The 7 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 $63Top rated

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.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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7.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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