The Dolphin Explorer
The Dolphin Explorer
5
Boat Tours • Eco Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Dolphin & Whale Watching
Read more
Full view
About
A National Geographic approved tour, we see dolphins in their natural habitat. Our dolphin study team will teach you how to identify our individuals and you'll learn all about them! 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 team in Southwest Florida. On our trip, you will visit rookeries, estuaries and a barrier beach and learn how important they are to our dolphin habitat plus you can explore and shell on the beach! Two trips daily, seven days a week. A fabulous family adventure led by experienced and well educated professionals.
Marco Island, Florida
Features animals
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2022
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingSimilar Experiences
The Dolphin Explorer
Booking unavailable on Tripadvisor
Want other options you can book now?
Show optionsTravelers talk about
(112 reviews)
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,552 reviews
Excellent
1,480
Very good
60
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
5
Monica S
2 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Great, informative trip! Great for kuds! Crew was wonderul and identified all dolphins by their names! Many mom and baby dolohin pairs.
Written June 10, 2023
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.
carol t
Naples, FL11 contributions
May 2023 • Family
We had family in from out of town & booked the Dolphin Explorer. We were pleasantly surprised by the knowledge of Captain Eddy & Bob & they had a wonderful way of making the trip memorable for all ages. We will definitely repeat when other family members come to town.
Written May 31, 2023
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.
Brian S
Frostburg, United States3 contributions
May 2023 • Family
This was by far the best dolphin cruise we have been on! The guide, James, was incredibly knowledgeable about the area, the dolphins and their behavior. He answered everyone’s questions very thoroughly. We spent a lot of time with several different dolphins, and even saw manatees. They have a little “challenge” booklet for kids to complete and earn a badge, which my 9 year old daughter loved. I would absolutely recommend The Dolphin Explorer to any and everyone!
Written May 18, 2023
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.
Jenny
Louisville, KY9 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
Do not miss! This is hands down the best tour to take on Marco. If I could give 10 stars I would! I have been coming for years to visit my parents and wish I would have done this tour sooner. I will probably do it every time I come to the island in order to learn more about the beautiful resident dolphins.
Written May 18, 2023
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.
Danielle G
1 contribution
May 2023 • Family
Amazing! Can’t say enough! My kids and I love dolphins so when we came across THE DOLPHIN EXPLORER, I knew we had to go. The staff is great and we were lucky to have James who was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, funny, and great with the kids. We saw many dolphins who rode along the wake from our boat. James gave us background if all the dolphins we saw. We learned a lot. We stopped in a beautiful spot for shelling. I can go in and on, but experience it for yourself! We will visit every time we are here. And Captain Eddie was great as well!!!
Written May 15, 2023
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.
Texans
1 contribution
May 2023 • Friends
Saw 21 dolphins - many who really put on a show.
Master Naturalist Bob did an amazing job. 5th trip and never disappoints. Will definitely go back.
Master Naturalist Bob did an amazing job. 5th trip and never disappoints. Will definitely go back.
Written May 12, 2023
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.
ajw24
Fremont, NE5 contributions
May 2023
Amazing and knowledgeable staff and crew. Very kid friendly, educational and engaging. It was the highlight of Marco Island. Also love that they truly care for the dolphins! We saw over 20 dolphins!
Written May 12, 2023
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.
Kim N
86 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
This is such a wonderful tour, led by professionals who know everything about the local dolphins. The dolphins are like family, and so much about their lives are known and narrated.
On our tour, we learned about a dolphin calf that had been entangled in fishing line, and was cleared of it a few days later.
They promote a healthy environment for the dolphins by letting them be free and by not feeding or otherwise engaging with them.
The dolphins seem to love racing the boat!
On our tour, we learned about a dolphin calf that had been entangled in fishing line, and was cleared of it a few days later.
They promote a healthy environment for the dolphins by letting them be free and by not feeding or otherwise engaging with them.
The dolphins seem to love racing the boat!
Written May 4, 2023
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.
Mobile02715401150
Park Ridge, IL4 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
The staff were wonderfully knowledgeable and provided us with an amazing experience learning about and seeing many dolphins. I have gone twice now in 2021 and 2023 each time was excellent! I would highly recommend for all ages! I will go again !
Written April 27, 2023
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.
William H
1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Couples
We absolutely loved our experience. It was absolutely remarkable and the whole staff was knowledgeable and amazing.
Written April 26, 2023
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.
Does that boat have a bathroom
Yes we do have a head onboard.
Thank you for your interest in our Dolphin Explorer.
can you swim with the dolphins?
Hi, we do not swim with the dolphins. We are dealing with wild free dolphins. Thank you for your interest in our Dolphin Explorer
Gina I
17 contributions
How long is this experience?
Mary Victoria R
Randolph, VT38 contributions
The trip was 3 hours long. They offer a trip in the morning and one in the afternoon. We took the 1 pm - 4 pm trip.
Lawrence O"Connell
Bonita Springs, FL
prices for seniors adults and kids over 10
spencerinthehat
162 contributions
Srs are $64 plus taxes/fees. $69 for others plus t/fees. You can go to their website and click on reservations and prices come up.
Lawrence O"Connell
Bonita Springs, FL
What is the pricing for seniors, adults/ children over 10 years
Melissa H
Belmar, New Jersey, United States42 contributions
Has anyone been seasick on this excursion? My 6 year old was a little queasy a few years ago when we went on a whale watching boat trip up in Cape Cod.
nthemermaid
Maryland747 contributions
The boat does not go fast like a speed boat. It is a liesurly cruise. The waters are calm in the areas they go. Should not be a problem.
Cathy F
West Chester, PA
My wife needs a rollator to get around. Is the boat easy to get in and out? can she get to the beach to look for shells?
Cheryl G
Henrietta, NY200 contributions
It would be difficult. Getting to beach from boat is down a ladder. Don't think it would work. Okay to sit and wait in the boat while you look for shells.
Kathy D
Southington, OH
What is the cost for 2 senior citizens, 2 adults and 3 children? Also do you go out when it is raining? And would we wear rain gear?
Dana7656
Flower Mound, TX80 contributions
I do not know what the prices would be nor if they go out when it is raining. For some reason it won't let me put websites on here so "look up dolphin-study and probably a com after that - wink wink. I am sure they have a phone number that you can call.