Banana Bay Tour Company Day Tours
Banana Bay Tour Company Day Tours
Banana Bay Tour Company Day Tours
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About
Banana Bay Tour Company is dedicated to high quality eco-tourism. We specialize in ecological tours of South West Florida, Fort Myers Beach to the South Sanibel to the West and Cape Coral to the North. Come and watch the dolphins play in our beautiful estuaries. Your guides are trained certified Florida Master Naturalists in Coastal Environments / Wetlands from the University of Florida and we are a Dolphin SMART Approved tour operator.
Cape Coral, Florida
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Banana Bay Tour Company Day Tours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
986 reviews
Excellent
930
Very good
46
Average
8
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Alininjawaggon
Cape Coral, FL16 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
If you are looking for a fantastic family activity in the Cape Coral area this trip is absolutely worth it. JR and Julia were our hosts and their passion for and knowledge of the local marine ecosystems is very obvious throughout this tour. *Covid 19 Side note: this tour was very careful about asking sure all passengers wore a mask and they limited the number of passengers which, while it is unfortunate for the tour company it makes for more space to move about and view the dolphins. We may have gotten very lucky but we had very good viewing on this particular evening. Even got to see some interesting mating rituals taking place! But in all seriousness this was worth every penny and dont forget to take some money to tip the guides as they really do go the extra mile with their hospitality and preservation education etc....
Written August 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear alininjawaggon,
thank you so much for your awesome review of your time aboard.
We are so glad you enjoyed going out with us. Summer and fall are the best time to see some mating activity and calves. It is so much fun going out and see what kind of wildlife we can locate.
Thank you again very much for coming out with us, especially during this pandemic. We really try our very best to keep our guests and our crew safe.
Have a DOLPHINTASTIC day!
Yours Anja
Written September 1, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
podrozniczka60
New Jersey17,020 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
Medium size friendly looking stable boats can take you on many interesting tours. We explored the Estero river area with them on more than one occasion. Good narration and information offered. The best we hear are sunset cruises with sightings of dolphins and that is what we would like to book next.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Podrozniczka60:
Thank you for your splendid review.
We're so glad you had a wonderful time while on our tour. Our crew members are knowledgeable about this region and they love sharing their expediences with our guests.
Our sunsets in Southwest Florida are magnificent and never disappoint us. It is rare not to see Dolphins on our Dolphin tours. We love seeing them as much as our guests.
Thank you for your review and we look forward to seeing you on any of our Dolphin Tours.
Your Banana Bay Tour Company Team
Written March 6, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jake Peppers
Cape Coral, FL33 contributions
Feb 2021 • Family
We’ve been on a lot of dolphin rides and been on a lot of boats to discover and learn about sea life. Today’s experience was top class.
First, the boat is spotless. Clean throughout including the restroom. Second, The crew is phenomenal. Captain JR and First Mate Julia were exceptional. They went way out of their way to make the experience educational and personal. We saw several dolphins throughout the voyage. We stopped several times to be educated on dolphins, marine life and the marine eco system. Never a boring minute. The crew got to know all children on board personally and interacted with them throughout the ride. During the stop on the island, Julia picked up various shells and other beach collectibles and gave them to the kids with an explanation of what each shell was. Our trip actually went beyond the three hours as the dolphins were so active. The crew asked if anyone had to be back on time. No one did and we stayed out about a half hour longer than scheduled. Most crews can’t wait to get back to the dock.
What a fantastic way to spend a day on the water. Highly recommended.
First, the boat is spotless. Clean throughout including the restroom. Second, The crew is phenomenal. Captain JR and First Mate Julia were exceptional. They went way out of their way to make the experience educational and personal. We saw several dolphins throughout the voyage. We stopped several times to be educated on dolphins, marine life and the marine eco system. Never a boring minute. The crew got to know all children on board personally and interacted with them throughout the ride. During the stop on the island, Julia picked up various shells and other beach collectibles and gave them to the kids with an explanation of what each shell was. Our trip actually went beyond the three hours as the dolphins were so active. The crew asked if anyone had to be back on time. No one did and we stayed out about a half hour longer than scheduled. Most crews can’t wait to get back to the dock.
