ISLAND HOPPING · DOLPHIN WATCHING

15 Dolphin-Watching Boat Trips Worldwide Worth Booking

20 tours  ·  from $31 a head

This is the shortlist you would send someone already at the pier: 15 dolphin-watching boat trips worth the fare, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to check before you commit.

Hurghada: 3 Islands, Dolphins & Snorkel Yacht Trip w/ Lunch - Orange Bay: one hour of sand, sun, and photos
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Hurghada: 3 Islands, Dolphins & Snorkel Yacht Trip w/ Lunch

1.3 Islands, Dolphins & Snorkel Yacht Trip w/ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4,609 reviews · 8 hours · from $47Our pick

Join Go Shalabi for an eight-hour yacht trip from Hurghada to Orange Bay, Giftun Island, and Magawish Island. You get two snorkeling stops, dolphin watching, breakfast, seafood lunch, fruit, and unlimited drinks. Guides such as Fouad, Ahmed, Saef, Ashraf, and Talal help beginners feel safe while the crew keeps the day lively.

“The visit to the 3 islands & the snorkeling session were extremely well organised. The food was good ( though the calamari was very chewy & cold ) Very good value for money & as very good day out.”

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Hurghada: 6 Islands Tour with Dolphin Watching & Snorkelling - Giftun National Park and the first snorkel
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Hurghada: 6 Islands Tour with Dolphin Watching & Snorkelling

2.6 Islands Tour with Dolphin Watching & Snorkelling

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,624 reviews · 8 hours · from $51

Spend eight hours racing between Hurghada’s island beaches, Giftun National Park reefs, Magawish, Nemo Bay, and Juzur Abū Minqār. You get three snorkelling stops, a wreck site, drinks, fruit, gear, and a small speedboat group. Guides such as Basil, Omar, and Fatih are known for helping nervous swimmers. Lunch and parasailing cost extra.

“Everything was well organised. Our guide and captain (Abdullah and Wassam) were handsome, professional, friendly, at disposal for every need or request. I highly recommend this tour!”

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Hurghada: 3-Island Speedboat, Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling - Giftun Island: the first reef and dolphin search
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Hurghada: 3-Island Speedboat, Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling

3.3-Island Speedboat, Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 426 reviews · 7 hours

Spend seven hours on a private speedboat from Hurghada, stopping at two reef sites, Orange Bay, Magawish Island and Abu Monkar sandbank. You will search for wild dolphins, swim, and enjoy fruit, water and soft drinks. Guides such as Ahmed, Kareem and Tarek have been praised for patient snorkeling help, while the optional five-minute flight adds a quick view from above.

“Activity was great from start to finish. Was sent the pick up time the night before as the description states. Our captain Kareem and guide Ahmed (sorry if I’ve spelt names wrong) were very welcoming. The islands were beautiful and we were able to spot some dolphins also. Having a guide with the group on each of the islands and during the snorkelling was very beneficial. Lunch was also nice and refreshments were given throughout the day. Would highly recommend this trip.”

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Auckland: Tikapa Moana Whales, Dolphins and Islands Cruise - Looking for whales, dolphins, and seabirds
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Auckland: Tikapa Moana Whales, Dolphins and Islands Cruise

4.Tikapa Moana Whales, Dolphins and Islands Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 292 reviews · 6 - 8 hours · from $92

Spend 6 to 8 hours cruising Tikapa Moana from Auckland, with dedicated time to find whales and dolphins, live commentary, and a stop at Rotoroa Island or Man O’ War Vineyard. Choose wildlife walks and a swim, or wine and lunch. A marine mammal guarantee offers a return voucher if nothing is seen.

