Experience Clearwater’s charm aboard a dinner cruise, blending scenic views with good food. Glide along calm waters as the sunset paints the sky, and let someone else take care of dinner.
Perfect for romantic evenings or family gatherings, these cruises offer a memorable mix of relaxation and indulgence amid Florida’s coastal beauty. The best news for our guests is that almost all of them leave from the Clearwater Beach Marina at 25 Causeway Boulevard, right by the Pier 60 roundabout, so you can be on board within minutes of leaving the beach.
Below we compare the main options, from a buffet cruise to a classic sailing schooner, with the prices and details each operator lists today. Prices change through the year, so always confirm when you book.
| Cruise | Length | Food and drink | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yacht StarShip dinner cruise | 2 hours | Buffet dinner, open bar | $69.95 adult |
| Calypso Queen evening buffet | 2 hours | Optional buffet with beer, wine, rum punch | $27.95 cruise only |
| Tropics sunset cruise | About 1 hour 45 minutes | Champagne toast (21+), bar on board | Check operator |
| Schooner Clearwater private charter | 2.5 hours | Catering available extra | $1,450 per group |
Dinner cruises in Clearwater
Whether you’re planning a romantic evening for two or a family celebration, a dinner cruise in Clearwater is an experience not to be missed. Picture yourself on the top deck as the boat glides along the Intracoastal Waterway and the sun drops toward the Gulf.
Yacht StarShip
For the most complete dinner experience, Yacht StarShip runs two hour dinner cruises from Slip 55 at the Clearwater Beach Marina aboard StarShip IV. Dinner tickets include a reserved table, a buffet meal, DJ entertainment and the Free Bar at Sea, an open bar of house spirits, beer and wine. Adult dinner tickets start at $69.95 and child tickets (ages 2 to 12) at $49.95, with cheaper cruise only tickets that are limited to four drinks. Yacht StarShip Clearwater dinner cruise.
Good to know before you book: gratuity is added on board ($10 per adult, $5 per child), a $2 per person fuel surcharge applies, and sunset cruises generally board about 30 minutes before sunset. The route runs along the Intracoastal from Belleair to Island Estates and, weather permitting, out into the Gulf for the sunset. Friday and Saturday nights sell out fastest. StarShip FAQs.
StarLite Cruises and the Calypso Queen
StarLite Cruises has been sailing in St. Petersburg and Clearwater since 1986, and its Calypso Queen is the casual, island style choice. The 65 foot, three deck boat has two air conditioned dining levels and an open top deck. The evening tropical buffet cruise lasts two hours, with a live DJ, and the buffet includes dishes such as mango glazed chicken, beef teriyaki, chilled steamed shrimp and blackened white fish.
Buffet tickets include free beer, wine, rum punch and soft drinks; cruise only tickets are $27.95 for ages 13 and up and $20.95 for ages 3 to 12, and the buffet is an add on for the whole party. Shorts are perfectly fine. Calypso Queen evening cruise. By day, the same boat runs a narrated 1.5 hour harbor cruise past a protected mangrove bird sanctuary where pelicans, herons and egrets nest. StarLite also runs the Starlite Infinity dining yacht from Clearwater Beach. StarLite Cruises.
Sunset cruises in Clearwater
For a truly magical experience, take a sunset cruise. As the sun sets below the horizon the water takes on a golden glow. These cruises are ideal for couples or anyone hoping to capture the moment on camera, and you can still go to dinner afterwards.
The Tropics Boat Tours
Join The Tropics Boat Tours for its Sunset Celebration Cruise from Clearwater Bay through Clearwater Pass to the Gulf of Mexico, weather permitting. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the legendary green flash. The cruise lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes on a double decker catamaran, includes a complimentary sunset champagne toast for guests 21 and up, and is suitable for all ages. Check in 45 minutes before departure, and note that outside food and drink are not allowed; there is a bar and snacks on board. Tropics Sunset Celebration Cruise.
Schooner Clearwater
For a quieter, more intimate evening, Schooner Clearwater sails a 52 foot classic schooner from the west end of the municipal marina. Its public sunset sail leaves at 5:30 pm, lasts about two hours and is limited to 22 guests; you can bring your own drinks and snacks, and guests aged 5 and up are welcome. Schooner Clearwater.
For a celebration, book the whole boat. Private charters last 2.5 hours for up to 18 passengers, starting at $1,450 for up to six guests, $1,750 for up to 12 and $2,050 for up to 18, before tax and gratuity. Light catering can be arranged for an extra fee, and the crew asks for two to four weeks of planning time. Private charters.
Parking for your cruise: most boats leave from the Clearwater Beach Marina, where the city lot has a two hour limit, so a longer cruise may need a nearby garage instead. See our parking and transportation tips, or simply walk or take the trolley from your rental.
Stay with Sunny Orange Stays
When planning your dinner cruise in Clearwater, staying close to the marina means no parking stress and an easy stroll home afterwards. Here are three of our homes that make it simple. Sandy Shores 2 is a two bedroom beach house steps from the sand that sleeps seven, with free parking. Seas The Day is a two bedroom, two bath home on Mandalay Avenue that sleeps four. Bayway Luxury Waterfront Townhome sleeps nine across three floors, with a private rooftop terrace and Intracoastal views.
Sandy Shores 2
Seas The Day
Bayway Luxury Waterfront Townhome
Questions we get asked
Where do Clearwater dinner cruises leave from?
Most leave from the Clearwater Beach Marina at 25 Causeway Boulevard, next to the Pier 60 roundabout.
How much is a dinner cruise in Clearwater?
Yacht StarShip dinner tickets start at $69.95 per adult with an open bar. The Calypso Queen is cheaper, with cruise only tickets from $27.95 and an optional buffet.
Are dinner cruises family friendly?
Yes. StarShip sells child dinner tickets for ages 2 to 12, and the Calypso Queen and the Tropics sunset cruise welcome all ages.
Can I bring my own drinks?
On Schooner Clearwater’s public sails, yes. The Tropics does not allow outside food or drink.
Let’s plan it
Dinner on the Water
Book your cruise, then come home to a beach house just minutes from the marina. Find your Clearwater Beach stay.
See you on the sand.