With a brain-body ratio second only to humans, dolphins are one of the most intelligent animals on earth. Seeing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat is one of life’s most exceptional experiences.
Many people put seeing dolphins in the wild at the top of their bucket list, and for a good reason! It’s a very humbling experience.
There are still 44 species of dolphins in the wild, but sadly some of those species have become endangered. Human activity such as fishing and environmental destruction can endanger the dolphins.
If you want to see these magnificent creatures in the wild, Florida is one of the best places to do it. Dolphins in Florida reside in the warm, clear water all year round. Take a boat tour in Florida, and you are pretty much guaranteed to see wild dolphins.
Types of Dolphins in Florida
There are as many as nine different types of dolphins to be found in the waters around Florida. Here are the four most common Florida dolphins you’ll encounter:
Bottlenose Dolphin
The most common type of Florida dolphin is the bottlenose dolphin. The bottlenose dolphin is grey and can be between 6 and 12 feet long.
There are still around 600,000 bottlenose dolphins worldwide; they are the most commons species of dolphin. Often mistakenly called porpoises, these magnificent creatures are recognizable by their long beak.
Did you know that porpoises are a different species of animal altogether?
The bottlenose dolphin lives onshore and offshore and is the easiest type of dolphin to spot. They need to come up to breathe every two minutes but can hold their breath underwater for as long as twelve minutes.
Common Dolphin
You can also spot common dolphins (Delphinus Delphis) off the coast of Florida. There are both short-beaked and long-beaked common dolphins, the difference being the length of their beak. The short-beaked common dolphin also has a longer fin and flippers.
Common dolphins have beautiful markings on their sides and are slightly smaller than bottlenose dolphins. They are between 7.5 and 8.5 feet long.
You are less likely to see a common dolphin near the shore as they live offshore. The best way to spot common dolphins is with a boat tour.
Atlantic Spotted Dolphin
At certain times of the year, you can also see the Atlantic spotted dolphin. This type of dolphin is slightly darker in color than the bottlenose and can be recognized by the spotted markings on its back.
The spotted markings appear as the dolphin gets older, so the more spots a dolphin has, the older it is. Dolphins can leave for as long as 25 years!
Atlantic Spotted Dolphins’ beaks are thicker than the bottlenose dolphin and are usually a little white on the end. The Atlantic Spotted Dolphin can live in a pod of up to 50 members. They are also often spotted living alongside other dolphin breeds.
Spinner Dolphin
This dolphin is characterized by its ability to spin and make incredible maneuvers on its tail. Spinner dolphins are much smaller in comparison to other dolphin types. They are between 4.6 and 6.8 feet long.
Spinner dolphins can have a curved dorsal fin, but they may also have an erect triangular fin. They are usually dark grey on the back, grey on their sides with a white belly.
Did you know individual dolphins can be identified by their dorsal fin? Learn some more fascinating facts about dolphins here.
When Is the Best Time to See Dolphins in Florida?
Due to the warm climates and warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico, you can see dolphins in Florida all year round.
The best time of day to spot dolphins is from sunrise until mid-morning. They are most active at this time of day as they look for food.
It is possible to see dolphins in the wild at any time in Florida, but your best bet is to go in the early morning.
Best Place to See Dolphins in Florida
There are numerous spots all along the Florida coast where you can spot these captivating mammals. Not sure where to go? Try one of these top locations:
Marco Island and Naples
There is a feeding ground in Marco Island, which makes it one of the top spots to see dolphins in Florida. Lots of mullets live in this area, and guess what? Dolphins love mullet!
The diversity of food in the Marco Island area means dolphins can be found there every day. It also doesn’t matter so much the time of day you go dolphin-watching there; you are pretty much guaranteed to see dolphins.
An abundance of wildlife resides in this area, and you may even spot some manatees.
Marco Island itself is a slice of paradise and has some of the rarest shells in Florida. If you book a Marco Island dolphin tour, you will also get the unique opportunity to hunt for these rare shells.
You will get to explore some of the undiscovered areas of Marco Island and learn about its unique history.
Did you know that Marco Island is the largest of Florida’s ten thousand islands? Fun fact: historically, clam digging was the number one economic activity in the region.
Florida Keys
Another popular place for the dolphins of Florida to hang out is the Florida Keys. Islamorada and Key Largo are popular spots for sitings of the creatures in the wild.
The Florida Keys is a popular breeding ground for the dolphins, which is why you can see them there year-round. Did you know that dolphins are pregnant for one year?
In the Florida Keys, there are also many experiences to swim with dolphins on offer and a Dolphin Research Center.
