Explore Tampa Bay and its beautiful islands, enjoy the sun and the calm breezes of Tampa Bay and the Gulf Coast, and make friends with dolphins, manatees and other sea life!

The azure waters of Florida’s Gulf Coast, with its famous sunsets, make up the cruising ground. One of Clark Gable’s favorite places, Bradenton’s Manatee River, is the home port. With direct access to St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota and Tampa, it offers a perfect setting for memorable adventures.

• Half Day Sails
• Sunset Sails
• Sailing Instruction
• Full Day Sail
• Weekend Getaways

Upon leaving the marina you cruise down the scenic Manatee River, once described as the favorite cruising ground for Clark Gable. There are beautiful mansions and homes along the banks on either side. You then come to two very nice anchorages, one on either side of the river. Either one can be a really nice place to spend a peaceful, scenic night at anchor.

There is a nature preserve on the North Side of the entrance to the river and a park dedicated to the explorer Desoto on the South side.

As you leave the river you are greeted by a panoramic view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to your right and Anna Maria Island to your left.

Directly in front is an island called Egmont Key, with a lighthouse and docks for the Tampa Pilot Boats.

The open water of the Gulf is right beyond those two islands.

Dolphins love to play and jump alongside the boat

Half Day Sails

On a four-hour half day cruise you travel down the river, sail toward the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, tack over and head back to the river entrance. This would be for a minimum of three and a maximum of four people. ($65 per person) –coolers welcome

Sunset Sails

On a four-hour sunset sail you would do the same but time it so that when you are coming back up the river you could witness the sunset in the Gulf. This would be for a minimum of three and a maximum of four people. ($65/person) –coolers welcome

Full Day Sail

On a full eight-hour day sail you sail the river, and head for Egmont Key or Anna Maria Island, where we drop the anchor, eat lunch, take a swim, and then sail back. I suggest you bring a cooler with whatever you want to eat and drink. This would be for a minimum of three and a maximum of four people. ($100/person).

We can also custom design an eight-hour day for you.

Weekend Getaways

There are several nice two-day one-night getaway sails available from my Twin Dolphin Marina location. Each trip is for a minimum of two and a maximum of three people ($300/person) Marina costs are extra.

Longboat Key - We sail the river, pass just south of Egmont Key out into the Gulf, sail around Ana Maria Island , enter Longboat Pass , circle Jewfish Key and pull into the beautiful anchorage at the north end of Longboat Key.

There is a nice restaurant there called Moore ’s Stone Crab where we can pull the boat up and go for dinner. After dinner we anchor the boat, watch the sunset and enjoy a peaceful night sleep at anchor.

The next day, we retrace out steps, sailing out into the Gulf around Anna Maria Island and back to the Manatee River .

Gulfport – We sail the river, pass just north of Egmont Key out into the Gulf, sail north up to the channel leading to Pass-A-Grille, enter and follow the intercoastal a mile or so into Boca Ciega Bay . In the northeast corner of Boca Ciega Bay is a quaint little town called Gulfport . It has a nice marina with showers and a trolly that takes you downtown to shops and restaurants or to St Pete Beach if you prefer.

We spend the night there and then retrace our steps back out into the Gulf, past Egmont Key and to the Manatee River .

St Petersburg – We sail the river, head toward the Sunshine Skyway Bridge which we pass under and head up the bay. On the port side about ten miles past the bridge is downtown St Petersburg and the Harborage Marina. It is a first class marina with showers and a pool.

Right next to the marina is the famous Dali Museum . In addition there is a deli which serves breakfast and makes sandwiches. Within walking distance is a neat little Key West style outdoor restaurant called Fishtales. A short cab ride away is downtown St Pete with all that it has to offer.

The next morning we head down the bay under the Skyway Bridge and back to the Manatee River .

Longer trips can be custom designed to your liking.