727-742-2277
2 Hours from Orlando · Worth every mile
The best thing to do
on a day trip from Orlando
Island Ferry of St Pete offers semi-private boat tours 2 hours from Orlando on Florida's Gulf Coast. Dolphin cruises, sunset cruises, Gulf sandbar charters, and kayak tours departing from Tierra Verde Marina near St Pete Beach. Maximum 6 guests per boat. BYOB welcome. Book ahead — weekend tours fill fast.
2900+
TRIPADVISOR 5-STAR REVIEWS
1000+
GOOGLE 5-STAR REVIEWS
6
2
2013
GUESTS MAX PER BOAT
HOURS FROM ORLANDO
FAMILY OWNED SINCE
THE DIFFERENCE
Orlando has theme parks.
St Pete has the Gulf.
If you've spent your Orlando trip in queues and crowds, a day on the water is exactly the reset you need. Wild dolphins. A pristine barrier island only accessible by boat. Six guests maximum — your group, nobody else's. The Gulf Coast experience that most Orlando visitors never find because they don't know it's 2 hours away.
ADULTS ONLY · PERFECT END TO A DAY TRIP
Romantic sunset cruise
St. Pete Beach
Spend the day on St Pete Beach then end it on the water. Adults-only. Max 6 guests. Watch the Gulf turn gold from six feet off the water — your drinks, your music, dolphins at dusk. The perfect way to finish a day trip from Orlando before the drive back.
$69
PER PERSON
PRIVATE CHARTER · GROUPS · CELEBRATIONS
Private sandbar party charter
On the Gulf
Your own private boat. A Gulf sandbar most tourists never find. 4.5 hours of sun, music, floating, and cold drinks. BYOB, floats, games, and Bluetooth speakers all included. Perfect for birthdays, bachelorette parties, and group day trips from Orlando.
For a bohemian experience visit our Passage Key Charter page.
$499
FOR UP TO 6PPL
BEGINNER FRIENDLY · NATURE IMMERSION
Guided Kayak Tours
to Shell Key
Paddle through hidden mangrove tunnels and out to Shell Key's open beach — a route only accessible by small watercraft. Choose a clear transparent kayak to watch marine life beneath you, or a traditional coastal kayak for a classic paddle. Nothing like this exists anywhere near Orlando. No experience needed.
$54
PER PERSON
PRIVATE CHARTER · THREE ISLANDS
Egmont Key
snorkeling charter
A half-day private charter visiting three islands — Egmont Key, Shell Key, and Outback Key. Snorkel the Sunken Ruins of Fort Dade in nine feet of clear Gulf water, explore a working 1858 lighthouse, and spend time at Shell Key's pristine beaches. Snorkel gear included.
FOR UP TO 6PPL
$549
PLAN YOUR DAY TRIP
Orlando to St Pete Beach
everything you need to know
A well-planned day trip from Orlando to St Pete Beach is one of the best days you'll have in Florida. Here's how to make it work.
THE DRIVE
2 hours via I-4
Take I-4 West to I-275 South toward St Petersburg. Exit at Pinellas Bayway South toward Fort De Soto and Tierra Verde. Free parking at Tierra Verde Marina Resort — no parking fees, no parking stress.
BOOKING AHEAD
Book 2–3 weeks in advance
Weekend tours fill fast — especially dolphin cruises and sandbar charters. Don't plan the drive and then discover everything is full. Book your tour first, then plan the rest of your day around it
DEPARTURE POINT
Tierra Verde Marina Resort
198 Madonna Blvd, Tierra Verde FL 33715. Five minutes from St Pete Beach. All boat tours depart here. Kayak tours launch from 2962 Pinellas Bayway South — a 3-minute drive away. Full directions sent after booking.
AFTER YOUR TOUR
World-class beaches 5 minutes away
Combine your Island Ferry tour with an afternoon on St Pete Beach or Fort DeSoto's North beach — consistently rated as the best beaches in the US. There is so much to see and do at Fort De Soto Park.
A perfect Orlando day trip — what it looks like.
6:00 AM
Leave Orlando via I-4 West, avoiding rush hour. 2 hours to Tierra Verde — arrive relaxed, not rushed.
9:00 AM
Morning dolphin cruise or kayak tour. Wild dolphins, Shell Key snorkeling or mangrove tunnels. Back by 11AM or noon.
12:30 PM
Lunch at Island Grille — right at Tierra Verde Marina Resort where your tour departed. Waterfront dining, no need to move the car.
1:30 PM
A beach afternoon, either at St Pete Beach, or Fort DeSoto's North Beach for a beach far away from civilization, and no parking hassles.
5:00 PM
Optional — a sunset cruise. Or a sunset kayak paddle. Watch the Gulf turn gold over the Gulf at the end of a perfect day.
7:30 PM
Cocktails at the family-friendly Vista At The Top — the Marriott Residence Inn's rooftop lounge, with panoramic views and a great menu. Truly a locals' favorite.
9:30 PM
Head back to Orlando via I-275 North to I-4 East. Or better yet, check into your room at the Marriott Residence Inn.
THE DESTINATION
Tierra Verde Marina Resort —more than a departure point
Your day with Island Ferry tour begins and ends at one of St Pete's most scenic waterfront locations. Make a full day of it.
AT THE MARINA
Island Grille & Raw Bar
A popular waterfront restaurant right at the marina. Fresh Gulf seafood, marina views, tiki bar, live music, and the perfect spot for lunch after your morning tour — with no need to move the car. A local institution that Orlando visitors consistently discover and return for.
