AUSTRALIA

15 Dolphin Watching Tours in Australia Worth Booking

34 tours  ·  from $26 a head

Moreton Bay, Port Stephens, Rockingham and the Perth coast all run permitted swims as well as watching trips. The 15 below say which is which, what the permit allows and what each costs.

Moreton Island: Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkel Cruise - Lunch with prawns and tropical fruit
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Moreton Island: Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkel Cruise

1.Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkel Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,039 reviews · 1 day · from $152Our pick

Spend a full day aboard the Spirit of Mulgumpin, a purpose-built catamaran sailing from Brisbane to Moreton Island. You’ll snorkel the Tangalooma Wrecks with guides such as Jess, Georgia, or Brooke, watch for dolphins and turtles, eat a tropical buffet with ocean king prawns, and enjoy beach time, fish feeding, and paddleboarding.

“great nature n fantastic experience. Also kind crew members!!”

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Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise - The first 20 minutes: harbour views before the dolphins
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Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise

2.Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 926 reviews · 1h 30m · from $28Best value

Spend 90 minutes cruising Port Stephens Harbour with Moonshadow TQC Cruises. Watch for wild bottlenose dolphins, hear live commentary, view Tomaree and Yacaaba Headlands, and try the boom net at the back of the boat. A licensed bar sells snacks and drinks, while the large vessel offers toilets and several viewing areas.

“We loved this boat trip! Recommend the 10:30 boat, very quiet, not too hot and we saw so many dolphins!”

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Mandurah: Dolphin and Views Cruise - Birdlife, wetlands, and small details to watch for
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Mandurah: Dolphin and Views Cruise

3.Mandurah: Dolphin and Views Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 920 reviews · 1h 15m · from $31

Cruise Mandurah’s calm waterways with an English-speaking skipper and live guide. Expect dolphin sightings, canals lined with grand homes, wetlands, birdlife, Aboriginal history, and a playful deck for children. Dolphins are guaranteed, or you can cruise again free. Departures leave from central Mandurah.

“Just a pity not more dolphins seen but otherwise a nice relaxing day”

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Swim with Wild Dolphins Day Tour - Finding the pod before entering the water
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Swim with Wild Dolphins Day Tour

4.Swim with Wild Dolphins Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 669 reviews · from $214

Meet at Rockingham’s Val Street Jetty or add a Perth coach transfer for this six-hour dolphin swim. A custom boat, wetsuits, masks, snorkels, lunch, hot drinks, guide, and complimentary photos are included. You need basic swimming ability, and the dolphins remain wild, so sightings and water time can vary.

“The Dolphin Tour proved to be an incredible experience, the staff members were exceptionally friendly and helpful! ❤️ I attended as a spectator, but I found the spectator ticket price to be somewhat high compared to that for swimmers. The food was mediocre, with everything served cold—although, given the boat setting, my expectations were not too high. Despite these points, the overall experience was positive, and I would highly recommend it if you're seeking an opportunity to interact with wild dolphins.”

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Sydney: Jervis Bay Day Trip with Dolphins, Roos & Beach Time - Starting early at Christ Church St Laurence
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Sydney: Jervis Bay Day Trip with Dolphins, Roos & Beach Time

5.Jervis Bay Day Trip with Dolphins, Roos & Beach Time

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 643 reviews · 12 hours · from $120

Travel from Sydney to Jervis Bay in a small air-conditioned minibus for a dolphin cruise, lunch in Huskisson, Hyams Beach, the White Sands Trail, and wild kangaroos in Booderee National Park. Guides such as James, Aurelio, Al, and Stephane are praised for friendly commentary and photo help. English and Portuguese tours are available.

“It was a really great experience. The tour guide was really nice to us. We visited amazing places. The only constructive feedback we have is that the bus is pretty small and there’s no room for your legs if you’re tall.”

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Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour - Starting at Angas Inlet Boat Club
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Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour

6.Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour

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

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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Snubfin Dolphin Eco Cruise from Broome - What the search through Roebuck Bay feels like
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Snubfin Dolphin Eco Cruise from Broome

7.Snubfin Dolphin Eco Cruise from Broome

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 533 reviews · from $110Top rated

Set out aboard Ballena, Broome’s dedicated eco-tour vessel, for a 4-hour-15-minute cruise through Roebuck Bay. Guides such as John, Cam, and Jess explain the marine life while you search for snubfin and bottlenose dolphins, turtles, dugongs, and birds. Snacks, refreshments, restrooms, shaded decks, and a possible boom-net swim are included.

