anyone been on a dolphin cruise?

[luvmyfam444]

HOw was it? Was it worth the $?

And did you happen to be around Gulf Shores & can recommend a company to use?

 

[wtpntigger2]

We did one (twice) in Sanibel with the Sanibel Thiller http://www.sanibelthriller.com/ It's a boat tour around the islands of Sanibel and Captiva where they look for pods of dolphin. They then slow down and the dolphins swim and jump in the wake of the boat. It is sooo fun and definitely worth the money (hence why we have gone on it twice). Just make sure to sit as far back in the boat as possible.

 

[Hedy]

I went on one in St. Petesburg (FL). I barely saw any Dolphins (this was in late August, when I got off they said "Oh, yeah, you're less likely to see some due to the heat"

 

[shortbun]

We went on one at Hatteras last year and saw nada. We had a fun ride though. We see dolphins off the beach all the time while we're here.

 

[laurie31]

We went on one in Gulf Shores, and loved it. We saw lots of dolphins and the driver was great with the kids. He even let DD (then 5-ish) "drive" the boat.

(she sat in his lap - he was really in control of the boat, but he let her THINK that she was )

I can't rememer which company...

Oh, I found it! It was Dolphin Safari!

Dolphin Safari

Go on a dolphin tour or snorkeling trip. Enjoy snacks, music and restroom. Kids get a pirate hat to keep and get to drive the boat. Dolphin sightings or another trip for free.
Call for info: (251) 981-1386

Hop aboard the "World Famous" Dolphin Safari for an hour and a half of the most fun you'll have on your Gulf Coast Vacation! Frolic with bottlenose dolphin in the beautiful inland waters of Orange Beach Alabama.

What can you expect to see?? Dolphins swimming, playing, feeding and even jumping if it feels fright. Look closely and you may see a female with a young calf! Our crew will fill your head with interesting and sometimes amazing facts about how dolphins live and breed. We'll play some of your favorite beach music, talk some pirate talk, tell tales of the Orange Beach area, past and present, and maybe tell a few jokes (if you don't laugh we'll make you Walk the Plank, Matey!).

On the ride in we'll put pirate hats on the little pirates and let them drive the boat!

I didn't remember other kids "driving" but now that I read the decsription, I know they did. I have a great pic of DD at the helm (lol) plus the great dolphin pics. Sorry, it was pre-digital for us, so I can't post them.

I would not recommend going on a large boat. We saw some of those while we were out and they cannot get up very close to the dolphins. This boat was smaller and they cut the engine and drifted close to them for good viewing and photo-ops. The captain was a hoot (they played the theme song to Giligan's Island when we left the dock ) and the kids loved it. DH and I really enjoyed it too. We'd definitely go again.