Cetacean Cruises Dolphin Cruise Orange Beach

Cetacean Cruises offers Dolphin Cruises on the Explorer from The Wharf in Orange Beach.

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What to Expect on the Cetacean Cruises Dolphin Tour

Dolphin cruises are offered on The Explorer, a super comfortable, easy-to-board boat located in The Wharf.

We had not been out of the dock for 5 minutes before we saw the 1^st of many dolphins on our cruise. We were shocked at how many sets of dolphins we saw on a two-hour dolphin tour.

The Explorer Boat: Comfort Meets Wildlife Viewing

The boat captain does a phenomenal job of sharing educational information about the bottlenose dolphins that reside in the Intracoastal Waterways and Wolf Bay without sounding like a teacher who is drilling you with info.

He had us laughing and learning while we soaked in the epic dolphin cruise adventures. Since the dolphin cruise is focused on the intercoastal and Wolf Bay, the water was pretty smooth. We had a few waves that we rode over from other boats, but in general, it was nice and calm.

My sister in law came with us and she gets horrible motion sickness and she did great on the dolphin tour. I will say that she took preventative motion sickness meds ahead of time to make sure that she could enjoy the excursion.

How Many Dolphins Will You See?

Book a Cetacean Cruise Dolphin Excursion Book online HERE

I lost count of the number of dolphins that we saw on our two hour excursion. We also saw a Loon which was a complete shock. We learned on the trip that Common Loons migrate to the Gulf for the winter.

It was such a surprise we didn't even think to take a picture we were just sitting there in awe at seeing one near the boat. We also saw Osprey, quite a few Great Blue Herons, and tons of other birds.

If you are a birder you will enjoy being out on the quiet bay seeing the bird life.

The kids on the boat had an epic time pointing out the friendly dolphins and cheering when they saw them. The boat made sure the little ones had comfortable life jackets so they were safe and well taken care of.

Cetacean Cruises offers a bar and cocktail/drink menu when you board the boat. You can start a tab and enjoy blended drinks, bottles of water, soda, and more while looking for dolphins. They accept cash or credit card for drinks while on board.

One thing I loved was we were able to add a tip to our booking when we paid for the cruise. This was a great way of making sure the staff was taken care of and we didn't have to bring cash onboard a moving boat and worry it might fall out of our pockets.

Don't worry you can also tip the crew anytime you are onboard The Explorer.

The crew was amazing! They had us laughing, dancing, and celebrating the relaxing dolphin cruise experience we were having.

On our way back to The Wharf Marina the crew had everyone dancing in their seats to fun throwback 80s music and Caribbean music. It was so much fun!

We had such a great experience we are already talking about when we can head out on another Orange Beach Dolphin Cruise.

It was the perfect relaxing dolphin cruise along the Alabama Gulf Coast. The entire family will enjoy this cruise through the surrounding waters of Orange Beach.

I still can't believe the number of dolphin sightings we had during this dolphin cruise.

Book a Cetacean Cruise Dolphin Excursion HERE

Wildlife You may Encounter Beyond Dolphins

• Seagulls
• Bald Eagles
• Osprey
• Bottlenose Dolphins
• Red-Tailed Hawks
• Alligators - are a possibility

The marine life we saw on the dolphin cruise was amazing. I still can't believe how many dolphins we saw.

What to Bring on Your Dolphin Cruise

• Sunscreen/sunglasses
• A light jacket, depending on the weather
• A great attitude ready for fun
• Camera with a great wildlife lens
• Cell phone harness or a way to make sure it is secure
• Valid ID if you plan to enjoy the onboard bar.

Please do not bring a cooler, outside food or drink, or wear high heels (they are not allowed on the boat).

Why you will love sailing with Cetacean Cruises

• One of the best Unique experiences in Orange Beach
• Fun for the whole family
• Lifelong memories
• Great crew members
• Fun entertainment on board while looking for dolphins

Tour Options: Which Cruise is Right for You?

Cetacean Cruises offers a few different Dolphin Cruises in Orange Beach.

Book a Cetacean Cruise Dolphin Excursion HERE

Dolphin Eco Tour - 90 minute tour

Dolphin and Nature Eco Tour - 2 hour tour

Sunset Dolphin and Nature Cruise - 2 hours

They also have a Sunset Sailboat Cruise.

The Explorer: Boat Specifications and Capacity

40 foot catamaran with a bathroom, snack bar and drinks, half covered for sun and shade, open bow area for walking around, AND kids can help drive the boat.

We experienced a really smooth ride on a blue-sky day! The vessel was easy to board even my Mother in Law who uses a cane was able to step up onto the boarding ramp easily.

That being said the boat is not handicapped accessible. Wheelchairs and strollers are not permitted on board. However, canes and walkers are welcome.

One cool thing about the Explorer boat is it only needs 16-18 inches of water underneath it. This allows the boat to offer up close views of wildlife and scenery.

Restrooms

There is a bathroom available onboard the Explorer but we highly suggest using the nearby restroom before boarding the boat so you can enjoy the cruise.

Minimum Weight Requirement

Each passenger must be a minimum of 18 pounds to board.

Weather

Trips do not run if the temperature outside is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If you feel like there may be poor weather during your trip make sure to call Cetacean Cruises to see if a different date is available for a dolphin cruise.

Sunset Cruise 

We absolutely love the sunset sailboat catamaran tour with Cetacean Cruises. The sunset catamaran cruise also leaves from The Wharf Marina.

You can board a 52-foot catamaran and enjoy a sailing cruise on the open waters with hopefully an epic Orange Beach sunset and hopefully lots of dolphins.

Important Details Before You Book

Reservations - Reservations can be made online or by calling the number below. You can book your dolphin tour today to experience a great time on an epic nature cruise.

