If you are planning to spend a day at the Gulf Coat, why not head for Clearwater which is easily accessible from the Orlando area via the Interstate 4.
The journey takes about an hour and a half - and is an easy drive, down the I4, through Tampa and then on to Clearwater.
When you approach the harbour area in Clearwater you come across an unusual phenomenon in Florida - a roundabout! Take the second exit and drive on past the harbour on the left and you will then see some large parking lots on the right hand side. Park here.
Cross over the road to the harbour area where several large boats will be moored. Here there are several boat trips with ticket booths. We can highly recommend the Sea Screamer. this boat has 3 or 4 trips a day (depending on the season). If you buy your tickets immediately you can book for a later trip if you want so that you have time to wander down to the beach or get a spot of lunch, knowing that your seat on the boat is safe.
At the duly appointed time return to the booking office where you board the boat. Upon boarding you will have the family snapshot taken, for collection upon your return.
Board the boat and make sure you sit at the back!
The Sea Screamer is apparently the worlds largest speed boat!
The trip will take you down the inlet and out into the open Gulf. The skipper guarantees that you sill see dolphins - and if you don't you will get another free trip. We have been on this trip several times and always seen dolphins - and of the many friends of ours who have done the trip only one was disappointed and had to do a second trip!
The slow ride out down the inlet gives you chance to view the many homes (one owned by Tom Cruise!).
Once out in the open sea the boat picks up speed and the skipper turns on the machine that makes the water turn to foam behind the boat. Dolphins appear as if by magic and start jumping in the foam. It is a fabulous sight! Now you know why you need to sit at the back - you will get a fabulous view although you may get a bit wet!
The skipper turns round and about and follows the dolphins to get the best 'show'.
Another tip is to take a video camera as experience has shown me that trying to take a photo isn't easy! By the time you have clicked the dolphins have gone back into the water!
The whole trip is probably less than an hour in duration - but well worth doing. Cost? In the region of $16 - and excellent value!
The journey takes about an hour and a half - and is an easy drive, down the I4, through Tampa and then on to Clearwater.
When you approach the harbour area in Clearwater you come across an unusual phenomenon in Florida - a roundabout! Take the second exit and drive on past the harbour on the left and you will then see some large parking lots on the right hand side. Park here.
Cross over the road to the harbour area where several large boats will be moored. Here there are several boat trips with ticket booths. We can highly recommend the Sea Screamer. this boat has 3 or 4 trips a day (depending on the season). If you buy your tickets immediately you can book for a later trip if you want so that you have time to wander down to the beach or get a spot of lunch, knowing that your seat on the boat is safe.
At the duly appointed time return to the booking office where you board the boat. Upon boarding you will have the family snapshot taken, for collection upon your return.
Board the boat and make sure you sit at the back!
The Sea Screamer is apparently the worlds largest speed boat!
The trip will take you down the inlet and out into the open Gulf. The skipper guarantees that you sill see dolphins - and if you don't you will get another free trip. We have been on this trip several times and always seen dolphins - and of the many friends of ours who have done the trip only one was disappointed and had to do a second trip!
The slow ride out down the inlet gives you chance to view the many homes (one owned by Tom Cruise!).
Once out in the open sea the boat picks up speed and the skipper turns on the machine that makes the water turn to foam behind the boat. Dolphins appear as if by magic and start jumping in the foam. It is a fabulous sight! Now you know why you need to sit at the back - you will get a fabulous view although you may get a bit wet!
The skipper turns round and about and follows the dolphins to get the best 'show'.
Another tip is to take a video camera as experience has shown me that trying to take a photo isn't easy! By the time you have clicked the dolphins have gone back into the water!
The whole trip is probably less than an hour in duration - but well worth doing. Cost? In the region of $16 - and excellent value!