“Wow, wow, wow, what a fabulous day and so lucky😎 Even the guys running the boat said we saw a lot more than is usual and in perfect weather too. Loads of Gannets that gave away the positions of the feeding Common Dolphins and Bryde's Whales😎 These whales are quite common here but considered as critically endangered generally🙄 Brutus" is a nickname for the Bryde's whale, that is pronounced "Broodus"🐳”

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Rockingham: Shoalwater Islands, Dolphins, and Sea Lions Tour - Starting at Penguin Island Visitors Centre
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Rockingham: Shoalwater Islands, Dolphins, and Sea Lions Tour

5.Rockingham: Shoalwater Islands, Dolphins, and Sea Lions Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 288 reviews · 1 hour · from $42

Take a 60-minute glass-bottom boat cruise through Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, watching for dolphins, Australian sea lions, pelicans, cormorants, ospreys, and other birds. Guides such as Ian, Tanya, Ella, Steve, and Gabby have led trips here. Check in 30 minutes early at Penguin Island Visitors Centre.

“Tour was well organised and the guides were knowledgeable and friendly. Shame we didn't see any penguins but sea lions, and pelicans were awesome”

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Dolphin Watching + 2 Islands Tour - From Faro - Searching the Atlantic for dolphins
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Dolphin Watching + 2 Islands Tour – From Faro

6.Dolphin Watching + 2 Islands Tour – From Faro

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 281 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $72Top rated

Set out from Faro at 8:30 a.m. with a skipper and up to 11 other people. Cross the Ria Formosa to Cabo de Santa Maria, search the Atlantic for dolphins, seabirds, and turtles, then stop at Ilha do Farol and Ilha Deserta. Guides have included Filipe, Alex, and Thiago. Snorkel masks and life jackets are provided.

“Des marins d’une gentillesse incroyable, toujours souriant, partageant leur expérience et leurs anecdotes. Ils ont trouvé les dauphins malgré une mer un peu agitée ! Les iles sont juste magnifique ! À faire absolument !”

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Half Day Shelling Dolphin Eco Tour in 10 000 Island and Marco - Dolphins, mangroves, and birds along the route
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Half Day Shelling Dolphin Eco Tour in 10 000 Island and Marco

7.Half Day Shelling Dolphin Eco Tour in 10 000 Island and Marco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 165 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $137

Set out from Goodland with a small group of up to 12, watching dolphins, mangroves, and coastal birds before reaching Kice Island. Captains such as Jamie, Paul, Jeff, and Megan help you identify shells and explain the area. Expect about three hours on the water, bottled water, and a provided shell bag, but no onboard restroom.

“Very nice, relaxing. They gave you ample time for shelling. Guides were very nice. Shells were great!”

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Bohol: Dolphin Watching & Sea Turtle Swim Island Tour - Watching wild dolphins at sunrise
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Bohol: Dolphin Watching & Sea Turtle Swim Island Tour

8.Bohol: Dolphin Watching & Sea Turtle Swim Island Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 159 reviews · 6 hours · from $49

Start before sunrise from Panglao or Dauis, search for wild dolphins, then continue to Balicasag Island for guided reef and turtle snorkeling. Guides such as Sarah and Paulen are praised for calm coordination and safety. Gear and hotel pickup are included, but expect loud boat engines, a ₱500 environmental fee, and possible crowds at the reef.

“It was a truly great trip! The highlight was definitely swimming with the incredible sea turtles and seeing the dolphins. It was an absolutely unforgettable experience and a wonderful day well spent. The entire trip was fantastic, but the absolute best part was our guide, Sarah. Her enthusiasm and knowledge made the day even more special. Highly recommend this tour!”

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Sunset Dolphin Cruise with Dinner – Medulin Archipelago - Cape Kamenjak and the Route Toward Porer
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Sunset Dolphin Cruise with Dinner – Medulin Archipelago

9.Sunset Dolphin Cruise with Dinner – Medulin Archipelago

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 157 reviews · from $45

Set sail from Medulin Harbour for a three-hour evening cruise around Cape Kamenjak and Porer Lighthouse. You can look for wild dolphins, watch the sunset, and enjoy freshly prepared fish, meat, or vegetarian food with unlimited wine, beer, water, and juice. The crew speaks Croatian, English, and German.

