The Cross Bay Ferry is a scenic and convenient transportation option that connects Downtown St. Petersburg and Downtown Tampa across Tampa Bay.
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Hop aboard the Provincetown III for a seamless connection between the vibrant Downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa.
Instead of navigating congested roads, enjoy the scenic views and fresh air. With spacious seating and comfortable amenities, your trip becomes a mini-vacation in itself!
There's a bar on board, so make sure to order a drink for the coolest experience on the water!
Go to the top to have the best views!
The Cross Bay Ferry is SUPER pet-friendly!
Get there early so you don't miss the time slot.
Wear a crossbody bag, or a small bag, so you can bring bottled water and also have a place to store some shopping finds.
Once you've arrived to your destination, you can jump on a scooter! Make sure to download an e-scooter app beforehand.
The Cross Bay Ferry is now offering year-round service, connecting Tampa and St. Petersburg for a scenic alternative to the bridge and downtown traffic. Starting now, the ferry will operate through October 2025, giving passengers a relaxed way to travel between the two bustling downtowns!
In St. Petersburg: Board the ferry at the Port of St. Pete, conveniently located next to the University of South Florida – St. Petersburg Campus and The Dali Museum.
In Tampa: The Tampa Ferry Terminal is situated on the waterside of the Tampa Convention Center, just west of the Sail Restaurant and Franklin Street.
Check out the ferry connections below
This is what our AMAZING day taking the Cross Bay Ferry looked like. Steal our plan!
This is the first departure on Friday!
The first departure from St. Pete on Friday and Saturday is at 10 am, so we recommend arriving 15 minutes early to hop in line.
Our recommendation: We purchased our passes online ahead of time, which is always what we recommend, as the ferry often sells out.
Check the Cross Bay Ferry’s FULL schedule below
50 minutes later, the ferry docks near the Tampa Convention Center in Downtown Tampa. This location makes it easy to take the TECO Streetcar once you arrive! The streetcar stops every 15 minutes during ferry operating hours and it’s free. It connects to Amalie Arena, Sparkman Wharf, the Florida Aquarium, and Ybor City.
There’s a pick-up spot just a few hundred feet from where the ferry docks. It’s as simple as hopping on and hopping off.
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We didn’t eat breakfast before leaving, so first things first – find coffee and to-go breakfast! There are scooters just steps away from where the ferry drops off, so we decided to continue with the fun modes of transportation.
Our recommendation: You can save time and energy by downloading a scooter app ahead of time and pre-loading your credit card info. Grab coffee at Shortwave Coffee! Don’t leave without trying their breakfast sandwich in a croissant.
Check out all of the fun transportation options
Cool down and venture around Sparkman Wharf! This is a great spot to grab a beverage and relax for a little while. We decided to grab a drink, catch up, and people-watch while taking in the views of the Garrison Channel and Tampa Bay.
Our recommendation: There’s a scooter corral right next to the big red Tampa sign across from Sparkman! For lunch, we highly suggest you try Gallito Taqueria! For dessert, try Everglazed for the BEST donuts.
The Tampa Bay Riverwalk is a scenic, pedestrian-friendly pathway stretching along the Hillsborough River and a MUST-visit! It features parks, museums, restaurants, and cultural attractions. The Riverwalk is the perfect day activity where you can enjoy walking, cycling, and enjoying waterfront views!
Our recommendation: Stop by the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park – a beautiful public park that overlooks the University of Tampa campus!
The latest departure from Tampa to St. Pete is at 11:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays, but we decided to go back during the 6:00pm departure! It felt amazing to be in the Cross Bay Ferry’s A/C after a long day of exploring…and to think we had all this fun in Channelside without having to drive over the bridge.
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