One of the most magical things about the Pensacola area is taking a dolphin cruise to see bottlenosed dolphins.
If you’re visiting Pensacola and wonder if the magic of seeing these marine mammals ever goes away, we can assure you it does not.
Sometimes, you can spot them from the shores of Pensacola Beach or in the Intracoastal Waterway. But there is nothing quite as captivating as an up close interaction and view from a dolphin cruise on a boat.
The captains running the dolphin cruises are experts at knowing where the dolphins like to play and feed, but it still can take a little time to locate them. Most cruises are around two hours at various times during the day.
A group of dolphins is a pod, which is usually comprised of 10-15 dolphins. If you see one, there are usually many more nearby. They are several feet taller than the average adult and live for about fifty years in the wild. If you are really lucky, you may catch a baby calf (term for baby dolphin) swimming alongside her Mama.
Your best bet is to call plenty in advance of your vacation or staycation to get a time that works for your family. My favorite time of day is nearing sunset. The sunset views all around Pensacola are simply breathtaking and you will go home with some incredible photos.
Check out each of the websites listed below to determine which boat and package works for you or your group. Some tours are operated on larger boats and take more people per trip, others like Condor Sailing Adventures, are more personalized and accomodate smaller parties.
Some tours have drinks available for purchase or may allow a small cooler on board. Always remember to apply sunscreen before boarding, bring a towel, wear a hat that can be secured, and don’t forget your sunglasses. Polarized sunglasses are the best option for cutting bright reflections and glare on the water.
Some of the tours offer custom options, private parties, and snorkeling add-on adventures. Also, crew members typically work for tips, so don’t forget to bring a little cash.
Whatever you do: don’t forget your camera! You will definitely want videos and pictures of your exciting dolphin encounter in Pensacola.
