Dolphin trips · DOLPHIN WATCHING AND SNORKELING TRIPS IN THE USA

The 15 Best Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Trips in the USA

32 trips  ·  from $17 a head

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 dolphin watching and snorkeling trips in the USA worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.

Shell Island Snorkel and Dolphin Catamaran Cruise with Island Time - From 5201 North Lagoon Drive to the open water
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Shell Island Snorkel and Dolphin Catamaran Cruise with Island Time

1.Shell Island Snorkel and Dolphin Catamaran Cruise with Island Time

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,362 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $57Our pick

Sail from Panama City Beach aboard Island Time’s spacious catamaran, watching for wild dolphins before reaching Shell Island. You can snorkel in St. Andrews Bay, paddleboard, use the waterslide, collect shells, or simply relax. Crew members such as Emma, Sarah, Heath, and Clayton are often praised for friendly service.

“We had the perfect time on Island Time! The two captains and bartender took the time to get to know us, were so helpful in spotting dolphins (easily over 100)! They slowed down and stopped so we could take videos/photos. Then spending time walking the beach on shell island was more beautiful than expected. My husband snorkeled and we found sand dollars and gorgeous shells. The music was relaxed but fun, the drink offerings were spot-on (go for the rum punch) and the 3 hours on the trip were some of the best spent on our entire trip!”

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Oahu Dolphin and Snorkel Tour with Waikiki Pickup & Lunch - Watching spinner dolphins in the wild
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Oahu Dolphin and Snorkel Tour with Waikiki Pickup & Lunch

2.Oahu Dolphin and Snorkel Tour with Waikiki Pickup & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,687 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $164

Travel from Waikiki to west Oahu for a morning cruise with Dolphins and You. Look for wild spinner dolphins, snorkel near green sea turtles, then enjoy lunch, hula, kayaks, paddle boards, and a 20-foot slide. Guides such as Captain Dani, Tyler, Lauren, and Bennett help keep the trip lively.

“Well organized, crew were fun, we saw lots of dolphins and some even came up to the boat to swim along side. We even saw a turtle when we snorkeled! One downside is there were a lot of people on the boat, around 50, so lots of pushing and scrambling to see things. Other than that an excellent way to spend your morning on Oahu!”

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Small Group 2 Hour Dolphin Cruise with Snorkeling to Shell Key - Shell Key offers beach time, shells, and shallow snorkeling
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Small Group 2 Hour Dolphin Cruise with Snorkeling to Shell Key

3.Small Group 2 Hour Dolphin Cruise with Snorkeling to Shell Key

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,523 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75

Cruise Boca Ciega Bay in a 25-foot pontoon with a captain such as Megan, Noel, or Dave, then visit Shell Key for beach snorkeling and shell collecting. The six-person limit keeps the trip personal, but wildlife and underwater conditions can vary.

“Beautiful boat ride. Meghan our captain & guide was great. Snorkeling was a dud. I was expecting to jump in off the boat to snorkel but you had to walk in off Shell key- nothing to see. We did see a glimpse of a manatee and some dolphins while heading out and back. Again being out on the water in a comfortable boat was great.”

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Kona Snorkel Tour: Captain Cook Reef Snorkel, Dolphin & Sea Caves - The ride from Kailua-Kona to Captain Cook Reef
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Kona Snorkel Tour: Captain Cook Reef Snorkel, Dolphin & Sea Caves

4.Kona Snorkel Tour: Captain Cook Reef Snorkel, Dolphin & Sea Caves

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,411 reviews · 2 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $71

Ride a small Navy-style Zodiac from Kailua-Kona to Kealakekua Bay with guides such as David, Chip, Sage, or Danielle. You will snorkel near Captain Cook Monument, visit sea caves and lava tubes, and enjoy pineapple and water. Expect a fast, bumpy boat ride and a group of up to 18.

“False advertising. We signed up for a wild dolphin swim. There was no opportunity to get in the water besides snorkeling. When we asked about swimming with dolphins we were told it’s not allowed, even though we signed up for an activity advertised as swimming with dolphins.”

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Luxury Snorkel Cruise, Local Buffet with Whale & Dolphin Watch - The snorkeling stop and what you may see
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Luxury Snorkel Cruise, Local Buffet with Whale & Dolphin Watch

5.Luxury Snorkel Cruise, Local Buffet with Whale & Dolphin Watch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,334 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $174

You’ll sail aboard the 61-foot Kai OliOli catamaran from Ko Olina, scan Oahu’s west coast for whales and dolphins, snorkel with turtles and tropical fish, then enjoy a Hawaiian buffet, drinks, warm showers, and optional Waikiki pickup.

