boat hire to see dolphins- where?

[orlando novice]

Would be really interested to know if anyone has hired a boat anywhere within a couple of hours drive of Orlando. Am hoping to go see some manatees or dolphins in the wild. Any suggestions??

 

[wayneg]

Not sure about hiring a boat but the tours are good.

We have done Little Toot at Clearwater twice, guarantee you see Dolphins or 2nd trip free. $3 coupon on their site http://www.littletoot.us/

At Clearwater there is also the Sea Screamer & Pirate ship, Dolphins are usually seen on both.

Takes about 1 hour 15 mins from the Themepark area.

Have a look at DS's YouTube account, he has at least one clip on there he took on Little Toot http://www.youtube.com/user/StitchMatt#p/u

Pics From last years trip

 

[orlando novice]

thanks the pictures look great and will def look at website

 

[gresty]

How long does the little toot trip take?

 

[wayneg]

How long does the little toot trip take?

From their site
"The Little Toots dolphin adventure begins at Clearwater marina and heads out for a 1 to 1&1/2 hour narrated tour starting in Clearwater harbor."

 

[paulh]

we have done the sea screamer at Clearwater and saw dolphins there
Paul

 

[gresty]

Thanks. I don't know how I missed that !!

 

[Cyrano]

Would like to do this on our trip this summer.

Is there a better time of day to go on the trips ?

 

[wayneg]

Would like to do this on our trip this summer.

Is there a better time of day to go on the trips ?

In summer I would avoid the hottest part of the day, we have done it Easter and Feb, both times needed suncream, Summer will be red hot out there. I would try for the 1st or last of the day, I believe they do a sunset cruise which would be good.

 

[juliebro]

We're just back and did both Little Toot and Seascreamer in the same day.

We personally much preferred Seascreamer. It's a different experience - combining the dolphin sightings with some speed on the water. Be warned though that you can get quite wet on it. Also - there's no shade.

It depends what you're looking for though. We saw much more dolphin activity on Seasceamer - with the dolphins riding the wake behind the boat. But it's the luck of the draw on the day.

 

[orlando novice]

was also wondering if anyone knows of a boat trip or boat hire on the east coast to see dolphins or is the gulf coast better

 

[wayneg]

was also wondering if anyone knows of a boat trip or boat hire on the east coast to see dolphins or is the gulf coast better

A quick Google just found this one so there must be others, not something I have looked into. http://spacecoastwatertours.com/default.aspx

 

[orlando novice]

thanks just had a look at this and it looks great, think might have to do the seascreamer and this one.