Sea Life Encounter Cruises

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

Ages: All ages.
- Adults Ages 13 and Older: $39
- Children Ages 3 – 12: $31
- Infants Ages 2 and Under: Free
Duration: Approx. 1.75 hours
Departure Times: 11:00 AM, 1:30 PM, and 4:00 PM daily
Location: 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway Sarasota, FL 34236
Check-In: When you arrive, please check in at the podium with the sign that reads “BOAT TOURS” to the right of the Aquarium ticket window
Group Booking: For private charters or for groups of 20 or more, please contact us at 941-388-1852 or sbecruises@msn.com to book.

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.

Vessel Features

Comfort and Safety: Our boats are U.S. Coast Guard inspected and approved ensuring a safe and comfortable journey.
Amenities: Each boat is covered for shade. Comfortable seating is provided for all. Each tour boat has an on-board restroom as well as drinks and snacks available for purchase.
Accessibility: Note that our boats are not wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers may be used to get to the dock and can then be securely stored during the tour.

Is the Sea Life Encounter Eco Cruise suitable for children?

Absolutely! Our tours are designed to be family-friendly with educational content suitable for all ages.

What should I bring?

Sun Protection: Though the tour boat is covered, sunglasses, hats and sunscreen are essential
Clothing: Wear comfortable clothing suitable for the weather conditions that can include rain or cool winds and appropriate footwear for a short walk.
Extras: Cameras for wildlife photos or your preferred snacks and drinks (limited selection provided for purchase on board).
Drinks: Adults 21+ are welcome to bring alcoholic beverages (small cooler only, please and no glass).

Are dolphins & manatee sightings guaranteed?

While we cannot guarantee wildlife sightings as these are wild animals, our cruise route is known for frequent sightings of dolphins and occasionally manatees. Keep your cameras ready and enjoy the natural beauty of Sarasota Bay.

What are the cancellation and weather policies?

The Sea Life Encounter Cruise operates in light rain, but in the case of severe weather, we may cancel. We offer rescheduling or refunds due to severe weather. We try our best to determine if weather conditions will permit us to cruise, but Florida weather is dynamic so we appreciate your understanding if we must cancel at any time. Feel free to contact us if inclement weather is expected for updates.

Are reservations required?

Reservations are highly recommended as we must meet a minimum passenger count to cruise and also as the tours will sometimes get fully booked. If you are concerned regarding meeting the minimum, feel free to contact us for an updated passenger count. Paying for additional seating is not permitted. We take reservations for regularly scheduled cruises no more than a month in advance. All scheduled cruises are subject to change. Private Charters are available by contacting us at 941-388-4200 or sbecruises@msn.com.