Adelaide’s dolphin watching scene centers on the Port River and Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, where dozens of bottlenose dolphins live year-round. The most practical tours leave from Marina Pier in Glenelg, operating daily in good weather.
Two standout experiences deserve special attention: The 3.5-hour Temptation Sailing cruise lets you swim with wild dolphins in their natural habitat while maintaining a respectful distance. For those preferring to stay dry, Adelaide Dolphin Tours‘ 2-hour sanctuary cruise provides guaranteed sightings and excellent photo opportunities from the boat’s viewing deck.
Both operators earn consistently high marks for their knowledgeable guides and commitment to responsible wildlife viewing. The morning tours typically offer calmer waters and more active dolphins.
Check out these top-rated dolphin watching experiences around Adelaide:
Key Points
- The Wild Dolphin Swim Cruise in Glenelg offers a 5-star rated sightseeing and swimming experience with dolphins, including wetsuits, snorkels, and live commentary.
- The Wild Dolphin Watch Cruise in Glenelg is a 3.5-hour catamaran tour with a high likelihood of dolphin sightings and interactions, along with underwater viewing gear.
- The Guaranteed Wild Dolphin Watching Cruise from Marina Pier in Glenelg provides a 3.5-hour tour with a money-back guarantee if no dolphins are spotted.
- The Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tour offers a guided kayaking experience to encounter resident dolphins and explore the Garden Island Ships’ Graveyard.
- The Port Adelaide Dolphin and Ships Graveyard Cruise provides a 1.5-hour journey to spot dolphins in their natural habitat and learn about the area’s maritime heritage.
Wild Dolphin Swim Cruise
For a chance to get up close and personal with Adelaide’s wild dolphins, the Wild Dolphin Swim Cruise offers an unforgettable experience.
Departing from Glenelg, this 5-star rated tour takes participants on a sightseeing cruise with the opportunity to swim alongside the friendly dolphins.
Equipped with provided wetsuits, snorkel, and mask, guests can enjoy live commentary as they encounter the marine mammals in their natural habitat.
With hotel pickup and drop-off, as well as food and drinks included, this tour makes it easy for travelers to enjoy the world of Adelaide’s dolphins.
Suitable for ages 9 and up, the Wild Dolphin Swim Cruise provides an unforgettable wildlife encounter.
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Port Adelaide: Dolphin and Ships Graveyard Cruise
Departing from the historic Port Adelaide, the Port Adelaide: Dolphin and Ships Graveyard Cruise offers a captivating 1.5-hour journey through the region’s vibrant maritime heritage.
Cruise through the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, with the chance to spot these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
Explore the Ships Graveyard, where you’ll witness the towering wrecks and learn about their intriguing histories.
The cruise also takes you through the International Bird Sanctuary, allowing you to spot a variety of migratory shorebirds.
Priced at $56.23 per person, this experience is both affordable and wheelchair accessible, making it a must-do for anyone seeking to enjoy Port Adelaide’s rich nautical past.
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Wild Dolphin Watch Cruise
Situated in the picturesque coastal town of Glenelg, the Wild Dolphin Watch Cruise offers adventurous travelers a chance to witness the majestic creatures that call Holdfast Bay home.
This 3.5-hour catamaran tour features live commentary, a safety briefing, and the opportunity to spot thousands of dolphins that inhabit the area. Equipped with wetsuits, snorkels, and masks, participants can enjoy underwater viewing of these playful marine mammals.
With a high likelihood of sightings and frequent interactions with dolphin pods, the cruise receives exceptional reviews, praising the knowledgeable crew and exceptional wildlife encounters.
Accessible by tram from Adelaide, this tour caters to nature enthusiasts seeking an immersive dolphin-watching experience.
Read our full review: Wild Dolphin Watch Cruise Review
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Adelaide: 3.5-Hour Swimming With Dolphins Experience
Adventurous travelers can embark on a captivating 3.5-hour swimming with dolphins experience off the coast of Adelaide.
Departing from the Holdfast Shores Marina in Glenelg, just 15 minutes from the city, guests will board the 58-foot sailing catamaran Temptation for a coastal cruise and snorkeling adventure.
The €90.09 per person experience provides wetsuits, masks, and snorkels, allowing participants to swim alongside wild dolphins and witness their graceful movements.
While not suitable for those with heart problems or mobility issues, the tour boasts an impressive 4.8/5 rating from over 250 reviews, with particular praise for the friendly, knowledgeable staff.
This unique opportunity to encounter dolphins in their natural habitat is highly recommended.
Read our full review: Adelaide: 3.5-Hour Swimming With Dolphins Experience Review
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Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tour Adelaide
For those seeking a unique way to explore Adelaide’s natural wonders, the Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tour offers an exciting opportunity to paddle through the city’s protected marine environment.
With an impressive 96% traveler recommendation, this 3-hour tour boasts a Badge of Excellence and can accommodate up to 16 adventurers. Guests will kayak alongside knowledgeable guides, spotting dolphins, seabirds, and diverse ecosystems, including mangroves and shipwrecks.
While a moderate fitness level is required, the tour’s inclusions, such as life jackets and waterproof bags, ensure a comfortable and safe experience.
Whether you’re a solo traveler or a couple, this tour promises an enjoyable and immersive encounter with Adelaide’s captivating coastal landscapes.
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Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Mangroves Kayak Tour
The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Mangroves Kayak Tour offers a captivating 1.5-hour experience that allows visitors to paddle through the protected marine environment and spot the iconic Port River Dolphins.
