottom of Sarasota Bay.

Our specially designed 45-foot pontoon boats, Explorer V & Explorer VI, ensure a comfortable and safe adventure on your eco tour in Sarasota. These vessels are equipped with essential amenities such as onboard restrooms, covered seating, and refreshments available for purchase.

Sea Life Encounter Eco Cruise Highlights

  • Marine Wildlife Encounters: Enjoy searching for manatees and watching for Sarasota Bay’s resident population of bottlenose dolphins as you cruise through Sarasota Bay.
  • Nature Walk: Explore an uninhabited island on a guided nature walk, observing local flora and fauna by foot. Currently suspended due to damage from Hurricane Helene.
  • Bird Watching: Cruise around bird rookery islands watching native bird populations like pelicans, egrets, herons and ibis nest and roost.
  • Hands-On Experience: Watch as our biologists trawl for wildlife that inhabits the bottom of Sarasota Bay like sea horses, pufferfish, stone crabs and sea stars. Once netted, the wildlife is safely put in tanks on board the vessel and carefully handled by willing participants.

A TOP-RATED ACTIVITY IN SARASOTA, FL

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So much fun!

Sunset cruise was so much fun! Was hoping to see dolphins and saw one by the side of our boat. Definitely an experience we won’t forget! The captain and first mate were also very knowable and fun!

– Alex L. | Google
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Wonderful Sunset Cruise

Wonderful sunset cruise with a knowledgeable marine biologist and captain. Enjoyed the sights, music, and gorgeous sunset. We will be back!

– Jenna K. | Google
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Highly Recommend

Very nice sunset tour done by people at the aquarium. We saw few dolphins, manatees, lot of birds and stunning houses and sunset. Highly recommended after a beautiful day at Siesta Key Beach.

– Giondomenico R. | Google
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Spectacular

We went on the sunset cruise and it was wonderful. Beautiful ride looking at all the beautiful homes along the way. The sunset was spectacular and the crew on board were very accommodating. Good music also. I would definitely recommend this trip.

– Jacqueline B. | Google
Great experience with fun biologist.

Just moved to Sarasota and friends came to visit. Wanted to show them the beauty of the area and friend recommended this tour. We all had a fabulous experience with Martha. The trip was fun and educational. Loved learning about the different birds on bird island (saw my first spoonbill) and all the sea creatures. Definite must for any age. My husband and I bought membership to the Mote Marine and Laboratory so we can bring guests that visit. We will also be doing the tour again.

– 614yogimel | Tripadvisor
Nice thing to do while in Sarasota

My mom and I really enjoyed this boat ride! The captain and biologist were professional and informative. It was the perfect amount of time spent on the water, and we got to see lots of wildlife.

– SalliAnnH56 | Tripadvisor
Fun and informative

I love being out on the water, so this seemed like a natural fit. Our guides were very informative as we toured Sarasota bay. I loved seeing the fish and also the birds. It was a great way to spend the morning.

– glasschickjax | Tripadvisor
Amazing boat adventure!!!

This was an amazing experience and the next time my great nieces and nephews come down from Michigan we our going on this extremely well done educational and interactive boat ride!!! The marine biologist that was onboard did such an amazing job explaining things and the kids that were on the boat absolutely loved it also!!!

– LJRdolphin | Tripadvisor
Always worth it

This was the 6th or 7th trip I’ve done with these guys and it’s always great. An absolute blast and relatively inexpensive. If you like the ocean, sea life and are in the area it’s a ‘must experience’. Bring a camera.

– Connermt | Tripadvisor
Great hands-on fun and learning

We enjoyed a wonderful multi-generational Sea Encounter trip on a HOT July Sunday...It’s hard to imagine how much everyone can learn, while having so much fun, in less than 2 hours. I wish I had taken one of these tours in the past and will definitely take one again. Well done!

– Mary P. | Tripadvisor