Australia · DOLPHIN WATCHING

The 15 Best Dolphin Watching Tours in Australia

26 tours  ·  from $26 a head

Port Stephens, Moreton Bay and the Mandurah estuary hold resident pods, which is why these run all year while the whale boats do not. The 15 below compare cruise length, whether a swim is included and what you pay for the boom nets.

Moreton Island: Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkel Cruise - The 75-minute cruise from Brisbane
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Moreton Island Day Trips, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in Gold Coast, Tour Reviews, Tours in Gold Coast

Moreton Island: Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkel Cruise

1.Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkel Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,039 reviews · 1 day · from $152Our pick

Spend a full day aboard the Spirit of Mulgumpin, a purpose-built catamaran sailing from Brisbane to Moreton Island. You’ll snorkel the Tangalooma Wrecks with guides such as Jess, Georgia, or Brooke, watch for dolphins and turtles, eat a tropical buffet with ocean king prawns, and enjoy beach time with paddleboards and kayaks.

“A Huge Thank You! A heartfelt thank you to all the amazing staff who made this truly wonderful experience unforgettable — from the smooth bus transfer and delicious lunch to the incredible snorkeling adventure. This was by far the best snorkeling experience I’ve ever had! Everyone was so friendly, professional, and helpful, and the fish certainly showed up in full force. Aside from a few friendly bumps in the water, the snorkeling was absolutely fantastic. A special thank you for taking my camera down to capture that incredible shot of the grouper — what a moment! This experience brought me a deep sense of serenity and peace. I’m already saving…”

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Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise - The eastern harbour and the two headlands
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Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise

2.Dolphin Discovery Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 926 reviews · 1h 30m · from $28Best value

Cruise Port Stephens Harbour for 90 minutes aboard a large Moonshadow TQC vessel. Your captain points out bottlenose dolphins, Tomaree and Yacaaba Headlands, Shoal Bay, and local marine life. You can sit on deck, buy food or drinks at the licensed bar, or get wet in the boom net. Dolphin sightings are not guaranteed.

“We absolutely loved it. Unfortunately due to recent storms the water was very dirty. We still saw lots of dolphins. The captain was awesome. The crew were great. Highly recommended to any and all. Great value for money.”

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Mandurah: Dolphin and Views Cruise - From the jetty to the first dolphin search
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Tour Reviews, Tours in Mandurah

Mandurah: Dolphin and Views Cruise

3.Dolphin and Views Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 920 reviews · 1h 15m · from $31

Cruise Mandurah’s estuary for 60 to 75 minutes with a skipper and English-speaking guide. You’ll look for wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, pelicans, ospreys, swans, and shorebirds, then pass canals, wetlands, the fishing harbour, and cultural sites. Amara is one guide praised for clear, welcoming commentary. Dolphin sightings are guaranteed, or you can cruise again free.

“Excellent! Saw plenty of dolphins and even then feeding !”

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Swim with Wild Dolphins Day Tour - Entering the water with wild dolphins
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Swim with Wild Dolphins Day Tour

4.Swim with Wild Dolphins Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 669 reviews · from $214

Join Perth Wildlife Encounters for a six-hour boat trip from Rockingham, with optional Perth transfers. After the crew locates a pod, you can enter the water in small groups with a wetsuit, mask, and snorkel, or watch from the boat. Lunch, hot drinks, and cruise photos are included.

“This experience was definitely worth the money. The staff our super friendly and informative and make sure you get the most out of your trip.”

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Sydney: Jervis Bay Day Trip with Dolphins, Roos & Beach Time - Starting early at Central Station
1-Day Tours, Dolphin Watching, Tour Reviews, Tours in Sydney

Sydney: Jervis Bay Day Trip with Dolphins, Roos & Beach Time

5.Jervis Bay Day Trip with Dolphins, Roos & Beach Time

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 643 reviews · 12 hours · from $120

Travel from Sydney to Jervis Bay in a small group of up to 20, with a 1.5-hour dolphin cruise, Hyams Beach, the White Sands Trail and wild kangaroos in Booderee National Park. Guides including James, Aurelio and Al are praised for keeping the long day lively. Lunch is your own expense.

