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    1. Local experiences/
    2. Sarasota, FL/
    3. Water Activities/
    4. Boat Tours/
    5. Sea Life Encounter Cruise

    The very best experiences curated by local experts

    Best local prices
    Flexible cancellations
    Private & secure
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    Sea Life Encounter Cruise

    Experience marine life up close on a comfortable pontoon cruise for all ages.

    From$39/ person

    Duration

    2 hours

    Includes

    Cruise, restroom, cold drinks

    Highlights

    Enjoy a relaxing cruise aboard a 45-foot covered pontoon boat and discover the wonders of sea life. This experience is suitable for all ages and offers comfortable amenities for your journey.

    1. Board a Coast Guard-inspected vessel with on-board restroom
    2. Relax with comfortable seating and cold drinks available
    3. Explore Sarasota Bay on a guided cruise
    4. Check in 30 minutes prior to departure to ensure timely boarding
    5. Benefit from knowledgeable crew and safe cruising

    What's Included

    1. Cruise on covered pontoon boat
    2. On-board restroom
    3. Cold drinks for sale

    The cruise requires a minimum number of passengers to operate. The vessel is not fully handicap accessible and cannot accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, or scooters. Reservations are recommended and can be made up to two weeks in advance.

    Cancellation policy

    Cancel up to 12 hours before the cruise for a full refund. Cancellations within 12 hours but at least 1 hour before departure receive a 50% refund. No refund is issued if cancelled within 1 hour of departure or if you are late and miss the boat. Arriving with fewer passengers without prior notice results in no refund for unused tickets. If you arrive with more passengers than reserved, tickets are not guaranteed and refunds are not guaranteed if space is unavailable. Weather cancellations are decided by the captain at departure; if cancelled due to weather, a full refund is issued.

    Meeting location

    MOTE MARINE LABORATORY AND AQUARIUM. Park anywhere in the Main Aquarium parking lot (the right as you are driving in on Ken Thompson Parkway) from there walk towards the ticketing windows out in front. We are to the right at the end of a long covered bench area.

    Experience provided by Sarasota Bay Explorers
    Experience provided by Sarasota Bay Explorers

    How can we help?

    We are here to assist with special requests, large groups, last minute needs, and any questions you may have.

    Call or text (650) 414-7338

    Reference #FHMGAW

    Adult Cruise

    $39

    Ages 13 and Older

    0

    Child Cruise

    $31

    Ages 3 to 12 | Must select Adults first

    0

    Infant

    $0

    Ages 2 and Younger | Must be added as a passenger

    0

    Handpicked for you, so you can book with confidence

    • Best local prices

    • Flexible cancellation

    • Private and secure

    Each booking directly supports small businesses in our community.

    4.9 stars• 345 reviews

    Review summary

    4.9
    Excellent
    345 reviews•Google Maps

    What really stands out here is the incredible staff who bring these bay tours to life. Captain Angel, Molly, Sky, and Amanda get called out repeatedly for being knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and genuinely passionate about marine education. These aren't just boat rides – they're led by actual marine biologists who make learning fun. The highlight for most people is the net drop, where you get hands-on encounters with pufferfish, seahorses, hermit crabs, and other creatures pulled up from the bay floor. Both sunset cruises and sea life tours seem to deliver consistently magical experiences. Guests regularly spot dolphins, manatees, bald eagles, and stingrays, though one reviewer noted that wildlife sightings depend on the season and can't be guaranteed with wild animals. The routes cover impressive stretches of the bay, including views of stunning waterfront mansions. It's genuinely family-friendly – locals bring visiting guests and grandparents return year after year with grandkids. One disappointed reviewer felt there was too much bird talk and no island stop due to storm damage, but that experience seems to be an outlier in an otherwise outstanding track record. This is educational tourism done right.

    What people are saying

    Review 1 of 5
    5/5

    Went on the Sea Life Cruise and had the most wonderful time. The boat is spacious and comfortable, we saw many dolphins and birds throughout the entire tour. I was surprised by the extensive route we took and how many areas of Sarasota Bay we saw. It was also a nice touch driving through multiple areas with incredible homes to view. The most exciting elements of the Cruise included seeing a sting ray jump out of the water within close proximity of the boat, and when they dropped a net into the water so that we could get a peak of the fish wildlife. We saw 4 puffer fish, some large shells, and a seahorse! The captain/crew including a volunteer and marine biologist were extremely well spoken and friendly. Offered at a very reasonable price for this kind of activity, I highly recommend checking them our for a fun couple of hours on the water!

    Photo of Emma Pitnick

    Emma Pitnick

    September 25, 2025

    Review 1 of 1
    5/5

    Went on the Sea Life Cruise and had the most wonderful time. The boat is spacious and comfortable, we saw many dolphins and birds throughout the entire tour. I was surprised by the extensive route we took and how many areas of Sarasota Bay we saw. It was also a nice touch driving through multiple areas with incredible homes to view. The most exciting elements of the Cruise included seeing a sting ray jump out of the water within close proximity of the boat, and when they dropped a net into the water so that we could get a peak of the fish wildlife. We saw 4 puffer fish, some large shells, and a seahorse! The captain/crew including a volunteer and marine biologist were extremely well spoken and friendly. Offered at a very reasonable price for this kind of activity, I highly recommend checking them our for a fun couple of hours on the water!

    Photo of Emma Pitnick

    Emma Pitnick

    September 25, 2025

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