{"id":4111,"date":"2026-06-22T13:34:39","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T13:34:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tampamovingjournal.com\/?p=4111"},"modified":"2026-06-22T13:34:39","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T13:34:39","slug":"is-tampa-bay-ferry-service-returning-new-boats-local-operator-secured-for-bay-area","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tampamovingjournal.com\/?p=4111","title":{"rendered":"Is Tampa Bay ferry service returning? New boats, local operator secured for Bay Area"},"content":{"rendered":"

TAMPA, Fla.<\/strong> – <\/span>Tampa Bay\u2019s ferry service is moving closer to a comeback with two new vessels secured for the route between Tampa and St. Pete.<\/p>

Read more Florida cashier stole elderly man\u2019s winning lottery ticket, deputies say<\/a><\/p>

The boats are expected to bring more flexibility to the service, including more departure options during peak times and a backup option when one vessel needs maintenance.<\/p>

One of the boats is similar in size to the previous Cross Bay Ferry vessel, while the other is significantly larger, increasing overall capacity to 250 passengers.<\/p>

<\/div>

What we know:<\/p>

The new ferry operation will look different from the previous service, which ended last year after challenges with the operator and vessel availability.<\/p>

Local officials began searching for a new arrangement after declining a proposal to replace the ferry\u2019s successful vessel with a slower and more expensive option.<\/p>

This time, the boats will be owned locally, and Pinellas County-based Hubbard\u2019s Marina will operate the service.<\/p>

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n <\/div>

Hubbard\u2019s Marina has been a fixture in the Tampa Bay area for nearly a century and says the goal is to create a more locally focused experience onboard.<\/p>

Read more Man hospitalized after being shot in St. Petersburg, police investigating<\/a><\/p>

The long term goal is to operate the ferry year-round between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.<\/p>

What they’re saying:<\/p>

Captain Dylan Hubbard says the new service will highlight local businesses, with plans to feature food, drinks and products from Bay Area restaurants and breweries.<\/p>

“This is going to be locals who live here and every part of the service, the amenities, the food, the drink\u2026 we\u2019re trying to get from ultra-local purveyors to give kind of credence to our area.”<\/p>

Hubbard says renovations to the vessels will also focus on creating a comfortable experience for passengers traveling across the bay.<\/p>

“That\u2019s what it\u2019s all it about: experiential tourism. That\u2019s our focus. We want to provide a really awesome entertaining cruise, something that\u2019s going to make memories.”<\/p>

What will be the cost?<\/h2>

Hubbard says the goal is to keep tickets affordable, with prices expected to be around $10.<\/p>

What we don’t know:<\/p>

A firm launch date has not been announced.<\/p>

Hubbard says if everything stays on track, service could return sometime in October or November, but renovations to the vessels and coast guard inspections will first need to be completed.<\/p>

Read more UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces resignation<\/a><\/p> <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tampa Bay\u2019s ferry service is moving closer to a comeback with two new vessels secured for the route between Tampa and St. Pete.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4109,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[144,13],"tags":[145,14],"class_list":["post-4111","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-st-petersburg","category-tampa","tag-st-petersburg","tag-tampa"],"yoast_head":"\nIs Tampa Bay ferry service returning? 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