Australia · DOLPHIN WATCHING

The 15 Dolphin Watching Tours in Australia That Earn Their Price

54 tours  ·  from $26

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 dolphin watching tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.

Moreton Island: Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkel Cruise - The 75-minute catamaran ride from Brisbane
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Gold Coast Tours, Tour Reviews

Moreton Island: Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkel Cruise

1.Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkel Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,039 reviews · 1 day · from $152Our pick

Cruise from Brisbane to Moreton Island aboard the Spirit of Mulgumpin, a purpose-built catamaran. You’ll snorkel the Tangalooma Wrecks with a guide, watch for dolphins, turtles and dugongs, eat a tropical buffet, and enjoy beach time, fish feeding and paddleboarding.

“From the moment Callum picked us up, we were greeted warmly and had a smooth trip to the marina. The vessel as gorgeous. We had the best day and Callum was a huge part of that! He’s a great bartender too!”

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Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise - Watching Dolphins Alongside the Boat
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Tour Reviews

Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise

2.Dolphin Discovery Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 926 reviews · 1h 30m · from $28Best value

Spend 90 minutes aboard a large Moonshadow TQC vessel cruising Port Stephens Marine Park. Look for wild bottlenose dolphins, hear live commentary, admire Tomaree and Yacaaba Headlands, and try the boom net. A licensed bar sells snacks and drinks, but bring swimwear and a towel if you plan to get wet.

“Was great to the dolphins mother and calf and all the sites went in the net for the first time and absolutely loved it staff were lovely and helpful and boat nice nice and clean beer was very cold”

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Mandurah: Dolphin and Views Cruise - Leaving central Mandurah and finding the dolphins
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Tour Reviews

Mandurah: Dolphin and Views Cruise

3.Mandurah: Dolphin and Views Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 920 reviews · 1h 15m · from $31

Spend 60 to 75 minutes on Mandurah’s calm waterways with a skipper and live English commentary. Look for wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, pelicans, ospreys, swans, and shorebirds, then pass canals, wetlands, landmarks, and luxury homes. Dolphin sightings are guaranteed, with a free return cruise if needed.

“Loved seeing the dolphins! Wish it could have been a little longer”

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Swim with Wild Dolphins Day Tour - Starting at Val Street Jetty at 8:00 am
Dolphin Watching, Perth Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Swim with Wild Dolphins Day Tour

4.Swim with Wild Dolphins Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 669 reviews · from $214

Board a custom dolphin-swim boat at Rockingham’s Val Street Jetty, suit up with included gear, and enter sheltered waters to swim near wild dolphins. The six-hour outing includes lunch, hot drinks, photos, and a Perth coach transfer option. A basic swimming ability is required.

“I was due to go on this Swim with Wild Dolphins Experience. Unfortunately it was cancelled short notice due to poor weather conditions at sea. Wind and swell would have created poor visibility and be less than enjoyable for the experience. Faced with the dread of having to get a full refund I spoke with Sam at the company who transferred the experience into my friends name and extended the expiry date to end of 2024, when the local weather improves. So whilst I was hugely disappointed not to do this experience, I totally understand why it was quite correctly cancelled for safety reasons. On the flip side my friend…”

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Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour - Starting at Angas Inlet Boat Club
Adelaide Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, Dolphin Watching, Tour Reviews, Tours

Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour

5.Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 560 reviews · 3 hours · from $55

Join a marine biologist guide such as Alex, Mark, Paddy, or Kendall for a gentle three-hour paddle through Adelaide’s Dolphin Sanctuary. You’ll learn basic kayaking, explore 10,000-year-old mangroves, look for dolphins and birds, and may reach the old shipwrecks when tides and wind allow.

“A good value tour exploring interesting mangrove area with a great guide.”

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Snubfin Dolphin Eco Cruise from Broome - Meeting at the Broome Fishing Club
Broome Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Tour Reviews

Snubfin Dolphin Eco Cruise from Broome

6.Snubfin Dolphin Eco Cruise from Broome

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 533 reviews · from $110Top rated

Join Broome Whale Watching aboard the shaded catamaran Ballena for about four hours in Roebuck Bay. Guides such as John, Jess, Cam and Val share local wildlife knowledge while you search for snubfin and bottlenose dolphins, turtles, dugongs and shorebirds. Snacks, drinks and a possible boom-net swim are included.

