Florida by Water: Watch Wild Dolphins
Bottlenose dolphins are regularly spotted following seabirds and fishing boats in the coastal waters of Florida.
The most common, and beloved, of Florida's dolphin species is the seemingly smiling bottlenose. Bluish gray on top with paler undersides, these highly intelligent mammals are regularly spotted following seabirds and fishing boats in coastal waters. It is against federal law to feed, touch, harass, or swim with wild dolphins, making respectful watching the best way to enjoy and help protect these charismatic creatures.
Fury Water Adventures, Key West
Key West's inshore residential pod of about 300 coastal Atlantic bottlenose dolphins stays close to home year-round. Since the dolphins frequent a few different areas within a ten-mile radius of Key West, the boat captains and crew of Fury Water Adventures' Dolphin Watch and Snorkel Tour have developed a mutually respectful bond with the pod. Although the dolphins are not trained, fed, or lured into or near the boat in any way, they recognize the individual dolphin-watching boats and build relationships with them, says captain Lisa Riley, who's been a dolphin-boat captain for more than nine years and guides three-hour tours aboard Fury's 36-foot Dolphin Cat catamaran. "Each dolphin has a different personality, and it's amazing how you feel like you get to know them," she says. "Just when I thought I had seen it all, one dolphin came along the side of the boat when our engines were off. I waved, and she turned sideways, looked me in the eye, and stuck her tongue out. It flapped along as she swam along the side."
The Florida Aquarium Wild Dolphin Cruise, Tampa
Downtown Tampa may seem like an unlikely place to start a wild dolphin tour, but that's where you'll board the Bay Spirit II, the 72-foot catamaran owned and operated for the Florida Aquarium's Wild Dolphin Cruise. From the downtown aquarium, the double-decker boat travels through one of the main shipping channels into Tampa Bay, which boasts a healthy population of dolphins, as well as manatees, sea turtles, and sharks. "Tampa Bay is fairly shallow, with an average depth of just 12 feet, which supports sea grass beds and makes dolphin viewing a bit easier than in deeper habitats," says Lauren DeLuca, a captain of the Bay Spirit II. "The catamaran is the perfect viewing platform to experience the amazing behaviors of our wild dolphin population in their natural habitat."
Marine Discovery Center, New Smyrna Beach
Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve, located on the northern end of the Indian River Lagoon system, is home to a permanent pod of about 400 Atlantic bottlenose dolphins that don't mix with ocean dolphins. The Mosquito dolphins have smaller bodies and longer flippers than their ocean counterparts, as well as a distinctive way of hunting fish. To observe the wild pod in action, take a two-hour Marine Discovery Center pontoon boat tour deep into the lagoon. In addition to seeing the dolphins feeding, mating, and playing, you may get to experience their round-up—a cowboy-like maneuver involving herding fish onto a sandbar and pouncing on them.
TRAVEL TIPS
Practical Tip: Fury Water Adventures and the Florida Aquarium are certified Dolphin SMART tour operators. The national Dolphin SMART program promotes responsible stewardship of wild dolphins in coastal waterways. See the program's website for more information.
Fun Fact: There's a fin chart aboard the Dolphin Cat identifying about 30 of the Key West dolphins that the captains and crew have named. Most of the named dolphins—including Split Fin, Chopper, Grandy, and Hang Nail—have unusual markings on their fins or are the offspring of a named dolphin. Grandy's son Eddie Munster doesn't have a telltale widow's peak, but he was born during Halloween week 2013.
By the Numbers: Bottlenose dolphins can reach swimming speeds of more than 18 miles an hour, can rise up to 16 feet out of the water, and can make up to a thousand clicking noises (to track prey) per second.
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
Environment
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
History & Culture
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
- The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
- Heard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followersHeard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followers
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?
Travel
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico
- Follow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood ForestFollow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest
- This chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new directionThis chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new direction
- On the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migrationOn the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migration
- Everything you need to know about Everglades National ParkEverything you need to know about Everglades National Park