Top USA Nature and Wildlife Tours

Discover the lesser-traveled depths of Antelope Canyon on a walking tour through the lower portions of this colorful sandstone slot canyon. One of the most popular natural attractions in the region, the upper sections of Antelope Canyon are typically crowded with tourists. This tour takes adventurous travelers down ladders, through the tightly carved sandstone, and into a part of the canyon most tourists don’t reach.

Grand Teton National Park offers some of America’s most spectacular wildlife, including grizzlies, wolves, elk, moose, bison, antelope, bighorn sheep, and bald eagles. Beat the crowds and enjoy 360-degree viewing on this small-group tour with a naturalist wildlife guide in a custom vehicle with a roof hatch and a window for everyone. Swarovski scopes and binoculars ensure great visibility, with iPads to help you learn more about what you’re viewing.

Explore Bridger-Teton National Forest on a horseback-riding tour from Moran, about 35 miles (56 km) from Jackson. Take in views of the Teton Range and Grand Teton National Park as you ride up into groves of Aspen trees. Choose from 2- or 4-hour rides, or enjoy dinner rides through the picturesque forest led by experienced guides.

Discover the beauty of Emerald Cave and the spectacular Black Canyon on a guided kayaking adventure along the Colorado River. Paddle in a small group of up to 13 people, with stops along the way to enjoy snacks and take a refreshing swim. Choose the convenience of round-trip hotel transportation from Las Vegas or drive yourself to the launch point at Willow Beach, Arizona.

Spend time aboard a single-rider ATV during a thrilling off-road tour in the Sonoran Desert. Ride on rugged and rocky trails in the scenic Bradshaw Mountains and cross the Aqua Fria River during the scenic journey. Your guide is knowledgeable about the region's plant life, wildlife, and history, with plenty of stories to share.

Enjoy sublime coastal scenery as you spot marine life during this kayaking trip to La Jolla’s sea caves and ecological reserve. Paddle alongside your expert naturalist guide as you observe the numerous species of birds, dolphins, sea lions, and even orcas of the area. Kayak among the lush kelp beds that grow in the reserve and, if conditions permit, explore inside the sea caves that dot the rocky coastline.

See Alaskan wildlife on this whale-watching tour in Hoonah that takes you out onto the waters of Glacier Bay and Icy Strait, where humpback whales arrive each year to feed before heading south for the winter. The Hoonah whale season is roughly May to September. From the boat, you may also spot orcas, seals, and sea otters.

Paddle a kayak through mangrove creeks and shallow water on a Key West kayaking tour that offers an up-close look that this unique coastal environment. This guided tour is the perfect way to spot Florida wildlife in a natural habitat.

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.

Immerse yourself in the rich culture and natural splendor of New Orleans’ mystifying swamps and wetlands on a New Orleans swamp tour and wetlands adventure. Relax in the luxurious interior of a New Orleans swamp tour boat as you cruise past cultural highlights like a Cajun cemetery, an Indian burial mound and a traditional fishing village. Scour the scenery for fascinating flora and fauna like snakes, turtles and alligators while listening to interesting commentary from your professional guide.

See the gentle giants of the sea in their natural habitat on this Everglades wildlife tour. Climb aboard the covered boat and set out along the Florida waterways to spot manatees, alligators, sharks, birds, and more. Learn about the local ecosystem and wildlife from your Coast Guard-certified captain and keep your eyes peeled for manatees that sometimes come right up to the boat.

Pre-book tickets to Lower Antelope Canyon to explore a wonderland of sandstone waves, slots, and whorls. Since tours of the canyon are led by Navajo guides, you’ll get a cultural perspective on the important site. In addition, guides know all the best angles for photographing the canyon in every kind of light conditions, ensuring you bring home the best possible images.

Trade crowded sightseeing boats for a small-group whale-watching experience that brings you closer to the action. Depart from Lahaina aboard a low-profile vessel designed for exceptional wildlife viewing, with opportunities to spot whales and dolphins and listen to whale songs through an onboard hydrophone. If you don't see whales, you'll receive another trip at no additional cost.

Explore one of Louisiana’s last protected wetlands on a 2-hour boat tour that includes round-trip transport from New Orleans. Depart in the morning or afternoon for Honey Island Swamp, a wildlife preserve teeming with critters such as 'gators, wild boar, snakes and birds. Ride through the swamp dripping with lush foliage and visit a boat-accessible Cajun village with an informative local guide who sheds light on the area’s inhabitants.

Less than a 2-hour drive from Portland, the Oregon Coast is celebrated for its natural beauty. This tour gives you the chance to experience some of the best of what the coast has to offer, without having to do any driving. You'll visit the coastal town of Cannon Beach, spend time among the trees of Ecola State Park, and learn about local wildlife from your naturalist guide.

Have a unique Big Island experience snorkeling with manta rays on this tour. Take a short cruise out to the snorkeling site before dipping into the water to watch the manta rays up close. All necessary equipment will be provided for your excursion, as well as light refreshments and snacks. If you don't see manta rays on this excursion, book again for another night, free of charge.

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.

The whole family can learn more about sharks and other marine wildlife on this boat tour from Key West. Travel on board an eco-friendly, 34-foot catamaran just a few miles off the coast to try your luck spotting dolphins, stingrays, turtles, and birds while you learn more about Key West’s waters than you ever would sailing along. Then watch as the pilot drops bait to draw a variety of sharks right to the edge of the boat.

Spend 2 hours out on the Auke Bay Harbor's waters searching for humpback whales during this boat tour from Juneau. Listen to commentary from your guide and keep a lookout for other marine animals such as orca, bald eagles, and sea lions. Cap off the cruise with a 5-minute stop to snap photos of Mendenhall Glacier. Snacks, refreshments, and round-trip transportation from the Mt. Roberts Tramway in Juneau provided.

Discover the red-hued landscapes and landmarks of Sedona on a half-day sightseeing tour. Join a small group and stop at top locations including the Chapel of the Holy Cross, the Sedona Heritage Museum, and the Peace Park. Gain insight into the geomagnetic vortexes in the city and walk through Uptown Sedona, with time to purchase lunch.

Learn all about more than 300 years of history on this guided carriage tour of Charleston. See the many mansions, churches, and gardens as your horse-drawn carriage tour covers more than 2.5 miles and 30 blocks of historic Charleston. Belgian and Percheron draft horses lead you through the streets while you learn about this “Holy City” and its role in the Civil War—leave your guidebook at home, these stories are better.

Explore the Florida Everglades on an airboat adventure and wildlife encounter at Sawgrass Recreation Park. This exciting airboat ride is a great way to experience the unique subtropical ecosystem of the Everglades. Skim across the water at high speeds while looking for alligators, fish, turtles, and wading birds. This guided tour includes admission to Sawgrass Recreation Park, a ticket to the alligator and reptile exhibit, and a guided airboat tour.

The Turnagain Arm in the Gulf of Alaska boasts abundant Alaskan wildlife within easy access of Anchorage. Learn about the local ecosystem from a guide with extensive knowledge of the area as you drive down the peninsula, with opportunities to spot wild animals in their natural environment as you go. Includes a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and a drive past the glaciers on Portage Glacier Road.