Pirate Water Taxi — Attraction in Tampa

Most of us rely on vehicles when we need to get from one place to the next. In Tampa, Florida, you have all the usual vehicle options but if you need to get someplace near the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa, a good alternative to your transportation needs is the Pirate Water Taxi.

I spent a few days in Tampa and I used the Pirate Water Taxi one day when I needed a quick ride from the Curtis Hixson Park area over to the Armature Works area. I hopped aboard the taxi and we made our way to my destination, passing by downtown and getting some good photo ops along the way. This is, in fact, one of the advantages of a using a service like this. You get a completely different view than you would get in a vehicle and this makes for some good pictures, both of the water and of the Tampa skyline, which are great for sharing on social media and elsewhere.

Pirate Water Taxi’s boats are not very big and there is only a single level. This means the boat might be full when it comes to your specific docking point and if no one exits, well, there may not be any space and that means you might have to wait until the next boat arrives. It will depend on how busy it is at that particular time of day, so be prepared to possibly have to wait if it’s the weekend or other time of day when many people use the service.

Pirate Water Taxi features bench style seating which isn’t the most comfortable, but the trips are generally short and if you like, you can stand up, walk around, and enjoy the views. They serve drinks, including beer and wine, and during happy hour, you can get the drinks you like often for very reasonable prices. You can rent out one of the boats for a private group also, and they even have an option to purchase a pass for an entire year all at once, if you feel you will be using the service frequently.

Cars and busses are fine for most transportation needs, but when in downtown Tampa, I recommend the Pirate Water Taxi for trips along the water front. I had only a few small issues with this service, but they are not enough to sway my opinion much and I recommend taking a ride on one of these vessels if you’re in the...

I can’t express enough how incredible our experience was aboard the water taxi. It’s a memory that I will cherish forever, and I highly recommend it to everyone, especially those with young children.

Right from the moment we stepped aboard, the crew showered us with kindness and warmth. They went out of their way to make my son feel welcomed and comfortable. They interacted with him, answered his curious questions, and even shared captivating stories tailored just for him. Their genuine care and attention made the entire journey extra special for my little one.

The water taxi itself was nothing short of amazing. Impeccably maintained, it offered a comfortable and enjoyable ride for everyone. The open deck provided breathtaking views, and my son was absolutely captivated by the sights and sounds around him. Seeing his excitement was priceless and filled my heart with joy.

What truly sets this water taxi experience apart is their exceptional service and flexibility. We had the freedom to hop on and off at different stops along the route, giving us the opportunity to explore various attractions at our own pace. It was wonderful to create lasting memories with my son as we ventured through different neighborhoods and discovered hidden gems.

I can’t stress enough how much I encourage everyone to embark on this water adventure. It’s an experience that brings smiles and happiness to the entire family. The combination of stunning views, friendly crew, and their genuine care towards children make it a truly unforgettable experience.

I wholeheartedly recommend this water taxi adventure to everyone seeking a memorable and family-friendly journey. Trust me, you won’t regret it. Thank you to the crew for providing an experience that I will...

This was a huge disappointment. I purchased tickets for a group of 7 at 4:20 on a Tuesday. I was told that the next boat would do the next pick up at 4:45 and we could "hop on & off until 10:00". The boat that showed up at that time informed us that they were closing down and the next boat wouldn't come until 5:30. The moment we boarded the boat a passenger fell off the rickety step stool and spilled his beer on the floor. The crew haphazardly wiped it up quickly with paper towels. Thankfully, the poor guy wasn't hurt and no one else fell. We ended up leaving at almost 6:00 and they didn't even make each of the stops included on the map. It wasn't until everyone boarded the boat that they decided to tell us that there would be no boat service from 7-8:30. They rushed through the route to Rick's on the River and skipped stops 2-4. Along the way they discouraged waiting passengers not to board the boat by telling them that the next boat would be back in "about an hour". To sum it up, we paid $18 a piece to wait about 1.5 hours for a boat ride that lasted about 45 minutes; even though we were told we could hop on & off until 10:00 if we wanted. This is a great concept but it needs better planning and more transparency to ticket buyers in order to keep people coming back. Any downtime for the boats should be CLEARLY COMMUNICATED AND POSTED at the ticket counter &/or the website. Leaving unsuspecting patrons stranded...