It’s not recommended to swim with dolphins as keeping these creatures in captivity is cruel. As fun as it may sound, it can be damaging to both the dolphins and their environment. Watching dolphins in the wild is a much better opportunity to see them enjoying life in their natural habitat.
Amelia Island
Just north of Jacksonville, this barrier island is a great place to view various wildlife of all types; there is plenty to explore in this northern region of Florida.
The nature here is pristine, and there are miles of exceptional beaches. Amelia Island is a popular luxury holiday destination with many ocean-front hotels, restaurants, and golf courses.
Perhaps most well known for its sand dunes, it is also an excellent spot for seeing dolphins.
There is an abundance of recreational activities available on Amelia Island. From boating to kayaking to diving, it’s an adrenaline junkie paradise.
Panama City Beach
At this popular vacation destination in the north of Florida, you can catch a glimpse of wild dolphins swimming in the warm Gulf of Mexico waters.
One of the most popular ways to view wild dolphins is by hiring a jet ski and a guide and heading out to known spots where the dolphins hang out.
The waters over on this side of the state are much calmer than on the Atlantic side, and the region is known for its beautiful white-sand beaches.
Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island is up there with the top spots for where to see dolphins in Florida.
Another well-known vacation destination, just off the coast of Fort Myers, Sanibel, is a little slice of paradise in the Gulf of Mexico.
You can take a boat tour here and see the dolphins frolicking around just offshore. It may even be possible to see them in the distance from the shores of Sanibel. Just make sure you bring your binoculars with you!
Want an even closer encounter with the dolphins? Then rent a kayak and paddle around, searching for a glimpse of these majestic mammals.
If you don’t make it to Sanibel, you can also take a dolphin-watching tour from the mainland of Fort Myers.
Sarasota
Just south of Tampa is the beautiful coastal city of Sarasota. Known for its cultural institutions, this is a great destination for those who want some education as well as adventure. The Ringling Museum of Art is one of the most famous institutions in the city.
The other well-known fact about Sarasota is the pod of dolphins who live just off the coast all year round. There are around 150 of them who feed, breed, and live in the azure view waters here.
If you swim in the waters around Sarasota, you may get lucky and spot a bottlenose in the distance. Take a dolphin-watching tour for a more guaranteed siting!
Clearwater
Another popular dolphin-watching spot in the Tampa Bay area is Clearwater. This beautiful beach is on a barrier island and is known to have an abundance of wildlife.
The beaches at Clearwater are warm all year round and a perfect location to take a dolphin-watching cruise.
New Smyrna Beach
Back on the Atlantic side of Florida is New Smyrna Beach, which is a surf hub.
Do you know who else likes to surf waves?
Dolphins’ playful attitude sees them surfing waves just as humans do, and they do it purely for fun. Dolphins don’t surf for any purpose other than to enjoy life! These creatures are so emotionally intelligent that they need some downtime and recreation too.
You can often catch wild dolphins surfing the waves created by boats. If you go on a dolphin-watching tour, more often than not, the dolphins will find you first because they want to play.
In this part of the state, river cruises are a popular way to go dolphin watching. You cruise down the river, see some famous sites such as the Pince de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and then head out to sea.
Once on the ocean, you may get the chance to glimpse several of the hundreds of bottlenose dolphins who make this region their home.
Should You Swim With Dolphins?
Some tours may offer you the opportunity to jump off the boat and swim or snorkel with the dolphins. This can be traumatic for the dolphins and is not a good idea.
After all, dolphins are wild animals, and as cute as they may seem, they can be very unpredictable. If you get into the water with dolphins, you may also be putting yourself at risk of injury from the animals.
Dolphins communicate via a complex system of high-frequency sounds so they can hear each other underwater. If you get into the water with them, you can interfere with their ability to communicate with one another. You may even interfere with a mother trying to find her calf.
Swimming with dolphins in captivity is another big no-no. These highly intelligent animals should not be confined to a small space to solely interact with humans.
The conditions dolphins are kept in when they are in captivity are often substandard, and they can develop a whole host of ailments. A dolphin’s life in captivity is significantly shorter than its life in the wild.
Best Dolphin Experience in Florida
With year-round opportunities to see dolphins in Florida, it’s a perfect vacation activity any time of year.
Florida offers something for everyone, so whether you are looking for a more relaxed vacation or are more partial to a bit of adventure, you can find it here!
From the common bottlenose to the rarer spinner dolphin, every Florida dolphin cruise is different. There is always an opportunity for a new siting.
When it comes to the best dolphin-watching experience, we are, of course, going to recommend coming to Marco Island. The tours we provide are unlike any other, and we use our years of experience to ensure you have a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Book a tour with Marco Island Dolphin Tours today; we look forward to showing you these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
