Top North America Dolphin Watching in 2026

Immerse yourself in Sarasota's coastal mangrove forests, look out for dolphins and manatees, and practice kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding skills on this immersive, small-group tour. After departing from the Turtle Beach Boat Launch, paddle out on Sarasota Bay and practice with your equipment. Then, head into the mangrove islands of the Jim Neville Preserve for your best chance to see local marine life including dolphins.

The Gulf of Mexico is known for wild dolphin sightings and this tour from Clearwater Beach helps you discover the pods. Climb aboard the Little Toot, a tugboat-style boat, that creates a big wake that dolphins like to play in. While you’re out on the water, enjoy lively commentary about the dolphins and the surrounding area.

Enjoy sunset views and scan the water for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins on this dolphin-watching cruise off the coast of South Carolina. The frequency of dolphin sightings makes this cruise ideal for those hoping to catch photos of the majestic sea creatures. Plus, throughout the cruise, you can learn about dolphins and your surroundings from an on-board naturalist.

Take a break from the beach on a sightseeing cruise off the coast of Cape May. As your captain navigates to the best locations for spotting whales, dolphins, and porpoises, your certified naturalist guide offers live commentary about the area’s ocean life and the animals’ natural habitat. The boat is fully equipped with wheelchair access, bathrooms, and a snack bar for your convenience.

Get a closer look at Canada’s marine wildlife on this whale-watching adventure in Victoria. Hop aboard your boat—a luxurious, spacious catamaran—and set sail. Watch the waves from the open sun decks or stay protected from the spray in the heated indoor cabin. Stop off at points of interest through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Listen to commentary from marine naturalists on board, and look out for orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, and more.

Look for whales as they migrate through the waters of the Pacific Ocean off of California on this whale-watching cruise from Monterey. Your naturalist guide shares commentary about the whales and their habitat as you search for gray whales (most common), humpback and blue whales, and other marine life such as dolphins and sea lions during your cruise.

Not only is Key West a playground paradise for adults, it is for dolphins, too. See how many of these playful creatures you can spot on this small-group sailing tour. You’ll board Our SQUID, we designed and built SQUID from scratch to ensure our guests, and the animals, have the best wildlife experience possible. This catamaran will take you and a crew trained by biologists into the waters around Key West. After watching dolphins swim, you’ll jump into the water and snorkel around the coral reefs to view other marine life.

The Dolphin Cruises are 1 hour narrated cruises through the Destin Harbor, through the East Pass into the Gulf of Mexico and into the Bay near the world-famous Crab Island. See Dolphins in their natural habitat and enjoy the scenic Emerald Coast shoreline. Enjoy an early morning, noon or sunset cruise depending on the season. Concessions on board for light snacks and beverages.

Get ready for fun in the sun—and check off two top experiences in just one trip—on this dolphin-watching and snorkeling tour off the coast of Key West. Departing Key West, look out for dolphins swimming alongside the boat, then jump in for a shallow-water snorkel at the Key West National Wildlife Refuge with many different species of marine life. Relax, feel the warm sea breezes, and select from a variety of refreshing beverages on board the boat.

Head out on an epic adventure along one of the world's most magnificent coastlines. From your comfortable vantage point on a 37-foot (11 meter) Naiad Super Raft, enjoy spectacular views of the 17-mile-long Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park. Explore sea caves and private beaches—accessible only by raft—and snap photos of majestic cathedrals (the cliffs that tower over Kalalau Valley). As you journey along the water, keep an eye out for the marine life that inhabits the area, including dolphins and whales. Each trip (weather permitting) includes time to take a dip and snorkel amongst tropical fish and sea turtles.

Kauai’s rugged Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park is completely impassable by car and treacherous on foot. This guided boat tour solves that problem by taking you straight to remote sea caves, hidden waterfalls, and towering sea cliffs by Zodiac raft. Skip the navigation guesswork and let your crew guide you to sheltered reefs for snorkeling and maximize your chances of encountering wild dolphins and seasonal whales along the way.

Take the chance to dive into the crystal-clear waters of Oahu and experience snorkeling alongside wildlife during this luxurious catamaran tour. Keep an eye out for turtles as you explore Waikiki's Turtle Canyon. Then, take a break to relax before going paddleboarding, kayaking, and sea scooter riding. Guided by a passionate and knowledgeable team, embark on a fun adventure in nature with convenient hotel pickup available within Waikiki included.

