The Dolphin Explorer
MULTI-AWARD WINNING DOLPHIN STUDY / ECOTOUR! MOTTO: PASSION, INTEGRITY, EDUCATION
2022 RESULTS: 4,865 DOLPHIN SIGHTINGS OF 124 DIFFERENT, IDENTIFIABLE DOLPHINS. 11 NEW CALVES BORN. TRIP ADIVOR'S TRAVELER'S CHOICE AWARD 2022...3RD YEAR IN A ROW. VOTED BEST ECO ADVENTURE IN NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND, EVERGLADES AREAS. FEATURED IN THE LONDON TIMES. JOIN THE BEST!!!!
Available Tour Times: 9 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Duration: 3 hours
Get to know some of our area dolphins on every trip! Learn their names and who their relatives are as we cruise the waters of Marco Island in search of wildlife on this family-friendly eco-tour. Reservations are highly recommended!
Discovery, exploration, and adventure aboard The Dolphin Explorer!
Join our dolphin research team and get to know the local dolphins on our Marco Island dolphin cruise – both fun and educational! Launched February 1, 2006, the 10,000 Islands Dolphin Project is a long-term study of the abundance, distribution, movement, association patterns, and behavior of bottlenose dolphins of Southwest Florida. Located on Marco Island with close proximity to Naples and the Everglades, we offer a one of a kind tour!
The Project is the only on-going study of wild dolphins in SW Florida and the only one in the United States that engages and is supported by the general public.
Using ‘photo-identification,’ our dolphins are recognized by their dorsal fins which act as their ‘fingerprints.’
You have the opportunity to participate in locating, counting, and confirming of individual dolphin sightings on our exciting Marco Island eco-tour. For more about the study, visit our dolphin survey results.
Rated 5 Stars on TripAdvisor
Mar. 2023 Our first time on the Dolphin Explorer and it was wonderful. Captain Eddie and Bob were superb guides. We saw many, many dolphins which they were able to identify by name. They engaged with the children on the tour with a study packet which they all enjoyed. It was great to be a part of something which helps the study of dolphins and isn't just a tourist attraction.
Mar. 2023 Best boat trip for adults and children. Bob the naturalist was so knowledgeable about dolphins! He knew where to find them, could identify them by name and age, and explained all about them. His enthusiasm engaged everyone on board. He also took time out to speak with each child on board and answered all their questions. I also like that everything was included - bottled water, a group photo, a dophin photo, a shell bag, a dolphin badge for each child, etc. I highly recommend this trip for families, since people of all ages had a great time.
Mar. 2023 I enjoyed everything about The Dolphin Explorer! James and Eddie were on our boat. They were both very informative and kind. There were 11 children on our boat and they made sure they saw the dolphins and answered all their questions. Planning on doing this again whenever I’m able to visit Marco Island next.
– Trip AdvisorMar. 2023 Best boat trip for adults and children. Bob the naturalist was so knowledgeable about dolphins! He knew where to find them, could identify them by name and age, and explained all about them. His enthusiasm engaged everyone on board. He also took time out to speak with each child on board and answered all their questions. I also like that everything was included - bottled water, a group photo, a dophin photo, a shell bag, a dolphin badge for each child, etc. I highly recommend this trip for families, since people of all ages had a great time.
– Trip AdvisorMar 2023 exceptional amount of information about the wildlife and dolphins in the Marco Island area. It was incredible to see them in action as they spotted and documented the local dolphins. They knew the dolphins names, family members and age just by seeing a close up of their dorsal fins. You could tell they really put their whole life into these incredible creatures. It was super interactive for my whole family and my girls (7&9) loved it!! They earned a dolphin badge at the end of the trip and our guide even took a beautiful picture of our family at tiger tail beach. Not only that, but they printed it out for us on the boat as a souvenir. Overall, we had an incredible time and we would do it again in a heartbeat! Thanks again to the wonderful staff ❤️
– Trip AdvisorMar. 2023 This is a MUST DO while in Marco. Young or Old. This is our 6th or 7th trip over the past 15 years, the 2nd in the 2023 Season. This time we had Marine Biologist James, a few weeks ago Marine Biologist Bob. Both very knowledgeable, fun, friendly and experience. We learn something new in each trip. Don’t forget Captain Ed, who is also knowledgeable on sighting dolphins but also about the dolphins and Florida Everglades environment. Thank you all for a memorable day. Can’t wait to see you in March with our other friends and in April with our children and grandchildren (5 and 8).
– Trip AdvisorFeb 2023 The Dolphin Explorer far exceeded our expectations for my daughter and grandchildren. The staff was incredible and we will be talking about our adventure for days to come
– Trip AdvisorFeb. 2023 Everything was perfect...the weather, the clean boat, the organized program, the friendly staff, the knowledge they were able to share, the 10 dolphins we were able to identify and watch, but for me the best part was the accommodation and kind treatment we received from Allie, Eddie and Bob for our mobility challenged guest. We would highly recommend this adventure for any age and felt like it was a great value for the fee. We will be back.
– Trip AdvisorFeb. 2023 This was an amazing experience for all 7 of us, ages 2 to 70. We saw about one dozen dolphins and learned a great deal about them from Naturalist Bob and Capt. Ed. It was time well spent for our family building a beautiful Marco memory. We received a photo of our group to treasure always.
– Trip Advisor