The 15 Best Dolphin Safaris

1.Los Cristianos Respectful No-Chase Whale and Dolphin Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 12,782 reviews · 2 hours · from $29Our pick

Sail from Puerto Los Cristianos aboard the Bahriyeli, a spacious ketch with open viewing decks and an indoor salon. Government-certified guides speak Spanish, English, French, German, and Italian while you look for pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and other marine life. The strict no-chase rule means no swim stop.

“We loved the fact that the staff seem to care about the sea life we were hoping to see. Having reached an area where dolphin and whales are often sighted the engine was cut. We saw both dolphins and a pilot whale which was amazing”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,790 reviews · from $135

Cruise Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf for 4.5 hours aboard a 65-foot catamaran. Marine research scientists explain the wildlife and conservation work while you look for whales, dolphins, seals, penguins, and seabirds among Auckland’s islands.

“Great trip to see New Zealand from the water. We saw dolphins galore! But beware, the front deck is the very spot when underway!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Lisbon: Dolphin Watching with a Marine Biologist – Ocean Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 812 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $62Top rated

Join SeaEO Tours at Doca de Santo Amaro for a three-hour Atlantic wildlife trip in an 8.5-meter RIB. A marine biologist explains dolphin behavior as you pass Belem Tower, the Discovery Monument, and Bugio Lighthouse. Sid, Sarah, or Bart may be among the friendly crew.

“Finding dolphins is never guaranteed, but we quickly found a nursing pod with young calves in the river. Our biologist provided clear and interesting information about dolphins and their habitat around Lisbon. Note the boat has saddles that the passengers straddle; skirts are not a good choice for this trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Fazana: dolphin safari and sightseeing in Brijuni at sunset

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 763 reviews · 2 hours · from $41

Join a live Croatian, English, or German-speaking guide aboard the 50-person boat Kristina for a 1.5 to 2-hour cruise from Fazana. Search for dolphins near Brijuni National Park, Pula, and the Istrian coast, then watch the sun set over the sea.

“We saw the dolphins several times, it was great experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.All-Inclusive Sandbar Safari with Dolphin Playground Encounter

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 451 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $149

Set out from Key West’s Historic Seaport for a five-hour cruise with Sunset Watersports. Captain Madison, Captain John, or Captain Logan and their crews guide you toward wild dolphins, Jewfish Basin, and a shallow sandbar, with lunch, unlimited drinks, lily pads, snorkel gear, and water toys included.

“This was a fantastic laid back day on the boat! Service was OUTSTANDING! Captain Madison and crew Caroline and Cathy made us all feel so relaxed and pampered. They were professional, efficient, friendly and just outright wonderful. If you are looking to just relax on a beautiful boat with gorgeous scenery and be waited on while playing on a sandbar, this is for you! We also saw so many dolphins and they swam right along the boat. Capt. Madison and crew were so knowledgeable and fun!!! The whole family had the best day ever in Key West!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Dolphin Watching in Gibraltar Dolphin Safari V.I.P

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 428 reviews · from $34

Join Dolphin Safari at Marina Bay for a one-hour cruise in a 40-foot power boat, limited to 15 people. Your crew searches for wild dolphins while sharing facts about the strait, with views toward Gibraltar, Spain, and Morocco when weather allows.

“Our first trip was ruined by bad weather, despite the company ringing us and suggesting we took an earlier trip. We took there advice, but the weather wasn’t playing ball. After a dolphinless trip the captain endorsed our tickets so we could go in another trip for free. The sRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Dolphin Safari and Cave Tour in Vilamoura

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 342 reviews · 2 hours · from $47

Set out from Office 5 at Vilamoura Marina for a two-hour dolphin search along the Algarve coast. Your skipper takes you offshore to look for bottlenose and common dolphins, then toward caves and rock formations. Boats vary with sea conditions, and the guide speaks Portuguese, English, Spanish, or French.

