If you are looking for what's the best dolphin cruise in Orange Beach, Alabama we have the answer for you! This guide is written by a local who has done multiple dolphin tours to find the best ones.
Best Dolphin Cruise Orange Beach You need to book ASAP
Ready to book your Dolphin Cruise in Orange Beach, Alabama?
You're in the right place! We live in Gulf Shores and have taken many dolphin tours out of Orange Beach. They are one of my favorite things to do in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores.
Don't have time to read the whole article?
For the best Orange Beach Dolphin Tour,
we suggest booking Cruise OB or Cold Mil Fleet
for an amazing family-friendly dolphin cruise
One of the best things about dolphin tours in Orange Beach is the abundance of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins that call our area home.
There are seperate pods of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins that reside in Wolf Bay, Bay a Launch, and Bayou Saint John along with out in the Gulf of Mexico.
Our local dolphin tours visit different areas so you can choose to cruise the back bays or head out into the Gulf to see our friendly dolphins.
If you love dolphins and time out on the water you may want to book a couple of tours to see the difference in areas. I find they all offer something unique and fun.
Kids, Grandparents, and the entire familly can enjoy dolphin adventures together! These dolphin cruises are the perfect vacation memory from Alabama's Gulf Coast.
While it is hard to guarantee seeing wild dolphins we are lucky enough to have resident Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins that enjoy putting on a fun show.
TL;DR Don't have time to read the full article? Here are my top finds:
🏨Hotels and Vacation Rentals
📍Tours
✨What's New in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Cold Mil Dolphin Cruise
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 1 - 1.5 hours | 🐬 Check Rates and Availability
Cold Mil Dolphin Cruise in Orange Beach, Alabama, offers great daily dolphin tours! The dolphins love to show off on these tours with leaps and crazy jumps.
Two Cold Mil Boats run side by side creating a wave the dolphins love surfing and leaping out of.
Check out our Cold Mil Dolphin Cruise Review
Southern Rose Dolphin Cruises
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 1.5 - 2 hours | 🐬 Check Rates and Availability
The Southern Rose dolphin cruise guarantees you will see dolphins on your tour!
If you are looking for a leisurely Orange Beach dolphin tour that is great for the whole family, this is a really good option. There is seating available on two levels along with indoor seating.
Check out our full Southern Rose Dolphin Cruise Review
Sunny Lady
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 1.5 hours | 🐬 Check Rates and Availability
The Sunny Lady dolphin cruise leaves from the Wharf marina making it really easy to reach in Orange Beach.
This family friendly cruise is 90 minutes cruising the back bays of Orange Beach. There are two levels on the boat and indoor seating available.
The captain does a great job moving between groups of dolphins so you can see different behaviors and everyone has a chance to see them.
Read our full Sunny Lady Dophin Cruise Review
Caribe Cruiser
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 75 - 90 miutes | 🐬 Check Rates and Availability
Enjoy a leisurly cruise on the Caribe Cruise leaving from the Caribe Marina. This comfortable boat tour is on a large pontoon boat so everyone is close to the water.
The pontoon boat is covered making it great for hot summer days when you don't want to be in the direct sun. This is a great family-friendly dolphin tour.
Read our full Caribe Cruiser Review
Cruise OB
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2 hours | 🐬 Check Rates and Availability
We are big fans of the Cruise OB tour. We have seen tons of leaping dolphins while taking this boat tour.
They create wake behind the boat that the bottlenose dolphins love to play in. We have done back bay and Gulf cruises with Cruise OB and enjoyed both of them.
There are two levels of seating along with comfortable indoor seating.
Read our full Cruise OB Dolphin Cruise Review
Cetacean Explorer
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2 hours | 🐬 Check Rates and Availability
The Cetacean Explorer Cruise leaves from the Wharf Marina cruising down the Intracoastal Waterways into the back bays and inlets.
This is our favorite cruise to take anyone who enjoys a leisurly boat ride. The boat has comfortable seating all on one level making it easy for everyone to see the dolphins.
This is a great dolphin cruise for grandparents and grandkids to enjoy looking for beautiful dolphins together. Cetacean cruises also offers a sunset sail tour.
The covered area offers shade or you can choose to sit near the front and enjoy the full sun. There is easy access onto the boat with only a small step up.
Read our full Cetacean Explorer Dolphin Cruise Review
Private Sunset Dolphin Cruise
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 1.5 - 2 hours | 🐬 Check Rates and Availability
This private sunset and dolphin cruise is perfect for up to 6 people. The tour is on a 26 foot Legacy boat with comfortable seating.
