The 15 Best Fort Myers Dolphin Watching Tours

1.Dolphin and Manatee Adventure Tour of Fort Myers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,167 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65Our pick

Paddleboard through Fort Myers and Bonita Springs waterways with a guide such as Eric or Chase. Look for dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, pelicans, starfish, conch, and other wildlife, then stop at a white-sand beach for shells and coastal views. Boards and safety gear are provided, and beginners ages six and up can join.

“Our tour guide Eric was great and full of knowledge. We were lucky to be able to watch the dolphins play for a while.”

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2.Sunset Dolphin Cruise with Sanibel Lighthouse Views

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 355 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69

Set out from Fort Myers Beach for a 90-minute sunset cruise with a captain and first mate. You will pass the Shrimp Boat Fleet and Mound House, circle Bowditch Point, and watch for dolphins with Sanibel Lighthouse behind the sunset. Bottled water, soda, and alcoholic drinks are included. Groups are limited to 18.

“It was fabulous! Highly recommend. Saw lots of dolphins and a spectacular sunset! Dan and Deacon, who ran the boat were so great!!”

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3.Marco Island: 2-Hour Dolphin, Birding, and Shelling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 212 reviews · 2 hours

Spend two private hours with up to six people exploring the Ten Thousand Islands near Marco Island. Your Florida Master Naturalist guide, such as Captain Ed, Joe, Ryan, or Kate, looks for dolphins, birds, manatees, and seasonal wildlife before stopping at an uninhabited beach for shelling.

“Education on islands and different species of birds. Appreciated Kate’s efforts in finding dolphins.”

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4.Fort Myers Beach Dolphin & Sightseeing Tour Refreshments Included

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 199 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $64

Join Pelican Bay Charters for a 90-minute boat trip through Fort Myers Beach and Pelican Bay toward Historical Mound Key. Captains such as Ryan, Dan, Carlee, Rob, and Forrest share facts about wildlife, mangroves, island history, and storm impacts. Water and soda are included, and the boat holds no more than 16 people for this experience.

“We saw one dolphin but we were okay because the boat ride, scenery and knowledgable crew was great. Another plus was the free parking!!!! Our groups age range was 18-72 and everyone enjoyed themselves.”

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5.Dolphin and Shelling Cruise Tour at Fort Myers Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $74

Set out from Fort Myers Beach at 9 a.m. for a three-hour eco cruise through Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Guides such as Savannah, Ashley, Christina, Josh, and Captain Ty help you spot dolphins, manatees, birds, and shells before a barrier-island beach stop. The boat holds up to 28 people and has a restroom.

“Our family enjoyed this excursion so much!!! We learn a lot from Ashley and Captain Ty. They were so knowledgeable and easy to talk with. We seen sooo many dolphins and very much enjoyed the beach we stopped at! 10 out of 10 would do it again!”

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6.Ft Myers Beach 2 Hour Tiki Pub Fun in the Sun Dolphin Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $59Best value

Spend two hours aboard a floating tiki pub from Excursions Marina in Fort Myers Beach. Bring beer, wine, seltzers, cider, snacks, and your dancing spirit. The crew may spot dolphins and manatees while music, games, and coastal views keep the group moving. Public trips hold up to 25 people, or you can book privately.

“My partner and I attended the 3:30pm tour and ended up having the entire boat to ourselves! (We were later told the 3:30pm time is usually less popular, so keep that in mind if you're looking for more of a "party" feel). Our tour guide, mark, did his best to give us a great experience by letting us choose the music, taking our picture, and telling us wildlife facts. We even saw dolphins towards the end of our trip! Super fun time!”

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7.Dolphin Tours – Fort Myers Beach / Naples

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Join Captain Mike of BeeLine Fishing Charters for a private two-hour boat trip from Lovers Key Boat Ramp. Your group of up to six explores Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, with chances to see dolphins, manatees, turtles, birds, and even do some shelling or fishing.

