Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
One of the most picturesque harbors in Florida, Tampa Harbor abounds with history on all sides. The waterfront features museums, shipyards and million dollar homes. See the Pirate ship "Gabriella" up close, view the most beautiful building in Tampa "the Plant Hotel" and learn how Tampa became a city.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
Children must be accompanied by an adult
What To Expect
Henry B. Plant Museum
With 4,000 years of people living in Tampa on this cruise, you will learn about how this this city grew from a Spanish outpost to the fastest growing city in Florida. This tour takes you step by step through the evolution of the city and as you cruise along the waters, the history unfolds all around you. Your guides will divulge little known facts about this city and share them with you. Many locals have said "I have lived here all my life and never knew that about Tampa!" When you leave this tour, you will know more than locals! Learn more than you image possible about Pirates and their history in Tampa. See the Pirate ship “Gabriella” up close and be sure to ask your guide "what's a Pirate beard in Tampa?" You will be surprised at the answer!
Tampa Water Taxi Company
With 4,000 years of people living in Tampa on this cruise, you will learn about how this this city grew from a Spanish outpost to the fastest growing city in Florida. This tour takes you step by step through the evolution of the city and as you cruise along the waters, the history unfolds all around you. Your guides will divulge little known facts about this city and share them with you. Many locals have said "I have lived here all my life and never knew that about Tampa!" When you leave this tour, you will know more than locals! Learn more than you image possible about Pirates and their history in Tampa. See the Pirate ship “Gabriella” up close and be sure to ask your guide "what's a Pirate beard in Tampa?" You will be surprised at the answer!
Options
4:00 pm Tampa History Cruise
Learn about how Tampa grew from a Spanish outpost to the fastest growing city in Florida, with 4,000 years of people living in this city. This tour takes you step by step through its evolution.
12:30pm Tampa History Cruise
Learn about how Tampa grew from a Spanish outpost to the fastest growing city in Florida, with 4,000 years of people living in this city. This tour takes you step by step through its evolution.
What‘s Included
History Cruise
Soda/Pop
Bottled water
Parking
Transportation to/from attraction
Gratuities (optional}
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
903 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Frustrating experience
Michael B,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00Frustrating experience. The boat trip in Tampa was canceled a few hours before it was scheduled to begin, allegedly for upcoming heavy rain, but the weather was fine in fact.
Tour seems more interested in who owns which luxury home rather than Tampa history
Sharon Z,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Good tour. Informative and friendly guide who had to speak over a crying child. Specific instructions like “boat may not be at dock until departure time.” We were a little concerned we’d missed boat but it came along about 10 minutes before departure. Nice overview of Tampa history.
Mark was an excellent guide/historian and very personable.
Shawna C,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Enjoyed the history and it was lovely on the water. Our guide, Mark, was very informative
Interesting and fun
Theresa I,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Casual and comprehensive history of sights along the waterways of Tampa. Captain Mark shared very interesting facts about the past and present of the area in an entertaining way. Free cold water on board was appreciated.
R
Diane M,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Super cruise and super quiz.
Friendly and personable
OutAndAbout1756,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Unfortunately, a schedule change caused us to be able to go, but they were very understanding and gave us a refund. The price is VERY reasonable considering the expenses of a boat. We do hope to be able to go when we are back in Tampa sometime.
Very friendly and personable
mark h,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00So we doesn't actually go, but we booked based on all the positive reviews. Unfortunately, a schedule change caused us to be able to go, but they were very understanding and gave us a refund. We do hope to be able to go when we are back in Tampa sometime.
Excellent experience....
Nitokki L,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent experience. Loved hearing the history and seeing different sites along the tour. Tampa has a really interesting history and the tour made me want to dive more into it.
This was very informative...
Andrea H,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was very informative and a lot of fun even if you're NOT a history person like me! They even offer ice cold water for free!
So good I went twice in a month!
Ryan H,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Captain Mark is such a good guide. He is warm and energetic, and what he teaches about Tampa Bay history is informative even to Tampa natives like me! He seemed to keep everyone engaged. I like that he repeats the main point of most of his stories to ensure that everyone heard it, and he speaks loudly and clearly, which is especially good since he’s got to be heard over a boat motor. This is the second time I’ve been on the tour in a month. My family said they’d like to go on the tour again too because it was so enjoyable.
Related Experiences
Operated by Tampa water taxi