“This was well worth doing. We not only saw the snub fin dolphins, but also saw lots of turtles, 2 humpback whales and dugong. The variety of snacks was a nice surprise and the staff were wonderful. We really enjoyed the fun tender ride to the main boat.”

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Adelaide: 4-Hour Swimming with Dolphins Experience - The search for wild dolphins
Adelaide Tours, Dolphin Watching, Tour Reviews

Adelaide: 4-Hour Swimming with Dolphins Experience

7.4-Hour Swimming with Dolphins Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 439 reviews · 3h 30m · from $105

Join Temptation Sailing at Glenelg for a 3.5-hour cruise aboard the 58-foot catamaran Temptation. Marine biologist guides search for wild dolphins, then help you use the front net or tow line for close water-level views. You also get dolphin commentary, snorkeling gear, and a coastal cruise.

“A beautiful experience with a well guided tour about dolphins. The underwater swimming with dolphins was hands down the best thing”

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Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise - Watching Dolphins Alongside the Boat
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Newcastle Tours, Tour Reviews

Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise

8.Dolphin Discovery Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 401 reviews · from $32

Cruise from Nelson Bay with Moonshadow-TQC Cruises in search of wild bottlenose dolphins. You’ll hear marine-life commentary, enjoy views of Tomaree and Yacaaba Headlands, and can try the boat’s boom net. Indoor and outdoor seating make this a practical choice in changing weather.

“Its a Lovely experience to see dolphin with the kids. Although we only see a few but its memorable in the trip. Highly recommend activity”

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Kayaking with Dolphins in Byron Bay Guided Tour - Paddling through Cape Byron Marine Park
Byron Bay Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, Dolphin Watching, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kayaking with Dolphins in Byron Bay Guided Tour

9.Kayaking with Dolphins in Byron Bay Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 384 reviews · from $63

Paddle a stable two-person sea kayak through Cape Byron Marine Park for about 2.5 hours. Guides lead the way, explain local nature and culture, and help you handle open-ocean conditions. Dolphins are guaranteed or you can return free. Tea, coffee, wetsuits on request, and Tim-Tams are included.

“I've lived in Byron in the 80s and 90s. This my first time kayaking and it was everything. The guide paddled and we even caught a wave at Wategoes. It was so much fun. Seen dolphins and it was worth every cent. Just wish they posted my photo. Take a waterproof case to take photos. Byron is spectacular from water. Julian rock is the head of the rainbow serpent and mount Warning is his body. Sensational view.”

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Port Adelaide: Dolphin and Ships Graveyard Cruise - Meeting at the lighthouse on McLaren Parade
Adelaide Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Tour Reviews

Port Adelaide: Dolphin and Ships Graveyard Cruise

10.Port Adelaide: Dolphin and Ships Graveyard Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 375 reviews · 1h 30m · from $62

Cruise Port Adelaide with your skipper as guide, passing working vessels, old wrecks, the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, and the International Bird Sanctuary. Guides such as Jim, Chris, Jason, and Jacob are known for clear local stories. Dolphins may appear, but sightings are never guaranteed.

“Superb weather; cooperative and friendly dolphins (we were VERY lucky); interesting cruise and commentary. Lots to do at Port Dock as well plus riverside pubs for fish and chips. So easy by train from Adelaide.”

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From Sydney: Jervis Bay Day Tour and Dolphin Watching Cruise - The 7 am departure from Haymarket
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Sydney Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Sydney: Jervis Bay Day Tour and Dolphin Watching Cruise

11.Jervis Bay Day Tour and Dolphin Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 374 reviews · from $94

Travel south from Sydney with an English- or Portuguese-speaking guide, cruise Jervis Bay for dolphins, visit Hyams and Greenfield beaches, then explore Cave Beach in Booderee National Park. Expect a long day, small-group transport, wildlife sightings and meals at your own expense.

“Overall the tour was excellent and I really enjoyed it. Guides were freindly and excellent. Food was excellent. The suspension on the bus was a little rickety making the long journey a little uncomfortable. Space between the seats was cramped particularly when sat over a wheel arch. Fortunately the space next to me was empty.”

