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15 Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Trips Worth Flying For

71 tours  ·  from $29 a head

A fast boat covers more water, which on a sighting trip is the difference between a fin and a breach. The 15 below give the season, the sighting record the operator will stand behind, and who is not allowed on an inflatable.

Albufeira: Benagil Caves & Dolphin Watching Speed Boat Tour - The Algarve coast between Albufeira and Benagil
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Albufeira: Benagil Caves & Dolphin Watching Speed Boat Tour

1.Benagil Caves & Dolphin Watching Speed Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 6,316 reviews · 2 - 2.5 hours · from $40Our pick

Cruise from Albufeira to Benagil on a shared or private speedboat, with a live guide such as Ana, a short swim stop, dramatic caves, and a chance to see dolphins. Skipper Ruben is often praised for smooth, careful handling, though sea conditions can change the route.

“it was great didnt manage to go in the caves as it was too choppy but saw pods of dolphins and managed to get some great photos of them. The 2 guides really cared too (cant remember their names)”

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Tadoussac/Charlevoix: Whale Watching Zodiac Tour - Choosing Tadoussac or Baie-Sainte-Catherine
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Tadoussac/Charlevoix: Whale Watching Zodiac Tour

2.Tadoussac/Charlevoix: Whale Watching Zodiac Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,716 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes · from $98

Board a 24 or 60-passenger Zodiac in Tadoussac or Baie-Sainte-Catherine for a 2 to 2.5-hour whale search. Bilingual naturalists, including guides such as Catherine and Fredrick, explain whale behavior while you watch for belugas, humpbacks, fin whales, seals, and porpoises.

“knowledge of guide and beauty of location. seeing so many whales and so many different types of whale. fantastic afternoon.”

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Hurghada: Speedboat Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling with Lunch - Searching for dolphins in open water
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Hurghada: Speedboat Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling with Lunch

3.Speedboat Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,141 reviews · from $40

Join a speedboat from Hurghada for dolphin watching, two or three guided snorkeling stops, lunch, fruit, and time at a sandy island or shallow-water beach. Captains such as Islam, Ahmed, Karim, and Momo are praised for safety and animal-friendly driving. Parasailing is optional.

“Fantastic experience. Captain Karim & Ahmed couldn’t do enough for us. Thank you both for the perfect end to our trip to Egypt!! 🌟🌟🌟”

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Puerto del Carmen: Dolphin-Watching Speedboat Tour with Swim - Searching for dolphins and whales in open water
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Puerto del Carmen: Dolphin-Watching Speedboat Tour with Swim

4.Puerto del Carmen: Dolphin-Watching Speedboat Tour with Swim

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 1,807 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $41

From Puerto del Carmen, you’ll ride the Biosfera Jet along Lanzarote’s southeast coast with a multilingual guide, searching for dolphins, whales, turtles, and other sea life. Guides such as Teddy, Carlos, and Elsa have led trips praised for lively commentary. A swim stop finishes the outing.

“great trip saw dolphins and a mum and baby most amazing moments as first time I've seen them in their natural habitat as I don't agree with them being used for entertainment. guide was really nice and very funny. zoomed us out on the speed boat which was fun and knew exactly where to head. stopped for a swim. be careful as current can be strong stay close to the boat”

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Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat - Leaving Húsavík with the right gear
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Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

5.Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,221 reviews · 2 hours · from $175

Join Gentle Giants in Húsavík for a two-hour RIB safari with up to 12 passengers. You’ll visit Puffin Island in season, race toward whale sightings, and hear live commentary from guides such as Matteo, Carla, Jo, and Beatriz. Warm overalls and rain gear are supplied.

“Very nice tour , we see more dolphin very close and a whales a little far away. Amazing experience”

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Los Gigantes: Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruise by Speedboat - The RIB ride toward the whale sanctuary
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Los Gigantes: Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruise by Speedboat

6.Los Gigantes: Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruise by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,063 reviews · 2 hours · from $33

Join a Spanish-speaking skipper, often Luca or Alejandro, on a two-hour RIB ride from Los Gigantes. Watch for pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish in the Teno-Rasca Whale Sanctuary, then swim beneath the 600-meter cliffs at Masca Bay.

