Bottlenose dolphins in Perdido Bay
Tours

Dolphin tours in Orange Beach

Dolphin cruises here leave from Orange Beach, mostly from The Wharf Marina and the docks along Perdido Beach Blvd. They last 90 minutes to two hours and start around $18 to $35 for an adult. With Cetacean Cruises, no dolphins means your next trip is free, and the Sunny Lady has restrooms and a heated or air-conditioned cabin.

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Checked November 5, 202690 min to 2 hours6 operators compared

Perdido Bay near Orange Beach, Alabama · Photo: Altairisfar / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain · Credits

The short answer

Which dolphin cruise to pick

Pick by boat and time of day: a pontoon into the creeks of the back bays, a boat with a cabin, a sailing catamaran, a sunset cruise or a boat just for your group. Cetacean's cruises stay in the back bays, Wolf Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway.

  • Pontoon eco tour

    BoatCetacean's Explorer, 40-ft pontoonLength2 hoursPriceFrom $35What to knowCreeks of the back bays; dolphins or your next trip free; restroom, shade

  • Boat with a cabin

    BoatSunny LadyLength1.5 hoursPriceFrom $28What to knowRestrooms and a heated and air-conditioned cabin

  • Budget fare

    BoatSurf's UpPrice$18 ages 13+, $15 ages 3–12What to knowLeaves from 28101 Perdido Beach Blvd

  • Catamaran day sail

    BoatCetacean, 52-ft catamaranLength1.5 hoursPriceFrom $40What to knowCocktails, beer and wine on board; no sighting guarantee on the sailboat

  • Sunset dolphin cruise

    BoatCetacean's ExplorerLength2 hoursPriceFrom $40What to knowThe eco tour at sunset

  • Adults-only sunset sail

    BoatCetacean, 52-ft catamaranLength2 hoursPriceFrom $60What to knowAges 13 and up

  • Private boat

    BoatBack Bay Charters or Cetacean's ExplorerLength1 to 1.5 hoursPriceFrom $1,200, Cetacean private early-birdWhat to knowOnly your group on board

Sources: Cetacean Cruises, FAQ, the operators' own pages.

From The Wharf

Dolphin cruises bookable on Viator

Viator prices and ratings were checked on November 3, 2026.

Dolphin and nature eco tour
Photo: Cetacean Cruises via Viator

Cetacean Cruises

Orange Beach Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise

2 hours

Explore the quiet back bays of Orange Beach on a shallow-draft boat that reaches shorelines larger cruises can't. Look for wild dolphins, osprey, herons and even bald eagles as your guide takes you through the coastal waterways.

If you don't spot a dolphin, your next trip is free. There's a cocktail bar on board for the grown-ups.

  • 2-hour guided dolphin and wildlife cruise
  • Dolphin sightings or a free return trip
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Good to know
  • Meets: The Wharf Marina, in front of SpringHill Suites, 4673 Wharf Parkway West
  • Minimum weight 18 lb; no strollers, not wheelchair accessible

4.9 · 617 reviews on Viator

From $48.13 on Viator

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Dolphin eco boat tour, 90 minutes
Photo: Cetacean Cruises via Viator

Cetacean Cruises

Orange Beach Dolphin Cruise

1½ hours

Between 50 and 70 dolphins live in the Orange Beach bays, and the guides know many of them by their dorsal fins. You'll hear who's who in the pod and how they live together.

At 90 minutes, it's short enough for young kids.

  • 90-minute guided dolphin cruise
  • Dolphin sightings or a free return trip
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Good to know
  • Meets: The Wharf Marina, in front of SpringHill Suites, 4673 Wharf Parkway West

4.8 · 439 reviews on Viator

From $41.25 on Viator

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Dolphin sailing cruise on a catamaran
Photo: Cetacean Cruises via Viator

Cetacean Cruises

Dolphin Sailing Cruise on a Catamaran

1½ hours

Trade engine noise for wind on the Cetacean, a 52-foot Hawaiian catamaran whose two hulls keep the ride smooth on the calm back bays.