Priced at Kč 835 per person, the tour includes a guide, use of 2-person kayaks, and a basic kayaking lesson. Not suitable for children under 8, the activity is eco-friendly and family-friendly, rated 4.4/5 based on 33 reviews.
Participants can also spot wildlife like long-nosed fur seals and Australian sea lions while engaging with local culture through the guide’s stories.
The tour provides hotel pickup and drop-off, and COVID-19 protocols are followed, with equipment cleaned after each use.
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90 Minute Port River Dolphin & Ships Graveyard Cruise
Exploring the Port River Dolphin Sanctuary and the captivating Ships’ Graveyard are the highlights of this 90-minute cruise in Adelaide.
Hop aboard a modern boat to spot wild bottlenose dolphins, especially during warmer months when calves may be visible. You’ll also glide by the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary, perfect for birders.
The knowledgeable skippers provide informative commentary about the region’s rich maritime history as you view the rusting hulks of the Ships’ Graveyard.
With its comfortable amenities and accommodating up to 15 travelers, this tour offers an immersive experience exploring Adelaide’s natural and historical wonders.
Read our full review: 90 Minute Port River Dolphin & Ships Graveyard Cruise Review
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Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard Kayak Tour
Adventurous travelers can embark on a captivating 3-hour kayak tour along the Port Adelaide River to explore the Dolphin Sanctuary and the mesmerizing Ships’ Graveyard.
The tour, limited to 10-16 participants, allows visitors to spot the iconic Port River dolphins and discover sunken shipwrecks. Participants will paddle through mangrove-lined creeks, surrounded by diverse marine life and bird species.
The experienced local guide ensures an engaging and informative experience. Suitable for adults and children over 8 years, the tour includes all necessary equipment and hotel pickup and drop-off.
With a 4.7/5 overall rating and positive reviews, this adventure offers an unforgettable opportunity to connect with nature and witness the wonders of the Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships’ Graveyard.
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Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Mangroves Kayaking Tour
Nestled along the tranquil Port River, the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Mangroves Kayaking Tour offers visitors a chance to enjoy the area’s natural beauty.
During this 90-minute excursion, small groups of up to 12 people can explore the sheltered mangrove-lined creeks, home to marine life, birds, and the iconic Port River Dolphins.
Led by a professional guide, the tour provides an up-close look at the native wildlife and wrecked ships while allowing for responsible interaction with the dolphins.
Equipped with kayaks, life vests, and waterproof containers, participants can capture the experience through souvenir photos available for purchase.
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Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary 1 or 2-Person Kayak Rental
Visitors to Adelaide’s Dolphin Sanctuary can embark on a self-guided adventure by renting a 1-person or 2-person kayak.
The 2-hour tour allows explorers to discover the marine protected area, including mangrove creeks where they may spot dolphins. The rental package includes a kayak, paddles, life vests, and a map to navigate the hidden areas.
Participants must be at least 8 years old and under the 309 lbs weight limit. 2-person kayaks accommodate individuals up to 6 ft tall.
A safety briefing is provided, and the equipment is thoroughly cleaned after each use. Cancellations up to 24 hours in advance qualify for a full refund, but the tours often sell out quickly.
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Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard Kayak Tour
Departing from the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, the guided kayak tour takes explorers on a journey through the Port River, where they can spot the resident dolphins and uncover the hidden history of the area.
Led by expert guides, the 2.5-3 hour tour provides a kayaking lesson before paddling through calm waters suitable for all skill levels.
Adventurers are likely to encounter the friendly dolphins and explore the Garden Island Ships’ Graveyard Maritime Heritage Trail, learning about the local wildlife and history.
With a maximum group size of 14, the tour includes all necessary equipment and provides souvenir photos for purchase, making for an unforgettable outdoor experience.
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Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour
The Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour takes adventurers on a captivating exploration through the mangrove-lined creeks and past the historic shipwrecks of the Port Adelaide region.
During this 3-hour guided tour, guests have the opportunity to spot dolphins, birds, and colorful marine life while paddling in a small group.
The eco-friendly experience provides knowledgeable guides, all necessary equipment, and a chance to learn about the 10,000-year-old mangrove forests and intricate ecosystems.
Although dolphin sightings and shipwreck views aren’t guaranteed, the tour offers an engaging and memorable adventure for nature enthusiasts aged 9 and up, with a 4.6/5 overall rating from previous customers.
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Adelaide: 3.5-Hour Guaranteed Wild Dolphin Watching Cruise
For those seeking a guaranteed close encounter with wild dolphins, the Adelaide: 3.5-Hour Guaranteed Wild Dolphin Watching Cruise provides an unforgettable opportunity.
Departing from the Marina Pier in Glenelg, this tour offers a 3.5-hour cruise through the Gulf waters, with a live guide providing commentary in English.
Participants can expect to spot both bottlenose and common dolphins, and the tour comes with a money-back guarantee if no dolphins are seen.
With coastal views, playful dolphin displays, and a high overall rating of 4.8/5 from 222 reviews, this cruise is a must-do activity for any visitor to Adelaide.
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Recap
Adelaide offers a range of exciting dolphin watching experiences. From swimming with dolphins to eco-kayaking tours, there’s something for all. Visitors can choose from a variety of cruises, including a guaranteed wild dolphin watching trip or a tour of the local dolphin sanctuary. With so many options, it’s easy to find the perfect dolphin encounter during your time in Adelaide.