About this Experience
What you'll do:
You and up to seven friends board a private sailboat in downtown St. Petersburg, head out onto Tampa Bay, and spend two hours with a professional photographer capturing the kind of content most people spend thousands of dollars at a studio to get — all while dolphins swim past and mimosas stay cold.
Departure from the St. Pete waterfront: Your captain motors out from the marina, hoists the sails, and cuts the engine so you're gliding past the downtown skyline, St. Pete Pier, and the Vinoy Hotel with nothing but wind and music.
Professional photography, built into the trip: The on-board photographer shoots individual model-style portraits of each guest, plus candid group photos throughout the sail, so every person in your party leaves with a full set of high-quality images.
Luxury picnic package on the water: Charcuterie, snacks, and mimosas are served while you sail, so there's no scrambling to find food before or after — it's all handled before you step on board.
1-on-1 portrait time for every guest: While others relax in the sun or in a shaded lounge area, each person gets dedicated time with the photographer to get individual shots without feeling rushed.
A soundtrack you actually chose: Connect your playlist to the Bluetooth sound system and set the tone yourself, whether that's something mellow or something that turns the bay into a dance floor.
However your group wants to spend the two hours — low-key or high-energy — the itinerary is flexible enough to follow your lead.
Why you'll love it:
Content that's actually usable: Every guest receives a full gallery of professionally shot images, not blurry phone photos — the kind of photos that are genuinely post-worthy.
Privacy that changes the vibe: This is a fully private charter, meaning no strangers share the boat, no shared bar, no awkward crowds. Your group has the whole vessel.
A setting that does the visual work for you: The Tampa Bay backdrop, open water, and downtown St. Pete skyline give every photo a built-in setting that's hard to replicate anywhere onshore.
Wildlife shows up uninvited: Dolphin sightings happen on most sails in Tampa Bay, and the photographer is ready when they do — those are often the best shots of the trip.
- Built for bachelorettes, great for any occasion: This charter is a natural fit for bachelorette parties and girls trips, but it works just as well for birthdays, graduations, or any group that wants a few hours on the water with great photos to show for it.
About this experience partner:
St. Pete Sailing Charters is a locally owned charter company operating private sails and sunset cruises throughout Tampa Bay. Owners Nick and Kelly, known for their YouTube channel Sailing Satori, bring years of bluewater sailing experience in the Caribbean to their home waters in St. Petersburg. The company has been featured in Sailing magazine, on NBC's American Ninja Warrior, and in Bay News 9's Florida On a Tankful segment.
Additional information:
Private charter for up to 8 guests (USCG-certified capacity limit)
Shaded and open-sun lounging areas available on board
Clean restroom and full USCG safety equipment included on every sail
Dolphin sightings occur on most Tampa Bay sails; no guarantees, but odds are good
Book This Experience
Visit the experience booking site to check availability and book your experience.
LocationTampa, FL
1110 3rd St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USATampa, FL
Frequently Asked Questions
What is your cancellation policy?
We have a 3% cancellation fee on all bookings. If you cancel three or more days before your scheduled departure, you will only be charged the 3% fee. This is a non-refundable processing fee charged by the credit card company. Cancellations less than three days before your departure are non-refundable. If the Captain must cancel due to weather, you will have the option to reschedule or receive a refund.
Can we wear shoes?
Only during extremely cold weather are boat shoes acceptable. I’ll email the day of if shoes are ok. Otherwise, we require bare feet. We don’t wear shoes in our home, and we don’t wear shoes on our yacht. You won’t find a cleaner charter vessel in all of Tampa Bay. (We’re neat freaks!) Lick the bottom of your shoes in front of me, and I’ll allow them aboard.
Can we bring adult beverages on the boat?
Yes. Soft-sided coolers only. Red wine or other staining beverages are NOT allowed. If your cooler is large and has wheels and handlebars, it’s too big and NOT allowed. Glassware is not allowed. Drinking is encouraged, but getting sloppy drunk is not.
Can we bring food aboard?
Yes, but please… no items that are greasy, drippy, or saucy. Remember, this is a sailboat, and there is wind. Lightweight items (lids, plastic, paper) will want to fly out of your hands. Finger foods rule. Leave the refrigerator at home. We recommend beverages only. For a no-fuss snack onboard, add our “Luxury Picnic Package” at checkout and let us handle it for you.
Can I bring my comfort animal?
No. Our vessel is not equipped to handle the needs of a non-human aboard. A monkey bit me once during a sail
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Where do we go and how far?
The half-day, 1/4 day, and sunset cruises sail in Tampa Bay, mostly near downtown St. Petersburg and in the waters between Tampa and the Skyway Bridge. We are usually never farther than a few miles from shore at any time.
If the weather is bad at the time of our scheduled sail, what happens?
If it is raining or the winds are sustained over 25 mph, we will cancel the cruise and try to reschedule if possible. If, during our cruise, we have to return early due to weather, we will prorate the charge. Please trust the Captain’s decision when it comes to weather or conditions. The safety of our guests and the vessel is our top priority.
Do we see dolphins?
We see dolphins 90% of the time, but cannot guarantee it. Barking like a dog or monkey sounds do attract dolphins. Pelican sightings are guaranteed.
