The Original Dolphin Watch
The Original Dolphin Watch
The Original Dolphin Watch
4.5
Boat ToursEco ToursSightseeing ToursDolphin & Whale WatchingNature & Wildlife Tours
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Full view
About
One of the most unique activities on South Padre Island is the dolphin watching tour. South Texas is a year-round home to several large pods of dolphin and The Original Dolphin Watch is your ticket to viewing them in all their natural splendor. One of the most memorable activities you will take part in while visiting South Padre is a cruise with us. Share the thrill of meeting bottle nose and spinner dolphins in the wild and experience the unique bond and kinship they inspire in mankind.Dolphin Watch TourDolphin Watch Eco-TourDolphin Watch Sunset TourDolphin Watch Fireworks Tour
South Padre Island, Texas
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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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
4.5
1,916 reviews
Excellent
1,574
Very good
240
Average
60
Poor
19
Terrible
23
Dee
6 contributions
Aug 2021
We were celebrating our honeymoon on the Island and came across a OG Dolphin Watch by a flyer in our hotel. We took two tours with them and enjoyed both. Their very affordable we took the early bird tour and a day later we did their sunset cruise. Out of the both we enjoyed the sunset cruise the most. We got to see more dolphins active and the beautiful views of the sunset were breathtaking. The boat is nothing fancy or special but it’s decent for what you pay. Customer service was exceptional we booked out tours online but you can also book at Sea Ranch Marina. We would definitely recommend as a must on the island won’t break the bank and pictures and videos you take home are definitely worth it. Would do their cruises again in the future for sure.
Written September 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.
rlreller10
South Padre Island, TX1 contribution
Jan 2022 • Family
My husband, daughter, granddaughter and myself originally wanted to go on the sunset cruise but it was privately chartered that evening and my daughter and granddaughter were flying out the next day. We would have booked earlier but there weren't many nice days that week (raining and windy) so we personally didn't have a choice as sometimes mother nature doesn't cooperate her in January. The trip turned out to be beautiful and awesome. The Eco experience was great. We saw lots of dolphins and that was the best part. $3.00 off per person coupons are provided at the visitor center in a coupon book by the Chamber of Commerce. Check it out. We will all had a great experience and plan on doing this again.
Written February 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.
Michelle H
Willis, TX1 contribution
Jun 2020 • Family
Our family thorough enjoyed our whole experience with this crew. They were fun, made funny jokes, captured our attention, gave educational experiences with the fish and crab they caught and walked it around for all to see them and provided a background in the animal as well. They really went out of their way to show us the dolphins we were excited to see. We had dolphins pretty much right next to the boat. We would 100% be a returning customer next time we are down in south padre. Thank you so much.
Written June 16, 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.
Tori R
2 contributions
Nov 2021
Windows broken for so long the cracks are overgrown with mold. Wood paneling cracked and peeling badly. The boat was also over crowded. With 35 people paying $18 each with 4 trips a day, they are raking in about $2500 a day. One would think they could afford maintenance for the boat. Also they blasted horrible country music the whole time. Very unpleasant.
Written November 30, 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.
289unhappy
1 contribution
Apr 2021 • Family
We purchased 4 tickets two weeks ahead of our trip to South Padre, it was for a Monday at 1:30 pm. We got there 30 minutes early and I was shocked at how many people were waiting to board. Once they let people start approaching the boat it was chaos, no organization at all. We were forced to stand on the top level which was very unstable and we felt every move. 10 minutes into the ride we were nauseous and miserable.
Written April 28, 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.
aguij2020
1 contribution
Sep 2020 • Family
The family enjoyed going on this Dolphin Watch. The staff alerts all passengers that face mask is required and to please social distance. What I didnt agree with is that once the boat took off a couple of passengers removed their mask. There was a man that had his mask covering only his chin and his teen daughter was carrying her mask on her hand. Upstairs there was also another man with no mask at all. The captain's assistant would walk around as if he was monitoring the situation but never asked those passengers to put on their mask properly. That was concerning to me because I had my children with me. Other than that it was a nice trip, kids got to see the dolphins.
