Top 15 Dolphin Watching Trips

1.Maspalomas: Palmitos Park Ticket with Dolphin and Bird Shows

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,507 reviews · 1 day · from $44Our pick

Spend a full day at Palmitos Park, 10 kilometers from Maspalomas Lighthouse, exploring tropical gardens, an aquarium, butterfly house, reptiles, primates, and four scheduled shows. Your $44 ticket includes entry, dolphin and bird performances, exotic birds, parrots, and free parking. Expect steep paths and several hours of walking.

“We got the dolphin experience and it the staff went above and beyond with the display. Highly recommend”

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2.Dubai Dolphinarium Dolphin, Seal & Bird Show Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,020 reviews · from $25Best value

Watch bottlenose dolphins and sea lions perform playful stunts at Dubai Dolphinarium, then choose an option with the exotic bird show. You will see parrots, cockatoos, hornbills, toucans, falcons, and more. Standard entry costs $25, with VIP seating available.

“We had a fantastic time at the Dubai Dolphinarium watching the dolphin, seal, and bird show. The dolphins were incredible — so clever and full of personality — and the seals were adorable and entertaining. The bird show was colourful and interactive, with some amazing tricks. Everything was well organised, family-friendly, and kept both adults and kids engaged from start to finish. Definitely worth a visit when in Dubai!”

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3.Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 687 reviews · from $185Top rated

Join Raggy Charters at 8am for a four-hour catamaran cruise from Port Elizabeth. With a maximum of 20 people and guides such as Jake sharing local marine knowledge, you search for whales, dolphins, penguins, seals, and seabirds around Algoa Bay and St. Croix Island.

“Jake and his crew shared their expert knowledge of local marine wildlife and went out of their way to make our voyage a memorable one. The highlight of the trip was spotting a mother and baby humpback whale and sailing with the dolphins. Read more”

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4.Marco Island 2 hour Dolphin, Birding and Shelling tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 503 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $99

Set out from Goodland with a captain and naturalist guide to spot dolphins, manatees, wading birds, and osprey before stopping at an uninhabited barrier island to collect shells. Boats hold no more than 17 people, and guides such as Joe, Mike, Ed, and Ryan are known for their local wildlife knowledge.

“Awesome time and great captain! We so tons of wildlife and enjoyed the tour! We went early in the day and the weather was perfect!”

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5.Dolphin – Whale – Turtle – Bird Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 350 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $60

Set out from Funchal with two guides, including marine biologist Clara on some departures, aboard a fast RIB limited to 18 people. Land-based spotters help locate dolphins and whales, while the crew explains Madeira’s wildlife, coast, and history. The two-hour trip may also include turtles, seabirds, and Camara do Lobos.

“Excellent experience. Super friendly and super simple process booking and boarding. With seeing animals it’s always a bit of a gamble. Saw amazing dolphins and even a baby dolphin. Highly recommend.”

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6.Rockingham: Shoalwater Islands, Dolphins, and Sea Lions Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 288 reviews · 1 hour · from $42

Set out from Penguin Island Visitors Centre on a one-hour English-guided cruise through Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. Look for dolphins, Australian sea lions, pelicans, ospreys, and cormorants from a glass-bottom boat, with complimentary cruise photos. Wildlife is wild, so sightings cannot be promised.

“The tour was great ! The staff were friendly and professional and were able to answer any questions we had . The running commentary was extremely interesting as was the penguin sanctuary ! Would definately go again . Just very sad to know it will be closing shortly 😔😔”

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7.2 Hour Dolphin, Birding and Shelling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 247 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $109

Cruise from Goodland Boat Park into the Ten Thousand Islands with a small crew and up to 17 people. Guides such as Ray, Ed, Kate, Joe, and Kevin point out dolphins, birds, manatees, and turtles before taking you to a quiet island to collect shells and sand dollars.

“Very nice tour. Captain Kevin was very knowledgeable and just fun to be with! Was really great with kids.”

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8.Marco Island: 2-Hour Dolphin, Birding, and Shelling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 212 reviews · 2 hours

Spend two hours with a certified Florida Master Naturalist exploring the Ten Thousand Islands near Marco Island. Look for dolphins and seasonal wildlife, then stop at an uninhabited barrier island to collect shells. Private groups of up to six can request a flexible, customized outing.

