TourTruth score 8.6 out of 10
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Anna Maria Island Dolphin Sunset Boat Tour 2 hr
TourTruth score 8.6 out of 10
Very goodTop 11% in Sarasota
439 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score
- Sarasota
- 2 hrs
- Updated November 2, 2026
Cruise Anna Maria Island’s back bay, look for dolphins and seasonal manatees, and watch the sunset shimmer across the Gulf Coast.
About this tour
Set out from Anna Maria Island as the Gulf Coast’s clear waters catch the last light of day. This 120-minute boat tour explores the coast and its peaceful back bay, with chances to spot dolphins at play and manatees grazing seasonally. At low tide, exposed grass flats may reveal wading birds. The changing scenery builds to a sunset view, as the sun’s reflection stretches across the water and slips beyond the horizon.
An experienced guide accompanies the cruise, sharing the journey through these coastal waters. Bring your own food and drinks, and pack sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses secured with a retaining strap. A light jacket is recommended in spring and fall. Public tours need at least 6 passengers to depart; if that minimum is not met, the operator will try to reschedule or issue a full refund if the trip cannot go out.
Arrive 30 minutes early at 5325 Marina Dr. in Holmes Beach and park in the gravel lot behind the two buildings. Join this Anna Maria Island Dolphin Sunset Boat Tour for a relaxed evening on the water.
Highlights
- Cruise the Gulf Coast and Anna Maria Island’s scenic back bay
- Look for playful dolphins and seasonal manatees
- Spot wading birds on exposed grass flats at low tide
- Watch the sunset glow across the water
What's included
Included
- Experienced guide
Not included
- Sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses with a retaining strap
- Food and drinks
- Light jacket recommended in spring and fall
- Captain gratuity
Ratings on each provider
The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.
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View on ViatorViator
4.92 / 5 · 439 reviews
Important information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Public tours require a minimum of 6 passengers to depart; if the minimum is not met, the operator will try to reschedule or provide a full refund
- Check in 30 minutes before departure at 5325 Marina Dr., Holmes Beach
- Parking is available in the gravel lot behind the two buildings
How this score is calculated
This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 4.92 from 439 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.
How the score works and rating distribution in Sarasota
- Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
- Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
- Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
- The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 8.6. Top 11% in Sarasota means it ranks in the top 11% of tours in Sarasota by this score.
Provider rating distribution in Sarasota
How many tours in Sarasota have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.
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- GetYourGuide
- Viator
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