Book Now
CLEARWATER & ST. PETERSBURG FLORIDA
Stunning Gulf of Mexico sunset viewed from a private boat charter near Clearwater and St. Petersburg Florida
Clearwater & St. Petersburg, Florida

Private Sunset Cruises

Watch the Gulf of Mexico sky turn gold, orange, and pink from your own private boat. No crowds, no strangers — just your group and one of the most beautiful sunsets on Florida's Gulf Coast.

2.5 hours · $425 flat · up to 6 guests · fully private

Tessa the Wayward Key Tours sea turtle mascot on the beach at sunset near Clearwater Florida

"I've watched every sunset on this Gulf. Trust me — you want to be on the water for this one."

— Tessa, your Gulf Coast guide 🐢
$425 Flat rate

One price for the whole boat

2.5 hours, up to 6 guests, champagne flutes at sundown included. The rate is the same whether it's two of you or six — no per-guest add-ons, no hidden fees. Departure is timed to that evening's actual sunset, from Clearwater or St. Petersburg.

Check availability →
🌅
Timed Around SunsetDeparture times shift seasonally so you always catch the best light on the water
🔒
Fully PrivateYour group only — no strangers, no public boat, no shared experience
🥂
Champagne at SundownChampagne flutes included — bring anything else you like, non-glass please
Captain Keith, Every TripUSCG-licensed, former Navy diver, 11-year submariner — never a rotating crew
What to expect

What a Private Sunset Cruise Looks Like

A 2.5-hour evening on the Gulf of Mexico, timed around golden hour. Relaxed cruising, stunning coastal views, and a sky you won't forget.

Golden hour sunset over the Gulf of Mexico on a private sunset cruise near Clearwater Florida

🌅 Golden Hour on the Gulf

The soft evening light and brilliant coastal colors that make sunset on these waters feel unlike anywhere else in Florida

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge seen from the water on a private evening charter near St. Petersburg Florida

Scenic Cruising

Open water, coastal landmarks, and a calm end-of-day atmosphere — the route itself is part of the experience

Evening light over Gulf Coast water on a private charter near Clearwater Florida

Relaxed Evenings

Quiet, laid-back, and personal — perfect for couples, families, or a small group wanting to unwind on the water

Beautiful sunset sky over the Gulf waters near Clearwater and St. Petersburg Florida

Photo-Worthy Moments

Glowing skies, water reflections, silhouettes — every sunset is different and worth capturing

Sunset over the Gulf of Mexico seen from a private Wayward Key Tours charter

A Special Way to End the Day

A private sunset cruise offers a peaceful, memorable way to experience Florida's Gulf Coast that most visitors never get to see

Your call, not ours

What do you want behind the sun?

Most sunset cruises run a route. Ours asks you a question first. Sunset light lasts about twenty minutes — where you're sitting when it happens is the whole decision.

Departing Clearwater

  • An island silhouette. The barrier islands going dark against the color, with open water in front of you.
  • The skyline. Clearwater Beach and the waterfront lit up as the sky turns.
  • Open Gulf. Nothing in the frame at all — just water and horizon.

Departing St. Petersburg

  • The Skyway. The Sunshine Skyway lighting up as the sky goes dark behind it.
  • The downtown skyline. St. Pete from the water, with the city coming on.
  • Inside Boca Ciega Bay. Calmer water, with the light falling across the trees and waterfront homes.

Captain Keith will tell you which one actually works that night. It depends on the tides as much as the sky — some of these are beautiful on the right evening and flat on the wrong one, and he'd rather say so than take you somewhere that won't deliver. Want a sandbar stop or a few minutes on an island beach before the light goes? That's yours to choose too — some groups want it, others would rather stay aboard and watch the sky change.

Perfect For Every Occasion

💑

Couples & Romance

Anniversaries, proposals, date nights, and romantic evenings on the Gulf

💍

Honeymoons

A private sunset cruise is one of the most memorable ways to celebrate a new marriage

🥂

Bachelorette Parties

Celebrate on the water with your closest friends and a stunning Gulf sunset backdrop

🎂

Birthdays & Celebrations

A sunset charter makes any birthday or milestone feel genuinely special

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Families & Friends

A relaxed evening on the water that works for all ages up to 6 guests

Couple enjoying a private sunset cruise on the Gulf of Mexico near Clearwater and St. Petersburg Florida

More Than Just a Sunset Boat Ride

Your group. Your pace. Your evening.

Wayward Key Tours offers a private sunset charter for guests who want more than a crowded public cruise. Instead of sharing the boat with strangers, your group gets a peaceful, personal evening experience built around you — timed around golden hour so you never miss the best light.

Captain Keith runs every charter himself — a USCG-licensed captain, a former Navy diver, and an eleven-year Navy submariner. Multi-boat operators physically can't say that; you get whoever is rostered that night. He knows which pass is comfortable when the wind swings onshore and how to time the return so you're not crossing open water in the dark.

  • Private charter — your group only, no strangers
  • Flat $425 for the whole boat, up to 6 guests
  • Timed around the actual sunset for the best light
  • Champagne flutes at sundown, included
  • Captain Keith at the helm on every single charter
  • Restroom onboard for a comfortable 2.5-hour cruise
  • Locally owned and veteran operated

Tour Details

Everything you need to know before you book

Private sunset cruises are approximately 2.5 hours and depart in the early evening, timed around the actual sunset for your charter date. Departure times shift throughout the year — your booking confirmation will include the specific departure time. Captain Keith knows the best evening routes for sunset views and will often include sightseeing along the Clearwater or St. Petersburg waterfront on the way out.

