St. Petersburg Sunset Cruise: Skyway Bridge, BYO Food & Drinks

4.53

(189 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the air to feel so soft out on the water — sort of salty but not heavy, if that makes sense. We left from St. Pete Pier just as the sky was turning that weird in-between color, not quite orange, not quite pink. The boat wasn’t crowded (thankfully), and I could hear someone laughing behind me while our guide untied us from the dock — she waved at a couple of kids fishing nearby like she knew them. Maybe she did.

I brought my own snacks (just some crackers and cheese I’d grabbed last minute), and honestly, it felt right to nibble while we drifted past the edges of downtown St. Petersburg. Someone up front pointed out a pelican diving for fish — missed it completely, but heard the splash. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge looked almost unreal as we got closer; you see it in photos all the time, but seeing those cables lit up by sunset is different in person. There was a quiet moment when everyone just watched it — no one talking, just that low hum of the boat and maybe a gull somewhere overhead.

They had wine and beer for sale onboard (I went for a cold beer — seemed appropriate), and I chatted with a couple visiting from Ohio who were surprised you could bring your own food on this kind of cruise. We all tried to spot dolphins near the bridge; pretty sure I saw one fin but can’t swear by it. There’s a restroom on board too, which is something you don’t think about until you really need it after two drinks in open air. By the time we headed back toward St. Pete Pier, the sky was almost purple and I remember thinking I should do this again next time friends visit — or even alone, honestly.