Top 3: Most Popular and Delightful Dolphin Cruises in Gulf Shores, AL
One of the most popular things to do while visiting the Gulf Shores, AL is dolphin watching. Why? Because dolphins are simply amazing to watch as they swim, jump, and play in our Gulf coastal waters. With an estimated 10,000 bottlenose dolphins living nearby, you will be sure to spot them on one of the top 3 most popular and delightful Gulf Shores dolphin cruises.
1. The Fun Boats
The Fun Boats is a favorite for family outings. Set sail on its two-hour tour, where sightings of dolphins frolicking in the water are guaranteed! Their friendly crew works with one of their other boats to make waves, making sure you’ll see these smiling mammals surfing alongside your boat. Tourists of all ages, from tiny tots to elders, will definitely love the cruise experience, wherein a maximum of 80 passengers are allowed. Explore marine life during the ride through hands-on interactions with sea creatures. The Fun Boats’ captain and staff are all trained to give you the most fun boat ride by educating you on sea life during the tour.
Everyone gets to wear a life jacket during the ride. But before getting on board, be sure to bring an extra shirt and a towel, too. And prepare to get wet and have a good time during the coolest part of the tour: an epic water battle against the other boat! But do not fret! It’s perfectly fine if you don’t want to participate. You may just hang out in the boat’s cabin to stay dry.
The Fun Boats is one of the go-to dolphin cruises because it’s near public transportation. Plus, they’ve got affordable rates! Below are Fun Boats’ pricing details:
Pricing:
| Cruise Type | Cost / Person | Age | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daytime Cruises: | $10 +tax | Below 2 years | 2-hr Dolphin Cruise, Sea-life Experience, & Water Fight |
| $21 + tax | 2 to 11 years | 2-hr Dolphin Cruise, Sea-life Experience, & Water Fight | |
| $26 + tax | 12 years and up | 2-hr Dolphin Cruise, Sea-life Experience, & Water Fight | |
| Sunset Cruises: | $30 + tax | All passengers | 2-hr Dolphin Cruise, Sea-life Experience, & Water Fight |
Source: https://dolphincruises.net
Booking and Cancellation:
- Book your spot at least 1 to 2 days in advance.
- You may reserve your spot now and pay later. You can cancel for free up to 2 days before the cruise.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the tour.
- The Fun Boats will not issue refunds within 24 hours before the experience for any reason, including illness.
- The Fun Boats may cancel a tour due to bad weather or if the minimum number of passengers is not met. In case this happens, you may book a different date, choose another experience, or get a full refund.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before the tour starts. If you are late and you miss the boat, you can neither reschedule your tour nor ask for a refund.
Other Info:
- Their boats are stroller-accessible. They have babies on board all the time!
- Unfortunately, The Fun Boats is not suitable for folks with mobility issues because their boats are not wheelchair-accessible. However, their friendly staff can help wheelchair child passengers in some cases. Be sure to call ahead to make arrangements.
- Service animals are welcome, but other pets are not!
- Hungry? You can always buy snacks and drinks on their cruise.
Ratings:
| Source | Rating | Number of Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Trip Advisor | 5/Excellent | 1,966 |
| 4.9 stars | 705 | |
| Yelp | 5 stars | 77 |
2. Cruise OB
Hop on the 52-foot Cruise Orange Beach boat, which promises “so much more than just a dolphin tour!” Cruise Orange Beach claims to be one of the few dolphin cruises in the area that can go into the Gulf. With its spacious viewing deck and plenty of seating, Cruise Orange Beach is always ready to delight tourists, including the old and the young alike. Watch the dolphins play, and get amazed by the area’s diverse marine life during the tour, which allows a maximum of 75 passengers. Plus, you’ll also get to learn more about dolphins and other marine creatures from their deckhands, who are always prepared to answer questions from guests.
Want to make your Gulf Shores dolphin cruise experience a little extra special? Book a spot on Cruise Orange Beach’s sunset tour, and let the scenic beauty of the Orange Beach sky take your breath away!
Want to bring your kids with you on the tour? Not a problem. If you do, please note that children aged 0 to 7 years are required by the coast guard to wear life jackets, which are available on board. However, if you have your own, then feel free to let your child use it as long as it’s coast-guard-approved.
