The crystal clear waters of Pensacola Bay make for a memorable boat tour for visitors to this enchanting corner of Florida.
(Photo: GetYourGuide)
The last city in western Florida before Alabama is Pensacola and you’ll find plenty of the attractions here for which southern Florida has become well known. Long stretches of sandy beach, abundant marine life and leisurely cruises are major highlights. We’ve selected three Pensacola boat tours, each offering a variety of ways to enjoy the natural beauty around Pensacola. One is a wildlife spectacular, with the chance to spot dolphins during a scenic cruise of the bay, while another allows guests to try their hand at snorkelling at two spots popular with snorkelling enthusiasts. The final boat tour is timed to coincide with one of Pensacola’s magical sunsets. Check them all out below.
Dolphin & Scenic Bay Sightseeing Cruise
This 1.5-hour tour invites visitors to explore the waters off Pensacola Beach while keeping their eye out for the vast population of dolphins that reside in the area and regularly pop their heads out for the entertainment of on-lookers. After meeting at the water’s edge, you and your small group will board your tour vessel and head out to sea. As you cruise further out, your captain and crew will be scouring the horizon for dolphins and other wildlife, turning the engine off when they spot anything and giving passengers a heads-up on where to look.
In the meantime, you’ll have the full expanse of the 52-foot yacht on which to kick back, relax and enjoy the experience with the wind in your hair. A surround sound music system will be pumping out tunes and there’ll also be variety of food and drink to purchase at the onboard bar. There’s also interior seating area for those who would prefer to sit inside. From $50 per person.
A popular choice for families with kids, this 2-hou adventure sees you cruise out to one or two renowned snorkelling spots in Pensacola Bay and Santa Rosa Sound. With shallow water no higher than a child’s chest, it’s an ideal chance for little ones to experience the thrill of snorkelling for the first time. For the duration of the tour, you’ll be accompanied by an expert guide who will show you how to use the equipment and get the most out of your time in the water.
Once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll be free and relaxed to take in the magic of the underwater world, with this section of water home to a special ecosystem featuring a wide diversity of fish and other exotic marine life. As an added bonus, if there is space, non-snorkellers can also come along for the ride (extra charge) so they can watch their family members or friends take part without doing so themselves. From $45 per person.
(Photo: Viator.com)
Another popular boat tour that departs from Pensacola makes the most of a daily natural occurrence that paints both the sky and sea in rich, warm tones. This 90-minute sunset cruise heads out onto Little Sabine Lake then onto Santa Rosa Sound, which is sandwiched between the mainland and the thin strip of Pensacola Beach, culminating with a chance to watch a captivating Floridian sunset.
The fun-packed excursion also allows you to bring your own alcohol on board, with a cooler full of ice provided to keep things chilled. Bottled water, an electric pump to inflate floaties, and a full-range Bluetooth stereo to link you music to are all provided onboard for free. From $65 per person.