“Maikel was amazing! Super knowledgeable, fun and made sure everyone had a great time. Loved every part of this tour — highly recommend.”

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Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour - What the 15-minute briefing really adds
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Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour

6.Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 560 reviews · 3 hours · from $55

Set out from Port Adelaide’s Angas Inlet Boat Club for a three-hour guided kayak trip through Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. Guides such as Alex, Paddy, Mark, and Kendall explain the mangroves, birds, dolphins, and old wrecks. No kayaking experience is needed, but you must be able to paddle. Dolphins and shipwrecks are not guaranteed.

“Fantastic experience - though we didn’t see dolphins we loved kayaking through the mangroves and seeing this unique ecosystem. I’m also happy the company don’t use bait or sounds to tempt the dolphins, as they should be free in their own habitats. Brayden was a great guide, friendly and informative.”

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Snubfin Dolphin Eco Cruise from Broome - Snacks, drinks and the boom net
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Snubfin Dolphin Eco Cruise from Broome

7.Snubfin Dolphin Eco Cruise from Broome

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 533 reviews · from $110Top rated

Join Broome Whale Watching aboard Ballena, a shaded catamaran built for eco-tours in Roebuck Bay. Guides such as John, Jess, Cam and Val share the bay’s wildlife stories while you search for snubfin and bottlenose dolphins, dugongs, turtles and shorebirds. Snacks, refreshments, toilets and viewing decks are included, with swimming in the boom net possible when conditions allow.

“The whole experience was amazing, relaxing boat ride, the turtles, the dolphins, the staff were sensational and the food was so delicious. Thank you 😃”

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Adelaide: 4-Hour Swimming with Dolphins Experience - The coastal cruise before the dolphins appear
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Adelaide: 4-Hour Swimming with Dolphins Experience

8.4-Hour Swimming with Dolphins Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 439 reviews · 3h 30m · from $105

Meet Temptation Sailing at Glenelg’s Marina Pier for a 3.5-hour cruise aboard the 58-foot catamaran Temptation. Your marine biologist guides search for wild dolphins, then rotate groups through the front net and rear tow line. Wetsuits, masks, and snorkels are supplied. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, food, and drinks.

“It was very cold but the overall experience was still superb! The crew took great care of us and we got to see a lot of dolphins.”

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Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise - The eastern harbour and the two headlands
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Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise

9.Dolphin Discovery Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 401 reviews · from $32

From Nelson Bay, Moonshadow-TQC’s 90-minute cruise searches Port Stephens for wild bottlenose dolphins. You’ll hear marine-life commentary, see Tomaree and Yacaaba Headlands, and can try the boom net. Moonshadow V offers indoor and outdoor seating, plus food and drinks for purchase.

“This was an amazing cruise, and the experienced captain brought us to dolphin water habitats to introduce a lot of harvest knowledge.”

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Kayaking with Dolphins in Byron Bay Guided Tour - Starting at Lawson Street and getting ready
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Kayaking with Dolphins in Byron Bay Guided Tour

10.Kayaking with Dolphins in Byron Bay Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 384 reviews · from $63

Paddle a stable two-person sit-on-top kayak through Cape Byron Marine Park for about 2.5 hours. Guides lead you toward local dolphins, with possible turtles and humpback whales from May to November. Expect open-ocean conditions, wet clothes, a beach stop with hot drinks and Tim-Tams, and a free return tour if dolphins are not seen.

“Amazing trip ! Got to see the dolphins and hundreds of them! We took our 5 yr old and the instructor was brilliant with her”

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Mandurah Dolphin Cruise and Views - The marinas and Mandurah’s waterfront character
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Tour Reviews, Tours in Mandurah

Mandurah Dolphin Cruise and Views

11.Mandurah Dolphin Cruise and Views

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 376 reviews · from $31

Set out from Mandurah Performing Arts Centre for a 75-minute cruise through Mandjar Bay, the Peel-Harvey Estuary, Creery Wetlands, and Port Mandurah’s canals. An onboard guide explains the dolphins, birds, Aboriginal and local history, and waterfront sights. Dolphin sightings are guaranteed, or you can return free.

