The 15 Best Dolphin and Whale Watching by Speedboat in the USA

1.45-Minute Sea Rocket Speed Boat & Dolphin Cruise in Ocean City MD

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 585 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $39 a head Our pick

Join the Sea Rocket at 307 Dorchester Street for a 45-minute coastal cruise from downtown Ocean City. Captain Ashton, Owen, Ash, Riley, and other crew members have been praised for finding dolphins and keeping the ride lively. You’ll see the inlet, skyline, and Atlantic coast, with fast waves, music, and a good chance of getting wet.

“Big boat was not available so he took us out on the parasail boat. The ride was awesome, you could feel everything and we even saw the dolphins close up!”

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2.Zodiac Raft Whale Watching Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 456 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $113 a head Top rated

Join Captain Zodiac from Kailua-Kona for a fast, open-air ride along the Big Island coast. A captain-naturalist such as Shelby, Marco, Ashley, or Rick scans for winter humpbacks while sharing Hawaiian history, geology, and marine-life facts. The raft carries up to 16 people, with a hydrophone, drinks, snacks, and a real chance to see dolphins, turtles, manta rays, and whales.

“Shelby and Marco were great! We had such a unique and awesome whale watching tour and got to see so many whales. One male whale was directly under us. It was breathtaking and we had so much luck!”

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3.Dolphin-Watching Speedboat Cruise in Destin Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 423 reviews · from $58 a head

Set out from 316 Harbor Blvd on a shaded speedboat carrying no more than 14 people. Your captain and crew cruise through Destin Harbor and into the Gulf, watching for dolphins, stingrays, and other marine life. Expect music, jokes, coastal views, and a fast 45-minute to one-hour ride.

“Really fun ride on the speedboat and the guide took us to several spots to see pods of dolphins as well as a few sharks and stingrays. Having a cover on the boat was essential on a very hot day. Highly recommend for a fun excursion!”

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4.Up-Close Dolphin & Whale Watching Zodiac Adventure in Dana Point

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 353 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $99 a head

Join Captain Dave’s two-hour Zodiac safari from Dana Point Harbor, limited to 20 people. Captain Marie, Captain Gary, and other crew members may take you near pods of dolphins, gray whales, blue whales, seals, sea lions, and mola mola. A marine naturalist provides live commentary, and if you see no whales or dolphins, you can return free within one calendar year.

“We rode with Captain Marie on the Zodiac so much fun. We were so close to the dolphins it was a really magical experience!”

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5.Sea Screamer Clearwater’s Only Speed Boat Dolphin Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 251 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $37 a head

Sea Screamer takes you from Clearwater Beach through the harbor and into the Gulf on a 73-foot, diesel-powered speed boat. Captain Scott, Tammy, Brad, or Steve may guide your trip, with dolphins often riding the wake. The one-hour tour includes bathrooms, drinks for sale, and a Coast Guard-inspected vessel.

“What a blast! Not only did we find dolphins but the captain offered them a wake. The dolphins accepted and put on a great show behind the boat!! It was a great way to beat the Florida heat and have some fun! Only wish it had been longer.”

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6.Kauai’s South Side Whale and Dolphin Zodiac Boat Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 163 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $158 a head

From Kukuiʻula Harbor, you’ll ride a 25-foot Zodiac with up to 14 passengers along Kauai’s South Shore. Guides such as Justin, Lindsay, Brandon, Jane, and Rich may point out humpback whales, spinner dolphins, turtles, seabirds, and Spouting Horn. Expect speed, spray, snacks, and no snorkeling.

“Great crew great knowledge they interacted well with everyone and were genuinely interested in finding whales felt like hanging out with my buddies hunting”

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7.Swimming with Wild Dolphins Speedboat Adventure on Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 150 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $199 a head

Join Iruka Hawaii aboard the Dolphin Warrior, a high-speed Zodiac limited to 19 people. Search for wild dolphins off Waiʻanae, snorkel with turtles and reef fish near Makaha, and watch for seasonal whales. Guides including Captain Jason, Captain Lauren, Travis, Rebecca, and Yuya may be on board. Hotel pickup, lunch, drinks, and gear are included.

“It was a marvelous experience (2/16/25). The morning was misty, rainy even, but by 11 all cleared and it ended up being warm sunny day. The crew was fantastic: Lauren and Stefan at the helm, Cristin (and another coach) diving. All of them were knowledgeable, very skilled, super kind and fun!! We found a pod of dolphins, 7 or 8 of them. They we so joyful, playful, swimming all around us. You could almost touch them. We went to the water twice swimming with them. We also saw several whales jumping! Later, we anchored in a little cove, had lunch and swam with turtles. Lunch was super tasty sandwiches or…”

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8.Anacortes Whale Watching Adventure Tour – Zodiac Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 149 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $149 a head

Set out from Anacortes with Blue Kingdom Whale and Wildlife Tours for a 3.5-hour Zodiac trip in search of orcas, humpbacks, gray whales, and minkes. Guides such as Amanda, Austin, Tyler, and Lucy explain the wildlife as you ride in a small open-air boat capped at 17 people. Suits, hats, and gloves are included.