“Wonderful staff, great experience. It’s so fun to have a photographer with you on the trip. The staff were so attentive and fun.”

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Key West Dolphin Watch and Snorkel Tour - Eco Adventure - The snorkeling stop: shallow, calm, and not a full reef trip
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Key West Dolphin Watch and Snorkel Tour – Eco Adventure

6.Key West Dolphin Watch and Snorkel Tour – Eco Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,163 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $79

Spend about three hours with Fury Water Adventures watching wild bottlenose dolphins near Key West, then snorkeling 6 to 12 feet deep in Gulf backcountry patch coral and sponge gardens. Crew members provide gear, instruction, flotation devices, soft drinks, and beer or wine after you swim.

“Snorkeling in KW is limited, but I think the captain got us out to where was fairly decent. A little too much time watching a couple of dolphins between 3 boats.”

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Ultimate 4 Hour Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin Encounter - First stop: coral, fish, and Lanai’s open-water setting
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Ultimate 4 Hour Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin Encounter

7.Ultimate 4 Hour Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin Encounter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 927 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $175

Leave Lahaina at 9 a.m. for two snorkel stops near Lanai and Maui, with a chance to see spinner dolphins, turtles, reef sharks, and whales from December through April. Captains Jill, Casey, Lexi, and others provide gear, flotation aids, snacks, drinks, and reef-safe sunscreen for a group of up to 26.

“The tour was wonderful. Great snorkeling, dolphins galore and the crew was exceptional. Would do it again, especially during whale season.”

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Deluxe Snorkel & Dolphin Watch Aboard a Luxury Catamaran from Kailua-Kona - The boat’s slide, jump platform, and floating toys
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Deluxe Snorkel & Dolphin Watch Aboard a Luxury Catamaran from Kailua-Kona

8.Deluxe Snorkel & Dolphin Watch Aboard a Luxury Catamaran from Kailua-Kona

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 797 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $183

Set out from Kailua Pier on Body Glove’s large, accessible catamaran for a 4.5-hour Kona coast cruise. You’ll get breakfast, BBQ lunch, gear, reef-safe sunscreen, about two hours in the Red Hill area, plus dolphins, a waterslide, high-jump platform, and paddle toys when conditions cooperate.

“It was exactly what I expected. The crew were knowledgeable and organized. The snorkeling was fun, with plenty of time to go out several times. The food was good.”

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Wild Dolphin Watching and Snorkel Safari Off West Coast of Oahu - A small boat changes the whole experience
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Wild Dolphin Watching and Snorkel Safari Off West Coast of Oahu

9.Wild Dolphin Watching and Snorkel Safari Off West Coast of Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 795 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $193

Cruise Oahu’s Waianae Coast aboard a 32-foot boat with a small group and marine biology-trained crew such as Lisa, Morgan, Jenna, and Liza. Look for spinner dolphins, winter humpback whales, turtles, and reef fish, then snorkel with included gear. Hotel pickup and a deli lunch make this an easy half-day outing.

“This is our second time doing this excursion and it did not disappoint. Lisa, Ashley and Captain Flow were so friendly and knowledgeable. Our family was able to see dolphins and had some great snorkeling spots. Lunch was great too. We can’t wait to come back and do it again.”

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Key West: Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Eco Cruise Tour - Looking for dolphins without chasing them
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Key West: Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Eco Cruise Tour

10.Key West: Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Eco Cruise Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 757 reviews · 3 hours · from $79

Cruise from Key West on a 45-foot catamaran to look for wild bottlenose dolphins, then snorkel in the Wildlife Refuge backcountry. Guides such as Lisa, Ally, Nicole, and Liv are praised for friendly help. Choose late afternoon for a possible sunset and drinks on the ride home.

“It was the perfect experience. Our captain and guides were super friendly and knowledgeable about boating, snorkeling, dolphins, and the local area. They played fun music and gave out refreshing drinks. We felt safe and well taken care of. 10 out of 10 would recommend to anyone.”

