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Eco and Dolphin Watch Tour of South Padre Island
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From $20.00
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Eco and Dolphin Watch Tour of South Padre Island
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation
- 24 hours prior100% refund
- Within 24 hoursNo refund
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Learn more about cancellations
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Safety measures
Keeping you safe during COVID-19
Vaccine? Quarantine? Masking?
Vaccine? Quarantine? Masking? We know, there’s a lot to keep track of. Be sure to check local guidelines so you’re aware of all travel requirements before you go.
What you can expect during your visit
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Safety precautions are provided by the tour operator and are not checked by Viator for accuracy
More questions?
(888) 651-9785
1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English and 1 more
Good for avoiding crowds
Overview
Watch for the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins that thrive along the coast of South Padre Island on a 1.5-hour wildlife boat tour from Sea Ranch Marina. Cruise past the U.S. Coast Guard Station and Boca Chica Beach, with a comfortable seat on a wildlife-watching boat that’s equipped with a wildlife-safe viewing net so you can see South Padre sea life up close.
- 1.5-hour dolphin cruise and wildlife tour
- See native wildlife in a natural environment
- Spot Atlantic bottlenose dolphins
- Bring your own snacks and drinks
- Family friendly
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From $20.00
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What's Included
Local guide
Live commentary on board
Gratuities
Departure & Return
33256 State Park Rd 100 , 33256 State Park Rd 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597, USA
This activity will end right where it started.Turn right off Queen Isabella Causeway, travel 1/2 mile, turn right into Sea Ranch Marina, keep right of Sea Ranch Restaurant, Isla Tours directly behind restaurant on left at Murphy's Law.
What To Expect
Make your way to Sea Ranch Marina for a 10:30am or 1pm departure time (please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure), and find a comfortable bench seat on board the wildlife watching vessel. You’re welcoming to bring food and drink to enjoy during the trip, or simply sit back and take in the view: this 1.5-hour dolphin cruise passes some of South Padre Island’s most scenic stretches of shoreline.
The crew will cast a wildlife-safe net throughout the trip, bringing up sea life so you can see it up close, and they frequently catch sea horses, starfish, and sea slugs. Atlantic bottlenose dolphins live in groups, so if you spot one in the water, keep your eyes peeled for its “pod”, which usually consists of 10 to 30 members. After 1.5-hour on the water, the dolphin boat will return to shore, where this tour concludes.
The crew will cast a wildlife-safe net throughout the trip, bringing up sea life so you can see it up close, and they frequently catch sea horses, starfish, and sea slugs. Atlantic bottlenose dolphins live in groups, so if you spot one in the water, keep your eyes peeled for its “pod”, which usually consists of 10 to 30 members. After 1.5-hour on the water, the dolphin boat will return to shore, where this tour concludes.
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Availability for shows cannot be checked without making a booking. Credit cards will only be charged upon confirmation of show availability
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
- OPERATED BY Isla Tours
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Learn more about cancellations.
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Eco and Dolphin Watch Tour of South Padre Island?
A:The policies on face masks and attendee health are:
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during Eco and Dolphin Watch Tour of South Padre Island?
A:The policies on sanitization are:
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during Eco and Dolphin Watch Tour of South Padre Island?
A:The policy on social distancing is:
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Q:
What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Eco and Dolphin Watch Tour of South Padre Island?
A:The policies on staff health & safety are:
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
Traveler Photos
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Traveler Tips
- "I recommend using sunscreen before you go and taking you own waters to drink" See review
- "The operators know where the dolphins are and make every effort to ensure you get to see at least one." See review
- "Please bring cash to tip the guys showing you all the sea animals." See review
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Reviews
5.0
406 Reviews
5 stars
359
4 stars
28
3 stars
4
2 stars
3
1 star
12
Reviews by Viator travelers
We perform checks on reviews
Showing 1-10 of 406 reviews
The dolphins was soo cute...
Olga_K
, Jun 2022
The Worst rocking boat experience
Reem_J
, Jun 2022
Not human beings operating this experience. I had to cancel due to a medical emergency and they were not compassionate enough to refund my money. My sister who traveled with me was able to attend and said the experience was mediocre to crap. Heavily rocking boat.
