Worldwide · TOUR REVIEWS
Every dolphin trip on the site, in one ranked list. The 15 below are the ones worth planning travel around, each with its price, its sailing time and what the people on board actually saw.
Cruise from Los Cristianos aboard Travelin Lady, a purpose-built eco-yacht with protected propellers and low-emission engines. A multilingual guide such as Ines helps you spot pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and more, followed by the Cave of Love and a short swim stop if conditions allow.
“It was a great trip. And yes, we saw whales and dolphins. Thanks to the yacht team!”
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”
Join Dream Wave Algarve for a 2.5-hour speedboat trip from Albufeira Marina. Guides such as Christian, Diego, Danny, and Johnny explain the coast and marine life while you visit Benagil, search for dolphins, and swim if sea conditions permit.
“It was great - we saw dolphins and the cave was beautiful. Christian was really knowledgable and Jesus was a great captain!”
From Funchal Marina, Magic Dolphin’s 3-hour cruise uses Madeira’s only hybrid-electric whale-watching catamaran. Look for dolphins, pilot whales, sperm whales, turtles, and seabirds with help from land-based spotters, then return past Cabo Girão and Câmara de Lobos.
“we were lucky and sow bottleneck dolphins, common dolphins and pilot whales. it s all about luck”
Cruise 18 kilometers of Algarve coast from Albufeira with a skipper and live guide, entering Benagil Cave for a few minutes, pausing to swim when conditions allow, and searching for dolphins. Ana, Ruben, and Diogo are among the crew members frequently assigned to this lively 2 to 2.5-hour outing.
“Thoroughly enjoyed every second of the trip Ana was very informative and interesting We were lucky enough to find a pod of dolphins which was great. Unfortunately, weather conditions prohibited entry into the caves but was still enjoyable and definitely worth the money”
Sail from Benalmadena for 100 minutes aboard the New Magic, a roomy catamaran with shaded seats, music, restrooms, underwater viewing windows, and a bar. Your crew searches for dolphins while you enjoy Costa del Sol views. Summer trips may include an open-sea swim.
“Amazing experience from behgining till end. I actualy took same trip next day”
Spend three hours aboard Catamaran Seaborn, searching Madeira’s waters for dolphins, whales, turtles, and flying fish with an English or Portuguese guide. The trip includes a stop beneath Cabo Girão for swimming in summer, plus space to relax on deck and drinks for purchase.
“Great trip where we saw at least 59 dolphins in a big group. No whales but that would have been a bonus! Nice choice of swimming spot, right beneath the cliffa”
From Albufeira Marina, XRide takes you along the Algarve coast toward Carvoeiro and Benagil Cave. Expect multilingual guides, a safety briefing, dolphin spotting, cave visits, and a possible swim stop. Guides such as Raul, Victor, Hugo, and Dominic are known for lively commentary and careful attention on board.
“we booked for dolphin watching and Benagil Cave to see, the staffs were very friendly and nice, we saw many dolphins. when I got sea sickness they took care of me very professionally and I am so thankfull”
Board the tugboat-style Little Toot at Clearwater Harbor for a narrated 75-minute cruise into the Gulf of Mexico. The boat’s large wake attracts dolphins that may surf and leap close behind you. Choose sun or shade, walk around onboard, and buy drinks with cash.
“Dolphins swam up and jumped behind our boat. Was amazing. Was such a great experience. we had a blast.”
Sail from Puerto Colón into Tenerife’s Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary on a fuel-efficient catamaran with an English or Spanish crew. Look for pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish, listen through underwater audio, swim in the Atlantic, and choose between a three-hour cruise or a five-hour trip to Los Gigantes and Masca Bay.
“Was nice atmosphere, staff really friendly with kids, we super liked🌸”
Set out from Albufeira Marina for 2.5 hours aboard a semi-rigid boat limited to 18 people. Guides such as Diogo, Dani, Johnny, and Daniel share coastal facts, search for wild dolphins, enter Algarve caves, and may stop for a swim when sea conditions allow.
“Able to see all the caves …. Great maneuvering, scenery, and sense of humor. We didn’t see dolphins, but they definitely tried.”
Sail from Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria for up to two hours in search of dolphins, pilot whales, and minke whales. Then stop near the coast for swimming and snorkeling, with masks, water, soft drinks, and a slide provided. Hotel pickup is optional.
“We had so much fun, the amount of time you get on the boat for the price, plus the knowledge and determination of the crew is brilliant. They were so polite and accommodating and the snacks are a nice bonus too.”
Join Go Shalabi for an 8-hour Red Sea cruise from Hurghada, with guides such as Talal, Ahmed and Ashraf helping at two snorkeling sites. You’ll visit Orange Bay, Giftun and Magawish, search for dolphins, and eat breakfast, seafood lunch, fruit and unlimited drinks onboard.
“Abdul and the team (sorry, I can’t remember everyone’s names) were super helpful, friendly, attentive. We saw a dolphin within the first 20 minutes and a few in the way home. Unfortunately no chance to swim with them, but this was expected given there were multiple speed boats chasing after the dolphins. The first snorkel spot was brilliant, tons of fish. Very well organised, it felt like we had freedom to explore while also feeling safe. The water was a bit choppy and murky at the second spot as this was just off of the beach and quite late into the day, but we saw a sting ray and a…”
Join Flipper Uno at Los Gigantes Port for a two-hour cruise through the Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary. Look for pilot whales and dolphins, hear local sea-life facts from the crew, admire the cliffs of Los Gigantes and Masca, then swim in a clear bay with a complimentary drink.
“Amazing 2h boat trip! There was everything & even more than we expected. Turtles, dolphins swimming as near as they could, laughter, jokes, beer, entertainment on the boat, swimming near the Masca beach. The crew was best in the whole wide world - friendly, smiling. Don't have any second thoughts - take it!”
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!”
Pick a hull, pick the water you want to be in, or decide whether you want them wild.
