Best Places to See Dolphins in the World

Best Places to See Dolphins in the World

Dolphins are one of the most popular marine animals in the world. Why? For good reason! They are intelligent, playful, and social creatures that can bring joy to people of all ages. Seeing cetaceans in the wild is a truly unforgettable experience.

There are many different places around the world where you can see dolphins, but only one of the best places to see dolphins is inside the US.

The top 10 best places to see dolphins:

Marco Island, Florida

At the corner of Southwest Florida at the edge of the 10,000 Islands National Wildlife Refuge and the Everglades National Park is the small vacation paradise of Marco Island. Over 200 resident Atlantic bottlenose dolphins call the waters around Marco Island home. Lack of travel and migration make these dolphins not only easy to spot, but local dolphin characters such as “Knuckles”, “Pinky”, “Speckled Sam”, and others are visitor favorites with their strong personalities and identifiable markings.

Indeed, you can often see the dolphins near the beach or while dining at a waterside restaurant. However, the best way to truly enjoy these intelligent cetaceans is on a dolphin boat tour. There are many boat tour options on Marco Island, but Florida Island Tours is the top boat tour company on Marco Island. Their clean, safe boats are beautiful and comfortable. Further, the staff only Coast Guard-endorsed master captains. Third, all tour guides are Florida state-certified Master Naturalists. In fact, all these elements will combine for a vacation highlight reel dolphin experience.

The Azores

This archipelago in the mid-Atlantic is home to a large population of dolphins. Azores species include the common dolphin, the bottlenose dolphin, and the striped dolphin. Excitingly, this is one of the few places in the world where you can swim with wild dolphins on an excursion.

The waters around the Azores are also home to a variety of other marine life, such as whales, sharks, and sea turtles.

The Bahamas

The Bahamas is known for its crystal-clear waters and white-sand beaches, which are perfect for spotting dolphins. The most common species of dolphin in the Bahamas is the bottlenose dolphin. You may also see spotted dolphins, spinner dolphins, and even orcas once in a while.

In this location, there is lots of incredible dolphin research in the Bahamas. You can even participate in Dr. Denise Herzing of the Wild Dolphin Project, observing wild spotted Atlantic dolphins on a research vessel.

This French Polynesian island is known for its stunning beauty, turquoise lagoons, and world-class scuba diving. Bora Bora is also a great place to see dolphins. Dolphins are very important in Polynesian culture and represent wisdom, protection, and spiritual guidance.

The most common species of dolphin in Bora Bora is the spinner dolphin. Spinners are known for acrobatic leaps and spins. You can also spot bottlenose dolphins and rough-toothed dolphins in the Polynesian waters.

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is a beautiful city with stunning views of Table Mountain. It’s also a great place to see dolphins and whales. Both cetaceans can often be spotted together in the same area.

The most common species of dolphin in Cape Town is the Cape fur seal, but you may also see bottlenose, common, Heaviside’s, humpback, Indo-Pacific, and dusky dolphins. That’s a lot of different dolphin species!

Hakaroa, New Zealand

This small town on New Zealand’s South Island is known for its population of Hector’s dolphins. Hector’s dolphins are the smallest and rarest dolphin species in the world. Hector’s dolphins are very playful and social, and they often come up to boats to investigate.

One of the coolest things about these dolphin tour companies is they have dolphin-spotting dogs as part of their crew!

Kairouan, Tunisia

This ancient UNESCO World Heritage city in Tunisia is home to a large population of bottlenose dolphins. The dolphins are often seen swimming in the Gulf of Hammamet, and they can be easily spotted from the shore.

Who wouldn’t want to go for a beautiful dolphin boat tour in the Mediterranean Sea and watch wild dolphins swimming and playing in the tranquil blue waters?

Kvarner Gulf, Croatia

This gulf on the Adriatic Sea, surrounded by picturesque hilltop villages, is home to a variety of dolphins, including the bottlenose dolphin, the striped dolphin, and the common dolphin.

The waters of the Kvarner Gulf are also home to a variety of other marine life, such as whales, sharks, and sea turtles. With so many islands, beaches, and secluded coves, hopping on a boat in Croatia to see dolphins is a great idea!

Maldives

The Maldives is known for its beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters, which are perfect for spotting dolphins. Also, there are multiple options to enjoy watching dolphins on a tour boat. Dolphins in the Maldives are often described as “friendly” as they rise from the deep blue waters to observe people on the boats.

The most common species of dolphin in the Maldives is the spinner dolphin. As well, you may also see bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, and even orca whales.

Moreton Bay, Australia

This bay on the east coast of Australia is home to a large population of dolphins. The Australian bottlenose dolphin, the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, and the Australian snubfin dolphin all have strong populations.

The dolphins of Moreton Bay are often seen swimming with sea turtles, sharks, and other marine life. These dolphins often exhibit cooperative fishing behavior. They have also adapted to the busy fishing bay and can be seen chasing fishing trawlers to catch discarded fish!

Best Places to See Dolphins: Traveling and Tips

To conclude, these are just a few of the many great places to see dolphins in the world outside the US. No matter where you go, be sure to do your research. Also, choose a tour operator who is committed to ethical dolphin-watching practices.

Here are some tips for planning a dolphin-watching trip:

• Choose an accredited tour operator by a reputable organization, such as the World Wildlife Fund or the Dolphin Safe Tourism Association.
• Make sure the tour operator uses responsible practices, such as not feeding the dolphins or getting too close to them.
• Be respectful of the dolphins and their natural environment.

As a result, By following these tips, you can help ensure that your dolphin-watching trip is a positive experience for both you and the dolphins.

Inspiration is there to book a trip to see dolphins in the wild? It is an experience that you will never forget.