Public Dolphin Tours

Dolphin Tour FAQ

What Species of dolphins can be found in the area?

The Gulf of Mexico is one of the few places where you can see Non-Migratory Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins. On the dolphin tour, you are likely to see one of these Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins jumping around or looking for some tasty fish. These kinds of dolphins are very social and love to be in a group. Just like how humans love having a group of friends, dolphins are the same way!

What activities are the dolphins doing?

On the dolphin tour, you can see dolphins doing tons of different activities like hunting, feeding, socializing, and playing with each other. Dolphins are very intelligent creatures, so they do a lot of different activities. They enjoy chasing each other around, playing catch with seaweed, and riding the wakes of boats.

What other sea creatures can we see on the dolphin tour?

On this adventure, you will not only see dolphins but a variety of other sea creatures like Manatees, Rays, Sea Turtles, and Sea Birds. The warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico attract a lot of sea life. The underwater ecosystem of Florida is vast and diverse, so you are sure to see some aquatic creatures on your dolphin tour.

Are dolphin sightings guaranteed on your dolphin tours?

Unfortunately we cannot control when and where the dolphins are gonna show up, but there is a high concentration of dolphins in this area, so although sightings are not guaranteed, there is a high likelihood that you will see dolphins on your dolphin tour.

Do the dolphins migrate?

Bottlenose dolphins do not engage in mass migrations. They may move south during colder months and spread out during the warmer months but Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins usually stick close to the east coast of the United States and the Gulf of Mexico.

How intelligent are dolphins?

Bottlenose dolphins are one of the most intelligent creatures on the planet. Studies report that dolphins can understand complex problems, comprehend symbol based communication systems, and have a developed sense of self awareness. Dolphins also have been observed to communicate differently across different groups, which indicates that they have a unique sense of culture, think the same language with different accents.

What do dolphins eat?

Dolphins have a primarily carnivorous diet consisting of fish, shrimp, jellyfish, and octopuses. Dolphins use a lot of energy by constantly swimming so they are always on the hunt for yummy seafood. On your dolphin tour, most of the dolphins you see will most likely be hunting or trying to feed.

How fast can dolphins swim?

Dolphins have been observed to reach speeds of 22 miles per hour and cruise at a speed of 5 miles per hour. They are playful swimmers and use their powerful fins to breach. Breaching is when they jump in the air out of the water. Dolphins do this for a number of reasons like breathing, looking for other members of their group, looking for other sea creatures, and interestingly enough, they sometimes just breach for fun.

How do dolphins communicate with each other?

Dolphins are magnificent creatures and they communicate in a very unique way: Echolocation. Dolphins use clicks and whistles to find other dolphins in the water. They will make these noises and the noises will bounce off of other dolphins so that they can find each other. They also communicate with physical contact and body language.

Do dolphins have predators?

Dolphins’ main predators are sharks. Tiger sharks, Bull sharks, and Great White sharks have all been seen to hunt dolphins for food. Studies reveal that around 35% of dolphins in Sarasota Bay Florida have shark bite scars.

How high can dolphins jump?

Dolphins are very powerful creatures and have been seen jumping up to 25 feet in the air! Dolphins are mammals so they breathe air just like humans, a huge reason as to why they jump out of the water. But, dolphins also do this to avoid resistance from water currents, and move faster than just swimming normally. There is a great chance that you will see dolphins jumping on your dolphin tour.

How do dolphins sleep?

When dolphins sleep, they rest at the top of the water motionless, or they may swim very steadily and slowly. Dolphins need about 8 hours of sleep a day, but what’s interesting is that when they rest, only half of their brain is asleep, so dolphins sleep in shifts, where the right half of the brain gets 4 hours and then the left half gets 4 hours. They do this so that they can ensure that they stay breathing.