Watch for dolphins beside the boat and bald eagles, egrets and osprey overhead.

  • Quiet sailing on a 52-foot catamaran
  • Cocktail bar on board, fees and taxes included
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Good to know
  • Meets: The Wharf Marina, in front of SpringHill Suites, 4673 Wharf Parkway West

4.7 · 147 reviews on Viator

From $55 on Viator

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Sunny Lady dolphin and sunset cruise
Photo: Sunny Lady via Viator

Sunny Lady

Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruise

1½ hours

A family-owned boat that heads out every day to find dolphins in the bays.

Comfort comes along: a snack bar, restrooms and a cabin that's air-conditioned in summer and heated in winter, so it's an easy trip with small children or grandparents.

  • Restrooms and climate-controlled cabin
  • Child and infant life jackets included
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Good to know
  • Meets: West side of The Wharf, at the booth by the marina next to SpringHill Suites

4.9 · 309 reviews on Viator

From $39 on Viator

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Parking and hours at The Wharf

Private

A boat just for your group

Only your group is on board. Price and group size are on the listing.

Private dolphin sightseeing trip
Photo: Back Bay Charters via Viator

Back Bay Charters

Private Dolphin Cruise

1 hour

A boat just for your group, out on the bay and into the Gulf of Mexico from Caribe Marina. Look for dolphins, sea turtles, rays and wetland birds.

You agree the route with the captain, which makes it a good fit for birthdays and anniversaries.

  • Private boat for your group only
  • Coast Guard-licensed captain and safety gear included
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Good to know
  • Meets: Caribe Marina, by the dock picnic tables

4.8 · 18 reviews on Viator

From $375 on Viator

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Prices by age

What adults, kids and babies pay

Prices before tax and fees.

  • Cetacean eco tour

    Adults$35, ages 13+Children$35, up to 12Infants18 lb minimum weight

  • Sunny Lady

    AdultsFrom $28; 60+ from $26ChildrenFrom $22, ages 4–14Infants$5, 3 and under

  • Surf's Up

    Adults$18, ages 13+Children$15, ages 3–12InfantsFree, 2 and under

  • Surf's Up sunset

    Adults$20 from age 3Children$20 from age 3InfantsFree, 2 and under
Kids and access

Babies, strollers and wheelchairs

Check these before you book if you travel with a baby or someone who can't manage steps.

Source: Cetacean Cruises: FAQ.

Life jackets
On Cetacean's boats every child under 8 wears one, as state law requires; more than 60 on board. Sail Wild Hearts puts its own on kids up to 12
Babies
Cetacean takes no one under 18 pounds, following Coast Guard advice
Strollers
Not allowed on Cetacean's boats; leave them in the car
Wheelchairs
Cetacean's boats aren't wheelchair accessible; walkers and canes work on the Explorer, but the catamaran's ramp is very steep
Ages
Southern Rose takes all ages
Pirate cruise for kids

The pirate ship American Star

Hudson Marina sails a wooden pirate ship from its dock on South Wilson Boulevard. The Pirate Adventure is a show with games for kids; dolphins may turn up, but the ship doesn't go looking for them. For a cruise that does, pick one of the dolphin cruises above.

Source: Hudson Marina: pirate cruises. Ticket prices as listed there.

Boat
American Star, a 65-foot wooden ship from 1959; restroom on board, shade in the cabin and at the stern, no air conditioning
Pirate Adventure
90 minutes: kids earn their sea legs, put out a fire on deck, catch cannonballs, read a treasure map and sing along
Other trips
The same adventure at sunset; a narrated scenic cruise without the games; a live music cruise on select dates. All 90 minutes
Ages 2–12
$39
Ages 13–64
$49
Ages 65+
$41
1 and under
$5
Sunset Pirate Adventure, live music cruise
$59 (sunset from age 2)
Leaves from
Hudson Marina, 4575 South Wilson Blvd, Orange Beach; check in 30 minutes before, the boat leaves on time
Life vests
Required for kids 8 and under and provided on board
Getting wet
In spring, summer and fall the Pirate Adventure gets you wet: bring swimwear, a towel and dry clothes. The scenic cruise stays dry
Drinks
Water and pirate punch halfway; a small cooler is fine, no glass; alcohol in moderation for 21+
Wheelchairs and babies
Manual wheelchairs and baby carriers are allowed

Another family cruise you can book on Viator

A tiki boat on the back bays; the Sunny Lady and Cetacean's 90-minute cruise are listed above. Price and rating checked on November 3, 2026.