You can bring a small cooler onboard with you to enjoy drinks and snacks while looking for dolphins and other marine life.
Private Dolphin Cruise
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2-3 hours | 🐬 Check Rates and Availability
Explore the waterways around Orange Beach looking for dolphins and other marine life on a comfortable 24 ft boat.
This tour is led by an experienced captain who will take you to the hot spots for seeing our local dolphins.
Up to 6 people can enjoy this private dolphin sightseeing cruise. They offer morning, afternoon, or sunset departures for a customized cruise experience.
Cetacean Sunset Dolphin Sail
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2 hours | 🐬 Check Rates and Availability
The Cetacean Sunset Dolphin Sail is one of our favorite date nights out in Orange Beach. This relaxing tour through the back bays of Orange Beach is the perfect night out on the water.
Enjoy a calm cruise with great music, tropical drinks, and nothig to worry about but looking for dolphins and watchig the sun go down.
We love sailing on the 52-foot Hawaiian Catamaran looking for local dolphins.
Read our full Cetacean Sunset Sail and Dolphin Cruise Review
➤ Book Cetacean Sunset Dolphin Sail
Orange Beach Jet Ski Dolphin Tour
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 1.5 hours days | 🐬 Check Rates and Availability
Book a fun adventure on a wave runner! This private tour gives you the opportunity to go at your own pace while looking for dolphins.
The Fun Boats
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2 hours days | 🐬 Check Rates and Availability
Enjoy two hours on the water including a fun water battle. Yes your read that right! There is an epic super soaker battle on most Fun Boat tours.
Look for pods of dolphins, local wildlife, and more on the Fun Boats dolphin cruise.
Sail Wild Hearts
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: Varies | 🐬 Check Rates and Availability
Sail Wild Hearts offers a variety of unique cruises including their dolphins and Blue Angels sailings, beautiful sunset sailings, morning dolphin cruise, afternoon dolphin cruise, and more.
They have sailing tours that include the opportunity for passengers to enjoy kayaks and paddleboards.
The boat is great for the entire family to enjoy being out on the water. There is a snack bar available with soft drinks and more.
Read our full Sail Wild Hearts Review
Hammock Time Tiki Tours
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2 to 4 hours | 🐬 Call Captain Glenn
Capt Glenn offers private 2 and 4 hour tours along with private island tours on his 40 foot tiki boat! The only tiki boat with a bathroom on it.
Relax in a hammock while watching dolphins next to the boat. Enjoy great music while cruising around the waters of Orange Beach. Check out Ono Island, Walker Island, Robinson Island and the rest of the Orange Beach Islands from the comfort of the tiki boat.
Read our full Hammock Tiki Time Tours Review
Call Captain Glenn to book your tour - 251-253-2430
Let him know we sent you over for a fun dolphin tour!
Cruisin Tikis
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 3 hour |🐬 Check Rates and Availability
Head out on the water in a floating tiki boat! The Cruisin Tiki boats can fit up to 6 people as you cruise around the Orange Beach Islands.
You can stop for a swim in the warm Gulf waters, look for playful dolphins, and savor a one of a kind experience.
What to bring on your Orange Beach Dolphin Tour
When heading out on your dolphin cruise in Orange Beach you want to make sure you are prepared for the weather, taking great pictures, and having the most fun possible.
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Camera
- Layers if you are going on a sunset cruise
- Towels if you take a boat tour with water fights
- A sense of adventure
We suggest wearing comfortable clothes and easy to wear shoes (sneakers, flip flops, sandals).
What month is best for dolphin cruises in Orange Beach Gulf Shores area?
Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins are residents of our area year-round. That being said most boat tours do not go out if the weather is cold.
We find the best dolphin tours happen spring through fall. During the winter season many boat tours will close for maintentance and a break.
There are tours that depart in the winter if it is warm enough so if you are coming down don't worry you should be able to get out on a dolphin tour.
Is there a best time to see dolphins?
You can see dolphins anytime of the day on these tours. The best time is the one that fits your schedule.
The professional tour guides that lead these dolphin tours know the areas the dolphis tend to be found along the Alabama Gulf Coast.
What wildlife can you see on a dolphin tour in Orange Beach
While Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins are definately a highlight of any boat tour you can also see a ton of other marine wildlife including:
- Sea Turtles
- Osprey
- Bald Eagles
- Great Blue Herons
- Stingrays
- Sharks
- Seagulls
- Pelicans
I hope you have the best time on your Orange Beach & Gulf Shores Dolphin Tour! Make sure to let us know which tour you take and how it went.
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.
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!
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