Skyway to Sandbars: 90-Minute Jet Ski Tour from St. Petersburg
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
90 minutes
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness — must be able to board a PWC, stand or brace during short bursts, and handle sun exposure.
Overview
Cut loose from the docks at Maximo Park and blast beneath the Sunshine Skyway to shallow sandbars and white-sand beaches on this 90-minute guided jet ski tour. Expect dolphins, possible manatee sightings, and a quick walk on Fort De Soto or Shell Key.
Skyway to Sandbars: 90-Minute Jet Ski Tour from St. Petersburg
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The engine purrs, then surges, and the shoreline of St. Petersburg starts to fall away — a band of city and palm trees shrinking behind you as salt wind tugs at your sunglasses. Under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge the water opens, a luminous stretch of bay that dares you to go faster. In 90 minutes a guide will thread your group past the bridge’s soaring spans, skim along teal channels, and drop you at wide white sandbars where the Gulf’s warm shallows invite a barefoot stroll.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Complete Florida boater course if required
Operators born after Jan 1, 1988 must hold a Florida boater ID; the 60-minute online course avoids fines if stopped by authorities.
Morning departures for calmer water
Book early to reduce chop and increase your chance of seeing dolphins and manatees in calm conditions.
Use a dry pouch and secure loose items
Waves and spray are constant; keep phones and wallets sealed and clipped to you to avoid losing valuables.
Practice environmentally responsible viewing
Keep distance from manatees and dolphins and follow guide directions to protect wildlife and habitats.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Bottlenose dolphin
- Florida manatee
History
The Sunshine Skyway is a modern replacement for an earlier span and marks a strategic channel that shaped local commerce and navigation patterns; Egmont Key features a historic lighthouse and military ruins.
Conservation
This coastal zone relies on responsible visitation — stick to marked channels, avoid trampling seagrass, and use reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine ecosystems.
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Adventure Hotspots in St. Petersburg
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Sunscreen (reef-safe SPF 30+)
Protects skin on reflective open water and helps reduce chemical impact on seagrass and marine life.
summer specific
Dry pouch for phone/wallet
Keeps electronics and documents safe from spray and accidental immersion.
Light windbreaker or neoprene vest
Blocks wind chill on the run and adds warmth if the morning is breezy.
spring specific
Water shoes or sandals with straps
Protects feet on hot sand and rocky shell patches when stepping off at sandbars.
summer specific