“That was amazing journey. Unfortunately we didn't saw any dolphins, but the service, food and views deserve 5 stars”

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Half Day Private Shelling Dolphin EcoTour in 10 000 Island Marco - Leaving Goodland for the Ten Thousand Islands
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Half Day Private Shelling Dolphin EcoTour in 10 000 Island Marco

From Faro: Dolphin Watching & 2 Islands Tour - Ilha Deserta, a quiet beach stop
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From Faro: Dolphin Watching & 2 Islands Tour

11.Dolphin Watching & 2 Islands Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 73 reviews · 4 hours · from $70

From Faro’s Cais da Porta Nova, a professional skipper takes you through the Ria Formosa to the Atlantic in search of dolphins and seabirds. You then spend about 45 minutes on Ilha Deserta and 45 minutes around Ilha do Farol. Guides speak English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. Ocean sightings depend on weather and wildlife.

“Après 45 minutes de bateau nous avons observé les dauphins, c'était un moment magique ! L'arrêt sur les deux plages permet de découvrir les alentours de Faro et de pouvoir se baigner. Je recommande !”

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Hurghada: 4 Island Hopping Tour Dolphin, Snorkeling & Lunch - Orange Bay, the first hour on the sand
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Hurghada: 4 Island Hopping Tour Dolphin, Snorkeling & Lunch

12.4 Island Hopping Tour Dolphin, Snorkeling & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 61 reviews · from $53

You’ll leave Hurghada by speedboat for Orange Bay, Nemo Island, Abu Monqar, and Magawish. Expect beach time, two or three snorkeling stops, a dolphin search, lunch, drinks, and an optional five-minute parasail flight. Guide Abdo has been especially attentive with small groups, pointing out rays, lionfish, turtles, and reef fish.

“We were supposed to snorkel around 4 islands, but we ended up seeing 8. If you've seen 4, you're pretty much done. I wish we'd had a bit more time on those four islands. I got the feeling we were mixed up with another couple. Otherwise, everything was well arranged”

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Molène Archipelago: Sea trips from Crozon. Seals, dolphins, - Following the cliffs and coastal defenses
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Molène Archipelago: Sea trips from Crozon. Seals, dolphins,

13.Molène Archipelago: Sea trips from Crozon. Seals, dolphins,

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 41 reviews · 7 hours · from $129

From Camaret-sur-Mer, spend seven hours exploring the Molène archipelago with a French or English-speaking guide. Cruise past lighthouses, cliffs, forts, caves, and wild islets, watch for gray seals, dolphins, and seabirds, then enjoy 2.5 hours on Molène Island for a walk, picnic, or lunch. Binoculars are provided.

“balade en mer exceptionnel avec un guide pationné qui prend le temps de vous montrer chaque endroit exptionnel”

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Bohol Dolphin Watching, Balicasag, and Virgin Island Tour - Searching Panglao Bay for wild dolphins
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Bohol Dolphin Watching, Balicasag, and Virgin Island Tour

Clearwater Island Hop and Dolphin Watch with Swimming - Clearwater Marine Aquarium and the coastal view
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Clearwater Island Hop and Dolphin Watch with Swimming

15.Clearwater Island Hop and Dolphin Watch with Swimming

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 24 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Spend about two hours aboard Paddle Pub Clearwater Beach with a captain and first mate, cruising past Clearwater Marine Aquarium and famous white-sand beaches. Bring beer, wine, cider, or seltzers for the BYOB cooler, watch for dolphins and birds, and enjoy a stop for island and water time. Some trips are led by Erica, Phil, Ivo, Jim, or Donna.

“Awesome. Our tour guides were ivo and Jim I think. Really awesome guys and great day out. They were knowledgeable and helped ensure our trip was comfy.”

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