A private dolphin cruise, just your group

Dolphin watching around John's Pass is one of the best-loved things to do on the water near St. Pete, and you can do it on a yacht that is yours alone. Well Played charters a whole boat to your group, with a captain, crew and fuel included. This is a private charter, not a seat on a crowded tour boat with a fixed route and a loudspeaker.

Why John's Pass

John's Pass is the channel between Madeira Beach and Treasure Island, where Boca Ciega Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico. Bottlenose dolphins live in these bays all year, and the sheltered water of the Intracoastal is a good place to look for them. From there the Gulf beaches, the village boardwalk and the bay islands are all within easy reach, so a dolphin trip can easily turn into a longer day.

How a private dolphin cruise works

You choose the yacht, the day and the start time. Your captain heads for the calm water where dolphins are often seen, slows down and lets the group watch. Dolphins are wild, so no sighting is ever promised, but the captain knows the water and adjusts the route to the conditions on the day. Because the boat is yours, you can stay longer when the dolphins are playful and move on when everyone is ready.

We watch from a respectful distance. We never chase or feed the dolphins and we let them decide how close they come. It is the right way to treat them, and it makes for a calmer trip for everyone aboard.

Add a sunset

A popular plan is to set out in the late afternoon, spend the first part of the trip looking for dolphins in the bay, then head out to the Gulf to watch the sun go down. Our private sunset cruise page explains how we time the evening through the seasons.

Good for families

A private boat suits families with young children and grandparents alike. There is shade aboard, room to move around and no other passengers to work around. Tell us the ages and the size of your group and we suggest the right yacht. Planning a bigger gathering? See our family reunion boat charter page.

Choosing your yacht

Each yacht's page shows how many guests she takes. Smaller, nimble boats suit the shallow, sheltered water where dolphins feed, and larger yachts give more space and shade for a longer day. Every price includes captain, crew and fuel. For more on the area itself, see boat rental at Madeira Beach and St. Pete Beach boat rental.

What to bring

Sunglasses, sun cream, a hat and a light layer for the ride home. Bring your own drinks and snacks if you like, or ask the office to arrange food. A phone or camera with a zoom helps, though many guests find the best memories are the ones they simply watched. Our guide on what to bring on a yacht charter has the full list.

Plan your dolphin cruise

Send us your date, your group size and whether you would like to stay for the sunset. The office replies with the yachts that fit, the price including captain, crew and fuel, and your meeting point.