One of the top activities in Gulf Shores is taking a dolphin tour. This guide to our favorite dolphin tours in Gulf Shores will help you meet these friendly creatures for yourself!
How Dolphin Tours Work and What You Will See
The concept is simple: Take the people out on a big boat to calm waters and watch the sea’s friendliest creatures frolic in the waves. The captains of these dolphin cruises in Gulf Shores know not just where the dolphins like to play the most, but also their habits, vibes, and the other creatures that inhabit the waters. This last part is especially important because as you cruise, you may also see seabirds, stingrays, and even the occasional sea turtle.
Types of Dolphin Tours Available
Just as there are a variety of things you will see on your own dolphin tour, there are a variety of dolphin tours in Gulf Shores that are available. We’ve listed the most popular tour types below.
Basic Tour
The basic dolphin tour lasts anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours and is a simple out-and-back experience. This type of tour may offer food and drink for purchase, feature climate-controlled cabins, and may cost as low as $27 per adult. (children and seniors may cost less) The basic tour is daytime-only.
Sunset Tour
A sunset dolphin cruise adds romance to the experience, but if you are a family traveling with children, you don’t need to skip this type of tour. Guests will also experience the serene thrill of a nighttime boat ride, because the last 20 to 30 minutes of the cruise will be in the dark.
Sailing Tour
While most tours will take place on motorized boats, some companies will offer a dolphin cruise on a sailboat, a vessel that is so much more graceful and romantic.
Tour Companies
Now that you have a better idea of what to expect from your dolphin tour, let’s explore the different companies that offer dolphin watching in Gulf Shores.
Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruises at The Wharf
This is the oldest company in Gulf Shores, having provided the joys of dolphin watching since the 1960s, so you know they know more than a little about dolphins and the sea. They offer basic 1.5-hour tours of the back bays of Orange Beach and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as sunset cruises.
- Address: 4673 Wharf Pkwy W, Orange Beach, AL 36561
- Phone: (251) 589-7117
- Book Your Cruise
The Fun Boats Dolphin Cruises
The Fun Boats Dolphin Cruises add an extra element of fun to their dolphin cruises in Gulf Shores, including a Sea Life Experience + Water Fight with the standard dolphin cruise. Guests can choose to join in the water fight or not.
- Address: 3900 Bayou Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
- Phone: (251) 971-1893
- Book Your Cruise
Cetacean Cruises
Cetacean Cruises offers dolphin tours on sailboats as well as on its traditional motorized vessels. They feature sunset sailing cruises, early morning cruises, private sails, and customized wedding cruises. A full bar on board ensures your cocktail needs are met, and their cruises last 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the tour.
- Address: 4673 Wharf Pkwy W b, Orange Beach, AL 36561
- Phone: (251) 550-8000
- Book Your Cruise
Dolphin Cruise Aboard Dolphin Tales
Dolphin Tales features dolphin tours in Gulf Shores that last between 1.5 and 2 hours, and they also offer sunset dolphin tours at a slightly higher price. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase on board. Families with children may want to consider the Pirates and Princesses boat tour; this tour offers music, costumes, and an experience guaranteed to thrill your tiniest travelers.
- Address: 26619 Perdido Beach Blvd. Slip 32-C, Orange Beach, AL 36561
- (NO ONSITE OFFICE)
- Phone: (251) 269-5555
- Book Your Cruise
Best Times of Day and Year to See Dolphins
Although there will be opportunities for dolphin watching in Gulf Shores year-round, some times are better than others. Fortunately, those times align with the high tourist season, late spring through late summer. The waters are warm (dolphins love warm waters), and there is plenty of food for them to consume. When you want to see these beautiful creatures at their most playful, we suggest taking an early morning or sunset dolphin tour, as the waters are calm and align with their feeding schedule. Sunny days are better than cloudy or stormy ones.
What to Bring and How to Prepare
In most cases, there won’t be a lot that you need to bring to enjoy a dolphin cruise. Life jackets will be provided by the tour company, and snack bars are often onboard, so coolers aren’t necessary. Food and drinks are often available for purchase and not included in the ticket price.
Clothing, Sun Protection, and Motion Comfort Tips
Dressing for the weather is important when taking a dolphin cruise in Gulf Shores. If the weather is cool, dress warmly, because it will be cooler on the water. Sun protection, including sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun hats, is highly recommended as the reflection of the water can increase the intensity of the sun’s rays.
If you are participating in the water fights aboard The Fun Boats Dolphin Cruises, you may want to bring a change of clothes if wet clothing makes you feel uncomfortable. Sneakers or sandals that are securely fastened to your feet (not flip-flops) are the suggested shoes.
For those worrying about motion sickness, Dramamine really does work, and if you sit in the middle of the boat, you will be less likely to feel the movement of the boat. Acupressure wristbands and sucking on peppermints are natural remedies that often work as well.
Book Your Gulf Shores Vacation Rental Near the Water
A dolphin tour in Gulf Shores is an activity you will never regret taking, and a stay in our Poole & Associates beachy retreats is another thing you won’t regret doing. Life is too short to miss out on the fun of an Alabama vacation, so reserve your favorite Gulf Shores vacation rental near the water today!