Our 15 Best Dolphin Watching Cruises in Australia

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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2.Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise

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

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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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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4.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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5.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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6.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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7.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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8.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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9.Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkel Cruise & Lunch – Brisbane

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 327 reviews · from $192

Spend about eight hours sailing from Brisbane to Moreton Island aboard the Spirit of Mulgumpin. You’ll snorkel the Tangalooma Wrecks with a guide, enjoy a buffet lunch with local prawns, watch for dolphins and dugongs, and have free beach time for swimming or paddleboarding. Captain Wayne and guide Caroline are among the crew members praised for their care and clear guidance.

“On time pickup in downtown Brisbane. Well planned, captain and staff are very engaged with passengers.”

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10.Port Stephens: Dolphin Cruise, Lunch, Koalas & Sandboarding

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 293 reviews · 12 hours · from $140

Spend 12 hours north of Sydney with a dolphin cruise in Port Stephens, a visit to the PS Koala Sanctuary and sandboarding at Stockton dunes. Hotel pickup, coach travel, lunch, snacks and water are included at the stated $140 price. Guides such as Yan, Alfie and Gordon are known for clear briefings and lively commentary.

“The whole deal was worth it, our tour guide Yan has been a great companion. Very kind, polite and helpful. Koala sanctuary and Dolphine Cruise are great tourist attractions. I personally saw 12 Koalas an 7 Dolphins.”

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11.Dolphin, Sea Lion and Penguin Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 141 reviews · from $43

From Shoalwater, cruise the marine park for about an hour with a crew who point out dolphins, sea lions, pelicans, birds of prey and rugged island views. Garry and Sammy have received praise for their wildlife guiding on some departures. Penguin sightings and island access are not guaranteed, and the daytime penguin feeding show may not operate.

“The experience is worth every cent! The enthusiasm of the skipper and the young female guide was infectious. Both did a wonderful job.”

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12.Mandurah: Dolphin & Giant Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 58 reviews · 2 hours · from $53

Spend two hours aboard Mandurah Cruises’ SuperCat, crossing the Peel-Harvey Estuary and Dawesville Cut in search of wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. You’ll see Seba’s Song from the water, pass luxury canal homes, hear live commentary, and enjoy wetland birdlife. Fish and chips from Cicerello’s can be added before departure.

“Really enjoyed our trip to see dolphins and giant. Have seen lots of dolphins before but the experience we had on this trip didn't disappoint. we were given plenty of opportunity to enjoy the experience to the max. Seeing the giant was good too and we had ample opportunity for photos. A great trip well worth the money. I'd certainly recommend it.”

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13.Port Stephens 3 Hour Whale and Dolphin Watch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · from $62

Set out from Nelson Bay for a three-hour whale and dolphin watch aboard a gentle sailing catamaran. The crew provides wildlife commentary, tea, coffee, blankets, and wet-weather jackets. Look for humpback whales offshore, dolphins near the boat, and fur seals around Cabbage Tree Island, with a whale guarantee included.

“Absolutely exceeded all expectations. Cannot say enough good things about our trip. Staff, whales and experience all an 11/10. I am always wary booking animal experiences that the animal's welfare is put first and that the booking is not to the Read more”

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14.Philip Island: Dolphin and Whale Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 48 reviews · 3 hours · from $95

Set out from Phillip Island for a three-hour wildlife cruise past Cape Woolamai and the southern coast. An expert whale spotter and captain guide your search for migrating humpback and southern right whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds. Tea, coffee, and cake are included, with drinks available from the licensed bar.

“The entire experience was wonderful, the crew were all so friendly and kind. You can really tell how passionate they are about the animals. We saw 5 whales and loads of dolphins. I highly recommend!”

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15.Nelson Bay: Whale and Dolphin Watching Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 47 reviews · 3 hours · from $63

From d’Albora Nelson Bay, you’ll spend three hours aboard Imagine Cruises’ 54-foot catamaran searching for migrating humpback whales. Covered decks, tea and coffee, wet-weather jackets, fleece blankets, and an onboard bar keep the trip comfortable. Look for breaching whales, dolphins, Australian fur seals, seabirds, and occasional close approaches known as mugging.

“amazing as always. repeat booking will be yet more repeat bookings in the future”

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