The 15 Best Adelaide Dolphin Watching Tours

1.Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 560 reviews · 3 hours · from $55Our pick

Set out from Port Adelaide with guides such as Alex, Mark, Paddy, or Kendall for a gentle three-hour paddle through 10,000-year-old mangroves. You may spot dolphins, pelicans, fish, and old shipwrecks. Kayaks, life jackets, water, and a waterproof bag are provided. No experience is needed, but you must be able to paddle.

“We really enjoyed the tour. our guide Mark was very knowledgeable n new his stuff. The only thing I would say if there could be a toilet stop within the 3hrs. 3hrs on water n no toilet stop is a big ask for some.”

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2.Adelaide: 4-Hour Swimming with Dolphins Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 439 reviews · 3h 30m · from $105

Meet Temptation Sailing at Glenelg’s Marina Pier for a 3.5-hour cruise aboard the 58-foot catamaran Temptation. Marine biologist guides explain dolphin behavior as you look for wild pods, then take turns in the water using the front net or tow line. Wetsuits, masks, and snorkels are supplied, but bring your own towel, food, drinks, and sunscreen.

“Absolutely amazing day. The crew was fantastic - friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about what they do. We saw and swam with multiple pods/species of dolphins. Would highly recommend this experience to anyone!”

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3.Port Adelaide: Dolphin and Ships Graveyard Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 375 reviews · 1h 30m · from $62

Cruise the Port River for 90 minutes with an English-speaking skipper-guide, passing the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, International Bird Sanctuary, and half-submerged shipwrecks. Guides such as Jim, Jason, Chris, and Alex have been praised for lively local commentary. Dolphins are possible, never guaranteed. Drinks are available to buy onboard.

“Great few hours on the water. Although we only saw one dolphin, Skipper Jim did his utmost to try and find us other, sailing to their usual spots. He was very informative when it came to the vessels in the ship's graveyard, and made my daughter's day letting her sit up front on the Captain's seat!”

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4.Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tour Adelaide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 355 reviews · from $56

Paddle from Garden Island into the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary with guides such as Alex, Paddy, Callie, Hannah, Fiona, and Lewis. Expect a safety briefing, included kayak gear, mangrove channels, birdlife, possible dolphins, and sometimes shipwrecks. No experience is needed, but you should be reasonably fit and ready to paddle for three hours.

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This experience was absolutely fantastic! I did this tour as a mum with my child, and we both had the best time. Paddy and Callie were amazing from start to finish. Paddy was incredibly knowledgeable and shared so much interesting information along the way, which really added to the experience. Callie was awesome; she made sure everyone was able to keep up and was so supportive throughout. She even kindly guided our kayak through some of the trickier parts, which made us feel safe and confident the whole time. The tour was well organised, fun, and perfect for families. We felt well looked after and truly enjoyed every moment.…”

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5.Adelaide: 4-Hour Guaranteed Wild Dolphin Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 349 reviews · 3h 30m · from $63

Meet Temptation Sailing at Marina Pier, Glenelg, for a 210-minute catamaran cruise along Adelaide’s gulf. The crew looks for wild bottlenose and common dolphins, explains their behavior, and may bring you close to pods riding the hulls. Guides such as Elle and Quinn are praised for friendly, clear commentary. A separate swim option is available.

“excellent day out, staff were informative & knowledgeable, well organised trip with plenty of dolphins, definitely a great experience, worth the money & would recommend”

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6.90 Minute Port River Dolphin & Ships Graveyard Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 321 reviews · from $63

Set out from Port Adelaide on a small-group cruise for wild bottlenose dolphins, the Ships’ Graveyard and Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary. Your skipper points out wildlife and explains the port’s past, with guides including Alex, Jim, Andrew and Naomi. The modern boat has a bathroom, but only water is provided, so bring snacks.

“Naomi is very knowledgeable when it came to the shipwrecks and their history, very interesting facts. We did see a pod of dolphins, from a distance on both occasions, the first time they were having breakfast, so we did not interrupt them, on the return trip they were again in the distance but were not too fussed we were there and were not up to for a visit to the boat.”

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7.Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 275 reviews · from $55Top rated

Spend about three hours kayaking through Adelaide’s Dolphin Sanctuary and Garden Island Ships’ Graveyard. Guides such as Luke, Phil, Pippa, Tim, Oli, and Alannah have led departures. You’ll learn the basics, paddle calm mangrove creeks, look for Port River dolphins, and pass hulking abandoned ships. Dolphins are common but never guaranteed.

