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Little Toot Dolphin Sightseeing Tug Boat in Clearwater Beach Fl

We discovered the Little Toot on our first trip to Clearwater Beach. We were looking for a tour boat, but were not interested in the overpriced, showy boats like the immense pirate ship or the flashy shark boat. We weren’t looking for a grandiose dinner and sightseeing tour; just a simple, relaxing, not overly priced tour in hopes of spotting some dolphins, and that’s exactly what we got.

The Little Toot sits nestled amongst towering fishing boats and much larger tour/sightseeing boats, a modest little red, white, and blue boat floating proudly at the marina waiting patiently for the hordes of tourists to choose her for their dolphin sighting adventure. And they should. Although at first glance, the Little Toot seems a less likely candidate, being overshadowed by the more showy themed boats, the fact is that her small stature is better suited for a more up close dolphin sighting. As their website boasts, the Little Toot is “the only Dolphin Boat that can go into the shallows of Clearwater Bay as well as the Gulf of Mexico” and “Because of our tugboat shape and power, we can create a huge wake. A wake the dolphins cannot refuse and love to jump and play in.Little-Toot.html

The Little Toot is a family owned and operated 40 foot tugboat that is the perfect size to navigate the waters of the Clearwater harbor and out into the Gulf of Mexico. There is only enough seating for 30 people, which is perfect if you are like me and try to stay as far away as possible from large, tightly packed crowds. The covered seating area provides shade from the burning Florida sun, and soda, water, tea, and beer are available for purchase. And for those traveling with children, yes there is a bathroom on board as well!

There are four times in which the Little Toot departs the marina: 11:00, 1:00, 3:00, and sunset. The tour lasts around one and a half hours. During the duration of the tour, the crew narrates by providing information about dolphins, and whether true or not, even pointing out the celebrity homes in the area as we pass by.

What I love about the Little Toot is the ability to wander around the vessel as the tour progresses. Because it is surrounded by safety netting, it enables passengers to get 360 degree views as the boat traverses the waters searching for dolphins. When a dolphin is spotted, the captain will stop or circle around to ensure the passengers get the best possible view and picture taking opportunities. Once the dolphin moves on, so does the Little Toot.

The Little Toot guarantees a dolphin sighting or your next tour is free, an added incentive to choose this tour; however, I have now been on this tour three times and we have spotted dolphins on each one. I love the Little Toot. It is the perfect little tour boat that is suitable for all ages. We have taken my parents, our adult kids, and the grandbaby and everyone of them has enjoyed it just as much as I have, not to mention they’ve taken great dolphin pictures to prove it!