What a fantastic way to spend a day on the water. Highly recommended.
Written February 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Jake_Peppers:
Thank you for an excellent review and taking the time to share your experience on our Ecological Dolphin Cruise.
This is our most popular tour as we spend the most time on the waterways.
We take the health and safety for both our guests and crew very seriously. Our health and safety policy are in place and will remain as we continue to follow the CDC and medical officials guidelines.
We enjoy sharing our familiarity and knowledge with our guests. Each trip is a learning experience for everyone.
We greatly appreciate your high recommendation.
Thank you again for your excellent review
Written February 19, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Carney6186
Crown Point, IN10 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
If you are on the fence about taking this tour, especially with children don't be .
We took the Half Day Ecological Dolphin Cruise out of Cape Coral on todays date with six adults and three young children(7 years old to 2 years old).
Captain JR and his assistant Julia were amazing and made the trip very memorable and enjoyable.
You can tell that Captain JR throughly enjoys his job as he engaged with many of the passengers during the trip, especially the children as he taught them about boating and the wildlife.
While on our tour we saw at least a dozen dolphins , some of which were jumping multiple time (which is rare apparently ) and even assisted in rescuing a pelican struck in fishing line.
The island you stop on is small but very nice. You only spend about thirty minutes on it so no need to get carried away with beach gear. We let the kids play on the island and eat their lunch on the boat.
Overall a very pleasant/memorial experience. Probably the best boating tour I've taken to date.
We took the Half Day Ecological Dolphin Cruise out of Cape Coral on todays date with six adults and three young children(7 years old to 2 years old).
Captain JR and his assistant Julia were amazing and made the trip very memorable and enjoyable.
You can tell that Captain JR throughly enjoys his job as he engaged with many of the passengers during the trip, especially the children as he taught them about boating and the wildlife.
While on our tour we saw at least a dozen dolphins , some of which were jumping multiple time (which is rare apparently ) and even assisted in rescuing a pelican struck in fishing line.
The island you stop on is small but very nice. You only spend about thirty minutes on it so no need to get carried away with beach gear. We let the kids play on the island and eat their lunch on the boat.
Overall a very pleasant/memorial experience. Probably the best boating tour I've taken to date.
Written April 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Carney6186:
Thank you for such an excellent review and sharing your experience on our Ecological Dolphin Lunch Tour.
We want everyone to have an enjoyable experience on our tours, that's why customer service is very important to us.
We are so glad you and your family had a wonderful time on our tour. We are fortunate to have a group of Dolphins here in Southwest Florida and they rarely disappoint us.
Our crew enjoy sharing their knowledge about the variety of marine and wildlife and educating the public about the ecosystem as well as making it fun.
We hope to see you again soon an any of our tours.
Thank you again for a splendid review.
Your Banana Bay Tour Company Team
Written April 5, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
hoopsgalnyc
New York City, NY63 contributions
Feb 2021
This company requires that all guests wear masks on the boat and operates the boat at less than 100% capacity so that there was ample social distancing. I am pretty cautious about the virus and I felt totally comfortable. We saw dozens upon dozens of dolphins, including one group of four with a baby dolphin. The tour guides were knowledgeable and friendly. I highly recommend this company if you want to have a beautiful day and see a lot of dolphins but are also concerned about your safety.
Written February 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear hoosgalnyc:
Thank you for a glowing review.
We take the health and safety for both our guests and crew very seriously. Our safety guidelines are in place and will remain as we continue to follow the CDC and medical officials
Our crew love to share their knowledge of the marine and wildlife in our area. And of course, the Dolphins are the main attraction.
Again, thank you for your great review and we look forward to having you on board again.
Best regards,
Your Banana Bay Tour Company Team
Written February 16, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Irene H
Cape Coral, FL68 contributions
May 2021
Got tickets for the sunset cruise when our granddaughter and her husband came to town. Was very pleased that covid protocol was followed with our temps taken and masks worn.
