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St. Nicholas Boat Line
Let St. Nicholas Boat Line take you on a fun 40-minute cruise on the Anclote River. As you travel, your Captain relates the history of the area sponge diving industry, providing a hands-on display of the various types of sponges and their uses.
The highlight of the tour is watching a sponge diver in a traditional inflated sponge diving suit descend from the boat into the river. You can watch as he moves quickly across the river floor. He harvests a live sponge and returns with it to the boat. It's a fun time and a great educational experience for children from pre-school and up.
why people choose us
Can't Wait to
Go BackVisiting from NY and my friend and I had a great time on this boat excursion. Only $10 and so informative concerning sponges. The diver was great! Can't wait to go back!
Lorenz Patricia, Facebook
2018Interesting and
funWe were on the cruise and had a very pleasant experience. The best is that it is pet friendly...
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Lorirey, Trip Advisor, 5 out of 5
May 30, 2013Informative and Fun
If you have an hour to kill you really need to take this tour. It involves a short boat ride down river...
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Jack S., Trip Advisor, 5 out of 5
June 14, 2013Friendly and Informative
Brought family from Massachusetts to the sponge docks, loved this boat ride, very calm and relaxing. The trip was about an hour and it was very inexpensive. The gentlemen were very friendly and informative! It's always great to see a business get handed down through the generations, I always feel the passion and love they share for what they do.
Lauren Baggio, Facebook
2018Affordable & Fun,
my two favorite thingsThis was a great little trip down the river! The diver, Frank, was great with my children...
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Kristi V., Trip Advisor, 5 out of 5
April 15, 2013Fun Time
Just the right amount of time. About 40 mins. Captain told us history of sponge diving
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Carol B., Trip Advisor, 5 out of 5
January 21, 2013 -
About Us
Come experience a little bit of the Old World in the New World.
In 1905, Greek spongers came to Tarpon Springs, Florida, to develop the world's largest sponge industry. By the mid-1930s, there were 200 boats working the Gulf of Mexico from as far north as the Appalachicola and as far south as Key West. They were harvesting $3 million worth of sponges.
Beginning in the late 1930s and lasting through the mid-1940s, a bacterial blight killed the sponges and the industry was destroyed. Today, Tarpon Springs enjoys a rebirth of the sponge beds, making it the world's largest sponge producing industry.
The St. Nicholas Boat Line was established in 1924 by Captain Michael J. Billiris and continues to be operated by the Billiris family. It is the second oldest attraction in the State of Florida. The St.Nicholas VII is a US Coast Guard Certified Vessel.
photo courtesy Jeff MillerSponge Industry
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Our Tour
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The St. Nicholas Boat Line is a Sponge Diving Exhibition tour. The St. Nicholas VII departs about every 40 minutes for a round-trip cruise through the Historic Sponge Docks of Tarpon Springs on the Anclote River.
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The tour includes a narrative of the history of sponge diving in Tarpon Springs. You will be treated to a demonstration of sponge harvesting with a live diver in traditional diving equipment.
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You'll also have an opportunity to meet the diver and your captain and ask questions
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Tickets may be purchased at our convenient ticket booth located on the dock near our vessel, just across from the Sponge Exchange.
Tour Rates are Available. For additional information, call (727) 942-6425.
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Adults (Ages 13 - 64) - $18.00
Seniors (65 and over) - $17.00
Students (Ages 6-12) - $8.00
Children under 6 - Free
(1 free per paid adult/senior)
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stay in touch
Location
693 Dodecanese Blvd
P.O. Box 382
Tarpon Springs, FL 34688Hours
10:30 am to 4:30 pm Daily
Contact
Telephone: (727) 942-6425
E-mail: Stnicholasboatlines1@gmail.comContact Form
St. Nicholas