Under sail · WHALE AND DOLPHIN WATCHING SAILS IN THE USA

8 Whale and Dolphin Watching Sails in the USA to Book

8 sailing trips  ·  seats from $35 each

These are the 8 whale and dolphin watching sails in the USA to put on the shortlist, each with its price, its time on the water and what comes with the seat. Start at the top and work down.

Sunset Dolphin Sail Aboard the Privateer Catamaran - The opening ride along Panama City Beach
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Sunset Dolphin Sail Aboard the Privateer Catamaran

1.Sunset Dolphin Sail Aboard the Privateer Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 709 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $45Top of the fleet

Set out from 4114 Jan Cooley Drive for a two-hour sunset cruise on the 52-foot Privateer catamaran. Captain Mike, Lamar, Chelsea, and other crew members keep the ride lively while you watch for dolphins, deer, sea turtles, and the Gulf sunset. One drink is included, with snacks and cocktails available for purchase.

“I went with my 8 year old son. So much fun!!! We would go back. We saw so many dolphins. There was music playing and it was so relaxing and beautiful.”

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Key West Sunset Sail: Dolphin Watching, Wine, and Tapas - Passing Mallory Square and Key West landmarks
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Key West Sunset Sail: Dolphin Watching, Wine, and Tapas

2.Key West Sunset Sail: Dolphin Watching, Wine, and Tapas

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 699 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89

Set out from Key West’s Historic Seaport for a 2.5-hour catamaran cruise past Mallory Square, Fort Zachary Taylor, and Sunset Key. The crew, including captains such as Daniel and hosts such as Jordan or Gracie, serves wine, champagne, beer, soda, and small bites. Dolphins are possible, not promised.

“Wonderful experience, excellent hors d’oevres, drinks, beautiful sunset, well worth the price - would have liked to be under sail instead of engine for the trip”

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Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor - A quiet harbor cruise, not a narrated tour
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Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor

3.Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 620 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $45

Board the 84-foot Schooner Pride at Aquarium Wharf for a 90-minute, mostly quiet sail past Fort Sumter, Patriots Point, the USS Yorktown, Waterfront Park, and the Ravenel Bridge. The friendly crew may let you help raise the sails. Bring snacks, buy drinks on board, and watch for dolphins.

“Super relaxing and enjoyable My husband and I really enjoyed it. The crew was very nice and accommodating”

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Sunset Dolphin Sail Aboard the Footloose Catamaran - The 90-minute route from dock to sunset
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Sunset Dolphin Sail Aboard the Footloose Catamaran

4.Sunset Dolphin Sail Aboard the Footloose Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 442 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $40Lowest fare aboard

Set out from the Bluegreen Bayside Golf & Spa Resort on the 40-foot Footloose catamaran for a 90-minute Gulf cruise. You may spot dolphins, enjoy tropical music, and watch the sun drop over Panama City Beach. One drink is included, with snacks and alcoholic drinks available by card. Ryan, Lamar, Gordon, Dale, and other crew members have hosted recent trips.

“Great easy going experience for the family and friends! Make sure you take the front seats outside of the main seating area, best spot to look at dolphins!”

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Private Luxury Yacht Charters, BYOB & Dolphins - Passing Fort Sumter at the Harbor Mouth
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Private Luxury Yacht Charters, BYOB & Dolphins

5.Private Luxury Yacht Charters, BYOB & Dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 395 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Book a private 2.5-hour yacht charter from 33 Lockwood Drive for up to six people. Your captain and first mate sail Charleston Harbor past downtown, Fort Sumter, and the Ravenel Bridge. Bring your own drinks and snacks, request catering, and choose a departure time, including sunset. Captains such as Holly, Brian, Will, and Glenn add local stories and careful sailing.

“No parking at the marina. Other than that, get ready for a super chill time at sea with a more than capable crew. Brian and Judd were a pleasure”

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West Oahu Dolphin Watch and Snorkel Sail with Lunch - The ride from Makaha to Makua
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West Oahu Dolphin Watch and Snorkel Sail with Lunch

6.West Oahu Dolphin Watch and Snorkel Sail with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 320 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $125

Sail Oahu’s Leeward Coast on a catamaran with Hawaii Nautical, watching for spinner dolphins, turtles, and seasonal whales before snorkeling at a calm reef. You’ll get sanitized gear, lunch, a premium bar, shaded seating, and hotel pickup for an added fee. Crew members such as Jesse, Ian, and Caden are known for warm, family-friendly service.

“Awesome beautiful day! Everyone was so nice and helpful. Saw lots of dolphins. Would highly recommend.”

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Charleston: Schooner Sailing Harbor Tour & Dolphin Watch - Fort Sumter and Charleston’s harbor landmarks
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Charleston: Schooner Sailing Harbor Tour & Dolphin Watch

7.Charleston: Schooner Sailing Harbor Tour & Dolphin Watch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 255 reviews · from $48

Meet the captain and crew at Aquarium Wharf for a 90-minute sail aboard the three-masted Schooner Pride. Help raise sails up to 84 feet, pass Fort Sumter and Castle Pinckney, and watch for dolphins. This is a relaxed harbor ride rather than a nonstop narrated tour, with drinks sold on board.

“We really enjoyed sailing on the schooner, the captain and his crew were wonderful and were willing to answer any questions we had. We had a fantastic afternoon sailing in the harbor and would highly recommend that tour.”

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Private Morning Sail, Dolphin and History Tour on Mystique - Passing the Charleston Battery and waterfront homes
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Private Morning Sail, Dolphin and History Tour on Mystique

8.Private Morning Sail, Dolphin and History Tour on Mystique

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 84 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Set sail from 17 Lockwood Drive aboard Mystique for a private two-hour Charleston harbor cruise for up to six people. Your skipper and mate share local history while you pass the Battery, Ravenel Bridge, Yorktown, and possibly Fort Sumter. Soft drinks, bottled water, shade, and a restroom keep the morning comfortable, with dolphins a lucky bonus.

“Capt Rob and Maddie were just awesome! The wife and I decided it would be great just take a morning sail around the harbor. Rob and Maddie were the best. It was our first time sailing and they really showed us what sailing was like. We had a great wind that morning and they took full advantage and gave us an amazing experience. Can’t say enough nice things about them. Look forward to our next trip to Charleston and will definitely be sailing with Mystique again!”

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Other ways to get on the water

Sunset Sailing CruisesCatamaran Sailing TripsSailing and Snorkeling TripsPrivate Sailing ChartersIsland Hopping Sailing TripsTall Ship and Schooner Sailing
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