2-Hour Dolphin Tour Orange Beach: Guaranteed Sightings

The boat draws only 16 to 18 inches of water, so you reach dolphins and wildlife in creeks where deeper vessels cannot go.

A two-hour dolphin and nature eco tour from Orange Beach, Alabama aboard The Explorer, a 40-foot pontoon-style vessel with a live English-speaking guide and captain. You navigate the scenic back bays seeking the local dolphin pod while spotting osprey, herons, bald eagles and red-tailed hawks. Dolphin sightings are guaranteed. If you don't see them, your next trip is free. The boat's shallow draft of 16 to 18 inches of water lets it access creeks and close-to-shore areas few other boats can reach.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dolphin and nature eco tour

• Board The Explorer pontoon boat
• Navigate scenic back bays
• Spot dolphins with guarantee
• Observe local flora and fauna
• See osprey nests and herons
• Spot bald eagles and hawks
• Explore shallow creeks near shore
• Relax on the water

The experience

The Explorer leaves Orange Beach for a two-hour cruise through the back bays where the local dolphin pod lives. Your guide and captain point out the birds and marine life as you go: osprey in their nests, herons, bald eagles, red-tailed hawks. The boat's shallow draft is what makes the difference: it needs only 16 to 18 inches of water underneath, so you can slip into creeks and get close to the banks where few other boats can follow. That access is the whole point. You're not watching from a distance. You're moving through the habitat itself.

The tour runs two hours start to finish. All fees and taxes are included in the price. A full-service cocktail bar is available if you want to order a drink (bring valid ID). Infants must sit on an adult's lap, and anyone under 18 pounds cannot board. Strollers are not permitted on the boat. If you don't see dolphins during your trip, the operator will give you a free return visit. That's the guarantee.

What’s included

• All fees and taxes.
• a live English-speaking guide and captain.
• access to back-bay creeks other boats cannot reach.
• a full-service cocktail bar available for purchase.

Information

Lasts 2h, runs every day at 09:30 and 12:00, from US$ 48.13 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30 and 12:00Last departure this season: 31 DecAnother time? ›

GroupUp to 36

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 2): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cetacean Dolphin & Sailing Cruises

Is this one for you?Book this if you want dolphins guaranteed on a shared boat. The shallow draft gets close to shore where the local pod feeds, so sightings are near-certain.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What kind of wildlife will I see on the Orange Beach dolphin tour?

The Explorer's guide points out dolphins, osprey and their nests, herons, bald eagles and red-tailed hawks as you navigate the back bays. The shallow-draft boat lets you get close enough to the banks and creeks to spot birds and marine life that deeper vessels miss.

Is the dolphin sighting guaranteed on this tour?

Yes, dolphin sightings are guaranteed, or your next trip is free. The tour operates in the local dolphin pod's habitat, and the guide knows where to find them.

How shallow is the water The Explorer can navigate?

The Explorer needs only 16 to 18 inches of water underneath, which lets it access creeks and close-to-shore areas where other boats cannot go. That shallow draft is what gives you access to wildlife few other tours can reach.

What is included in the two-hour tour price?

All fees and taxes are included. A cocktail bar is available for purchase if you want to order a drink (bring valid ID). Infants must sit on an adult's lap, and children must weigh at least 18 pounds to board.

How long does the Orange Beach dolphin tour take?

The tour runs two hours total, navigating the scenic back bays of Orange Beach while your guide highlights local plants, wildlife and the dolphins you came to see.