Sarasota Bay Explorers offers hands‑on, marine‑science boat tours led by biologists in partnership with Mote Marine Laboratory. Their family‑friendly cruises—ranging from sea‑life spotting and beach strolls to sunset sails—are bot...
Sarasota Bay Explorers offers hands‑on, marine‑science boat tours led by biologists in partnership with Mote Marine Laboratory. Their family‑friendly cruises—ranging from sea‑life spotting and beach strolls to sunset sails—are bot...
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.
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!
Emma Pitnick
September 25, 2025
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!
Emma Pitnick
September 25, 2025