We recently spent a Sunday afternoon on the Dolphins, Drinks & Sandbar tour with Siesta Key Watersports in Sarasota. Although the dolphins decided not to join us, we still had a great time cruising the local waterways, hearing stories about the wildlife and waterfront homes, and getting off the boat to explore a sandbar.
The sandbar stop was the main reason I chose this particular tour. I knew my son would have much more fun getting into the water and searching for interesting things than he would sitting on a boat for the entire trip.
What Is the Dolphins, Drinks & Sandbar Tour?
The Dolphins, Drinks & Sandbar tour is a 2 1/2-hour sightseeing and wildlife cruise offered by Siesta Key Watersports. The boat travels through the waterways around Sarasota and Siesta Key while the crew looks for dolphins, manatees, birds, and other local wildlife. The trip also includes a stop at a sandbar, where passengers can swim, look for shells and sand dollars, or simply relax in the warm water.
At the time of our visit, regular tickets were listed at $65 for adults and $50 for children age 10 and younger. Complimentary water is included. We chose VIP tickets, which cost us $80 per adult and $60 for a child and included priority boarding, alcoholic drinks for the adults, and soda or juice for kids.
My son was also supposed to receive a souvenir keychain, but I forgot to ask about it before we left.
Prices and tour details can change, so check the Siesta Key Watersports website when planning your visit.
Arriving and Getting to the Tour Boat
Siesta Key Watersports is located at 5253 South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, Florida. Our confirmation email asked us to arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled departure, and staff checked us in at the dock. There was a pleasant shady area where we could wait, which we appreciated on such a hot afternoon.
The main tour boat is too large to pass beneath the nearby bridge, so the trip begins with a quick ride on a smaller boat that takes everyone out to it. The transfer boat did not have shade and was very hot, but thankfully the ride was short.
Once we boarded the larger boat, we found plenty of seating and shade. Even with a full holiday-weekend group, the boat did not feel crowded.
There is also a restroom onboard, which you’ll find at the back, near the sign that says, “Take a Leaky.” Just remember to put your toilet paper in the trash can and not the toilet!
Cruising Past Wildlife and Waterfront Homes
Captain Dan and Brandt were both friendly, helpful, and welcoming. I especially enjoyed Captain Dan’s commentary about the local wildlife and the enormous waterfront homes we passed along the way.
Some of the houses were connected to celebrities. Captain Dan identified one as Pee-wee Herman’s former home. Other stories were more speculative, including a house with purple pillars that may or may not have once belonged to Prince. Whether every rumor was true or not, the stories made the sightseeing portion of the ride entertaining.
A few manatees also passed near the boat during the trip. Unfortunately, I was already out exploring the sandbar and missed seeing them.
Exploring the Sandbar
The sandbar was easily the highlight for us. The water was very warm, and we were able to walk around, swim, and search beneath the surface. We found many living sand dollars, hermit crabs and shells.
Live sand dollars look very different from the smooth, bleached-white ones found in souvenir shops. They are darker in color and covered in tiny moving spines. After holding them, my son noticed the sand dollars had turned his fingers had turned yellow. The stain comes from a natural substance produced by the living sand dollar and eventually washes away.
We handled them gently, kept them in the water, and returned them where we found them. Captain Dan instructed everyone to make sure you place them back in the water right-side up or the sand dollar might not survive.
Having time to get off the boat made this tour feel like more than a standard sightseeing cruise. My son was able to explore rather than simply watch the scenery pass, and that made the excursion a much better choice for our family.
Did We See Dolphins?
No—we went on a dolphin tour and did not see a single dolphin!
Fortunately, all of us have seen dolphins many times before, so it was not a major disappointment. Wildlife is unpredictable, and no responsible tour operator can guarantee that dolphins will appear on every trip.
Our tour departed at 1 p.m. on a busy holiday weekend, when the waterways were filled with boats and other activity. I would recommend choosing a morning tour or a sunset cruise if seeing dolphins were my top priority.
Siesta Key Watersports describes the cooler morning Dolphin & Wildlife Discovery Cruise as its best time for spotting dolphins and other wildlife, and its website notes that dolphins are often active during the evening hours as well.
I would be hesitant to choose a 1 p.m. holiday-weekend departure specifically for dolphin sightings. However, if your main goal is to enjoy a boat ride, learn about the area, and spend time at a sandbar, the afternoon tour is a lot of fun.
What to Bring
Wear a bathing suit if you plan to get off the boat, and bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Guests may bring their own drinks and snacks, but glass is not permitted onboard. They also sell snacks for $3.
The drink options are on the sign below. They don’t usually have mimosas at 1PM, but there was an open bottle leftover from the morning cruise, so my mom got to enjoy some champagne.
The wine that is available is single serving bottles of Sutter Home. It was easy to get a drink from our bartender Brandt, and you could also grab bottled water, juice and soda on your own from a big cooler on board.
Is the Siesta Key Watersports Sandbar Tour Worth It?
Yes, I would recommend the Dolphins, Drinks & Sandbar tour for families who want to get out on the water and do more than take a sightseeing cruise. We enjoyed the comfortable, spacious tour boat, the friendly crew, Captain Dan’s commentary, and especially the chance to explore the sandbar.
Not seeing dolphins did not ruin the experience for us because the tour included plenty of other things to enjoy. If dolphins are your main reason for booking, I would choose a morning or sunset departure and remember that sightings can never be guaranteed.
If the sandbar sounds like the most exciting part, as it did for us, this tour is a fun way to experience the beautiful waters around Sarasota and Siesta Key.
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