Pirate Water Taxi offers daily tours of Tampa with 14 stops located along our route near attractions, museums, restaurants & parks! Simply buy tickets at our home dock (Stop #7 - Convention Center), online or after boarding the taxi at any of the stops located throughout Downtown Tampa. Once purchased, you will receive a Pirate Water Taxi wristband which allows you to hop on and off the taxi at any stop for unlimited rides - all day!
These wristbands also give you discounts with a number of venues located on the route as part of our Pirate Perks Program. Want to be the first to know? Subscribe to our e-newsletter to hear about upcoming events, special savings and the latest Pirate Water Taxi news. Whether it's your wedding day, birthday or you're just looking for a fun time, let us host your crew on a private group charter.
These wristbands also give you discounts with a number of venues located on the route as part of our Pirate Perks Program. Want to be the first to know? Subscribe to our e-newsletter to hear about upcoming events, special savings and the latest Pirate Water Taxi news. Whether it's your wedding day, birthday or you're just looking for a fun time, let us host your crew on a private group charter.
Services
Pirate Water Taxi is a fleet of five pirate-themed Water Taxi vessels in Downtown Tampa that is owned and operated by Yacht StarShip Cruises & Events. The Water Taxis operate 7-days a week, with longer hours on the weekends and during special events. Daily admission allows for unlimited "Hop On, Hop Off" boarding all day from any of the 14 stops which are conveniently located along the Hillsborough river and Tampa's waterways.
Reserve a front row seat to Tampa's Holiday Lighted Boat Parade. Pirate Water Taxi offers the best views of the parade! Your ticket includes a 75-minute cruise with spectacular views of the boat parade and downtown Tampa. Please note, Pirate Water Taxi has two cruise times available to view the parade.
Ring in the New Year on the water with a front row seat to downtown Tampa's fireworks on Pirate Water Taxi's New Year's Eve Cruise! This 1-hour cruise includes a complimentary champagne toast, party favors and prime viewing of the fireworks. All ages welcome, but you must be 21+ with valid ID to drink.
Annual Passholders can purchase an additional all-day pass for a guest and receive $5 off per ticket (discount valid for up to 3 guests per Annual Passholder, per day.) Discounted tickets must be purchased aboard the Water Taxi or at the ticket booth. Annual Passholder must be present for the discount to be valid for their guest(s).
Receive discounts at restaurants, bars, attractions and more when you show your Pirate Water Taxi wristband!. Not only do you get to enjoy great views of Tampa Bay's waterways, but you get to save a doubloon or two. Venture to each of our stops to enjoy exclusive discounts with your Pirate Water Taxi wristband.
Reviews (25)
Gladys Bahamonde
Jan 21, 2022
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Kelsey Galer
Jan 05, 2022
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It’s a nice way to travel up the river, but they are never on time per their taxi schedule. One time they simply said “we are done for the night” and left us stranded. I’ve waited far past the posted schedule times to no avail. Have had to Uber instead. Sometimes they completely skip over a posted stop and you’ll wait an hour until the next one.
Robert Lustbader
Jan 04, 2022
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A fun ride for adults and families. Hope on and off all day, eat on the waterfront, about 19 stops, two different routes. Very courteous staff. Whether you live in Tampa area or just visiting, this is a must. If you have a bike( or rent one) the riverwalk is fantastic also. Lots of public parking within three blocks.
Mr. Magoo M.
Jan 03, 2022
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We rode the taxi during holidays and had a great time along the river walk. It was a great way to see the lights. Capt. Bob and Jacob were great, friendly and funny, assisting people on and off the boat. I'm impressed that they don't get stressed over the people who don't pay attention. They announce all the stops and gave complete instructions as to the service and safety procedures. People don't listen and they are the ones who complain. It does get busy and seating can get limited if the weather is cold or rainy. Will definitely return if those guys are still there. Hope
TeacHER Tiah
Dec 29, 2021
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The River of Lights boat tour was very festive and interactive for all on board. We were provided with instruments for some of the carols and there was even a special effect for one song, but I won't ruin it by telling. This is definitely a family "must-do" activity if you're in the area during the holidays.
Debbie Smith
Dec 28, 2021
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Matthew R.
Dec 27, 2021
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This is a very enjoyable way to see the riverwalk area of Tampa. The employees (pirate?) are friendly and try to be helpful. The boats are clean and comfortable. Unfortunately, there are a few drawbacks to be aware of.
First, the boats only stop at each location twice an hour at most. This can be a problem if you want to move on sooner or get off at the wrong place.