JR and Anya lead our cruse/tour and they were amazing! They each spent time with every group, pointed out interesting things along the way and we were fortunate enough to see LOTS of dolphin activity--so much so that we almost missed the sunset!!
A perfect way to end a visit! Would definitely recommend!!
JR and Anya lead our cruse/tour and they were amazing! They each spent time with every group, pointed out interesting things along the way and we were fortunate enough to see LOTS of dolphin activity--so much so that we almost missed the sunset!!
A perfect way to end a visit! Would definitely recommend!!
Written May 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Irene H:
Thank you for the wonderful review and recommendation.
Customer Service is very important to us and we want everyone to have an enjoyable experience while on our tours. We are so glad you had a wonderful time while on our Dolphin Sunset Tour.
Our staff is very knowledgeable about this region and love to share their experiences and interact with our guests.
Thank you again for your review, and we hope to see you again soon on any of our tours.
Your Banana Bay Tour Company Team
Written May 13, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
k8lewis8
Los Angeles, CA3 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
We searched through the various boat tour companies and settled on Banana Bay because of their commitment to not disturbing the ecology. This was especially evident as on our way out, we came across a group of about eight dolphins and while our skipper JR and his associate Julia were very good at getting us as close to them as possible, they fully respected the animals let them guide the encounter. The group of dolphins came right up to the side of our boat over and over again, it was magical. JR was very good with the two youngsters who were on the boat with us, and he was very knowledgeable about the local water life and bird life. He was an excellent storyteller and teacher, finding just the right balance between not talking enough and talking too much. We especially enjoyed the pelican rookery, where we were able to see pelican babies. All in all, this is the boat you should go on – – don’t waste time with the other brochures!
Written May 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear k8lewis8:
Thank you for your wonderful review.
Customer service is very important to us and we want everyone to have an enjoyable experience while on our tours.
We take seriously the protection of our environment and being able to share our knowledge. There is so much marine and wildlife in southwest Florida.
We are glad you had a wonderful time and appreciate the great recommendation.
Thank you again for your review and hope you'll join us again.
Your Banana Bay Tour Company Team
Written May 7, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lance
Rockford, IL5 contributions
Jan 2022
Took our family yesterday for a tour to find dolphins. Captain JR and First Mate Dave were excellent. Very family friendly. They got to know everyone on board, especially the children. He was very interactive with them, making us all laugh, educating us about dolphins, and finding dolphins for us to view. He also allowed all of the children to steer the boat individually (with him right beside them of course). Thank you all for a fun and entertaining afternoon! Highly recommend!
Written January 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear IancemG57000B:
Thank you for your wonderful review and recommendation.
We love having families on our tours, including children and sharing our knowledge of our area's dolphins and wildlife.
Our staff is knowledgeable of the area and enjoy educating our guests about this region as well as making it fun. We want everyone to have a memorable time.
We hope to see you again on any of our tours.
Thank you again for your splendid review.
Regards,
Your Banana Bay Tour Company Team
Written February 1, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AlyssaB
Stratford, Canada33 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Just got back from this awesome excursion. We saw a few dolphins throughout the trip, a manatee and lots of other wildlife. The capitain was very knowledgable about the animals and the area. The boat was comfy, lunch was tasty and fresh, and the overall experience was worth the cost. Would recommend to basically anyone interesting in getting out on the water and seeing wildlife.
10/10!
10/10!
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Alyssabissonnette:
Thank you for your excellent review.
We're so glad you had a wonderful time while on our Dolphin Ecological tour. We appreciate you sharing your experience and the great recommendation.
Our staff love to share their knowledge about the variety of marine and wildlife.
We hope to see you again on any of our tours.
Thank you again for a wonderful review.
Your Banana Bay Tour Company Team
Written February 28, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jasmine38Chichester UK
Chichester, UK1,982 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Took the Sunday afternoon homes and nature tour this afternoon with boat captain JR.
