The 13 Whale and Dolphin Cruises in the USA That Earn the Fare

1.Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,645 reviews · 3 hours · from $62Our pick

Join Chris' Fishing and Whale Watching at Old Fisherman's Wharf for a three-hour Monterey Bay cruise. Guides such as Kevin and Lauren explain whale behavior, kelp forests, birds, and local conservation while the captain searches for humpbacks, gray whales, dolphins, sea lions, seals, and the occasional orca.

“Awesome experience! We saw many whales with a close distance and took amazing photos. We were totally amazed. The staff were super friendly and knowledgeable”

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2.Pensacola Beach Jolly Dolphin Cruise and Scenic Bay Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 804 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $39Top rated

Board the shaded 42-foot Jolly Dolphin at Pensacola Beach for a 90-minute to two-hour cruise with an English-speaking captain and crew. Expect cushioned seats, bottled water, an onboard restroom, dolphin searches, shorebird sightings, and possible Blue Angels or sunset views.

“Captain Roger and I believe our guide’s name was Maya (?) were terrific! We saw so many dolphins! Amazing! Beautiful day ending with an incredible sunset!”

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3.Sightseeing Harbor Tour & Dolphin Watch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 649 reviews · 1h 30m · from $40

Cruise Charleston Harbor for 90 minutes with a licensed English-speaking guide, passing Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown, the Battery, Castle Pinckney, and Ravenel Bridge. Depart from Patriots Point or Aquarium Wharf. Expect strong storytelling, open-water views, possible dolphins, onboard restrooms, and cash-only snacks and beer.

“Beautiful way to see Charleston from the water. Relaxing ride,we did see a few dolphin .Great narrator on the historical sights. Definitely worth a few hours of your time.”

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4.Schooner Sailing Harbor Tour & Dolphin Watch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 255 reviews · from $48

Join the crew of the three-masted Schooner Pride for a 1.5-hour Charleston Harbor sail from Aquarium Wharf. Help raise the sails, watch for dolphins, and see Fort Sumter, Castle Pinckney, and Fort Johnson. This is a relaxed sailing trip with crew conversation, not a nonstop narrated tour.

“Could not have ask for a more perfect day, sail, crew or Captain Dan. We enjoyed our sailing experience, just wished we could have seen dolphins.”

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5.Panama City: Sunset Dolphin Cruise in St. Andrews Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 218 reviews · 1h 30m · from $28Best value

Board a double-deck catamaran at St. Andrews State Park for a 90-minute sunset cruise across St. Andrews Bay. Captains such as Ryan, Brian, Kent, and Roy keep the ride lively while you watch for dolphins, deer on the peninsula, and sunset colors. Beer, wine, and cold refreshments are sold onboard.

“From the view to the crew, everything was excellent! Excellent experience!”

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6.Wake Up With the Whales Cruise on Seasmoke

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 159 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $125

Join Ocean Sports at 8:00 am from Anaehoʻomalu Bay for a 90-minute catamaran cruise inside the humpback sanctuary. Marine naturalists explain whale behavior while you watch, photograph, and hear whales through an underwater hydrophone. Snacks, soft drinks, beer, and wine are included.

“Amazing excursion….. from instructions to the staff to seeing an incredible amount of whales to safety and drinks.”

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7.Boothbay Harbor Cruise: Lighthouses, Lobster Haul, and Seals

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 124 reviews · 1h 30m · from $40

Spend 90 minutes aboard Cap'n Fish's Cruises, passing Burnt Island Light, Ram Island Lighthouse, islands, and Maine's rocky coast. Hear live English narration, watch a lobster trap being hauled, and look for seals on the ledges. Padded seats, a galley, and an upper deck make this family-friendly cruise easy to enjoy.

“Thoroughly enjoyed the Boothbay Harbor cruise. The Captain not only provided a smooth sail but an informative narrative. Highly recommend.”

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8.Galveston: Dolphin Watching Boat Tour in Galveston Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 76 reviews · 45 min · from $34

Join Baywatch Dolphin Tours for a 45-minute cruise from Pier 21. Captains such as Adam, Ben, and Alan point out dolphins, cruise ships, tall ships, the Cement Ship, and Galveston landmarks while adding jokes and local history. Arrive 30 minutes early with sunscreen and a camera.

“Fabulous trip. Captain alan was very entertaining and spotted the dolphins even before they broke water. Watch lots of dolphins from baby’s to fully grown !!! Would highly recommend as it’s good value and you’re practically guaranteed to see playful dolphins.”

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9.Sunset Cruise with the Whales on our Sailing Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $165

Cruise from Anaeho'omalu Bay aboard an Ocean Sports catamaran for sunset views, humpback sightings, snacks, and an open bar. A naturalist answers whale questions, and weather permitting, a hydrophone lets you hear their songs. Expect a wet shoreline transfer and possible motor sailing during whale season.

“Crew was wonderful! Comfortable accommodations. We were able to see many whales!! Stunning sunset! Highly recommend this tour”

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10.St. Augustine: Dolphin Watching Harbor Tour with Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 41 reviews · 1h 30m · from $42

Join Fury Water Adventures at Vilano Beach for a 90-minute dolphin cruise aboard a spacious catamaran. Expect bottlenose dolphins, views of Castillo San Marcos and Flagler College, free beer, wine, soda, water, snacks, and an English-speaking crew. Dolphin sightings are not guaranteed.

“Crew were great! Relaxing and enjoyable being on the water. Did get to see quite a few bottle nose dolphins. Nice afternoon on the water.”

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11.Dolphin & Scenic Bay Sightseeing Cruise Up to 49, Pensacola

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 23 reviews · from $50

Join the crew of The Frisky Mermaid for a 1.5-hour dolphin and scenic cruise from Pensacola Beach. A USCG-certified captain and local crew guide you around the bay while you watch for dolphins, hear facts about marine life, enjoy music, and take in wide water views from a 52-foot boat.

“It was a lot of fun and saw plenty of dolphin s.Had a great time.”

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12.Late Morning Whale Watch Cruise on Seasmoke

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $125

Join Ocean Sports aboard Seasmoke for a 90-minute late-morning cruise through Hawaii’s Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Marine naturalists explain whale behavior while you watch for breaches and spouts, listen through an underwater hydrophone, and enjoy snacks, tropical juices, soft drinks, beer, wine, and cocktails.

“Lots of whale sightings, although not too close, within a few hundred yards (binoculars would be good). Beautiful Spring day, windy & cool; excited kids! A sea turtle swam next to us on the way back. Crew was really great with our kids ages 5-16. Know before you go: 1) Dress expecting to get wet. 2) We only received directions to the parking lot, not to the embarcation point; allow 30 min to walk from your car to the Marriott hotel & navigate through hotel pool area to the beach, then board a skiff to the large catamaran (we had SEASMOKE), all before the designated sail time.”

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13.Tampa Bay: Private Sunrise Dolphin & Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 2 hours

Captain Joe takes your private group of up to six through Boca Ciega Bay at sunrise. Watch for dolphins feeding, hear tropical birds, bring drinks and snacks, and enjoy two quiet hours on the water. The price is $275 per group, plus a $25 fuel surcharge.

“Sehr netter Kapitän, tolles Boot, wunderschöner Sonnenaufgang, interessante Tour - einfach ein sehr gelungener Start in den Tag!”

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