6 Florida Dolphin Watching Tours Worth Flying For

1.4-Hour Mangrove Island and Dolphin Watch Sandbar in Fort Pierce

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 72 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $79Our pick

Join Mark and Fabia for a four-hour Fort Pierce kayak trip through calm mangrove water and the Indian River Lagoon. You’ll paddle about two miles, spot birds and marine life, stop at a sandbar when conditions allow, then ride back by electric motor. Kayaks, light paddles, life vests, dry bags, and photos are included.

“Mark and Fabian are wonderful guides, very knowledgeable and helpful and efficient. Patient with everyone, took lots of extra time. So many creatures and so much ecology! Relaxing, educational and fun trip”

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2.Florida Keys: Dockside Dolphin Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 45 reviews · from $107

Meet a bottlenose dolphin from a dry training dock in the Florida Keys. You’ll get a short lesson on dolphin behavior, conservation, and hand placement, then feed and play with the animal without entering the water. A photographer records the encounter, and photos are included in the $107 price.

“I thought it was really special to see a dolphin up close. We were given instructions and information about dolphin anatomy beforehand. The next day, we were sent photos taken during the trip via a link in an email. This was included in the price.”

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3.Dolphin and Manatee Adventure tour of Osprey with Florida History

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65Best value

Join Three Brothers Boards in Osprey for a two-hour paddle through the mangrove islands of Little Sarasota Bay. You’ll spend about 15 minutes reaching the bay and 90 minutes exploring by kayak or paddle board, with possible sightings of dolphins, West Indian manatees, and other wildlife. Equipment and parking are provided.

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4.Dolphin and Manatee Adventure Tour of Sarasota with Olde Florida History!

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 10 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65

Paddle from Osprey with kayaks or paddle boards on a two-hour wildlife tour led by guides including Daniel. Expect calm water, dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, pelicans, mangroves, live conch, pink spoonbills, and Sarasota history. Equipment and safety vests are included, and the tour returns to its starting point.

“We had sooo much fun!! My wife and I wanted to show our kids some of the real outdoors while on our vacation to Lido Key. It was amazing because we saw dolphins swim right up to our kayaks and we saw two manatees passing by in the clear water. Our tourguide Daniel was very informative and patient with the kids. Our kids had so much fun that we bought a Three Brothers paddle board and had it shipped back to our home. Amazing kayak and paddle board tour in the Sarasota area!”

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5.Fort Pierce: 4-hr Mangroves & Dolphin Watch Sandbar in FL

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 4 hours · from $89

Join a small group of up to eight for four hours on Fort Pierce’s lagoon. Paddle about two miles through mangroves, spot egrets, pelicans, fish, dolphins, and manatees, then reach a sandbar for swimming or wading when tides allow. The return trip uses an electric propulsion motor.

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6.Dolphin Watching Jet Ski Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.)

Join Salty’s Water Sports & Boat Rental for a private 75-minute jet ski outing from Fort Pierce. You’ll search the Indian River Lagoon for dolphin pods, including mothers and young calves, with morning trips favored for calmer water and better viewing. The tour costs $249 per group of up to two and returns to the starting point.

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