WORLDWIDE
Spinners rest in the shallows in the morning and are gone by lunch, which decides the departure time of every trip here. The 15 below are split between the places that still allow a swim and the places that now keep you at the rail.
Search for wild dolphins and whales, then swim and snorkel off Gran Canaria on a well-priced catamaran cruise from Puerto Rico.
“Brilliant day start to finish , seeing the dolphins in natural surroundings swimming jumping was magical”
Review of Hurghada’s 3 Islands yacht trip, with dolphin watching, snorkeling, seafood lunch, pickup advice, costs, and practical tips.
“Great team, fun atmosphere, thorough preparation for the whole trip, ample information given in a fun, light-hearted way. Sayed was definitely the greatest showman. Stole the whole show. Ninja, Turtles!!!!”
Review of Island Time’s Shell Island catamaran cruise from Panama City Beach, with dolphins, snorkeling, paddleboards, pricing, tips, and practical details.
“We had the perfect time on Island Time! The two captains and bartender took the time to get to know us, were so helpful in spotting dolphins (easily over 100)! They slowed down and stopped so we could take videos/photos. Then spending time walking the beach on shell island was more beautiful than expected. My husband snorkeled and we found sand dollars and gorgeous shells. The music was relaxed but fun, the drink offerings were spot-on (go for the rum punch) and the 3 hours on the trip were some of the best spent on our entire trip!”
Race from Morro Jable by speedboat, search for dolphins and whales, then snorkel in clear Atlantic water for $61.
“Booked this trip for my friends 40th, with the knowledge that we may not see anything. However from start to finish we weren't disappointed... crew were friendly, and we set sail... after a little while of sailing, we got to see lots of flying fish, which were amazing... Then we got the true experience of speedboat which was fun... then just as were about the head to the snorkelling point ... the captian stopped the engines as we had come across a large pod of Pilot Whales including their babies...absolutely amazing!. we stayed in the area for a while just watching, as they came close to the boat and enjoyed…”
Review of Aruba’s Dolphin Catamaran Snorkel and Sail, with Antilla wreck, reef stops, rope swing, slide, lunch, and open bar.
“Fun! Crew was great and made you feel welcome. Snorkeling was good but 2nd stop at the reefs was a little disappointing. Not a lot of coral/fish. Swing rope was fun however.”
Hurghada speedboat tour with dolphin watching, Red Sea snorkeling, island time, lunch, and optional parasailing for $40.
“Everything was great! It went smoothly as well! We booked just one hour before pickup, and it still worked out perfectly – respect to the organization for that! Amazing captains, amazing guide. They were respectful of the animals. We were able to observe the dolphins from the boat, and later we went snorkeling without disturbing them in their natural habitat. And simply a beautiful view! They also made sure everyone on board was well taken care of! There were food, drinks, and snacks available for everyone. There was also a full set of snorkeling equipment available. Even those who were unsure or uncomfortable in the water were given a life…”
Review of Lovina’s sunrise dolphin boat tour and snorkeling, with practical advice on price, transport, animal welfare, and what to expect.
“Our taxi driver to Lovina - Dewa made this experience extra special for us. He looked after us very well, had great conversation and offered to stop on the way to show us landmarks and viewpoints of Bali - we can’t thank him enough. We’re so grateful for all the driving he did for us. Thank you Dewa!”
Review of Hurghada’s $25 dolphin boat tour, with wild dolphins, two reef snorkel stops, lunch, drinks, guides, and practical booking tips.
“Really good activity, great organisation fun and food. Saw dolphins & snorkelling was good”
See wild dolphins and sea turtles on an Oahu cruise with Waikiki pickup, snorkeling, lunch, hula, a water slide, kayaks, and paddle boards.
“This is the one! Don’t leave the island without doing this tour. Crew was amazing! We saw turtles, dolphins spinning whales flipping their tails. The team is dedicated to doing everything possible to make sure you see sea life! Tyler and Brendon are amazing fun committed to your existence!”
Review of Mauritius dolphin swimming, Crystal Rock snorkeling, Île aux Bénitiers BBQ lunch, transport, value, and practical tips.
“Everything was great and as planned, the drivers and guides were wonderful, everything was on time and without delays. We had an unforgettable experience, swimming with dolphins is simply incredible”
Review of Hurghada’s six-island speedboat tour, with dolphin watching, coral reefs, wreck snorkelling, beaches, costs, and practical tips.
“We went on a six-island snorkeling tour and overall it was a great experience. The snorkeling spots were beautiful, we saw a lot of colorful fish and corals, and the water was amazing. Each island was stunning, and it was really special to visit so many different places in one day. The islands themselves are a bit expensive, but they are genuinely beautiful. The guides were very fun, friendly, and entertaining. One important tip: I strongly recommend not buying the lunch in advance through the website. It was much more expensive and the food was very disappointing (dry chicken with rice). On the islands, there are plenty of food options…”
Review of St. Pete Beach’s 2-hour dolphin cruise to Shell Key, with wildlife, snorkeling, shelling, costs, tips, and honest drawbacks.
“Great experience. Noel was our guide, and he was super friendly. This tour is also kids friendly, so I will definitely be booking this tour again and will bring the kids!”
Ride a small Zodiac to Captain Cook Reef, explore sea caves, and snorkel clear Kealakekua Bay waters on this lively Kona tour.
“David and Danielle were awesome guides. Lots of nice “color commentary” on way back especially with some cool stops to see lava tubes, etc. Wear sun screen and if you have any motion sickness issues take your medicine prior. The boat ride to the bay is really fast and fun (a bit like a baby roller coaster). If you have flippers you might want to bring them for the snorkeling. Not needed but enhances getting around. We didn’t see any dolphins but you can’t schedule Mother Nature. All in all definitely worth it.”
Paddle Tenerife’s west coast, snorkel with fish, and search for wild dolphins and turtles on this active three-hour kayak tour.
“Very pleasant activity, we saw some dolphins nearby our kayaks. Jackson is a very nice and enjoyable guide. We had a great afternoon.”
Review of Oahu’s Luxury Snorkel Cruise from Ko Olina, with dolphins, whales, turtles, buffet lunch, drinks, gear, and Waikiki pickup.
“It was absolutely incredible. The crew was very nice and friendly. Communication was perfect and the whole experience was exactly what I wanted. My wife did feel a little seasick but they offered a medication before hand to help. Explanation for snorkeling and all equipment was excellent. Thank you all for the amazing experience”
An animal, a kind of water, a kind of boat, or a kind of day.