Second, the employees really have no idea what there is to do at each stop. They could tell you if there was food at the stop or if there was a major attraction like a museum but nothing more. The brochure and website have no additional
First, the boats only stop at each location twice an hour at most. This can be a problem if you want to move on sooner or get off at the wrong place.
Second, the employees really have no idea what there is to do at each stop. They could tell you if there was food at the stop or if there was a major attraction like a museum but nothing more. The brochure and website have no additional
Sharp Edge Lawn Care
Dec 22, 2021
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Star and Steve are a terrible representation for your company. The attitude Star gave us when we arrived at the dock was absolutely uncalled for. I tried to explain to Star we had 2 more passengers walking up (my elderly parents). Her exact words to me was they need to hurry up. Really, I paid for 13 passengers to ride your shuttle today over 300 hundred dollars was spent, to be treated like garbage. This treatment we received was completely unprofessional and uncalled for. I can promise one thing, I won't spend a dollar the rest of the time I am in Tampa with your company.
Andrew Carlstedt
Nov 29, 2021
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For those visiting Tampa and for those who live here like I do, if you're looking for something relaxing to do at a great price, this is a fantastic option. The staff is very friendly and the boats are nice. The river route is especially relaxing; you get to see the buildings and the riverwalk from a new perspective. I would totally do it again!
Paul P.
Oct 16, 2021
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We wanted to have lunch at armature Works and then try out the Tampa history Museum so we decided to use the water taxi. We were able to easily purchase tickets online and when we boarded they were simply scanned and we were given a wristband for the day.
The water taxi is not a luxury cruise liner but it is a pretty cool boat that serves it's purpose of getting you to and from places that are a relatively short distance apart. One of the boats we were on had air-conditioning and there were also drinks available for purchase.
The crew was super friendly, the on boarding and off boarding
The water taxi is not a luxury cruise liner but it is a pretty cool boat that serves it's purpose of getting you to and from places that are a relatively short distance apart. One of the boats we were on had air-conditioning and there were also drinks available for purchase.
The crew was super friendly, the on boarding and off boarding
Amy M.
Oct 05, 2021
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Had my in laws in town & we were treated like royalty by Capitan Patrick & Gavin! They took the time to point out some celebrity and athletes homes as well kept us entertained with great conversation. Definitely will be using the taxi service again to travel the river. The pick and drop off times were as scheduled and the boats and bathrooms were clean.
Peter A.
Sep 28, 2021
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Andrea George
Aug 20, 2021
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Cheyenne Drayton
Jul 23, 2021
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M. H.
May 31, 2021
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Sooo Pirate Water Taxi was an enjoyable experience with some hiccups. After eating at Armature Works we decided to take the taxi down the river. I do think 20$ per person is a bit extreme but I’m all about memories so we went. After our first stop the boat driver advised to check the schedule so we knew when to come back. Well we came back and the Northbound boat was super late. When we finally got back on I mentioned they weren’t on schedule and he said they didn’t go based on the schedule. Weird. Anyway we made our way down with the driver pointing out sites to see. We took the taxi all
Jan S.
Mar 19, 2021
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Nice enough guys running the boat taxi. Could have had more history thrown out there. I would suggest not using the taxi service though if you are trying to get to a certain location by a certain time. If the boat you are waiting on is full then you are out of luck and get to walk really fast for 25 minutes in order to get to your destination by the time you need to. They need to run more boats so if one is full then you can catch next one. That's usually how taxi service works.
Bill M.
Jan 05, 2021
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A cool way to get up and down the river. 1 hour wait if you get off at one of the stops.
Took a star of as we looked online for the times and it said 1230 but when we arrived they said 130. Said everyone worked New Years night so I suppose they let everyone but her sleep in. Ok I get that but at least post that they are not having the first 2 runs.
However after we finally go started the trip was great. A cool way to make your way up the river. Multiple stops at some of major spots.
Be prepared to wait an hour if you hope off but that is easy to do. Some places you need 2 like Armature
Took a star of as we looked online for the times and it said 1230 but when we arrived they said 130. Said everyone worked New Years night so I suppose they let everyone but her sleep in. Ok I get that but at least post that they are not having the first 2 runs.
However after we finally go started the trip was great. A cool way to make your way up the river. Multiple stops at some of major spots.
Be prepared to wait an hour if you hope off but that is easy to do. Some places you need 2 like Armature
Brandie M.