“It was a family fun activity to do, and the staff were great, we definitely would do this again. We saw dolphins quite close up.”

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8.Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 143 reviews · 3 hours · from $55

Join Adventure Kayaking SA at Garden Island for a three-hour guided paddle through mangrove creeks and the Port River’s Ships Graveyard. Guides such as Tom, Aaron, Oliver, and Kelahn explain local wildlife and maritime history while you look for dolphins. Kayaks, paddles, and life jackets are supplied, but you need transport, water, sun protection, and shoes that can get wet.

“Fantastic activity. We spent the full 3 hours out kayaking. Great demonstrations and safety info provided at the start. Our guide was very knowledgeable and was so friendly to everyone. Saw lots of dolphins and really enjoyed the experience. Would highly recommend.”

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9.Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Mangroves Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 59 reviews · from $39

Join Adventure Kayaking SA at Garden Island for a gentle 90-minute paddle through Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. Your guide provides the kayak, safety gear, waterproof storage, and local stories while you look for Port River dolphins, birds, and marine life. The trip suits children from age eight, with adults required to paddle with children 12 and under.

“We had a great day, very easy to do, the guys were very friendly and patient. We didn't get to see any dolphins unfortunately but we still had a great time, we could have gone for longer but for the price, it was definitely worth it.”

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10.Wild Dolphin Swim Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews

Join Temptation Sailing at Glenelg Marina Pier for a four-hour dolphin cruise in Adelaide’s gulf. Marine biologists guide the trip while you try a front swim in the bow net and a back swim from the stern lines. Wetsuit, mask, and snorkel are provided. Dolphins choose the encounter, so touching and feeding are not allowed.

“It was a really good day out. There were a lot of dolphins around. One even wanted to show off it's pufferfish to us. The staff are great. Really enjoyed it .”

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11.Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Mangroves Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 54 reviews · 1h 30m · from $38

Join Adventure Kayaking SA at Garden Island for a 90-minute paddle through Adelaide’s Dolphin Sanctuary. You’ll get a safety lesson, kayak, paddle, and life jacket, then follow an English-speaking guide through sheltered mangrove creeks while watching for Port River Dolphins, birds, seals, and sea lions. Children must be at least 8.

“Will was very welcoming and friendly and gave us a really good understanding of the mangroves environment. unfortunately we didn't see any dolphins but that didn't really matter.”

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12.Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Single or Double Kayak Rental

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 51 reviews · 2 hours · from $27Best value

Meet Adventure Kayaking SA at Garden Island Boat Ramp for a safety briefing, map, life vest, paddle, and a one or two-person kayak. You’ll explore the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary at your own pace for two hours, threading through mangrove creeks while watching for dolphins and other marine life. The ship graveyard is off limits.

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13.Wild Dolphin Watch in Glenelg

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $63

Meet at Glenelg’s Marina Pier at 8:00 am for a four-hour wild dolphin cruise across Holdfast Bay. A marine biologist team explains dolphin behavior as you watch from the bow or 360-degree deck. Dolphins often swim close to the boat. A separate swim-with-dolphins option is available, so check your booking carefully.

“This was a fabulous experience, we were lucky enough to find two pods of dolphins on our trip, their interaction with the boat was marvellous. The guides were well informed with dolphin facts and It is a “must do” activity especially for overseas guests. We will definitely be doing it again.”

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14.2-Hour Dolphin and Maritime Cruise in Port Adelaide

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 6 reviews · from $63

Join a skipper-guide at Port Adelaide Lighthouse for a two-hour cruise through a working harbor and the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. You’ll hear local stories, pass old ships and pelicans, and may see resident bottlenose dolphins. The route also includes the Osborne Naval Shipyard and a view of Australia’s attack-class submarines under construction.

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15.Port Adelaide: Dolphin and Maritime Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews · 2 hours · from $62

Join an English-speaking skipper for a two-hour cruise from Port Adelaide’s red and white lighthouse. You’ll pass working ships, restored vessels, the submarine dry dock, mangrove forests, mudflats, and the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. Jiya is among the friendly staff named in recent feedback. Dolphin sightings are possible but never guaranteed.

“It was Amazing and we enjoyed alot specially Jiya there she made us day memorable all staff members were with humble nature….. 5+Staarsssss thanks alot”

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