“Enjoyed the trip, great ride and very informative guides, just a shame no dolphins!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Sealife Sea Safari, Dolphin Watching with Marine Biologist’s Lagos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 313 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48

From Lagos Marina, certified marine biologists Daniela and Mafalma lead a 90-minute Atlantic search for dolphins and other wildlife. You may see common or bottlenose dolphins, turtles, whales, and young calves. Boats are fast and comfortable, groups are capped at 20, and the crew keeps a respectful distance.

“The marine biologists were kind and knowledgeable. It took awhile to locate dolphins but we eventually did and it was amazing .”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Kayak Safari with Dolphin and Turtle Watching in Guaza

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 284 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $45

Paddle from Los Cristianos along the Guaza cliffs and the Teno-Rasca marine strip, watching for dolphins, turtles, and seabirds. Your guide navigates, supplies snorkeling gear and a buoyancy vest, and leads you to Palmar Cave. Guides have included Joel, Joey, Luka, and Casper.

“Lovely day on the water with sun and wind. Not much to see. The snorkeling was a total loss. They changed our trip time with very little notice, slightly rude A nice day out if you're tired of the hotel and need to get the kids out, just don't expect much”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Moreton Island: Tangalooma Desert Safari and Dolphin Feeding

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 103 reviews · 1 day · from $162

Take a 75-minute ferry from Brisbane to Tangalooma Island Resort, then split your day between pools, beaches, a $25 lunch voucher, 4WD sand tobogganing, and the evening wild dolphin program. Bring goggles for the dunes and clothes that can get wet at the jetty.

“the Dolph Feeding program will be an unforgettable memory for me forever. there are many people and you can feed the dolphins only for a couple minutes but it is still very worth it and the day on the island was just as amazing. after you feed the dolphins you can also watch them from the pier in the shallow water and it was so amazing”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Fazana: Dolphin Finder in Brijuni islands Safari with Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 88 reviews · from $34

Cruise from Fažana toward Brijuni National Park at sunset, looking for wild bottlenose dolphins from a comfortable boat. You get dinner, unlimited soft drinks, Wi-Fi, a restroom, and a private table for groups of three or more. The two-hour trip is guided in English, German, Croatian, or Italian.

“There was no guide The food was ok but not a meal A guide who told us what we saw on the way would be ok”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Ocean Safari: Sea Lions, Mobula Rays, Dolphins, Orcas & Whales

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 85 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $179

Set out from La Ventana at 8:00 a.m. for about five hours aboard a panga with no more than six people. Guides such as Juan, Alejandro, and Andrea are praised for spotting wildlife and keeping a respectful distance. Swim only if you are a confident ocean swimmer.

“The captain and tour guide very helpful and good at finding animals in the ocean!we can see humpback whales, sperm whale, dolphins, mobula rays…So much fun!”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Trincomalee: Whale & Dolphin Safari Tour with Expert Guides

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 53 reviews · 1 day · from $71

Set out from Trincomalee on a 2 to 3 hour small-boat safari with an English, German, French, Russian, or Chinese-speaking guide. Look for blue and fin whales, spinner dolphins, turtles, flying fish, and seabirds, while enjoying views of the Hindu temple from the water.

“This was one of the best experiences I’ve had in Sri Lanka! I loved that the boat was small and not overcrowded like others we saw. The crew was kind, professional, and made us feel safe the entire time. We saw both dolphins and whales and the guide shared so much knowledge about the local marine life. It’s clear they care about the animals and the environment. This is the best dolphin watching tour in Trincomalee don’t miss it!”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.FAŽANA: DOLPHIN SAFARI

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 47 reviews · 2 hours · from $41

Join Rio Boat Fažana for a two-hour evening cruise from Fažana into the Big and Small Brijun canal. The glass-bottom boat offers views below and around you, with dolphin spotting, island scenery, a Roman theater, sunset views, and one drink included.

“Good boat trip to spot dolphins. Sufficient space and all on the outside of the boat so you have a good spot to see the Dolphins. Friendly staff, but no information shared on animals or the surroundings. We were lucky and have seen many Dolphins. Nice the boat travels back through the island group.”

Check availability →Read our full review