So apparently they’re not making enough money from this joke they offer that they have to take from peoples misfortune. Will never return and my big mouth will spread that awful experience to my people of Houston. 🥂
Response from Host , Jun 2022
We are sorry to hear you were not able to make the trip. If you would like to reach out to me so I may help remedy the request for the refund I would be glad to help. As for the the poor rating for the trip, your sister seems to be the only who was displeased as you can clearly see by the overwhelming amount of positive reviews we have received. - Lisa
By far the best
Abraham_C
, Jun 2022
This was the best dolphin watch I’ve been on. The captain was very knowledgeable and humorous about the city. Jen and the other little guy were very friendly and knowledgeable when we had the eco lesson. Definitely not a waste of money
Awesome and fun.
Ruby_C
, Jun 2022
Awesome tour!
Julia_W
, Jun 2022
We had such a good time. The tour was fun, interesting and beautiful! We saw tons of dolphins and some sea animals they brought up. Family owned operation and the captains grandsons are awesome and knowledgeable, they did a great job.
Great dolphin watch tour 🥰
Tibo_N
, Jun 2022
We love it ❤️. Thank you so much for this memorable time, and special thanks to captain Michael who's kind and knowledgeable which made the tour more interesting and fun.we saw so many dolphins 🐬 . We highly recommend this trip. We definitely will book more tours with Eco and Dolphin Watch Tour when we come back. 😍😍😍
Dolphin tour
David_A
, Jun 2022
Awesome
Jose_B
, Jun 2022
Perfect day
Jesus_B
, Jun 2022
Wonderful time
Matt_B
, Jun 2022
Very fortunate to have...
Jeffrey_H
, Jun 2022
Great value for what you get!
Anirban_R
, May 2022
Best time!
Dawn_K
, May 2022
The boat trip was amazing. We saw a lot of dolphins, even babies playing with their mothers. We loved the dialog during the trip where we learned so much about the area and the dolphins. The crew was fabulous and fun. This is honestly the best time we have had on S Padre we have had. We will do it again.
Fun trip
Christine_S
, May 2022
Company didn’t honor reservation.
Sean_D
, May 2022
After reserving the trip (and paying for it) over two months in advance, the company decided to ‘bump’ us within a couple of days of the scheduled time when a larger group wanted our time slot. Reservations shouldn’t be binding on only one party. Why make a reservation and pay for it ahead of time if it’s not going to be honored? Very unprofessional and I will certainly spread the word as much as I can that the company did not live up to their obligations.
Response from Host , May 2022
To be very honest with you, another tour company's boat had mechanical issues and could not take a rather large school group they had scheduled that day. We offered to take the school group and unfortunately, we had to move a few existing customers to another time slot. Rather than have a school field trip have to be canceled and an entire class of students be let down, we decided to provide our services. We did so that the children would not miss out on their field trip. We do apologize for the inconvenience. We were just trying to make sure the kids could still enjoy their much-anticipated excursion.
Fun, educational, relaxing, beautiful dolphins!
Fengjiao_Z
, May 2022
This is absolutely the best family activity we had at South Padre Island. We didn’t expect to see so many beautiful dolphins on the trip. They were so happy and love to interact with people, surf with the boat. It was just surreal! The captain was very experienced, patient, and kind. The two gentlemen from Captain Murphys company introduced different types of fishes to the kids, very educational. We love the music and wind, very relaxing. It’s a kids and baby friendly trip. I highly recommend it!
Had a wonderful time. Saw...
Andrea_W
, May 2022
It was amazing experience...
Tiffani_G
, May 2022
Trip
Betty_C
, May 2022
Best time ever!
Alesha_E
, May 2022
We loved watching the dolphins and being out in the ocean. Captain Murphy was amazing and our 5 yr old son Kingston loved learning all about the ocean life. Our two yr old Laiken loved the dolphins. We had a great family experience.
We perform checks on reviews
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On some pages, you can select how to sort the results we display and also use filter options to see only those search results that meet your chosen preferences. You’ll see explanations of what those sort options mean when you select them.
You’ll see some experiences with a “Promoted” badge, which means that the operators of those experiences have agreed to pay Viator more to have their experience highlighted.
If you see an Experience Award Winner label, the award is based on average review ratings, share of bookings with a review, and number of bookings through Viator over a 12-month period.
The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. We’re always updating our systems and testing new ways to refine and improve your results to make them as relevant as possible to meet your needs.
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