Siesta Key boat tours at a glance
Boat tours around Siesta Key come in three kinds. Shared cruises look for dolphins and other wildlife, sunset cruises run in the evening, and a private charter gives a small group its own boat. Kayak trips through the mangroves are the quieter alternative, but they start from Lido Key, not from Siesta Beach.
Dolphins are wild animals, so no cruise can promise a sighting. The prices below are 2026 examples and give a rough range. Online fees, taxes and tips may come on top, so check the current price and the final total at checkout.
Our picks: boat tours
Our take: the sunset cruise starts on Anna Maria Island and is the easy choice if you just want to sit back. The speedboat tour in Sarasota suits you only if a driver aged 18 or older with a licence is in your group. The private boat trip comes with a captain, a cooler and a grill, which makes it the one for a longer day on the water.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Private boat tour with dolphin watching and a sandbar
- Captain and 27-foot boat
- Cooler and grill on board
- Safety equipment
A private boat trip with a captain and a sandbar stop. Dolphins are possible but never guaranteed.
Check availability →
Island speedboat and catamaran tour from Sarasota
This is not a passive large-boat outing: guests who drive must be 18 or older and hold a driver's licence.
Check availability →
Sunset cruise from Holmes Beach
- Chance to watch wildlife
An evening cruise from a marina on Anna Maria Island. Dolphin sightings are never guaranteed.
Check availability →Siesta Key and Sarasota boat tours
Dolphin cruises, sunset trips and kayak outings near Siesta Key, with live prices and availability.
Siesta Key dolphin tour options compared
Adult prices in 2026. Each row is one product.
| Tour | Length | Adult price | Child price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning dolphin and wildlife cruise | – | $49 | $39 (up to age 10) |
| Sunset dolphin cruise | – | $65 | $50 (up to age 10) |
| Dolphins, drinks and sandbar | 2.5 hours | $65 | $50 (up to age 10) |
| Private sunset dolphin cruise | 2.5 hours | $450 per boat, up to 6 guests | – |
| Guided mangrove kayak tour from Lido Key | 2 hours | $65 | $55 (up to age 12) |
| Kayak rental from Lido Key | 3 hours | $49 single, $75 double | – |
Sunset cruises can also cost less, around $60 for adults and $34 for children under 10, so the price and the child age limit depend on the product you book. Check both for your group. For most visitors, a shared sunset or dolphin cruise is the easiest choice. A group of up to six that wants its own timing should look at the private boat, and anyone who prefers to paddle should book the mangrove kayak tour.
The tour types in detail
What each one involves.
Morning dolphin and wildlife cruise
The shared morning cruise is the lowest-priced option in the table, at $49 for adults and $39 for children up to and including age 10. It suits visitors who want to keep the evening free.
Sunset and dolphin cruises
The evening cruises list $65 for adults and $50 for children up to and including age 10. Sunset times change through the year, so ask which departure time applies to your date.
Beaches for a sunset walk →Dolphins, drinks and sandbar
This 2.5-hour cruise adds a sandbar stop. Water is included, and other drinks come with an upgrade. Read the tour description before you bring your own.
Private sunset dolphin cruise
The private cruise costs $450 for the boat with up to 6 guests, not per person. It lasts 2.5 hours and leaves about 1.5 hours before sunset from the marina at 1265 Old Stickney Point Road, on the south side of the island.
How to reach the island →Kayaks and mangroves
The kayak outfitter runs from 190 Taft Drive on Lido Key. The guided mangrove tour takes 2 hours, and the rental takes 3 hours. Lido Key is a separate island, so allow time to drive there.
St Armands Circle and Lido Key →Dolphins and manatees: how to watch them
Feeding or harassing wild marine mammals is against the rules. NOAA recommends staying at least 50 yards (about 46 m) from dolphins and keeping a sighting to 30 minutes at most. Do not chase them or come between a mother and her calf.
Florida's wildlife agency asks motorboat operators to stay at least 50 feet (about 15 m) from manatees, to obey posted speed zones and to avoid seagrass beds and shallow water. If you rent a boat or paddle on your own, the same distances apply to you. Neither animal is guaranteed on any day.
What to check before you book
The details differ by tour.
Age limits and prices
Child prices apply up to a set age, and the limit differs between listings. Look at the age rule for each child, and for small children check the minimum age before you book.
The final total
Online fees, taxes and tips are not always part of the listed price. Compare the total at checkout, not just the first price you see.
Date, time and cancellation
Free seats depend on your day. Check the departure time and the cancellation terms for each product before you pay.
Group price or price per person
The private cruise is a price for the boat. Shared cruises and kayak tours are priced per guest. Do not compare the two figures directly.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where the boat trips fit.
Crescent Beach and Turtle Beach
Quieter sand south of the main beach, with paddling and Point of Rocks.
Siesta Key Village
Shops, dining and the Sunday drum circle on the beach.
Things to do in Sarasota
Bayfront Park, Selby Gardens and the downtown parking rules.
St Armands Circle and Lido Key
Shops, a free bus and a lifeguarded beach.
Siesta Key boat tours: frequently asked questions
How much does a Siesta Key dolphin tour cost?
Shared cruises in the examples above cost $49 to $65 for adults and $39 to $50 for children in 2026. A private boat costs $450 for up to 6 guests. Fees and taxes may be extra.
Will I see dolphins on the tour?
Not for sure. Dolphins are wild animals, and no operator can promise a sighting or a manatee. Book a cruise for the time on the water as well as the animals.
How long are the boat tours?
The sandbar cruise and the private sunset cruise last 2.5 hours. The mangrove kayak tour takes 2 hours, and a kayak rental runs for 3 hours.
Can I kayak from Siesta Beach?
The kayak tour and the rental in the examples above start from Lido Key, a separate island. Plan the drive there before you book.
Is this the official website for Siesta Key tours?
No. This website is not run by Visit Sarasota County, Sarasota County, a beach business or any tour operator.