“Excellent trip - Captain was informative and, although he is Spanish, he did a great job of communicating clearly with everyone. We saw a pod of whales and had a fantastic sight seeing experience along the coastline. Small boat, with only 12 passengers- very comfortable and allowed for an up close experience with the whales. Highly recommend”

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Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour - From Hafnarstétt 11 to the open bay
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Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

7.Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 979 reviews · 2 hours · from $198

Join a small group of up to 12 on a fast RIB from Húsavík. You’ll wear a warm flotation suit, visit Puffin Island from April 15 to August 20, and search Skjálfandi Bay for humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, and more with guides such as Austin, Inaki, and Ignacio.

“We saw at least 4 whales (humpback), and lots of puffins. It was definitely better than the traditional ship, as we were able to go quickly when a whale was spotted. I sometimes get motion sickness, but the open air and speed meant I did not have a problem at all. Very nice and educational guides. One of our highlights of the trip.”

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Victoria Zodiac Boat Whale Watching Adventure - Suiting up for three hours on the water
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Victoria Zodiac Boat Whale Watching Adventure

8.Victoria Zodiac Boat Whale Watching Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 916 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $154Top rated

Set out from Victoria Harbour in a 12-passenger open-air Zodiac with guides such as Gary, Mark, George, or Raj. Expect a fast, splashy three-hour search for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, otters, and more. Warm flotation suits are supplied, but the ride can be cold and choppy.

“We had an incredible me time on the zodiac. It was unforgettable. The highlight was seeing the pair of orcas gliding through the water near the shore as they made their way further out. Watching them in their own habitat was humbling -they were so close, it was surreal. At one point, we all thought a nearby harbor seal was going to become lunch but he wasn’t spotted and lived another day. There were several sea lions on some rocky outcrops I wish we had spent a few minutes with. I know it’s a whale watch but these guys were beautiful and impressive to see and hear. We had a…”

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Whale Watching, The Famous Arch and Fast Boat Tour in Los Cabos - From hotel pickup to the Cabo marina
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Whale Watching, The Famous Arch and Fast Boat Tour in Los Cabos

9.Whale Watching, The Famous Arch and Fast Boat Tour in Los Cabos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 693 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $99

Ride a fast inflatable boat from Cabo San Lucas in search of humpback whales from December through April. Your guide explains whale behavior, hydrophones let you hear their calls, and the return route passes the Arch, Lovers Beach, and a sea lion colony. Hotel pickup is available.

“We had a great time on this well-organized whale-watching excursion. Check-in was smooth, and the facility was clean, spacious, and easy to find. Our guide was knowledgeable and engaging, providing interesting insights into the marine life we encountered. We were fortunate to see several whales along with other large fish, making for an exciting experience. The reason I’m giving four stars instead of five is that the tour was significantly shorter than advertised, with no explanation. The website stated the trip would last 2 hours and 15 minutes, and at check-in, we were told 2 hours and 30 minutes. However, we returned to the dock in under 1 hour and…”

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Victoria: 3-Hour Zodiac Whale-Watching Tour - Leaving from Victoria’s Wharf Street harbor
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Victoria: 3-Hour Zodiac Whale-Watching Tour

10.Victoria: 3-Hour Zodiac Whale-Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 651 reviews · 3 hours · from $140

Join Orca Spirit Adventures at Victoria’s Wharf Street harbor for a three-hour Zodiac trip led by a certified marine naturalist. Expect fast open-water travel, flotation cruiser suits, hydrophones, and possible sightings of Bigg’s orcas, humpbacks, seals, porpoises, sea lions, otters, and bald eagles.

“Enjoyed our trip! Came the second week of November and got to see Orcas and Humpback Whales. Knowledgeable and friendly staff.”

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Vrsar: Dolphin-Watching Sunset Adventure with Speedboat - Watching dolphins without turning them into a spectacle
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Vrsar: Dolphin-Watching Sunset Adventure with Speedboat

11.Vrsar: Dolphin-Watching Sunset Adventure with Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 624 reviews · 1h 30m · from $29Best value

Set out from Vrsar Marina for 90 minutes of dolphin searching and sunset cruising. Skippers such as Peter, Ivan, Aleks, Dino, and Alan share local facts while keeping a respectful distance from wild dolphins. Boats carry up to 15 people, pets are welcome, and a private option is available.

“Peter is one of the best guides I ever expierenced! Lots of inside-knowledge, very friendly, good englisch and has a heart for „his“ Dolphins !”

