A dolphin cruise presents an ideal adventure to check off your bucket list. Dolphin cruises are popular for travelers seeking to connect with the ocean’s most intelligent and playful inhabitants. From the mesmerizing coastal landscapes to heartwarming encounters, a dolphin cruise should be at the top of your bucket list ideas.
There is no real season for dolphin watching in Florida, so the best time to go dolphin watching is now. Here are several reasons you should set sail on a dolphin watching cruise and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
1. Come Nose to Rostrum With a Dolphin
Dolphins are intelligent and playful creatures, and witnessing them in their habitat is remarkable. Interacting with these majestic marine mammals is a unique wildlife encounter that can leave a lasting impression on you. In Florida, dolphin sightseeing is one of the top tourist activities, and it’s no wonder: Florida waters are pristine and teeming with dolphins!
Here in St. Petersburg, the most common dolphin sighted is the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. Setting sail on a 90-minute cruise with Sunshine Scenic Tours brings you up close and personal with the population of over 400 bottlenose dolphins living there.
2. Learn All About ‘Em
Many dolphin cruise tours include guides who can provide valuable insights into behavior, biology, and conservation efforts. Learning about these creatures and their ecosystems can deepen your appreciation for the marine world. Take, for instance, our very own marine expert, Kirsten Smail.
Kirsten is the primary educator on the Dolphin Quest. Interacting with guests is her favorite part of the job — she loves to talk about our local population of dolphins! Experts like Kirsten can recognize a dolphin by the shape of their fin.
A dolphin’s fin has a unique shape and pattern, like a human’s fingerprint. Each dolphin has a name in Boca Ciega Bay, and if you are traveling with Kirsten, she can tell you who is making an appearance on your tour.
Getting to know the wildlife on a personal level is sure to be worthy of a spot on your bucket list. Why do humans care so much about dolphins? Their gentle nature, intelligence, and beauty provide enough reasons for anyone to want to visit them.
3. The Beautiful Coast
Dolphin cruise tours often take place in stunning coastal environments. Offering breathtaking views, cruises offer a variety of activities. The combination of serene waters and picturesque scenery creates a perfect backdrop for relaxation and photography. Boca Ciega Bay is world-renowned for its beauty, for instance.
We pass by untouched coastlines, mangrove preserves, and even multi-million dollar homes. Most dolphin cruise tour guides will point out places of note, including interesting facts about the local area. Film locations from famous movies are fun to spot on a cruise, but so are the untouched swaths of the coastal ecosystem.
Imagine setting sail before sunset to see the coast from the water. This is a fun and exciting opportunity to add excitement to your bucket list.
4. The Excitement of the Unknown
While experienced guides have a good idea of where dolphins are, nature can be unpredictable. The excitement of not knowing when or where dolphins will make an appearance adds an element of adventure to the experience.
The crew of your dolphin excursion will want to ensure you leave with memories that will last a lifetime. Given that dolphins are wild animals, predicting their mood or willingness to make an appearance can be difficult. This makes the excitement tangible — you never know when a pod will pop up!
On one such outing, the crew of the Dolphin Quest found that the dolphins were not active on that particular day. For an hour, not a dolphin could be seen. Then, as all hope seemed lost, two dozen dolphins appeared, babies and all. Guests sat back and watched the dolphins put on an unbelievable spectacle full of acrobatics and shenanigans.
An experience like this would make your bucket list worthy of the paper it’s written on.
Key Takeaway
Incorporating a Dolphin Cruise Tour into your bucket list is an invitation to embrace the wonders of the sea. From thrilling dolphin encounters to immersive ocean adventures, this experience promises lasting memories. Whether you’re seeking nature’s beauty or new horizons, the allure of the ocean beckons — making it a must-add to your list of dreams.
Check off your travel adventure bucket list with Sunshine Scenic Tours.
A bucket list is somewhat morbid to think about, but it doesn’t have to be a be-all and end-all of your adventuring life. We here at Sunshine Scenic Tours depart from John’s Pass at Madeira Beach in St. Petersburg, Florida, four times a day aboard the Dolphin Quest. Book our dolphin cruise at John’s Pass today and witness the enchanting marine world firsthand.