Cruise Orange Beach lets you join the tour for $5 to $1,800 per person. Below are the pricing details for their different cruises:
Pricing:
| Cruise Type | Cost/Person | Age | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning/Afternoon Cruise: | $5 | 3 Years and Below | Dolphin encounters and fun trivia about local marine life. |
| $18 | 4 to 12 Years | From time to time, water battles with several other vessels that we encounter while out on the water (rarely on the Sunset Cruise) | |
| $21 | Adults | If time allows the crew pulls a crab pot up to see what the daily catch is to show the kids. And don’t forget about the Hermit Crabs! | |
| $12 | Military and First Responders | ||
| Sunset Cruise: | $23 | Adults and Children | |
| $14 | Military and First Responders | ||
| $5 | 3 Years and Below | ||
| Morning and Afternoon Private Charters | $1500 | Call to book. | |
| Sunset Cruise Private Charter | $1800 |
Source: https://www.cruiseob.com
Booking and Cancellation:
- Be sure to book your spot at least 1 to 2 days in advance.
- You may reserve your spot now and pay later. You can cancel for free up to 2 days before the cruise.
- For a refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the tour.
- Cruise Orange Beach may cancel a tour due to bad weather or if the minimum number of passengers is not met. In case this happens, you may book a different date, choose another experience, or get a full refund.
Ratings:
| Source | Rating | Number of Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Trip Advisor | 5/Excellent | 1,620 |
| 4.9 stars | 565 | |
| Yelp | N/A | N/A |
3. Cetacean Cruises
Don’t forget to consider your beach escapade with Cetacean Cruises, another top-rated dolphin tour in Orange Beach, Alabama. Set sail on the waterways and join the adventure aboard their two-hull sailboat, which provides greater stability for a smoother ride! Cetacean Cruises glides across the waters of Orange Beach, Alabama, and Perdido Key, Florida. Besides sightings of playful dolphins, other coastal creatures like pelicans, bald eagles, seagulls, and herons will also fill you with wonder. Cetacean Cruises’ professional tour guides are trained to educate you about the marine wildlife in the area. Guests are surely in for a treat because you also get to try your hand at driving the boat, with the captain’s supervision, of course! Plus, you can take in the glorious view while sipping a tasty cocktail. That’s right! Cetacean Cruises has a full-service cocktail bar onboard! But remember to bring your valid government-issued ID so you can order a drink.
Before booking a tour with Cetacean Cruises, note that each passenger must weigh at least 18 pounds and must have a valid ID, such as:
- Non-expired, valid driver’s license
- Valid U.S. Uniformed Service Identification [Military ID]
- Valid passport
- Valid Alabama non-drivers ID issued by the Department of Public Safety
And we strongly suggest wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen! Don’t forget to bring your camera or maybe even binoculars as well to admire the spectacular view!
Cetacean Cruises lets you join their tours for $30 to $40 per person or $450 to $650 per group. Below are their pricing details:
Pricing:
| Cruise Type | Cost / Person | Age | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daytime Cruises: | $10 +tax | Below 2 years | 2-hr Dolphin Cruise, Sea-life Experience, & Water Fight |
| $21 + tax | 2 to 11 years | 2-hr Dolphin Cruise, Sea-life Experience, & Water Fight | |
| $26 + tax | 12 years and up | 2-hr Dolphin Cruise, Sea-life Experience, & Water Fight | |
| Sunset Cruises: | $30 + tax | All passengers | 2-hr Dolphin Cruise, Sea-life Experience, & Water Fight |
Source: https://dolphincruises.net
Booking and Cancellation:
- Reservations require a valid credit card. Upon arrival, you may pay using your credit card or cash.
- Booking is available 7 days a week. Cetacean Cruises’ peak season runs from March to October. But they can also schedule cruises as needed (with a minimum of 10-12 people) during the off-season.
- Arrive at the ticket booth in front of The Springhill Suites Hotel at The Wharf Marina 30 minutes before the tour for registration.
- For cancellations, you can get a full refund within 24 hours of notice of cancellation. Contact Cetacean Cruises at 251-550-8000.
- No-shows will be charged the full price.
- Cetacean Cruises may cancel a tour due to bad weather or if the minimum number of passengers is not met. In case this happens, you may book a different date, choose another experience, or get a full refund.
Ratings:
| Source | Rating | Number of Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Trip Advisor | 5/Excellent | 1,966 |
| 4.9 stars | 705 | |
| Yelp | 5 stars | 77 |
Want to know more about our favorite Gulf Shores dolphin cruises? Reach out to us through hello@mightyvacay.com.
Need other info like weather safety and emergency tips for your getaway to the Gulf Shores? Check out our Mighty Vacay welcome guidebooks!
Haven’t booked your Gulf Shores vacation home yet? Not a problem! Check out our amazing beach houses, Mighty Sea Breeze and Mighty Big Wheel, for your beach getaway.
NOTE: While this article has been written for your general enjoyment and personal informational use, it should not be relied upon because we cannot warranty the accuracy of information. Please be sure to contact each business directly to verify rates and terms of service.