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Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tour Adelaide - The first 30 minutes: fitting gear and learning the basics
Adelaide Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, Dolphin Watching, Tour Reviews, Tours

Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tour Adelaide

12.Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tour Adelaide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 355 reviews · from $56

Set out from Garden Island for a three-hour, small-group kayak through Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. Your guide, often including Alex, Paddy, Fiona, or Lewis, covers paddling and safety before leading you through mangroves and estuary waters. Dolphins are possible but never guaranteed. No experience is needed, though you should be moderately fit.

“Very unique, with the combination of the kayaking activity with the seeing the dolphins in their natural habitat. Fiona was a great guide and clearly enjoyed what she did. We were lucky enough to see 4 or 5 dolfins, one of them about 10 feet away.”

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Adelaide: 4-Hour Guaranteed Wild Dolphin Watching Cruise - The first search for dolphins
Adelaide Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Tour Reviews

Adelaide: 4-Hour Guaranteed Wild Dolphin Watching Cruise

13.4-Hour Guaranteed Wild Dolphin Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 349 reviews · 3h 30m · from $63

Cruise Adelaide’s Gulf from Glenelg aboard the 58-foot Temptation catamaran. An English-speaking crew, including guides such as Elle and Quinn, explains local dolphins and marine life while you watch bottlenose and common dolphins in the wild. Sightings are guaranteed, but swimming requires a separate option.

“Fabulous experience. Phoned staff as wasn't sure where to meet the boat and staff were very helpful and explained so finding it was then easy. Staff were friendly, knowledgeable and professional. Will book again when have visitors coming to Adelaide.”

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90 Minute Port River Dolphin & Ships Graveyard Cruise - The Ships’ Graveyard: rust, silt, and working-waterfront stories
Adelaide Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Tour Reviews

90 Minute Port River Dolphin & Ships Graveyard Cruise

14.90 Minute Port River Dolphin & Ships Graveyard Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 321 reviews · from $63

Join Port River Cruises at Port Adelaide for a 90-minute cruise through the Ships’ Graveyard, Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, and nearby bird sanctuary. Guides such as Alex, Jim, Naomi, and Jacob provide live commentary, help spot bottlenose dolphins, and explain the river’s working past.

“This river cruise is amazing! Our boat operator was very knowledgeable about the area and history of the various boats that had been sunk in The Port River. We were also very lucky to see a few dolphins on our cruise!”

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Jervis Bay Dolphin Cruise - What makes the marine park setting worthwhile
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Tour Reviews

Jervis Bay Dolphin Cruise

15.Jervis Bay Dolphin Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 294 reviews · from $37

Cruise from Huskisson into Jervis Bay Marine Park in search of resident bottlenose dolphins. The crew uses local know-how to find feeding pods, while you enjoy coastal views from open or covered seating. Departures run morning and afternoon, with onboard commentary and a restroom on some vessels.

“Perfect experience with the dolphins, the Captain was very informative and knew exactly where to take us to see so many of those beautiful creatures”

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New in Dolphin Watching

★ 5.0Fraser Island & Dolphin Sailing AdventureFrom $78203 reviews
★ 4.02-Hour Dolphin Kayak & Snorkel Tour on the BroadwaterFrom $6230 reviews
★ 4.5Swim With The Dolphins Experience in Bunbury AustraliaFrom $9922 reviews
★ 5.0Guided Dolphin Eco-Cruise in Koombana BayFrom $4636 reviews
★ 5.0Roebuck Bay Sunset & Snubfin Dolphin CruiseFrom $10437 reviews
★ 5.0Wild Dolphin Swim Cruise55 reviews
★ 4.5Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Mangroves Kayaking TourFrom $3959 reviews
★ 4.4Bunbury: Swim with Dolphins TourFrom $15544 reviews
★ 4.1Sorrento: Dolphins & Seals Snorkeling Cruise w/ LunchFrom $14852 reviews
★ 4.5Rainbow Beach: Kayaking with Dolphins and Beach 4WD TourFrom $9859 reviews
★ 4.7Tangalooma Whale Watching & Dolphin FeedingFrom $16257 reviews
★ 4.4Philip Island: Dolphin and Whale CruiseFrom $9548 reviews
★ 4.9Ocean Adventure & Dolphin SafariFrom $5391 reviews
★ 4.6Noosa Ocean adventure & Dolphin Safari.From $6328 reviews
★ 4.7Nelson Bay: Dolphin Watch Cruise and SailFrom $3574 reviews

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