Embark on a scenic journey to find bottlenose dolphins on this dolphin-watching cruise from Clearwater in Florida. Enjoy the incredible views along the Intracoastal Waterway, passing celebrity mansions while listening to the captain’s commentary. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase on board. Dolphin sightings are guaranteed on this exciting tour—in the unlikely event you don’t see them, you can take another cruise at another time for free.

Look out for the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins that thrive along the coast of South Padre Island on a wildlife boat tour from Sea Ranch Marina. Cruise past the US Coast Guard Station, Boca Chica Beach, and other local attractions with a comfortable seat on a wildlife-watching boat. The vessel is equipped with a wildlife-safe viewing net so you can see South Padre sea life up close.

Get an up-close look at marine life on this tour, which trades in a typical sightseeing boat for a low-to-the-water Zodiac raft that offers superior views. Keep an eye out for dolphins in the summer or whales in November and May, or simply take in the scenery while listening to live narration from a naturalist guide.

Enjoy one of Hawaii's most magical experiences on this small-group snorkeling tour in Turtle Canyon. Board a powerful catamaran in Waikiki and head for the protected waters where turtles gather. Cruise the coastline watching for spinner dolphins and humpback whales in season, and learn fascinating facts about Hawaii’s marine wildlife. Jump off board to swim around sea turtles and tropical fish—and if you don't see turtles, you can take a second tour at no additional cost.

This whale-watching tour provides the opportunity to give back on your Puerto Vallarta vacation. In the company of a biologist guide, you'll see humpback whales up close, as well as dolphins, turtles, and giant mantas in their natural environment and participate in a research project that helps to protect them. The tour lasts approximately 4 hours.

Experience the magic of whale watching off the coast of Maui with this incredible tour from Ma'alaea Harbor. Spend two-hours cruising the waters with a team of certified marine naturalists and listen in as they unlock the secretes of humpback whales. You'll have the chance to hear whale songs through underwater hydrophones and learn about interactions between these giant marine mammals. Travelers are guaranteed to see whales on this is a once-in-a-lifetime tour or the next trip is free.

Cruise off the coast of Orange County in search of whales on this excursion from Newport Beach. Watch the rugged, beautiful scenery of the Pacific Coast glide by as you listen to interesting commentary from your crew about the native California marine life. Watch for blows and tail slaps; these signals indicate that humpback, minke, grey, finback, or giant blue whales are nearby. Dolphins and other marine life are also in abundance during this family-friendly, year-round whale watching tour.

Cruise to Shell Island and search for wild dolphins on a catamaran sailing trip from Panama City Beach. The catamaran’s broad, stable deck makes it a comfortable alternative to smaller boats prone to rocking in the waves, and since it’s stocked with paddle boards, snorkeling gear, and a waterslide, it’s the perfect base for playing in the clear water off Shell Island.

Cruise along west Oahu’s pristine shoreline to see the spinner dolphins, humpback whales (seasonally), and other marine creatures that frequent the Waianae Coast. Your 32-foot USCG vessel is led by a lifeguard-certified crew of marine biologists and naturalists, maximizing your chances of spotting Hawaii’s underwater wildlife. Plus, with snorkeling gear included, you can choose to swim alongside tropical fish and sea turtles, too.

Get up close with the killer whales off Orcas Island, the largest of the San Juan Islands near Seattle, on this guided, 3.5-hour whale-watching cruise from Eastsound. Led by naturalist guides and captains, climb aboard a Blackfish fleet vessel and travel through some of the most picturesque scenery in the Pacific Northwest searching for orca, humpback and gray whales. Along the way, see ocean wildlife in their natural environment, like seals, porpoises, sea lions and otters — plus a wide variety of birds and more. Sightings are guaranteed from April through early September.

Cruise along Oahu’s western coastline in search of dolphins on this exciting snorkel tour from Waianae. Don your snorkel gear and slip into the water to swim with these playful creatures, while maintaining a safe distance. You can also enjoy ocean activities like paddleboarding, or our 21-foot (6.4-meter) water slide built right into our boat during your adventure.

Leave your preconceptions about sharks at the door and get up close to these sleek creatures on this unique ocean experience. Head out from Haleiwa, on the North Shore of O’ahu, and spend around half an hour swimming with the sharks living in the area. Don’t worry, though: even if you aren’t swimming in a cage, you’re still in safe hands, with a guide on board and a safety diver swimming with each group.