“Great couple hours on the water with Captain Mike! Amazing how the dolphins stayed around the boat for sooooo long jumping up and following along the kids loved it!!! They will be talking about this for a long time!!! Wonderful way to spend time together on vacation!!! Would highly recommend booking this!!!! Thanks Again Capt. Mike”

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8.Sunset and Dolphin Cruise around Fort Myers Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 72 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Cruise privately with up to six people from Main Street Marina through Matanzas Harbor, mangroves, and Big Carlos Pass. Captain Kate or Captain Joe shares local wildlife and history as you look for dolphins, play your own music, and finish in San Carlos Bay for sunset. The two-hour trip costs $375 per group.

“Although the weather was a bit ehh, Kate was amazing!!! She was very knowledgeable to the history of the area we were in. We did end up seeing Dolphins!! We traveled from MN so hurricane damage was definitely put into perspective for us. It was definitely educational! At the end of our "2 hour tour" we unfortunately did not get a sun set, but we got a cool hazy horizon. You could not tell where the water ended and sky began. Which was very cool and intriguing to our group. This is what most of our pictures were taken tying to capture this moment just right! Kate even joined in…”

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9.Dolphin Tiki Cruise around Fort Myers Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

You’ll cruise from Main Street Marina along Fort Myers Beach with Captain Kate, following the Intracoastal Waterway toward Big Carlos Pass. Expect a private boat for up to six people, mangrove views, waterfront homes and restaurants, plus chances to spot dolphins, manatees, stingrays, pelicans, and other wildlife. The boat has a partial cover, and the trip returns to the marina.

“This experience was incredible! Kate was super comprehensive and knowledgeable no matter what we said! Plus, we saw some dolphins playing super close to the boat, and took a very scenic ride around fort Myers beach! Thanks so much Kate!”

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10.Dolphin Wildlife Cruise Fort Myers Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $63

Set out from 4765 Estero Blvd with a captain and naturalist such as Ty, Josh, Christina, Ashley, or Savannah. Cruise Estero Bay and the Gulf shoreline for dolphins, manatees, birds, rookeries, and open-water views. The 90-minute trip carries no more than 28 people, includes an onboard restroom, and returns to the dock.

“Very informative and fun I would definitely recommend this cruise. The dolphins were very playful up close to get great pictures”

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11.Private ONLY Dolphin Boat Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $195

Captain Martin and Rene take your private group through Cape Coral canals and San Carlos Bay as the sun goes down. You may see dolphins, flamingos, and other coastal wildlife from a comfortable boat for up to six people. The 3 to 4 hour outing includes fuel, landing fees, facility fees, and a restroom, but not alcohol.

“Loved seeing the dolphins and Flamingos. The hosts were so nice and made this an enjoyable excursion.”

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12.4 Hour Dolphin and Sandbar Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Spend four hours aboard a private pontoon with Captain Lauren, a marine biology graduate, exploring Fort Myers Beach waters for dolphins, manatees, rays, turtles, and birds. You’ll stop at a barrier-island beach for swimming, shells, sand dollars, and beach games. The $550 boat fits up to six people.

“Great experience! Got to see a lot of wildlife, explore a sand bar and learned a lot about the area! Lauren was awesome!!!”

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13.Guided Kayak Dolphin Eco Tour in Pelican Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours (approx.) · from $69

Paddle Pelican Bay with an English-speaking guide such as Jay, Ty, Sky, Mike, or Jessica. Expect mangrove channels, sandy beaches, and chances to spot dolphins, manatees, pelicans, crabs, and shorebirds. Two-seater kayaks help families, while the small group size keeps the outing personal.

“The thunderstorms we paddled through. Now we have a story to tell our family. The guide was very helpful.”

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14.Private Dolphin & Sightseeing Boat Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $185

Captain Martin and first mate Renee take your private group from Cape Coral through mansion-lined canals and mangroves to San Carlos Bay, Sanibel Lighthouse, and the Gulf of Mexico. Bring drinks or snacks, watch for bottlenose dolphins, and enjoy a relaxed four-hour cruise with local tips along the way.

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15.Charlotte Harbor: Dolphin Discovery Day Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 6 reviews · 1h 30m · from $59

Join Captain Geoff and the crew aboard The Oasis for a 90-minute public cruise from Punta Gorda’s Laishley Marina. You’ll hear island music through eight speakers, relax under the thatched roof, and watch for dolphins, manatees, birds, and rays. Bring canned alcohol or buy drinks and light food onboard.

“Fun-but no dolphins Tour guide very knowledgeable and fun”

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