Dolphin Watching in Madeira Beach, Florida

A trip to Florida’s Gulf Coast would not be complete without catching a glimpse of a few bottlenose dolphins. Taking a cruise is your best bet for viewing these beautiful marine mammals up close. Fortunately, there are a lot to pick from in the area. My first cruise I took was at Hubbard’s Marina, located on John’s Pass in beautiful Madeira Beach. Laid-back, friendly hour and a half cruises are offered daily year-round. I think this cruise is a perfect option for first time visitors as sightings are guaranteed and the scenery is gorgeous.

The chance to view dolphins in their natural habitat is a much different experience than viewing them at a zoo. All of the dolphins you will see in my pictures are Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins.

The dolphins are very fast, so it was difficult to get quality pictures. Also, we never saw any jumping out of the water, hence, the majority of the time we were only able to catch a quick glimpse of a fin. This was my first dolphin watching experience, so seeing anything was exciting to me.

As you can see, the dolphin is out of the water a bit more in this picture. This is one of the rare instances where we could see a bit of the dolphin’s face.

Our tour guides were super knowledgeable with lots of info to share and they knew the top spots to try to see these beautiful mammals in action. They will alert you right away as to the first sign of a dolphin. Plus anyone on the boat will point one out as soon as they are discovered. This gives you plenty of time to get out of your seat and get your camera ready!

Guaranteed sightings

Fortunately, sightings are guaranteed so you will never leave unhappy. It’s nice to know that your hard earned money will not go to waste, but honestly the scenery is beautiful in and of itself to justify booking a cruise. To be honest, I was surprised by the number of sightings. I would have been happy to have seen just one whereas we saw more than a dozen. We were lucky enough to see several groups swimming along.

Dolphins often travel together and if you are lucky you may see more than one at a time. We were lucky enough to see several groups of 2 or 3 which was pretty cool. According to our tour guide, they travel together as a pod as a mean of protection and also for social engagement.

On 2 occasions, they came really close to the boat! This was a really cool experience.

A Birdwatching Oasis: Dogleg Key Bird Sanctuary

I would also recommend this cruise for birdwatchers. Not only did we see plenty of dolphins, we also came across dozens of snowy egrets and pelicans. My favorite part of the cruise was the journey around Dogleg Key Bird Sanctuary, a beautiful mangrove island. As you can see in the photos below, beautiful pelicans and snowy egrets populate the island.

Gorgeous views of Boca Ciega Bay

Wildlife sightings aside, along the journey you are also treated to gorgeous views of parks, islands, and multi-million dollar waterfront homes. One of the things I loved most about this tour was the gorgeous backdrop. In between sightings, we enjoyed a beautiful cruise through Boca Ciega Bay. I love all the colorful homes in the area – they really pop out. This was one of my favorite cruises I have taken thus far in this region, not just for the ample sightings, but also for the fabulous scenery.

There were lots of sandbar parties in action on a warm summer day! Since living in the Bay, I have found that locals love weekend Sandbar parties. A sandbar is basically an area of shallow water were boaters anchor and then party, swim, and snorkel.

Summer fun (even on a hot day!)

The small admission ticket is worth it for the cruise alone in my opinion. A cruise is a great way to enjoy the day in Florida without burning in the sun. Although it was a hot day, the temps began to cool down as soon as we started moving and the breeze made the cruise much more comfortable. Thankfully, the boat is covered so you do not have to worry about the sun beating down on you for the entirety of the ride.

We picked a great day for our cruise as there were only a handful of other passengers on board although I am sure this is not the norm. This made it really easy to get up out of our seats and take pics whenever we wanted. I enjoyed this cruise over others I’ve taken in the Bay, both for the scenery and more low-key atmosphere. Booking your cruise on a weekday (preferably during the off season) will ensure a less hectic experience.

Beer, wine, bottled water, and a small selection of snacks are available for purchase.

Unique Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin Facts

• Dolphins can live up to 50 years.
• They are both docile and agile.
• Males tend to roam alone.
• There is a $25,000 fee for feeding or bothering a dolphin.

You will learn more unique tidbits on your tour!

Where to eat

Mad Beach Craft Brewing Company is a fun place to kick back after your cruise. I love the apps here especially the Falafel. If you are willing to drive a bit, I recommend enjoying pizza and a delicious Greek salad at Slyce. It’s one of my top picks in the Bay. The Madeira location is especially scenic with a patio facing the water.

More to do in the area

Along the boardwalk, you will find interesting shops, places to pick up souvenirs, arcades, a handful of waterfront restaurants (from casual chains like Bubba Gump Shrimp and Hooters to local choices like Scully’s Seafood), and of course gorgeous views! Hubbard’s Bay also offers sunset cruises.

I recommend a stroll along Madeira Beach, located right next to John’s Pass. This great little beach is clean and well-maintained. You will find the same white sand and warm waters here like every other gorgeous Gulf Beach. The crowd level was pretty low even on a Saturday afternoon compared to Clearwater and St. Pete.

Cruise details

Address: The cruise departs at Hubbard’s Marina – 170 Johns Pass Boardwalk in Madeira Beach.

Parking: There is a large parking lot which only charges $1 per 30 minutes (daily max is $20). We happily drove right into the garage as opposed to circling around finding parking meters at most other beaches.

Prices: Adult tickets are $29.95. Children 3-11 and under are $14.95. Under 2 is free. The senior rate is 26.95. Pricing current as of 2025.

Cruise departure times: 1 and 3pm. Each cruise lasts 90 min. To make a reservation: Call (727) 393-1947. Or better yet, book online to ensure availability.

Tips for a great cruise

*Bring with a camera, preferably one with a high shutter speed. There are plenty of beautiful pictures to take, not only of wildlife, but also beautiful landscapes.

*Sign up for the Hubbard’s Marina email club for discounts and a free pint glass.