MARRIOTT RESIDENCE INN · ROOFTOP
Vista At The Top
The Marriott Residence Inn's rooftop bar is one of the most popular spots in the area — locals and visitors alike come specifically for the panoramic Gulf views, especially at sunset. If you're not taking Island Ferry's sunset cruise, this is the next best thing. Either way, it's right where you parked.
5 MINUTES AWAY
Top rated Gulf beaches
Consistently rated among the best beaches in the United States. Five minutes from Tierra Verde Marina. St Pete Beach, Fort DeSoto's North Beach, or even the historic Passagrille Beach. Spend your afternoon here after your morning boat tour — then head back to the marina for sunset drinks at Vista At The Top.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Day Trip from Orlando to
St Pete Beach — FAQ
How far is Island Ferry from Orlando?
Island Ferry departs from Tierra Verde Marina Resort in St. Petersburg FL — as little as 90 minutes from Orlando via I-4 West and I-275 South in "off-off-peak hours". In normal traffic conditions with no construction delays the drive is likely to be 2 hours.
What time should I leave Orlando for a morning tour?
For a 9AM tour departure leave Orlando by 6:00AM. This avoids the rush hour traffic and keeps your driving time to 2 hours. You'll arrive at the marina relaxed and unhurried. We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes before your tour time.
Can I combine a boat tour with St Pete Beach in one day?
Absolutely — this is the ideal day trip combination. Book a morning tour (9AM dolphin cruise or kayak tour), finish by noon, then spend the afternoon on one of our local beaches which are 5 minutes from Tierra Verde Marina. Our Gulf beaches are consistently ranked among the best beaches in the US.
Is it worth the drive from Orlando?
Our guests from Orlando consistently say yes — and many come back. The Gulf Coast wildlife experience, the semi-private boat format, and Shell Key Preserve are genuinely unlike anything available near Orlando. Wild dolphins from six feet away on a boat with five people you know is a different experience from anything at a theme park.
Do I need to book in advance for a day trip?
Yes — and we strongly recommend it. Island Ferry carries a maximum of 6 guests per boat. Weekend tours regularly sell out 2-3 weeks in advance, especially during peak seasons. Book your tour before planning the rest of your day trip to avoid making the drive and finding nothing available.
Is there parking at the marina?
Yes — free parking is available at Tierra Verde Marina Resort at 198 Madonna Blvd, Tierra Verde FL 33715. No parking fees. Full directions are provided after booking.
Which tour is best for a day trip from Orlando?
For families and first-timers — the dolphin cruise to Shell Key. It covers the most ground in 2 hours — dolphins, snorkeling, and a pristine barrier island beach. For couples — the sunset cruise is a perfect end to a St Pete Beach day. For groups celebrating something — the private sandbar charter. For nature lovers — the guided kayak tour through the mangroves.
Will we see dolphins?
.Wild bottlenose dolphins live in these waters year-round — they're permanent residents, not seasonal visitors. Dolphins are seen on the overwhelming majority of Island Ferry cruises in every season. While wildlife sightings can never be 100% guaranteed, dolphin encounters are a consistent part of the experience our Orlando guests specifically comment on.
Is there anywhere to eat near the marina?
Yes — Island Grille & Raw Bar is located right at Tierra Verde Marina Resort, your Island Ferry departure point. It's a popular waterfront restaurant with a view of the marina and the bay, ideal for lunch after your morning tour. The Marriott Residence Inn next door has Vista At The Top — a rooftop bar with panoramic Gulf views that's a local favorite, particularly at sunset. Both are steps from where you park, making Tierra Verde Marina Resort a complete destination for your Orlando day trip.
VISITOR GUIDES
Explore the barrier islands
of St Pete
Some of the best places in Florida are only accessible by boat. We take you to them.
Egmont Key
Historic lighthouse, Fort Dade ruins, and the best snorkeling near St. Pete. Remote, wild, and only accessible by boat.
Shell Key Preserve
1,800 acres of protected barrier island. Dolphins, mangrove tunnels, clear water, and the best shelling in Pinellas County.
Passage Key
Florida's most secluded barrier island. Clothing-optional, only accessible by boat, and genuinely unlike anywhere else on the Gulf Coast.
The Sandbars
Shallow Gulf sandbars where the water is ankle-deep, the sky is wide open, and there's nothing to do but float.
WHAT GUESTS SAY
3,900+ five-star reviews
across Google and TripAdvisor
We had a great time on the water with Island Ferry! Captain Noel was a great guide and took us around to see dolphins, tarpon and even shark! We got to walk around on sandbars in the middle of the Gulf and get the local history. They keep the tours small so they feel personal. Highly recommend!!
Katie Hilton-Lerro
This experience was beautiful! Our captain Dave was fabulous at narrating during our time on the water. He was very knowledgeable, funny, and personable. The captains split us in to two groups within our families, four on each boat which made the experience that much more memorable and individualized. We got to see multiple dolphins, fish, and a stingray, went shelling, and had a beautiful time on the water! I would totally recommend doing this if you are with family and/or friends. It was the perfect way to spend the morning!
Emily Haight
We had an absolutely incredible experience with Troy on our dolphin tour! From the moment we stepped onto the boat, everything felt relaxed, welcoming, and personal—it was such an intimate experience compared to larger, crowded tours.
Troy was knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about what he does. We were lucky enough to see dolphins up close, along with other amazing wildlife that made the whole trip feel magical.
Kandace
2,900+ five-star reviews on TripAdvisor · 1,000+ five-star reviews on Google