Oct 28, 2020
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First time using the water taxis and was pleasantly surprised at the ease. I will say $20 per person for a wristband to ride all night is a bit pricey but the convenience is worth it especially when booze cruising. We started at Ulele and went allllll the way down to sparksman and back, the secret is the alcohol prices on the boat are wayyy cheaper than what you get when at the bars lol. So that's always a bonus,, plus our Captain Forgothisname was really kind and offered to take pics of me and my friend with the scenic backround at night. Not sure about other days but we went on a Saturday
John F.
Sep 06, 2020
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Dr. Richard M.
Mar 05, 2020
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Played tourist on a weekday in Tampa using these
boats to sightsee. The boats are comfortable.
There is bench seating in front and tables with
bench seating in the rear. There is also a small
bathroom in the rear. They sell bottled water,
beer and wine on board.
There is a captain who pilots the boat and a first mate who takes care of everything else. The pilot
also narrates during the cruise. I learned much
about the history of the city and some of its iconic
landmarks.
There are more than a dozen stops along the river.
The home base are the docks between the
Marriott hotel and the Tampa convention
boats to sightsee. The boats are comfortable.
There is bench seating in front and tables with
bench seating in the rear. There is also a small
bathroom in the rear. They sell bottled water,
beer and wine on board.
There is a captain who pilots the boat and a first mate who takes care of everything else. The pilot
also narrates during the cruise. I learned much
about the history of the city and some of its iconic
landmarks.
There are more than a dozen stops along the river.
The home base are the docks between the
Marriott hotel and the Tampa convention
Carolyn S.
Jan 02, 2020
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This Tampa gem is a great fun way to enjoy one our natural resources while relaxing and taking in the view of downtown. I did two events wirh the pirate taxi: River of Frights and River of Lights for a unique festive experience. During the River of Frights, you have a culostumed guide talk about the haunted history of the area that surrounds the river. The guide is dressed in full makeup amd costume amd is brilliantly in character from start to finish. On River of Lights the boat is decorated in Christmas Lights and again you gave guides in costume (this time an elf) singing with the passengers
Asia A.
Sep 09, 2019
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This was our first time visiting Tampa, and there was nothing going on, so we decided to hop on the water taxi to hopefully uncover some fun things to do. However, we discovered that for $20 each, the taxi makes a 2.6 mile loop of absolutely nothing. There were ten stops, and there was nothing to see or do at any of the stops. If I could have asked for my money back, there's no doubt that I would have! Please don't bore yourself with this ride.
Rhoda B.
Jul 13, 2019
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I have the annual pass. Some of my friends decided we would go on a little bar hop and usw the Pirate Water Taxi to go down the Riverwalk.
I've used the service several times. It's always a pleasure and very calming to go down the river and just enjoy the view. The staff is usually very accommodating. There are great views that go from Sparkman's Wharf all the way up to Rick's on the River (just passed Armature Works).
There are several boats running most of the day and make regular stops about every 15 to 20 minutes. Check the schedule online for times and stops.
It&apos
I've used the service several times. It's always a pleasure and very calming to go down the river and just enjoy the view. The staff is usually very accommodating. There are great views that go from Sparkman's Wharf all the way up to Rick's on the River (just passed Armature Works).
There are several boats running most of the day and make regular stops about every 15 to 20 minutes. Check the schedule online for times and stops.
It&apos
Alicia P.
Jun 09, 2019
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I really do like that we have this option to ride up and down the Riverwalk - all the way from Sparkman Wharf to Rick's on the River. It's a fun way to show guests from out of town around the area - they get a little history of Tampa, they get some time on the water, they get to see downtown and a lot of the cool stuff we get to experience here and can make a choice on where to stop and get off (or back on) and where they want to go and play (or eat and/or drink)...
I think that $20 pp is a lot for an all day pass. Because really, how many times can you ride if you get off and spend
I think that $20 pp is a lot for an all day pass. Because really, how many times can you ride if you get off and spend
Rebecca G.
May 20, 2017
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This is a fun way to see downtown Tampa as well as to get to various locations along the river.
We got the all day hopper passes ($18 for adults) because it was our friend's birthday and we were planning to board at the convention center, and make several stops throughout the day.
Each ferry seats a max of 46 passengers. They will not leave the dock with more than the limit, which is good to know. This is a good thing, but we found out because we were a big group getting on a pretty full boat. Some of our friends had to stay behind and wait for the next boat. It ended up not being a problem
We got the all day hopper passes ($18 for adults) because it was our friend's birthday and we were planning to board at the convention center, and make several stops throughout the day.
Each ferry seats a max of 46 passengers. They will not leave the dock with more than the limit, which is good to know. This is a good thing, but we found out because we were a big group getting on a pretty full boat. Some of our friends had to stay behind and wait for the next boat. It ended up not being a problem