Location - The Wharf Marina (Near Springhill Suites)

Phone - (251) 550-8000

Address - 4673 Wharf Parkway W, Orange Beach, Al

This epic Orange Beach Dolphin Cruise is available 7 days a week!

There is a minimum number of travelers of 15 participants required for this trip to depart.

Arrival Time - It is always a good idea to arrive 30 minutes before your dolphin cruise so you can stop at the ticket booth to get your wrist band and confirm your cruise registration. There are benches and seating available nearby.

Make sure to look for dolphins and wildlife while waiting for your dolphin cruise! We saw multiple Bottlenose dolphins right off of The Wharf Marina.

Making a Day of It: The Wharf Area Guide

The Wharf - After your dolphin cruise head over to ride the Ferris wheel, check out the epic restaurants, and enjoy great shopping.

Mile Marker 158 Dockside - This great restaurant is located right next to where you board the dolphin cruise. It is the perfect place to relax before or after your tour.

GT's on the Bay Restaurant - This is a great casual Orange Beach restaurant just down the road. Kids will love the giant aquarium

Villaggio Grille - Epic restaurant located at the Wharf. Everything from pizza to the best fish my husband has had in the area.

Duck's Diner - Casual breakfast and lunch restaurant that is a local favorite.

Vinny's Pizzeria - Located right next door to the Ferris Wheel! They have great pizzas by the slice, whole pizzas, and my husbands favorite Pepperoni Log.

Ginny Lane Bar and Grill - Enjoy a great meal with a fun atmosphere.

Southern Grind Coffee House - Enjoy a delicious drink and shop their amazing coastal gifts.

Springhill Suites at The Wharf - Stay right at the Wharf at this great hotel. We really enjoyed our stay here

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tours

These are some of our favorite tours available in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama.

Dolphin Tours - Book a dolphin cruise here

Check out our experiences on Hammock Time Tiki Tours, Explorer Dolphin Cruise, Southern Rose Dolphin cruise, Cruise OB (Orange Beach), Sail Wild Hearts, Sunset Sail and Dolphin Tour, and the Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruise.

Slingshot Rentals - Use code GULFJOURNEY To save 10% off a Slingshot Rental with Gulf Coast Rental Co in Orange Beach

Pontoon Boat Rentals - Enjoy cruising the waters of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on a Pontoon. Check out the pontoon boats with slides for extra fun. Book your Boat Rental Here

Parasailing - Check out the epic views as you parasail in the Gulf of Mexico. Look for wildlife and you float high above the water. Book your Parasailing Trip Here

Jet Ski Rentals - Jet Ski Tours and rentals are a great way to explore the back bays of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Book your Jet Ski Rental Here

Click here to see all of the top rated tours and activities available in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

Additional Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Adventures

LuLu's Gulf Shores - Iconic restaurant in Gulf Shores located right on the Intracoastal Waterway

The Hangout - Located next to the Gulf Shores Public Beach this family friendly restaurant is so fun.

Cotton Bayou Public Beach Access - provides easy access to one of the best beaches on the Gulf Coast of Alabama.

Orange Beach restaurants with a view - Check out all of the great restaurants that have epic water views.

Breakfast restaurants in Orange Beach - The best places to grab breakfast and/or brunch.

Best Dolphin Cruises in Orange Beach

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Lodging

If you are visiting and need to book accommodations, here are our recommendations. We have personally stayed at each of these lodging options (except Margaritaville, coming 2027!):

Use code GULFJOURNEY at checkout with Spectrum Resorts and Beachball Properties for an exclusive discount!

🏖️ Beachball Properties - Vacation houses and condos throughout Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Use Code GULFJOURNEY for a discount. Book with Beachball Properties

🏖️ The Beach Club Resort and Spa (Fort Morgan) - Beachfront condos with amazing amenities, a spa, and the incredible Coast Restaurant on-site. Use Code GULFJOURNEY for a discount with Spectrum Resorts. Book The Beach Club

🏖️ Turquoise Place (Orange Beach) - Our favorite resort in the area! Luxury amenities, epic Gulf-front views, and stunning condos. Truly unforgettable. Use Code GULFJOURNEY for a discount with Spectrum Resorts. Book Turquoise Place

🏨 The Tides Hotel (Orange Beach) - Gorgeous beachfront hotel with a great breakfast buffet, outdoor pool, and top-notch customer service. Book The Tides

🏨 Island House Hotel (Orange Beach) - Right on the beach with epic views from every room. Book Island House

⛺ Timberline Glamping (Orange Beach) - Stay in an amazing glamping tent with a private bathroom, right next to Gulf State Park. Book Timberline

🏨 The Lodge at Gulf State Park - Beachfront Hilton hotel in Gulf State Park offering epic views, sustainable practices, and great on-site restaurants. Book The Lodge

🏨 Springhill Suites Orange Beach - Located next to The Wharf with a gorgeous pool. Perfect location for shopping and dining. Book Springhill Suites

🔜 Margaritaville Resort Orange Beach (Coming 2027) - The highly anticipated Margaritaville resort is coming to Orange Beach! The first phase opens in 2027 and will include beachfront cottages, bungalows, condos, pickleball courts, and an entertainment district.

The map below shows the current hotels and vacation rentals available in the area. You can select the dates you are visiting to see current availability.

Don't miss our other Gulf Coast destinations, including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Dauphin Island, Fairhope, Fort Morgan, Foley, Mobile, Bayou La Batre, Alabama, and so many more!

We also have articles on the Emerald Coast of Florida, including Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Panama City Beach, Perdido Key, Pensacola, and more.

Keep an eye out for articles on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida!

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