“Great tour, seen snubfin dolphins, small and big sea turtles, sea snake, small shark and bottle nose dolphins. Crew were friendly and very informative. Would recommend to do the tour”

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Adelaide: 4-Hour Swimming with Dolphins Experience - Searching for dolphins in their own home
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Adelaide: 4-Hour Swimming with Dolphins Experience

8.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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Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise - The first 20 minutes: harbour views before the dolphins
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Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise

9.Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 401 reviews · from $32

Set out from Nelson Bay on Moonshadow V for a 90-minute search for wild bottlenose dolphins. Your crew shares facts about local marine life while you enjoy views of Tomaree and Yacaaba Headlands. The boat has indoor and outdoor seating, and the boom-net ride adds a wet, playful finish.

“This was tour was absolutely brilliant. We were fortunate to be able to go on a perfect sunny spring morning. We spotted loads of dolphin pods and a humpback whale with her baby calf! The slippery slide net into the boom net on the way back to shore was supper fun! My kids 13 and 11 absolutely loved it! Not as strong younger kids would definitely need assistance with their parent as the current in the net is very strong when the boat is moving. Highly recommend!”

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Kayaking with Dolphins in Byron Bay Guided Tour - Paddling Into Cape Byron Marine Park
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Kayaking with Dolphins in Byron Bay Guided Tour

10.Kayaking with Dolphins in Byron Bay Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 384 reviews · from $63

Paddle a stable two-person sit-on-top kayak through Cape Byron Marine Park with a local surf-and-sea guide. The 2.5-hour tour includes safety gear, marine park fees, beachside tea and Tim-Tams, and morning or afternoon departures. Dolphins are guaranteed, but open-ocean conditions mean you must swim 25 metres and handle moderate paddling.

“I've lived in Byron in the 80s and 90s. This my first time kayaking and it was everything. The guide paddled and we even caught a wave at Wategoes. It was so much fun. Seen dolphins and it was worth every cent. Just wish they posted my photo. Take a waterproof case to take photos. Byron is spectacular from water. Julian rock is the head of the rainbow serpent and mount Warning is his body. Sensational view.”

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Mandurah Dolphin Cruise and Views - From Mandurah Cruises to Mandjar Bay
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Mandurah Dolphin Cruise and Views

11.Mandurah Dolphin Cruise and Views

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 376 reviews · from $31

Spend about 75 minutes cruising Mandurah’s calm estuary, Creery Wetlands, ocean marina, and canal-lined waterways. An onboard guide shares local wildlife and regional history while you look for Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. The boat carries no more than 20 people, and a dolphin sighting means a free return trip if needed.

“Excellent tour with family Nd friends - all enjoyed well- thanks you captain for the amazing Captaincy”

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Port Adelaide: Dolphin and Ships Graveyard Cruise - Finding the lighthouse at 1 McLaren Parade
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Port Adelaide: Dolphin and Ships Graveyard Cruise

12.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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Epic Kayak With Dolphins & Wildlife - 4WD Beach Adventure Noosa - Arriving at Double Island Point
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Epic Kayak With Dolphins & Wildlife – 4WD Beach Adventure Noosa

13.Epic Kayak With Dolphins & Wildlife – 4WD Beach Adventure Noosa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 366 reviews · from $115

Ride a 4WD along Noosa North Shore and Great Beach Drive, cross by ferry, then kayak around Double Island Point with guides such as Vince, Tyron, Cam, and Nick. Expect coastal scenery, wildlife searches, swimming, snacks, and instruction. Dolphins and whales are possible, but never guaranteed.

“Our guides Cam and Nick were amazing. Unfortunately other than one Dorsal fin we didn’t see any animals but the place is so incredible and the guides were great that the kayaking experience by itself was worth the trip. We had rough enough conditions so wasn’t for the faint hearted or poor swimmers, and was a little sea sick inducing for some. Over all a great day out.”

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Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tour Adelaide - Your first paddle through the sanctuary
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Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tour Adelaide

14.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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Adelaide: 4-Hour Guaranteed Wild Dolphin Watching Cruise - Meeting Temptation Sailing at Glenelg
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Adelaide: 4-Hour Guaranteed Wild Dolphin Watching Cruise

15.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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Where to see dolphins

Pick a coast, a boat or a swim.