“Such an awesome experience! Amanda and Austin were great! We saw the resident orca family and followed them (at a safe distance) for almost 2.5 hours observing their behaviors and hunting. The zodiac was comfortable and the smaller group size was great! Highly recommend this company and activity!”

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9.Ocean City, MD: Coastal Speedboat Tour with Dolphin Spotting

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 73 reviews · 45 min · from $34 a head Best value

Board Ocean City’s Sea Rocket for a 45-minute coastal speedboat trip with an English-speaking captain and guide. You’ll cruise beside the Atlantic, watch for bottlenose dolphins, hear music from the crew, and see Ocean City from the water. Dolphin sightings are common but not guaranteed. Professional photos and licensed drinks are available for purchase.

“Great ride up the coast. Host and driver were very friendly and helpful.”

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10.EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Speed Boat & Dolphin Cruise in Ocean City, MD

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 62 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $34 a head

Start early from Sea Rocket’s downtown Ocean City dock for a 45-minute speedboat ride through the inlet and along the beach. Guides such as Owen, Ashton, Bree, Josh, and Becca keep the trip friendly and informative while you watch for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Every ticket includes a seat, but sightings are never guaranteed.

“It was a fun trip. We got to see lots of dolphins. The staff were great. We would definitely do it again.”

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11.Swim with Wild Dolphins Oahu Speedboat Snorkeling Adventure!

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 49 reviews · 3 hours · from $199 a head

Ride the Dolphin Warrior along Oahu’s west coast, watch for wild dolphins, and enter the open ocean with a life vest if conditions allow. After a locally made lunch, snorkel Makaha reef with turtles and tropical fish. The three-hour tour includes pickup, gear, snacks, water, and an English-speaking guide, with fewer than 18 people aboard.

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12.Orcas Island: Whale and Orca Guided Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 46 reviews · 3h 30m · from $119 a head

Set out from Orcas Island for a 210-minute speedboat search through the San Juan archipelago. You may see orcas, humpback, minke, and gray whales, plus seals, sea lions, porpoises, otters, eagles, and seabirds. Guides such as Hannah, Trevor, Ginny, and Megan have led trips praised for clear explanations and friendly service.

“My family and I had a great experience, beautiful scenery- comfortable boat, friendly guides and we were able to watch a pod of orca’s feeding for a good amount of time!”

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13.St. Pete Beach: Dolphin Racer Cruise by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 41 reviews · 2 hours · from $36 a head

You’ll cruise from St. Pete Beach into the Gulf of Mexico on a fast speedboat, searching for wild bottlenose dolphins with an English-speaking captain and dolphin guide. Expect 1.5 to 2 hours on the water, coastline views, city skylines, wildlife, and a lively ride that may bring dolphins right alongside the boat.

“Beautiful ride through St. Pete Beach area. Dolphins following the boat and jumping was absolutely amazing to watch ! Great guides. Very funny and amusing. Loved Bigfoot and that sexy captain. Thank you gentleman. See you again soon. Angelica”

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14.Thriller Speedboat Dolphin Tours in Destin Florida

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 32 reviews · from $52 a head

Board the 55-foot Thriller at Slip A in Destin Harbor for a 45-minute to one-hour speedboat ride. The USCG-inspected cat boat carries up to 36 people and runs through the harbor, East Pass, Gulf of Mexico, and Choctawhatchee Bay. Your crew searches for dolphins, adjusts the route for sea conditions, and adds music and plenty of speed.

“Seeing the dolphins were nice. And the pretty water!!! The boat ride was nice. I never been on a boat. Plus it was our first time being in Florida.”

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15.Private 3 Hour Powerboat Dolphin Cruise with Remote Beach Stop up to 6 guests

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $525 for the boat, seats 6

Cruise Pensacola Bay and the Gulf aboard a private powerboat for up to six people. Captain Paul may point out dolphins and other marine life while sharing local history. You’ll see the Naval Air Station and Pensacola Lighthouse, then stop at a quiet beach for swimming, shells, or a short walk.

“Our family took this private tour and LOVED it! To entertain three teens is a huge challenge and this tour was a hit. Paul was our captain and was he was very knowledgeable of the area, the sites and the sea life. We really hit the jackpot and was lucky enough to be on the waters while the Blue Angels were doing practice flights and maneuvers right over head!!!! The beach was secluded and felt like a private break away from the crowds. The beverages were cold and Paul was a fantastic host and boatmen. Would recommend and would request Paul if you have the option.”

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