Okay, so you enjoyed all of the fish, penguins and other wildlife while touring the Florida Aquarium. 

However, it would be nice if you could see more of Florida’s wildlife in its natural habitat, right? 

Well the Bay Spirit Tampa cruise provides just that.  

The Florida Aquarium teamed up with the Port of Tampa to offer this cruise to people like you that wanted to see more of Florida’s wildlife in their natural surroundings.

The cruise departs from the Florida Aquarium.  It is located behind the Explore-a-Shore area (the children’s water park outside).

Dolphins

Throughout the cruise you can expect to see various fish, native birds and most importantly dolphins. 

Tampa Bay is home to over 400 bottlenose dolphins. 

In case you didn’t know, bottlenose dolphins are the dolphins made popular by the show “Flipper.” They are the same dolphins often used in theme parks such as SeaWorld that wow the crowds with their tricks and acrobatic jumps out of the water. 

I remember when I first saw a dolphin here in the Tampa Bay area.  It was my first time seeing a dolphin in the wild anywhere. 

My jaw literally dropped to the floor.  It felt like Christmas to me as I was so fascinated. 

I am sort of like a kid in a grown person’s body, okay? 

To see dolphins on television or at a park is one thing.  But when you see one in person it just amazes you and you can’t take your eyes off of it. 

Because dolphins mainly travel in packs it is a good chance that you will even see more than one if you come across them. 

The Bay Spirit Tampa cruise is a 64 foot boat that seats 49 people. 

Tickets

It leaves daily and tickets can be purchased at the Aquarium box office only on the day of the tour.  Call for tour times and availability.  The number is 813-273-4000.

The current cruise prices are as follows, which are subject to change: 

• Adults - $19.95 
• Seniors 60+ - $18.95 
• Children under 12 - $14.95 

They also have combo tickets that include the Bay Spirit Tampa cruise and the Florida Aquarium that save you about $5.  The combo prices are: 

• Adults - $32.95
• Seniors 60+ - $29.95
• Children under 12 - $22.95
• Under 3 free 

In addition to these there is also a Behind the Scenes Tour that can be combined with your ticket price. 

This one hour tour explains how the animals are fed, provides a special animal close-up and enables you to see the Coral Reef and Shark Bay exhibits from the roof top. 

Combo prices to include the Behind the Scenes Tour, the Bay Spirit Tampa cruise, and the Florida Aquarium are: 

• Adults - $37.95
• Seniors 60+ - $34.95
• Children under 12 - $27.95 

Now be sure to have your camera or video camera handy on your trip to capture that special moment.  Oh, and tell Flipper I said hello.

Return From Bay Spirit Tampa Cruise to Florida Aquarium