Written October 13, 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.
kazzmedellin
Brownsville, TX1 contribution
May 2021 • Family
It was an amazing Mother’s Day gift for my aunts and mother in law. The people in charge patiently waited for the rest of my party who was in line for the bathroom. They would announce where the dolphins were so you knew where to look and came by to take pictures of you! Good pictures at that. Overall amazing experience:) planning to go again next month
Written May 11, 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.
mattandbeckywilliams
Lubbock, TX1 contribution
Jun 2020 • Family
We visited SPI for the first time this last week and during our time there went on a dolphin/ecology cruise with your company. The cost was affordable for our family of 6, and the ride was relaxing and fun, and we were able to see lots of dolphins out on the bay. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable about local wildlife and eager to answer questions. We will return again for another ride on our next visit. Thank you!
Written June 18, 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.
KaraCromwell
Killeen, TX1 contribution
May 2021 • Family
The trip begins with 20-25 min sitting on the boat in the bay while they drag the net. While I understand they do this to catch some of the creatures for a show and tell (which we did love), it was tough on the younger children to sit and not move for that long. Once we got going, the kids were very attentive and less restless. The dolphins came right up to the boat, swimming in their bellies, talking a ton and giving us a good show. A few even jumped in the air. At the end, they did a show and tell of the creatures and the kids got to pet a sting ray & hold a star fish. It was definitely an unforgettable experience. We absolutely loved it and I highly recommend for the whole family! Just make sure if you have toddlers, bring something for them to do during the first 20-25 minutes - the wait is worth it but can be stressful with toddlers.
Written May 22, 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.
westrain
Las Cruces, NM193 contributions
Sep 2022
Compared to my tour four years ago, the trip on Monday, Sept. 26 at 6pm, this was a disaster!
Trip is not t handicap accessible in anyway. Ship was so old and terrible seating; lack of useable and seeable windows represented a prison ship in the inside! Sound system was inaudible! When leaving the lower level, there was no lighting to assist in striving to disembark! Would not recommend this tour to anyone using this ship nor when mixed with a tour group of 35 seniors . Has to be a better option?
Trip is not t handicap accessible in anyway. Ship was so old and terrible seating; lack of useable and seeable windows represented a prison ship in the inside! Sound system was inaudible! When leaving the lower level, there was no lighting to assist in striving to disembark! Would not recommend this tour to anyone using this ship nor when mixed with a tour group of 35 seniors . Has to be a better option?
Written September 30, 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.
Is dolphin ride on the bay side or the ocean side?
Written August 4, 2022
Yes, and if you are an end of the day boat tour I recommend using the restroom AKA Head before you disembark. The onshore restroom maybe closed because the "office-booking area" is closed or closing when the last boat tour of the day returns.
Written May 16, 2019
ortega4712
Waco, Texas
How are the dolphin watch tours during the first week of November?
Written August 15, 2018
Annjuliette H
Crandall, Texas
Is there a recommended time of day now at the end of May?
Written May 30, 2018
I enjoy the afternoon Eco tours. But all the trips are great.
Written November 5, 2018
We can load most wheelchairs. Please call for more information.
Written March 24, 2018
10$ / adult for about 3 hours and kids get to interact with the sea creatures they pull up on the boat .Crew very friendly. Our 10yo girl liked it.
Written March 7, 2018
Brenda W
Port Arthur, Texas
I woukd love to book the parasailing/tour boat. Would like to know the price. Thank You
Written March 6, 2017
We don't offer parasailing. We do dolphin watch tours and depending on the time of year we have snorkeling.
Written November 5, 2018
I am so sorry but I wrote a review for the wrong company. I can't find out how to delete it.
Written July 1, 2016
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