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Disclosure: The following post is in collaboration with my #BayouTravel series. Although my admission was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Please refer to this sites disclsoure section for additional information.
A little over a week ago my family returned to Orange Beach, Alabama for another #BayouTravel experience. If you think my family get tired of visiting the beach, you are mistaken. In fact, we are always searching for new family experiences. With Orange Beach being a booming travel destination, it is hard to narrow your families attraction and activity choices.
I learned very quickly that the Alabama Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism website offers prospective travelers the opportunity to learn about various narrow their attraction selection with a few clicks of a button. Since I wanted to take my family on a dolphin cruise during our recent visit, I found out that Cetacean Cruises in Orange Beach offers a 2 hour dolphin & nature cruise that takes you from local dolphin ponds to the creeks and swamps for a unique experience.
During my travels I have had the fortunate opportunity to experience a dolphin cruise but never with my family. We arrived and checked in at 4:30p.m and departed at 5p.m at Wolf Bay. Wolf Bay. My family along with 35+ other passengers boarded Cetacean Cruises newest boat, the Explorer. The Explorer is a 40-foot pontoon boat and can comfortably accommodate up to 49 passengers.
The beautiful fall weather makes for a perfect time to enjoy a dolphin cruise. Even more so was the timing! I initially thought a morning cruise might be the best time to spot dolphins but I was definitely mistaken. We saw numerous dolphins! In fact, they were fast! It may have been dinner time because I saw at least a dozen different dolphin sightings. The hardest part of a dolphin cruise is being quick enough to pull your camera out.
My husband is new to using my camera so I had him practice during our dolphin cruise. He manage to get a few pictures of 2 different dolphins but they were lightning fast.
Educational travel is very important to me, in between dolphin sighting our captain educated us on local bottlenose dolphins and local dolphin pods. Bottlenose dolphin in the Gulf of Mexico rarely travel over 10 miles their entire life so the dolphins we spotted call Wolf Bay home.
More than 19-30 dolphins live in the local dolphin pods. Cetacean Cruises and locals have named more than half of them. We learned that the local dolphins are distinguished by their unique dorsal fins and can be spotted by the notches and shapes of their dorsel fins.
Once we left the dolphin pods, we headed to the creeks and swamps of Wolf Bay. I’m a Louisiana girl so my family was in their element. There you can find red-tailed hawks, herons even a bald eagles. We were hoping to spot an alligator but alas, we will have to save the gators for our swamps in the pearl River.
The Explorer is the only cruise that can take you deep into the swamp. With only 16 to 18 inches of water in some spots, our captain easily made sure we were in and out of the shallow swamp. Cetacean Cruises does a great job of maintaining safety at all times. Be advised, not many dolphin cruise companies in the area can take you to the area we visited.
The open bow of the Explorer is perfect for taking photos and walking around when you spot a dolphin or other wildlife. There were several time we made our way to the front, back or side to side of the pontoon to capture a special moment. My son was able to take a turn driving the boat. Not only is it a perfect photo opp but it gets the little ones involved and inspired to learn more about nature.
The Explorer has bathroom facilities and coolers are welcome aboard but if you forget your small cooler at your hotel or resort don’t worry. You may purchase drinks and snacks on board for $1 each.
If you are visiting Orange Beach, Alabama be sure to add Cetacean Cruises to your itinerary. You can print a dolphin cruise coupon to receive an added discount. Reservations are not required but strongly recommended to guarantee your seat on the boat. Also, arrive 30 minutes prior to departure. If you have a child under the age of 10, they will be required to wear a life jacket.
Prices:
Dolphin Cruises
1½ hour: $15
Dolphin & Nature Cruises
2 hours: $20
Address:
25991 W. Perdido Ave.
Orange Beach, Alabama
251-550-8000
Also, find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CetaceanCruisesSailing
My family took a quick picture after the sunset. Not the best picture but we were thrilled with our Cetacean Cruises experience!
Have you been on a dolphin cruise? If so, what was your favorite part of the experience?
That sounds like so much fun. We have been on a few whale watches over the years, but nothing like this. So cool.
I miss living near a beach. I have never been to Orange Beach but I would love to go on one of the cruises. It was always a lot of fun when we got to see dolphins swim back home. Doing it from a cruise would make it a more up close experience.
I love dolphins. When I was working in Tampa they would cruise about 5 feet out from the shore. Can’t tell you how often I had to restrain myself from walking out to them in my work clothes!
What a wonderful opportunity and the price does not seem bad at all! I love dolphins, they are amazing and beautiful.
Haven’t done a dolphin cruise but have swam with the matinees before it was awesome. Will have to do this one day.
A dolphin cruise sounds like such a great experience. I had no clue that you could identify dolphins by their dorsal fins.
That’s awesome that you were able to take the family. Seeing the dolphins out there would be pretty stinkin’ amazing.
My husband and I went whale watching in Mass. after we were married. We’d love to do this cruise!
What a fun experience. I just love dolphins, just beautiful creatures.
This looks like such a fun experience! My whole family loves dolphins! Well, who doesn’t?!
I would love to go and watch dolphins some time. It looks like a really lovely cruise you went on. x
Wow. Look at that!! I have seen dolphins up close but usually at a dolphin space like on holidays at a theme park. That cruise sounds great!
Never been on a dolphin cruise, and I had no idea they were in areas like Alabama! Shows what I know. Looks like a really great little getaway!
We took a dolphin cruise in the Pacific. It was beautiful. I just like the awe in my kids’ eyes. They loved it!
This sounds like a great beach activity I’m sure my family would love. We’ve never seen a dolphin up close before and would love a chance to view them in their natural habitat.
I would LOVE to go on a dolphin cruise and see them in their natural habitat. Looks like such a fun trip!
I love a good dolphin watch cruise! I’ve never been to Alabama though.
I would love to go, what a great experience!
I went swimming with dolphins and still rave about it
I am so incredibly jealous of this experience. Some day I will get to travel to the coast again to see dolphins. Seeing them in this way is so amazing.
This is such a beautiful place to visit. I love being that close to the ocean and enjoying the smells and sights.
We’ve been on several dolphin cruises, but your dolphin cruise looked great. My favorite part is seeing the dolphins. They’re among my favorite mammals.
What a awesome experience going on a Dolphin Cruise would be. I have not had the pleasure of going on a cruise yet. Great pictures thanks for sharing.
This Looks amazing! I have a few friends that would love to go an adventure like this! Thanks for sharing your great pics too!
I’ve never been on a dolphin cruise!!! This makes me so jealous! I have seen a few dolphins swimming by as we swim in The Gulf.