Great little trip out into the river, along some of the canals in both Fort Myers and Cape Coral and into the mango groves. Saw dolphins and a few different birds. Some very I. Pressie and expensive properties along the way.
JR was an excellent guide and his explanations of mango groves and dolphins were especially interesting. Trip ended up lasting for almost 2 hours rather than scheduled 1.5 hours as JR spent time pursuing the dolphins so we all could get a good look.
Boat has capacity for around 40 with comfortable train style seats and tables. You are welcome to bring your own drinks and snacks and there is an on board toilet.
The tours - and there are a couple of different ones, leave from outside Rumrunners restaurant at the marina. They are deservedly popular so best to book ahead. Good value too. We paid $30 plus tax for the Sunday tour.
Great little trip out into the river, along some of the canals in both Fort Myers and Cape Coral and into the mango groves. Saw dolphins and a few different birds. Some very I. Pressie and expensive properties along the way.
JR was an excellent guide and his explanations of mango groves and dolphins were especially interesting. Trip ended up lasting for almost 2 hours rather than scheduled 1.5 hours as JR spent time pursuing the dolphins so we all could get a good look.
Boat has capacity for around 40 with comfortable train style seats and tables. You are welcome to bring your own drinks and snacks and there is an on board toilet.
The tours - and there are a couple of different ones, leave from outside Rumrunners restaurant at the marina. They are deservedly popular so best to book ahead. Good value too. We paid $30 plus tax for the Sunday tour.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Jasmine38Chichester:
Thank you for an excellent review.
Our staff is extremely knowledgeable and they love sharing their experiences and knowledge. Customer service is very important to us and we want our guests to have a wonderful time while on our tours.
We are so glad you enjoyed the trip and hope to see you again on any of our tours.
Again, thank you for a wonderful review and your recommendation.
Your Banana Bay Tour Company Team
Written January 27, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hey David H,
We are so sorry for just seeing your question.
Depending on the boat we can have between 28 and 49 passengers.
Best wishes,
Banana Bay Tour Company
Written September 13, 2022
If you eat at the restaurant Rum Runners there was a discount coupon on the menu.
Written January 25, 2019
Hi liebes Banana Tour Team!
Können wir auch vor Ort buchen?
Wir wollen das vom Wetter abhängig machen wann wir kommen!
Grüße Denny
Written August 8, 2018
oui, vous pouvez prendre vos tickets sur place.
Written August 29, 2018
Is the 1.5 hour dolphin tour handicap accessible?
Written April 6, 2018
I think, the access from the dock to the boat maybe difficult or un-accessible by wheelchair. The boats themselves are wheelchair friendly, and I think, that the Crew are very helpfull in this case. Ask them via Email or Website :-)
Written April 9, 2018
Is Captain JR now with you? If so, which tour/s should we book? Thank you. Lori
Written March 16, 2018
Hello Lori,
I work most of the tours out of our Cape Coral location, please call the office at 239 728 8687 between 9:30 am and 4:30 PM and you can ask the office to be sure.
Thanks Captain JR
Written March 17, 2018
Do you think a 4 and 8 year old would enjoy this?
Written March 15, 2018
Absolutely the trip is very exciting for children of all ages.
Written March 17, 2018
The company contacted us and refunded our fares and offered a free trip . The Fish tale marina is not connected with the tour company. The staff at fish tale either are 1. Ignorant of the tour or 2.more likely to sabotage a competing tour by mis informing banana bay patrons. Either way if you know this the Tour itself is sound.
Written March 11, 2018
We have always found banana bay boat tours to be fair and accommodating to the customers. That is one of the reasons we always come back to them every season. Madelon
Written March 11, 2018
i wanted to book the dolphin and shelling tour .. but it wouldnt let me because there are only two of us and not 6 people. does that mean im not able to do this ?
Written March 2, 2018
Please call our office so we can help you.
1 239 728 8678
Thank you,
Banana Bay Tour Company
Written March 2, 2018
i wanted to book the dolphin and shelling tour .. but it wouldnt let me because there are only two of us and not 6 people. does that mean im not able to do this ?
Written March 2, 2018
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.