“Captain Kevin was a great guide! Super friendly and knowledgeable! We had a blast!”

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9.Two-Hour Everglades Dolphin, Manatee and Birding Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 151 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $109

Take a two-hour small-group boat trip through Everglades National Park’s 10,000 Islands with up to six people. Guides such as Don, Dan, Matt, Ray, and Glenn share local ecology and history while looking for dolphins, birds, manatees, sea turtles, and shells.

“We thought we were going on an Everglades tour, but it did not seem to be that. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly, so he made it enjoyable and interesting. But it seemed to be a tour about Ospreys. And we have plenty of Ospreys in NY.”

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10.Dolphin, Sea Lion and Penguin Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 141 reviews · from $43

Cruise the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park from 153 Arcadia Drive with a crew such as Garry and Sammy, watching for dolphins, sea lions, pelicans and birds of prey. The advertised trip includes Penguin Island and a penguin feeding show, but access, jetty closures and wildlife conditions can change.

“What you advertise is not what we get . One drive from Perth and $55.00 alll waste You people are money making”

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11.Everglades Birding, Dolphin and Wildlife Boat Tour (2 hours)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 99 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $119

Join Captain Don, Daniel, Glenn, or another Florida Master Naturalist guide for a quiet two-hour skiff ride through Everglades National Park’s 10,000 Islands. Expect close views of mangroves, birds, dolphins, and shell islands in a group of no more than six. Bring water, sun protection, and binoculars.

“Our guide was very knowledgeable. He was able to identify and tell us about every species of bird we came upon. He piloted us expertly through the shallow waters of the 10,000 islands area of the Everglades Park. On the way out, we encountered a line dolphin who was in the mood to play. He surfed in our wake for a bit, and then he jumped out and twisted, splashing the captain on purpose. It was hilarious... he did it several times before turning back. Later, we spotted a fairly large flock of white pelicans. They were huge and flew very gracefully. It was beautiful and peaceful. On the way…”

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12.Guided Kayak Tour to see ponies, birds, dolphins and more

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 78 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75

Start at 8:30 a.m. on Chincoteague Island for a small-group kayak trip through coastal channels and creeks. Guide Bailey may lead you toward Assateague ponies, birds, dolphins, and other wildlife, with the route shaped by weather, tide, wind, and paddling ability.

“It was a nice day, but it was lots of paddling, and we are not seasoned kayakers. We weren’t aware we couldn’t see the ponies because they were penned; little wildlife to see that day.”

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13.Aruba Flyboarding & Jetovator Experience: Fly Like a Bird & Dive Like a Dolphin

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 64 reviews · from $150

Meet Jhon and Olga at Delphi Watersports by the Hyatt Regency towel hut for a private 30-minute FlyBoard session. After a short lesson, your instructor helps you rise above the Caribbean Sea, with patient coaching from staff such as Brandon, Kamal, Oscar, and Jay.

“I had a great time. The instructor got me in the air in no time! I did not have much experience before I tried fly boarding, but the last 10-15 minutes of the experience I was able to independently get into the air”

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14.Bird Watching and Dolphin Eco-Tour to Blumine Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews

From E-Ko Tours in Picton, you cruise Queen Charlotte Sound with a marine guide and captain, watch for dolphins and seabirds, then visit predator-free Blumine Island. Expect rare orange-fronted kakariki, king shags, possible penguins and seals, light refreshments, and about 3 to 4 hours on the water.

“Fantastic day out with beautiful scenery to view on the Sounds. Captain took particular attention looking for the wildlife. We saw fur seals, penguins and king cormorants. Spending an hour on the island was great. Will our guide had a wealth of knowledge of the area as we cruised and of the wildlife on the island. A well worthwhile trip.”

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15.Mola Mola Marine Dolphin Cruise from the Walvis Bay Waterfront to Pelican Point

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · from $90

Join Mola Mola Safaris for a three-hour catamaran cruise from Walvis Bay Waterfront to Pelican Point. Guides such as Nick, Michael, Johnnie, and Wian have hosted trips featuring seals beside the boat, pelicans on deck, dolphins, birds, oysters, lunch, and drinks.

“10 Personen, damit eine kleine Gruppe, damit kein überfülltes Boot, unsere Erwartungen wurden erfüllt.”

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