Dolphin and Nature Eco Tour

Product ID: 72373

Supplied by: Cetacean Cruises

The Best Dolphin Cruise in Alabama

This is our most popular cruise offering-a fan favorite! Our two-hour Dolphin and Nature tour departs from the Wharf Marina in Orange Beach, Alabama. This is a fun, educational tour that consists of locating our resident dolphin pod, learning all about the dolphins, as well as learning about the local wildlife in the estuaries!

Our knowledgeable tour guide and captain point out the local flora and fauna. You may see osprey and their nests, herons, bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, and maybe even an alligator or two.

The Explorer allows us to get as close as safely possible to the banks and the local marine and wildlife. Because the boat only needs 16 to 18 inches of water underneath, we can sneak into our local estuaries, where few other boats can go, providing you with a truly unique and memorable experience.

Kids become Jr. Co-Captains when they board so they can assist the Captain!

Duration: 2 hours

Offered languages: English

Overview

Welcome To Cetacean Cruises!

(set TAY shun)
Close your eyes and daydream with us for a moment. Imagine a blue-sky day aboard a boat, surrounded by shimmering water. Seagulls dive into the water for their dinner- truly a fresh catch. Friendly dolphins dance in sequence, just a short distance from the boat, and Caribbean music sets the tone for a relaxing dolphin cruise or sunset sailboat cruise through Wolf Bay and the surrounding waters of Orange Beach, Alabama. We stay in the back bays, along Orange Beach’s Intracoastal Waterway for a smooth boating experience. There’s no reason to daydream when you can experience this treasure first-hand with the Cetacean Cruises team.

Come Sail Away With Cetacean Cruises
Have you ever experienced a sailing adventure aboard a two-hull sailboat? Two hulls provide stability for a smooth ride without leaning to one side. Come enjoy a two-hour sailing cruise at sunset or a day sail aboard the Cetacean, a 52-foot Hawaiian catamaran. Our Orange Beach day sailing tours are great for the entire family! With the wind in our sails, the Cetacean skims along the waters of Orange Beach, Alabama and Perdido Key, Florida. While out sailing, you see coastal wildlife and marine life all around. Take in the sights and sounds as pelicans and cormorants dive into the water, bald eagles, egrets, sea gulls, herons and osprey fly nearby, schools of bait fish surround the sailboat, and our resident pod of dolphins plays in our bow wake.

Will snacks and drinks be available?
We offer a variety of cold beverages [Coke products and lemonade] for $2 each, as well as bottled water and snacks for $1 each.

Select Adult beverages are also available for purchase at reasonable prices.

Customers must be prepared to show a physical, valid form of ID when ordering alcoholic beverages. You must be at least 21 years of age to order and consume alcoholic beverages. Expired IDs are NOT valid. Valid forms of ID include:

Non-expired, valid driver’s license
Valid U.S. Uniformed Service Identification [Military ID]
Valid passport
Valid Alabama non-drivers ID issued by Dept. of Public Safety

Is smoking allowed?
Absolutely no smoking or vaping is permitted on any of our vessels or cruises. This applies to our public and private cruises.

Onboard Restrooms
Both of our vessels have an onboard restroom.

However, these restrooms are NOT like the ones at home. All paper products must be thrown into the provided trash cans, NOT in the toilet itself!

Additional Information

Cetacean Cruises will send an email with directions and important information prior to boarding.

What kind of boat will I be on?
The Explorer is a 40-foot aluminum pontoon that was custom-made to cruise swamps and creeks. Needing only 16-18 inches of water, we can offer picture-perfect opportunities for close-up viewing of local flora and fauna. Much of the seating area is shaded, and the open bow is conducive to walking around and getting fabulous photos. And yes, there is an onboard bathroom!

How many people does the boat accommodate?
Our 40-foot pontoon can comfortably accommodate 49 passengers.
Our 52-foot sailing catamaran can comfortably accommodate 40 passengers.

The Cetacean Sailing Catamaran is a 52-foot two-hulled sail boat. The two hulls ensure “smooth sailing!” and we have tables and chairs and additional seating for 40 passengers. While sailing the beautiful bays we listen to relaxing and fun music. You have a hostess that takes care of your every need including taking photos of you and your group on your devices creating memories to last a lifetime. Our sunset sails are amazing, offering wonderful photo opportunities. There is a full service bar aboard offering a variety of reasonably-priced specialty cocktails, beer, and wine. And yes, there is a restroom onboard!

Know before you go

Cetacean Cruises will send an email with directions and important information prior to boarding.

Will we really see a dolphin?
Yes, you will – we guarantee it! We have been cruising with these dolphins for well over a decade and know a great deal about their social life and habits. After thousands of trips, we have missed seeing dolphins only three times. After each of those three trips, we returned to the dock and rescheduled all who could for a second free cruise in the next day or two, with your choice of the same cruise or a sailing cruise. There is no guarantee that you will see dolphins aboard the sail boat – however, we most always do!

What should I bring?
We encourage guests to wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Don’t forget your camera and maybe even binoculars. Once on the boat, you may purchase iced-down soft drinks, water, and Gatorade as well as chips, cookies, nuts, and candy, all for $1 each. Coolers are not allowed. Outside Alcohol is NOT permitted to be brought on either of our vessels. Both vessels have adult beverages available for purchase.

*Please wear sensible shoes, high-heels are not allowed on boats!

Are there life jackets for adults and children?
The boat is equipped with more than 60 life jackets available for use by children and adults. In addition, we provide child life jackets for everyone who is under eight years old; state laws require these to be worn during the cruise. According to the US Coast Guard office of boating safety, Newborn infants should not travel on a boat until they weigh at least 18 lbs. and can wear a personal floatation device (life jacket)

***Please be advised that we have a minimum weight requirement of 18 pounds- those under 18 pounds will not be allowed to board.

Are strollers allowed?
No- we do not allow strollers on board.

There is simply not enough floor space to accommodate strollers of any kind.

Please leave your strollers in your vehicle, or you will be asked to leave it dockside.

Is there disabled access?
No- we are not handicap accessible. We cannot accommodate wheelchairs, powered chairs, or strollers.

We are able to accommodate walkers and canes- boarding The Explorer is relatively easy.

Boarding The Cetacean is not advised for anyone with walking impairments, as the ramp is incredibly steep.