Where to Go: the 13 Best Historical Tours Worldwide

1.Dolphin and Manatee Adventure Tour of Naples with Florida History

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 187 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65Our pick

Spend two hours paddling Naples waterways by kayak or stand-up paddleboard with a guide such as Jacob, Doug, Cameron, or Mike. You’ll get a short lesson, explore mangroves, learn about Florida history and wildlife, and watch for dolphins, manatees, birds, fish, and turtles. Wildlife sightings are possible, not guaranteed.

“Jacob was a very good guide and informative! We saw dolphins, pelicans, an huge nest and a shipwreck!”

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2.Private Morning Sail, Dolphin and History Tour on Mystique

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 84 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Spend two relaxed hours aboard Mystique with your own skipper and crew, sailing Charleston Harbor for views of the Battery, Ravenel Bridge, Yorktown, and sometimes Fort Sumter. The private boat fits up to six, with shade, restrooms, soft drinks, and bottled water. Dolphin sightings are possible, not promised.

“Capt. Will and Sam were the best! Beautiful boat, knowledgeable and so much fun!! My husband and I highly recommend them. Dr. Alex and Mrs. Rodi”

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3.Adventure Boat Tours Dolphin Tails & History Cruise St Augustine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $38

Join Adventure Boat Tours for a one-hour harbor ride from 260 Vilano Road. Captain Jimmy, Lindsey, Bear, and other crew members share local stories while you look for dolphins, turtles, birds, the fort, Fountain of Youth park, the Bridge of Lions area, and the Atlantic coast. Boats carry up to 32 passengers.

“Lots of dolphin sightings, as well as some of the super pretty historical sightings. The sightings were much better viewing from the boat then it was on land. The captain was great and super informative without being to talkative so your able to soak it all in, in a laidback atmosphere.”

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4.Private Historical Wildlife and Dolphin Cruise South Padre Island

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

Cruise Laguna Madre with your own private group of up to six people. Your captain may find bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, pelicans, osprey, jellyfish, and roseate spoonbills, while sharing stories of shipwrecks, storms, the Queen Isabella Causeway, and SpaceX Starbase. The boat has shade, a restroom, and bottled water.

“Had a great time! Saw so many dolphins! Will book again! Great way to spend our Christmas with the family!”

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5.Dolphin and Wildlife History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $29Best value

Set out from 57 Comares Ave for a one-hour cruise on Matanzas Bay, watching for dolphins, sea turtles, birds, and other wildlife while your guide explains St. Augustine’s waterfront past. With room for no more than 16 people, the trip feels personal. Captains Kev and Jenn and guides Lindsay, Mark, and Hayden have all led recent departures.

“The tour was an awesome experience. We seen several dolphins and sea turtles. The tour guide was very knowledgeable. 10/10”

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6.St. Augustine Dolphin Watch and Historical Harbor Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 67 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Set out from Vilano Beach on a 90-minute catamaran cruise with Fury Water Adventures. Watch for bottlenose dolphins, see Castillo de San Marcos, the lighthouse, and the Great Cross, and enjoy complimentary beer, wine, soda, and bagged snacks. The crew, including Captain Andrew on some departures, answers questions, but narration is limited.

“So awesome. We left the dock on time, the crew was so positive, polite, helpful and social. The beverages and snacks onboard were the perfect refreshers. The length of the tour was perfect as well. We were lucky to see so many dolphins. The crew helped spot them easily and shared information about the local dolphin pod which was so neat.”

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7.Private Sunset Sail BYOB Dolphin/History Tours on 43ft Mystique

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.)

Set sail from 17 Lockwood Drive aboard the 43-foot Mystique for a private Charleston cruise lasting about two to four hours. Bring your own wine and food, enjoy complimentary water and soft drinks, and watch for dolphins as the crew points out the Battery, Ravenel Bridge, Yorktown, and Fort Sumter. Captains and mates may include Scott, Maddie, Will, Sam, or Dustin.

“Great sunset sailing The crew was super nice and friendly I would definitely recommend this experience”

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8.St. Augustine: Dolphin and Wildlife Historical Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 37 reviews · 1 hour · from $30

Spend one hour on a small boat from Conch House Marina, watching for dolphins, manatees, birds, and other Florida wildlife while your English-speaking guide shares St. Augustine history. You’ll see the lighthouse, Castillo de San Marcos, Bridge of Lions, and Flagler College from the water. Recent guides have included Cody, Kate, Diane, Matt, Kev, and Mark.

“We thoroughly enjoyed the Dolphin Nature Boat Tour. Although the chilly weather discouraged many birds, we observed several migratory species and local herons. We were especially delighted when a pod of dolphins emerged late in the trip. Our guide was very knowledgeable and the boat captain kept us on a steady course. We highly recommend this trip to families and others exploring the local environs of St. Augustine.”

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9.Private Afternoon Sailing/Dolphin & History Tour on 43ft Mystique

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.)

Spend two to four hours aboard the 43-foot Mystique with a private crew from Charleston Sailing Charters. You may spot dolphins while passing the Battery, Ravenel Bridge, Yorktown, and Fort Sumter. Captains including Scott, Sam, Rob, Sophia, Adam, Darby, and Dustin have helped make this a relaxed, flexible outing for groups of up to six.

“Amazing experience! Definitely recommend doing a sailing trip in Charleston. We had a wonderful time with Adam and Darby, they were great!”

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

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

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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11.Historic Leschenault Inlet & Dolphin Sundowner Run – 5K ish

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · from $46

Join Dan for a gentle 5K-ish running tour through Bunbury, with history stops around Leschenault Inlet, the mangrove boardwalk, and Koombana Bay. The pace adjusts to the group, so this suits steady joggers and moderate walkers. Finish at The Parade Hotel with sunset views, then use your included coffee card the next morning.

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12.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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13.Private Tour with Historic Tugboat: Tavolara, Molara, Dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 8 hours (approx.)

Spend about eight hours aboard Lupo, a restored historic tugboat, with skipper Andrea and hostess Federica. From Golfo Aranci, you’ll search for dolphins near Figarolo, swim at Tavolara and Molara, enjoy Sardinian fish lunch, and stop at a weather-selected cove. The private boat carries only your group, up to 12 people.

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