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Reykjavik: Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat - Out among Engey and Lundey
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Reykjavik: Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat

12.Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 621 reviews · 2 hours · from $200

Join an English-speaking guide aboard a nimble 12-seat RIB from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor. You’ll race among Faxaflói Bay’s islands, search for humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins, and enjoy city views from the water. Warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety gear are provided.

“Omg it was amazing! The rib ride itself was fantastic and then we saw humpbacks and dolphins too. The puffins were lovely too. Our pilot was the best guide 🙂”

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Koh Samui: Pink Dolphin Spotting & Pig Island Speedboat Tour - From Koh Samui to Thong Krut Pier
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Koh Samui: Pink Dolphin Spotting & Pig Island Speedboat Tour

13.Pink Dolphin Spotting & Pig Island Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 596 reviews · 6 hours · from $72

This six-hour Oh-Hoo speedboat tour pairs a search for wild pink dolphins with snorkeling at Ko Taen, a walk among pigs on Ko Madsum, and a buffet lunch. Thai and English-speaking guides, hotel transfers, water, fruit, and equipment are included. Dolphin sightings depend on nature and weather.

“Great experience. We were lucky to see pink dolphins, the pigs were amazing too. Our tour guide was excellent - very humorous and well English speaking. The rest of the team was really helpful as well. At the end of the tour we ate really tasty lunch”

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Black River: Dolphin Swim and Whale Watching by Speedboat - The speedboat ride from Grande Riviere Noire
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Black River: Dolphin Swim and Whale Watching by Speedboat

14.Black River: Dolphin Swim and Whale Watching by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 595 reviews · 5 hours · from $129

Join Dolswim from Grande Riviere Noire for a five-hour speedboat trip with dolphin swimming, whale watching, and reef snorkeling. Guides such as Globis, Conrad, Alan, and Ronaldo have been praised for clear safety briefings and careful wildlife practices. Whales are watched from the boat only.

“The guides were very good at explaining everything. We were lucky enough to see dolphins and whales. We got to swim with the dolphins. Boat was comfortable and had drinks and a toilet.”

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45-Minute Sea Rocket Speed Boat & Dolphin Cruise in Ocean City MD - Dolphins Are the Prize, Not a Guarantee
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45-Minute Sea Rocket Speed Boat & Dolphin Cruise in Ocean City MD

15.45-Minute Sea Rocket Speed Boat & Dolphin Cruise in Ocean City MD

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 585 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $39

Cruise from downtown Ocean City through the inlet aboard the Sea Rocket, watching for bottlenose dolphins and coastal sights. Expect music, ocean spray, and possible high-speed riding. Captains including Owen, Ashton, Ashly, Bobby, and Riley have been praised for finding dolphins, though sightings and ocean conditions vary.

“Owen and Johnny were very good. Unfortunately for us the weather didn’t allow us the full experience of going out on the ocean. They gave us a nice tour of some of the area anyway.”

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New in Dolphin and Whale Watching by Speedboat

★ 4.7La Preneuse: Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Speedboat TourFrom $5892 reviews
★ 4.8Sunset Speedboat Tour with Dolphin WatchingFrom $3589 reviews
★ 4.5Private Speed Boat Tour and Dolphin Encounter at Ile aux BenitierFrom $3126 reviews
★ 4.5Whale Watching RIB Boat Tour in Skjervoy from TromsoFrom $365102 reviews
★ 4.5Costa Calma: Fuerteventura Dolphin Watching Zodiac Boat TourFrom $4697 reviews
★ 5.0Puerto Colon: Dolphin and Whale Watching Speedboat TourFrom $5392 reviews
★ 4.8Telegraph Cove: 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour in a Zodiac BoatFrom $165109 reviews
★ 4.9Skjervøy: Whale Watching with RIB Boat and Local Guide109 reviews
★ 5.0Whale Watching by Zodiac in Cabo San Lucas with Photos IncludedFrom $85119 reviews
★ 4.7Whale Watching Tour by SpeedboatFrom $192119 reviews
★ 4.5Victoria: Whale Watching Adventure in a Zodiac BoatFrom $149129 reviews
★ 5.0Victoria Whale Watching Tour by ZodiacFrom $111137 reviews
★ 5.0Zodiac Boat Whale and Wildlife 4-Hour Tour from Campbell RiverFrom $180142 reviews
★ 4.8Whale Watching RIB Safari at SkjervøyFrom $251136 reviews
★ 4.7Campbell River: 4 Hour Whale & Wildlife Zodiac Boat TourFrom $216133 reviews

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