The 8 Best Places To See Dolphins In The South
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If you’ve ever scanned your eyes over the ocean only to see that familiar gleam of a fin breaking through the water, then you know the pure joy of a dolphin sighting. No matter how many times I’ve witnessed a pod gliding through the Gulf Coast waves, I can’t help but catch my breath just the tiniest bit every time that first fin pops up. For me, it’s not a beach trip without the rush of seeing an unexpected dolphin while I’m enjoying breakfast on the balcony or seeing one show off by doing a flip against the backdrop of a fiery sunset. With sea oats gently swaying in the salty breeze and the effortless expanse of the ocean, beaches are undeniably enchanting. Add in a group of dolphins playfully darting through the waves and the atmosphere becomes downright magical. If you’re seeking your own dolphin viewing adventure, head to one of these 8 Southern beaches, then sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
Related: 20 Florida Beaches That Could Pass For The Caribbean
Fort Myers, Florida
This west Florida city draws in thousands of visitors for MLB spring training every year, but its aquatic superstars are around to delight visitors year-round. Dolphin cruises are an everyday occurrence in the waters surrounding Fort Myers, and it’s not just the onboard passengers who are a big fan of the practice. Dolphins are naturally curious and playful animals, so they can’t resist playing in the boat wake, sometimes swimming alongside boats as they cruise along.
South Padre Island, Texas
Hundreds of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins call the area around South Padre Island home. The island’s 34 miles of soft, sandy beaches are a great place to scout the seas for friendly fins. Isla Blanca Park, which is on the barrier island’s southernmost end, is a popular spot for all kinds of activity from surfing and fishing to dolphin watching.
The Florida Keys, Florida
As the country’s southernmost destination, there’s no shortage of beachy, tropical vibes to catch along the Overseas Highway, a 106-mile route that connects hundreds of islands that range from moderately sized to teeny tiny. Since water is ubiquitous in this part of the South, all it takes is a little patience and you’re likely to spot a dolphin in no time. Serious dolphin lovers should make a pilgrimage to the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key. The animal sanctuary is home to nearly 30 rescued dolphins, as well as sea lions, tortoises, and exotic birds.
Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama
Courtesy of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
Dolphin cruises are a dime a dozen in these sister towns on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Take a daytime or sunset cruise to glide alongside everyone’s favorite blue-grey buddies. Not keen to get out on the open ocean? Shore sightings are just as easy to come by. Multistory properties are commonplace here, so if you stay in a high-rise condo, take advantage of that bird’s-eye-view to find as many dolphins as you can.
Explore Gulf Shores/Orange Beach
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
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New Smyrna offers a two-for-one when it comes to aquatic mammals. Not only can you see dolphins near the beach, you can also encounter their slower and less sleek cousin, manatees, in the same waters. A few locations to see both are Riverside Park and Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park. At the later, you can even rent a kayak to get out in deeper water and paddle alongside both species.
Hilton Head, South Carolina
The water around Hilton Head Island is teeming with underwater wildlife, chief among them is dolphins. Some live in the warm Palmetto State water year-round, while other migrate through in summer months. You won’t need much luck to spot a pod, as they’ll enter pretty much any body of water in the area, from the Atlantic Ocean to smaller rivers, creeks, and tidal marshes. Visitors have reported seeing them in Broad Creek, the Calibogue Sound, and even on the banks of shallow backwater creeks.
Clearwater, Florida
The exceptionally crystal-clear water that Clearwater is known for makes it an especially opportune environment for dolphin sightings. A dark, blue-grey blur is easy to catch when contrasted with Clearwater’s almost-iridescent turquoise water. Plop a chair in the sand and fix your eyes on the horizon for a “self-guided” dolphin tour, or book a trip with one of many outfitters who offer daily dolphin cruises.
Sarasota, Florida
The world’s longest-running study of a wild dolphin population takes place in Sarasota Bay. The group of around 150 dolphins have been monitored since the 1970s. Sarasota Bay Explorers offers marine biologist-led cruises through the Bay to see these famous dolphins firsthand. For more information about this incredible study, visit sarasotadolphin.org.
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