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All 52 Marco Island Attractions »

The Dolphin Explorer

951 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island, FL 34145
239-642-6899
Ranked #3 of 24 tours in Marco Island
5.0 of 5 stars 49 Reviews
Type: Tours
Owner description: A National Geographic approved tour, we see dolphins on every trip...up-close and personal. Join the crew of the Dolphin Explorer cruising the waters...... more » Owner description: A National Geographic approved tour, we see dolphins on every trip...up-close and personal. Join the crew of the Dolphin Explorer cruising the waters of Marco Island in search of dolphins as part of the only dolphin research study in Southwest Florida. On our trip, you will visit rookeries, estuaries and a barrier island that you can explore and shell. Two trips daily, seven days a week. A fabulous family adventure. « less
Useful Information: Activities for older children, Activities for young children
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49 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
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    3
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Date Rating
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
2 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 15, 2012

My family recently came down to Florida for a family vacation. Upon visiting Marco island, we came across this tour in a brochure. We decided to book it as it seemed so highly recommended. To sum up our experience, I would HIGHLY recommend this. The captain and guide were excellent. The guide was very knowledgable and clearly enthusiastic about his... More

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Cincinnati
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 28, 2012

First, the staff is great. Kent was our naturalist/biologist for our trip and he was outstanding. The kids really enjoyed interacting with him (two girls, ages 7 & 8). We saw 20+ dolphins -- a few mom and calf pairs, a sting ray, a manatee, ospreys, frigate birds, terns, and other birds. They provided checksheets and identification books for the... More

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manito il
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 26, 2012

This was a great trip while in Marco Island area. Very nice attendents and Full of information about Dolphins and Birds. There was a Time for Shelling and Bird watdhing. I know alot more about the Dolphins and there activites than I ever did. More

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Illinois
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 23, 2012

Would be great for kids. I like it. Great boat trip. Need to give more descriptions More

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walton-on-thames
Top Contributor
52 reviews 52 reviews
Reviews in 24 cities Reviews in 24 cities
36 helpful votes 36 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 13, 2012

Perfect for young kids as very interactive. we saw 14 dolphins today including 3 moms with calves. The boat was very comfortable and also good for little kids and for visibility. The biologist on board was very knowledgeable, friendly, and personable. The kids get to compare photots of the dorsal fins they just saw with the contact book of dolphins... More

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Ossining, New York
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 12, 2012

Being married to a marine biologist makes any and all marine wildlife watching trips a challenge, but this trip was excellent. Our morning trip was great family fun. The crew were fantastic with the adults and the kids on board. Great interactive fun and of course the dolphins were incredibly cooperative. Bring snacks and your camera, you'll kick yourself for... More

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detroit, Mi
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 6, 2012

This pontoon boat ride is a must while visiting southwest florida. The tour is guided by knowlegable and friendly staff, great photos are taken of the wildlife, dolphins and the passengers on the boat. My family had so much fun swimming on the secluded island, my teenager left her phone on the boat. This truly was a quality tour, don't... More

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Potomac, MD
Senior Contributor
45 reviews 45 reviews
Reviews in 28 cities Reviews in 28 cities
34 helpful votes 34 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 2, 2012

Loved the serene island with sea shells. Great close up view of dolphins. Enjoyed the friendly guests on board. More

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Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 29, 2012

We did a morning 3 hour tour and had a superb time. 7 different sightings of females with babies, lots of birds and a seaturtle on a bright and sunny morning. The seashell stop on a completely empty but huge beach was awesome as well. Hope to be back someday! A must do on Marco Island. More

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Columbus, Ohio USA
Senior Contributor
42 reviews 42 reviews
Reviews in 24 cities Reviews in 24 cities
27 helpful votes 27 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 12, 2012

This is an excellent Eco tour. About three hours on a pontoon boat that can accommodate 15 or so. A certified naturalist is on board to explain about the dolphins and point out individual dolphins and their pods. We saw probably 30 different dolphins on the trip. You get very up close and personal with them. The dolphins love to... More

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