Best Private Dolphin Charters in the USA — Our Top 15

1.90-Minute Private Dolphin Tour in Hilton Head Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 516 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) Our pick

Cruise Hilton Head’s salt marshes and nearby waters with Captain Mark, a licensed captain and Lowcountry Master Naturalist. Your private group of up to six spends about 90 minutes seeking wild dolphins, with possible views of the lighthouse, Cooper River, Daufuskie Island, crabs, birds, and shell islands.

“Mark was very knowledgeable about the area and the wildlife, especially the dolphins. He is a vey good and friendly guide. We saw several dolphin pods, egrets, and herons!! Thank you Mark!”

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2.Private Luxury Yacht Charters, BYOB & Dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 395 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Sail Charleston Harbor on a private, crewed yacht for 2.5 hours. Bring drinks and snacks, relax on bow bean bags, and look for dolphins near Fort Sumter and the Ravenel Bridge. Captains such as Will, Brian, Holly, and Glenn add local stories and attentive service.

“No parking at the marina. Other than that, get ready for a super chill time at sea with a more than capable crew. Brian and Judd were a pleasure”

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3.Private Shelling and Dolphin Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 337 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Set out from Goodland with a private captain such as Kasey, Matt, Nick, or Tyler. Cruise the mangroves of Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, look for dolphins, manatees, birds, and shells, and return with your finds packed in included bags and buckets.

“My family and I had the best time with Captain Matt! He was extremely knowledgeable about the local wildlife and seashells. On our trip we found shells, dolphins, and spoonbills! I cannot recommend enough and if I return to the area I will be a returning customer for sure!”

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4.2-Hour Private Hilton Head Dolphin Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 306 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Set out from 43 Jenkins Road on a private two-hour cruise with captains such as Dave, Neil, Harry, or Moto. Look for dolphins near Calibogue Sound, pass Harbour Town, view Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge, and bring your own food and drinks for the cooler.

“Captain Harry was friendly and knowledgeable. We saw quite a few dolphins and truly enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Our boys are six and eight and they loved it too.”

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5.Eco-Raft Tour: Maui-Lanai Snorkel / Dolphin Watch (Semi-Private)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 259 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $96

Join Hawaii Ocean Rafting from Lahaina for a semi-private trip to Lanai. Captain Jack, Jill, Darrell, and other crew members may guide you to two snorkel sites, dolphin pods, turtles, and sea cliffs. Choose a five-hour snorkel, two-hour dolphin watch, or seasonal snorkel and whale-watching combo.

“Would come back. Helped a ground of starter snorkelers, they were great to my wife when she inhaled too much salt water, and prescription goggles made the day fantastic.”

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6.2-Hour Private Sightseeing Dolphin Tour in Panama City Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 235 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Captain Zach leads a private two-hour cruise for up to six people through St. Andrews Bay and toward Shell Island. Look for wild bottlenose dolphins, turtles, rays, and other sea life, then snorkel or walk the white-sand beach. Water, ice, a cooler, and gear are included.

“Great experience! Private trip to see dolphins UP CLOSE. Much better experience than larger boats packed with strangers. The visit to Shell Island was great where we (Captain Zach) found a shark tooth and witnessed a stunning sunset.”

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7.Private Dolphin Watch, Lighthouse and Ecological Boat Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 218 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Join Captain Gresh for a private two-hour boat ride from Folly Beach through oyster-filled estuaries to Morris Island Lighthouse. Your group of up to six can watch for dolphins and wildlife, search for shells and artifacts, and learn about local history along the way.

“Capt Gresh did a great job with giving background and historical information on the area in general as well with covering the wildlife. It was very cool to get up close to the Morris Island lighthouse.”

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8.Swim With Dolphins & Turtles in West Oahu (Semi-Private Tours)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 200 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $200

From Waianae, Aloha Ocean takes you along West Oahu in a luxury powerboat with no more than six guests. Guides such as Shanti, Brooke, Koa, Stef, Lauren, and Rebecca search for wild dolphins, turtles, reef fish, seals, and whales. Snorkel gear is included, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

“Guides are fantastic. They found plenty of wildlife for our small group, and we had several opportunities to swim with the dolphins. Highly recommended!”

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9.3 Hour Dolphin Private Guided Tour By A Marine Biologist

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 180 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Join Captain Chris, a marine biologist, for a three-hour private boat trip near Destin. Look for dolphins and other sea life, cruise to Shell Island, snorkel with provided gear, and enjoy a flexible outing for up to six people.

“Chris did a great job! We saw a Queen Helmet! Rarely seen anywhere! There were Starfish, crabs, and we even had a private island!”

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10.Private 2hr Supreme Whale/Dolphin Watching Tour, Newport Beach CA

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 161 reviews

Captain Nick and other USCG-licensed naturalist captains take your group of up to six from Newport Harbor toward local dolphin and whale grounds. Expect a fast, intimate boat ride, wildlife facts, and close views when conditions cooperate. Arrive 30 minutes early and dress warmly.

“Captain Nick pulled out all the stops for us and we had a breathtaking experience. The boat trip itself would have been reward enough (super fast and fun!) but it was truly awe-inspiring to see dolphins and whales feeding and plaRead more”

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11.Private Folly Beach Dolphin Watching and Shelling tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Captain Jim Kotwica takes your private group of up to six through Folly Beach’s marshes to Morris Island. Look for bottlenose dolphins, birds, turtles, shells, sand dollars, shark teeth, and the Morris Island Lighthouse on a relaxed 2.5-hour boat trip.

“Amazing! Captain Jim is super nice, and insightful. We saw lots dolphins, very close. Nature is gorgeous. One of the best experience we had in the area.”

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12.Private Guided Sunset and Eco Tour up to 6 Passengers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Spend 90 minutes on a private Destin pontoon cruise for up to six passengers. Your captain may look for dolphins, pause at Crab Island or Norriego Point for sunset, and return through the glowing harbor. Captains include Wendi, Cole, Jesse, Randy, Kylie, Shawn, and others.

“Captain Wendi was amazing! We had a beautiful sunset cruise and great trip. She was so fun and friendly. Highly recommend!”

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13.Private Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour in Newport Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Join Captain Dustin and a Certified Marine Naturalist aboard the private Surfrider for 2.5 hours of dolphin and whale watching. Cruise Newport Harbor, then speed along the coast toward Laguna Beach and Dana Point. The small boat, private group, and personal commentary make this a flexible outing for up to six people.

“We had business partners visiting from New York City and figured this would be a unique outing for them. It sure didn't disappoint! We saw a couple pods of dolphins and got up close with the sea lions. It was an amazing experience and our captain, Dustin was very friendly and knowledgeable. Would definitely do it again!”

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14.Guided Sunset and Eco Tour Non Private in Destin, FL

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $34Best value

Cruise from Destin Harbor to Choctawhatchee Bay with captains such as Spencer, Victoria, Wendy, or Izzy. Look for dolphins, stingrays, and turtles near Crab Island, then watch the sunset from the water. This shared boat carries up to 30 people and includes bottled water.

“Spencer was the best! Music was great! Even if we had not seen dolphins, the boat ride was so nice! I highly recommend.”

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15.Hilton Head Island: Private Dolphin and Nature Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · 1h 30m

Join Captain Mark on a private 90-minute boat tour from Hilton Head for up to six people. Watch wild dolphins in Calibogue Sound, explore Bull Island shell banks and creeks, pull crab traps, and learn about Lowcountry wildlife and island history.

“Captain Mark was knowledgeable and very friendly. he gave us alot of history and he even let us see the shell banks up close! We saw dolphins and watched them play!”

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