Couple enjoying a private sunset cruise on the Gulf of Mexico near Clearwater and St. Petersburg Florida

Charter Details

💰
Pricing$425 flat — whole boat, up to 6 guests
Charter Length2.5 hours — timed around sunset
📍
DepartureClearwater or Maximo Park, St. Pete
👥
Group SizePrivate — up to 6 guests, minimum age 5
Best ForCouples, honeymooners, celebrations, families
IncludedChampagne flutes at sundown, cooler & ice, Bluetooth music, fresh water shower, restroom, photos sent afterward
🎒
What to BringDrinks and snacks (non-glass), light layers, sunglasses, camera
Book This Charter →

Questions? Call or text 727-355-3717

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a private sunset cruise near Clearwater Florida?
A private sunset cruise near Clearwater is a boat charter reserved exclusively for your group, timed around the evening sunset on the Gulf of Mexico. Instead of sharing the boat with strangers on a public cruise, your group gets a relaxed, scenic, and personal experience on the water as the sky transitions through golden hour. Wayward Key Tours departs from both Clearwater and St. Petersburg.
How much does a private sunset cruise cost near Clearwater?
The Sunset Escape is a flat $425 for the whole boat — 2.5 hours, up to 6 guests, champagne flutes at sundown included. The rate is the same whether it's two of you or six, and there are no per-guest add-ons or hidden fees. To book or check availability, call or text 727-355-3717 or book online through FareHarbor.
How long is the sunset cruise and what time does it leave?
Private sunset cruises are approximately 2.5 hours. Departure times shift throughout the year based on the actual evening sunset for your charter date — your booking confirmation will include the specific time. This ensures you are always on the water for the best light, whether it is a summer evening or a winter sunset.
Can we choose where we go?
Yes, and we'd rather you did. From Clearwater you can choose an island silhouette, the Clearwater Beach skyline, or open Gulf with nothing in the frame. From St. Petersburg you can choose the Sunshine Skyway lighting up as the sky goes dark, the downtown skyline, or the calmer water inside Boca Ciega Bay. Captain Keith will tell you which works best on the night — it depends on tides and wind as much as the sky.
Is champagne really included?
Yes — champagne flutes at sundown come with every sunset charter at no extra charge. You're also welcome to bring additional drinks, wine, snacks, and food; non-glass containers only, please. A cooler and ice are provided.
Can we stop at a sandbar or an island?
If you want to, yes — but it isn't automatic. Some groups want a swim or a few minutes on a beach before the light goes; others would rather stay aboard the whole time and watch the sky change. Tell us what you'd like and we'll build the evening around it.
Is a private sunset cruise good for couples and romantic occasions?
Yes. Private sunset cruises are one of the most popular options for couples, honeymooners, anniversary celebrations, and proposals. The private charter means you have the entire boat to yourselves — just the two of you, the Gulf of Mexico, and a beautiful evening sky. If you're planning a proposal, let us know when you book and we'll handle the timing so the moment happens in the best light.
Is a private sunset cruise good for bachelorette parties and group celebrations?
Yes. Private sunset cruises are also popular for bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations, anniversary trips, post-wedding recovery days, and friend group outings. The boat accommodates up to 6 guests privately at the same flat rate, and you're welcome to bring drinks, music, and snacks to make the evening feel special.
What is the best time of year for a sunset cruise near Clearwater?
Sunset cruises near Clearwater and St. Petersburg are beautiful year-round. Summer offers dramatic warm skies and longer days. Fall and spring bring comfortable temperatures and vivid sunset colors. Winter sunsets are often stunning with clear skies and uncrowded water. Departure times shift seasonally to always match the actual sunset.
Does the sunset cruise include sightseeing?
Yes. The route naturally includes scenic views of the Clearwater and St. Petersburg coastline, open Gulf water, and the changing evening sky. Captain Keith knows the best evening routes and often includes sightseeing along the waterfront on the way out before transitioning into open water for golden hour.
Where does the private sunset cruise depart from?
Wayward Key Tours departs from two locations. The Clearwater departure gives access to Gulf-facing sunset views over the open water near Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Island. The Maximo Park departure in St. Petersburg gives access to Tampa Bay, the Sunshine Skyway, and Gulf sunset views. Captain Keith confirms the departure location when your booking is confirmed.
Is there a restroom onboard the sunset cruise?
Yes. Wayward Key Tours operates a 23-foot WorldCat SD 230 catamaran with a restroom onboard, making the 2.5-hour evening cruise comfortable for couples, families, and groups of all ages.
Tessa the Wayward Key Tours sea turtle mascot on the beach at sunset near Clearwater Florida

Ready to See Florida's Gulf Coast Sunsets?

"Best seat in the house. Every single night." — Tessa 🐢 $425 flat · 2.5 hours · up to 6 guests

Book your private sunset cruise in Clearwater or St. Petersburg. Your group, your evening, Captain Keith — and a Gulf Coast sky that never looks the same way twice.

Book Your Private Charter → Questions? Call or text 727-355-3717 · contact@waywardkeytours.com
Timing your evening

What time does the sun set in Clearwater?

It moves by nearly three hours across the year, which is why sunset departures aren't on a fixed schedule. Here's roughly what to expect, and how we time the charter around it.

Roughly when the sun goes down

Peak summer (June–July)8:15–8:30 pm
Spring & early fall7:00–8:00 pm
Late fall6:00–6:45 pm
Winter (Dec–Jan)5:30–5:45 pm

When we leave the dock

Departure~90 min before
Charter length2.5 hours
Back at the dockAfter dark
ConfirmedAt booking

Why ninety minutes

That's what it takes to run out, get into position, and be settled before the light starts to turn — rather than still under way when it happens. The good light comes before the sun actually touches the horizon, and you want to be sitting still for it, not moving.

It also means we come back after dark, which most people don't expect and end up liking. The boat is set up for it, and the water is a different place once the sun is gone.