Dolphins beside a sightseeing boat at sunset off Orange Beach
Photo: U.S. Department of Transportation / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Cruisin Tikis Orange Beach

Orange Beach Tiki Bay Cruise

1½ hours

Cruise the bay and islands of Orange Beach with your friends, your music on the Bluetooth stereo and your own drinks in the cooler.

  • Bring your own drinks
  • Cooler, ice, cups, water and floats provided
Good to know
  • Meets: Zeke's Marina, at the tiki boat in front of Zeke's Restaurant
  • Not refundable once booked

4.9 · 84 reviews on Viator

From $77 on Viator

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Arrive and cancel

Check-in, cancellations and weather

Cetacean, Sail Wild Hearts and Southern Rose charge the full fare if you cancel late.

Source: Cetacean Cruises: reservation policy.

Arrive
30 minutes early; Cetacean's ticket booth is in front of SpringHill Suites at The Wharf Marina; Sunny Lady also asks for 30 minutes
Book ahead
Not required at Cetacean, but the only way to be sure of a seat
Cancel
24 hours ahead at Cetacean, Sail Wild Hearts and Southern Rose, 1 day at Sunny Lady; groups over 10 at Cetacean 72 hours, private trips 1 week
Bad weather
If the captain calls it off, Cetacean charges nothing; Sunny Lady refunds or rebooks
Tips
Welcome at Sail Wild Hearts; no set amount
All operators

Six dolphin cruise operators side by side

Prices before tax and fees.

  • Cetacean Cruises

    Leaves fromThe Wharf MarinaLength2 hours (eco tour)Price$35 adults 13+ and children up to 12

  • Sunny Lady

    Leaves fromThe Wharf MarinaLength1.5 hours, 2–3 departures a dayPriceFrom $28 adults, $26 60+, $22 ages 4–14, $5 under 4

  • Sail Wild Hearts

    Leaves fromPerdido Beach Resort bayside dock, 27101 Perdido Beach BlvdLength1.5 hours, morning or afternoonPriceOn request

  • Surf's Up Dolphin Cruises

    Leaves from28101 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange BeachLengthOn requestPrice$18 ages 13+, $15 ages 3–12, under 3 free; sunset $20 from age 3

  • Southern Rose Dolphin Trips

    Leaves fromOrange BeachLength90 minutes to 2 hoursPriceOn request

  • Cruise Orange Beach

    Leaves fromOrange BeachLength1.5 to 2 hoursPriceFrom $22
Dolphin rules

What NOAA asks of you and your captain

Feeding wild dolphins is illegal, and NOAA asks boats to keep their distance.

Sources: NOAA Fisheries: marine life viewing guidelines, Southeast viewing guidelines (PDF).

All tours

Feeding wild dolphins
Illegal
Swimming with, touching or riding dolphins
Don't
Distance from a boat
At least 50 yards
How long to watch
30 minutes or less
What people ask

Quick answers

How much is a dolphin cruise in Orange Beach?

From $18 for ages 13 and up on Surf's Up to $35 on Cetacean's 2-hour eco tour; the Sunny Lady starts at $28. Sunset and sailing cruises cost $40 to $60.

Where does the Sunny Lady leave from?

From The Wharf in Orange Beach, for 1.5 hours, with 2 or 3 departures a day. Be there 30 minutes early. The boat has restrooms and a heated and air-conditioned cabin.

Are there dolphin cruises from Gulf Shores?

The cruises here leave from Orange Beach, mostly from The Wharf Marina and the docks along Perdido Beach Blvd, about 6.5 miles by car from Gulf Place.