“Excellent tour with family Nd friends - all enjoyed well- thanks you captain for the amazing Captaincy”

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Port Adelaide: Dolphin and Ships Graveyard Cruise - Entering the Ships Graveyard
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Dolphin Watching in Adelaide, Tour Reviews, Tours in Adelaide

Port Adelaide: Dolphin and Ships Graveyard Cruise

12.Port Adelaide: Dolphin and Ships Graveyard Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 375 reviews · 1h 30m · from $62

Cruise the Port River for 90 minutes with an English-speaking skipper-guide. You’ll enter the Ships Graveyard, pass the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and International Bird Sanctuary, and hear stories about old vessels, industry and local wildlife. Guides including Jim, Jason and Chris have earned praise for clear, friendly commentary. Dolphins are possible, not promised.

“Great few hours on the water. Although we only saw one dolphin, Skipper Jim did his utmost to try and find us other, sailing to their usual spots. He was very informative when it came to the vessels in the ship's graveyard, and made my daughter's day letting her sit up front on the Captain's seat!”

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Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tour Adelaide - Through the mangroves, where the tour earns its keep
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Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tour Adelaide

13.Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tour Adelaide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 355 reviews · from $56

Meet at Angas Inlet Boat Club on Garden Island for a three-hour guided paddle through Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. Guides such as Alex, Paddy, Fiona, and Lewis provide safety help and nature information as you look for wild dolphins, birds, fish, mangroves, and shipwrecks. No kayaking experience is needed, but moderate fitness helps.

“Terrific kayaking experience! Paddy was a wonderful guide, very knowledgeable, yet knew when to allow quiet time to appreciate the dolphins and other wildlife/nature.”

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Adelaide: 4-Hour Guaranteed Wild Dolphin Watching Cruise - The first run along Adelaide’s coast
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Dolphin Watching in Adelaide, Tour Reviews, Tours in Adelaide

Adelaide: 4-Hour Guaranteed Wild Dolphin Watching Cruise

14.4-Hour Guaranteed Wild Dolphin Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 349 reviews · 3h 30m · from $63

Cruise Adelaide’s Gulf St Vincent aboard Temptation, a 58-foot catamaran, and watch wild bottlenose and common dolphins near the hulls. The English-speaking crew shares information about dolphin behavior and habitat, with guides such as Elle and Quinn praised for their friendly approach. Bring sunscreen, a hat, food, and a warm layer. A separate swimming option is available.

“We had a fabulous trip. The water was glass making it easy to see the dolphins. We sat up the front talking to Quinn. He was a great host and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend. We will be back to try the swimming option.”

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Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkel Cruise & Lunch - Brisbane - Meeting in Brisbane or driving to Rivergate Marina
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Dolphin Watching in Brisbane, Moreton Island Day Trips, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in Brisbane, Tour Reviews, Tours in Brisbane

Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkel Cruise & Lunch – Brisbane

15.Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkel Cruise & Lunch – Brisbane

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 327 reviews · from $192

Travel from Brisbane to Moreton Island aboard the Spirit of Mulgumpin for guided snorkeling at the Tangalooma Wrecks, a tropical buffet with prawns, beach time, paddleboarding, and wildlife spotting. The crew, including guides such as Caroline and Captain Wayne, keeps the day moving, though snorkeling groups can feel crowded.

“Excellent day, the Captain Wayne and team made day really enjoyable and informative. The inclusions and catering made it a really pleasant experience.”

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New in Dolphin Watching

★ 4.2Dolphin Sanctuary Mangroves Kayak TourFrom $3854 reviews
★ 4.1Dolphin Sanctuary Single or Double Kayak RentalFrom $2751 reviews
★ 4.7Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise with Tour GuideFrom $2631 reviews
★ 4.5Splash ‘n’ Slide Dolphin CruiseFrom $3571 reviews
★ 4.3Tangalooma Desert Safari and Dolphin FeedingFrom $162103 reviews

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