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You Are Here: Home » Things to Do » Attractions and Family Fun » Take a Tour »
Take a Tour
Rather than returning home from vacation with only tan lines, why not bring home stories of adventure on the high seas and ghostly encounters?
Battles aboard a pirate ship, close-up dolphin sightings, behind-the-scenes peaks at historic haunts…these VIP tours are some of the best ways to explore Florida’s Beach.
Haunted Happenings and Pirate Tales
Long before the land boom of the 1920s, the beaches and islands of Florida’s Beach were hideouts for pirates and sailors.
At twilight one such pirate guide leads guests through the historic fishing village at John’s Pass in Madeira Beach with Tampa Bay Ghost Tours, telling tales of lost mariners like John Levique, after whom the pass is named. Over the hour-long tour you’ll also discover the spirit of the boardwalk founder, Wilson Hubbard, and the legends about other local characters.
Or if you prefer modern spirits, join the company for the Haunted Halls tour at the Don CeSar Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach. The tour runs two hours and includes drinks and, uh, your just desserts at the hotel, nicknamed the Pink Palace.
Anyone intent on learning the science of ghost hunting should join Orlando Ghost Tours, as they use special instruments to measure paranormal activity at Clearwater’s circa 1896 Belleview Biltmore Resort.
The property is filled with tunnels and secret passages that were once used by butlers and maids. The stories of owner Maisie Plant’s missing pearls and the spirits of many children who are said to haunt this property will chill you.
Two popular pirate ship tours will bring your haunting experiences to life. The Pirate Ship at John’s Pass has three daily tours on its three-mast replica pirate ship. In Clearwater Beach Captain Memo’s The Original Pirate Cruise sets sail twice during the day with cannons blasting. Both ships offer children’s parties and “adult friendly” evening cruises at varying times throughout the year.
Naturally Fun
With water surrounding Florida’s Beach, natural adventures are everywhere.
The town of Tarpon Springs is referred to as the bayou because of its low wetlands and many tidal creeks and marshes. Florida Boat Tours takes advantage of the soggy surroundings with its airboat rides through the small islands in the bay waters.
The Sun Line Cruises Sea Fari Adventure Cruise offers a 75-minute guided tour with a naturalist. The cruise heads up the Anclote River to a protected bird nesting area and guests will learn about the history of sponging and fishing in the Tarpon Springs area.
Certified SCUBA divers and spear fishermen will find a kindred
spirit with Capt. Mac of Reef Tours. Leaving from port in Clearwater, Mac enjoys taking divers to all the area’s well-known wrecks, reefs and ledges to find limestone reefs with sponges and coral. Spiny lobsters and grouper can be caught and there are plenty of coolers on board to store your catch.
If you’d rather just watch nature, try one of our many dolphin cruises:
Hubbard’s Marina has an hour and a half dolphin watch nature cruise. You’ll travel the calm waters of Boca Ciega Bay where many dolphins play, along with the beautiful tropical birds like egrets and herons, and even manatees.
With the ferry service from Dolphin Landings, guests board a luxury sailboat for a two-hour tour of the bay’s southern waters where more dolphins frolic.
At The Pier in St. Petersburg, Dolphin Queen Sightseeing Tours has a 70-person, 38-foot catamaran that navigates the open waters of Tampa Bay.
Odds and Ends
For a tour that’s easy on the feet, visit the St. Petersburg Museum of History. The museum has teamed with Gyroglides, a company that offers a Segway tour of the historic downtown. After a 10-minute video about the electric two-wheel gliders, a helmet fitting and a brief lesson, your group will glide for an hour or more through downtown St. Petersburg with your tour guide.
A unique wine tasting experience waits at Florida Orange Groves Inc. and Winery, which offers 29 wines made from tropical fruits and citrus, but no grapes. Since 1997 the winery has been selling premium citrus wines like Orange Sunshine and a grapefruit wine, as well as mango, pineapple, watermelon and tangerine flavors. How’s that for an only-in-Florida experience?
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