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Oahu: Dolphin Swim and Turtle Snorkel Excursion in Waianae - A clear safety briefing comes before the water
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Oahu: Dolphin Swim and Turtle Snorkel Excursion in Waianae

11.Oahu: Dolphin Swim and Turtle Snorkel Excursion in Waianae

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 590 reviews · 3 hours · from $193

Ride a 32-foot motorboat from Waianae with a marine biologist or naturalist guide, searching for wild dolphins and winter humpback whales before snorkeling with turtles and reef fish. Hotel pickup, lunch, gear, and drinks are included. Dolphin swimming depends on animal behavior and sea conditions.

“This was such a fun trip! The guides were super nice and knowledgeable. We had great luck seeing a bunch of whales, swimming with dolphins, and awesome snorkeling”

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Biologist Owned & Operated: Dolphin Watching & Guided Snorkeling - What makes SQUID different from a large tour boat
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Biologist Owned & Operated: Dolphin Watching & Guided Snorkeling

12.Biologist Owned & Operated: Dolphin Watching & Guided Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 497 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $143

Meet the crew at 231 Margaret Street for a four-hour small-group trip aboard the custom catamaran SQUID. You’ll watch wild bottlenose dolphins, then snorkel calm water with patient instruction, marine-life guidance, fresh snacks, and reusable water bottles. A marine biologist may be part of the crew, but is not guaranteed.

“Chase and Ben were awesome captains! Great Boat if you want to sit and relax under shade. What we like the best was standing on the bow seeing all the Beautiful Dolphins.”

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Key West: Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Sunset Cruise - What dolphin watching is really like
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Key West: Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Sunset Cruise

13.Key West: Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 493 reviews · 3 hours · from $79

Spend three hours with an English-speaking crew searching for wild dolphins, snorkeling near Cottrell Key in the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, and watching the sunset from the boat. The trip includes snorkel gear, safety equipment, and a draft beer, but no hotel transportation.

“was really fun but disappointed to not see dolphins but understand there wild animals”

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Shallow Water Snorkeling and Dolphin Watching in Key West - Snorkeling over reef, wreck, or sponge garden
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Shallow Water Snorkeling and Dolphin Watching in Key West

14.Shallow Water Snorkeling and Dolphin Watching in Key West

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 465 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $108

Set out from Key West Bight aboard the 14-passenger catamaran Echo with captains and crew such as Sandy, Aiden, Brian, and Victoria. Watch wild dolphins, snorkel above a reef or wreck, then sail back with tropical fruit, snacks, beer, wine, and soft drinks.

“Captain and crew were great - boat met all expectations and the whole experience was terrific for the family.”

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Snorkel & Dolphin Sightseeing Tour Aboard the Footloose - The boat ride and onboard setup
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Snorkel & Dolphin Sightseeing Tour Aboard the Footloose

15.Snorkel & Dolphin Sightseeing Tour Aboard the Footloose

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 441 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $50Best value

Spend about three hours aboard the Footloose catamaran from Panama City Beach. Snorkel with provided gear at Shell Island, walk its white-sand beach, then search for dolphins in the Gulf. The crew, including captains such as Gordon, Marcy, Ryan, and first mate Lamar, serves one complimentary drink before opening the bar.

“It was a great time! My 16 and 18 year old boys who never want to participate in anything- actually did and said it was a lot of fun! It was really chill and easy going. We were able to do our own thing and by the time the excitement started to die down, it was time to go. Timing was perfect from our ages down to our 2 year old!”

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New in Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Trips in the USA

★ 4.2Miami to Key West Shuttle: Dolphin, Snorkeling & MoreFrom $1710 reviews
★ 4.0Fort Walton: Dolphin Discovery and Snorkeling CruiseFrom $6723 reviews
★ 4.7Emerald Coast: Afternoon Snorkel & Dolphin TourFrom $47104 reviews
★ 4.7Fort Walton Beach: Morning Dolphin Cruise with Snorkel StopFrom $41134 reviews
★ 4.52-Stop Snorkeling and Dolphin Cruise from DestinFrom $50149 reviews
★ 4.9Destin: Snorkeling Cruise with 2 Stops and Dolphin WatchingFrom $45112 reviews
★ 5.0Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Adventure in Key WestFrom $89153 reviews
★ 4.5Family-Friendly Snorkeling and Dolphin Tour from FWBFrom $70190 reviews
★ 4.5Snorkeling and Dolphin Watching Experience in DestinFrom $44218 reviews
★ 4.5Dolphin, Sea Cave & Captain Cook Snorkel Combo in Kealakekua BayFrom $83220 reviews
★ 4.5Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin Watch from MaalaeaFrom $183235 reviews

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