AFRICA · DOLPHIN & WHALE WATCHING

15 Dolphin & Whale Watching Tours in Africa Worth Booking

39 tours  ·  from $9 a head

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 dolphin & whale watching tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.

Hurghada: 3 Islands, Dolphins & Snorkel Yacht Trip w/ Lunch - Pickup requires patience and attention
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin & Whale Watching, Lunch Experiences, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in Egypt, Snorkeling in Hurghada, Tour Reviews, Tours in Egypt, Tours in Hurghada

Hurghada: 3 Islands, Dolphins & Snorkel Yacht Trip w/ Lunch

1.3 Islands, Dolphins & Snorkel Yacht Trip w/ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4,609 reviews · 8 hours · from $47Our pick

Spend eight hours at sea with Go Shalabi, visiting Orange Bay, Giftun Island, and Magawish. Expect guided snorkeling, dolphin watching, breakfast, seafood lunch, fruit, and unlimited drinks. Guides such as Ahmed, Ashraf, Talal, and Sayed keep the day lively and help less confident swimmers in the water.

“Every thing was amazing, go shalabi 27 was the best group, Said did a great job, he and the whole team was very helpful. The weather was windy, but that doesn’t stopped us to have fun. Jimmy was the best photographer. Soooo Ninja Turtles forever 1000/10”

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Hurghada or Makadi: Discover the Magic of Dolphin House - Two snorkeling stops with coral and fish
Dolphin & Whale Watching, Tour Reviews, Tours in Egypt, Tours in Hurghada

Hurghada or Makadi: Discover the Magic of Dolphin House

2.Hurghada or Makadi: Discover the Magic of Dolphin House

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,198 reviews · from $27

Spend a sea day searching for dolphins near Hurghada or Makadi, with two snorkeling stops, a sofa boat ride, lunch, drinks, and time to relax on deck. Guides such as Mohamed, Adam, Sherif, and Mahmoud help with water activities and safety. Dolphin swimming lasts 15 to 20 minutes when weather, swimming ability, and boat traffic allow.

“Absolutely amazing trip from start to finish. The crew really look after you! 2 amazing snorkelling spots and then time to see and swim with the dolphins. Finished off with some water sport fun and jumping of the boat! Special shout out to Mohammad who helped and guided me around the spots!”

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Hurghada: Speedboat Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling with Lunch - Searching for dolphins in their own water
Dolphin & Whale Watching, Lunch Experiences, Orange Bay & Red Sea Island Trips, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in Egypt, Snorkeling in Hurghada, Tour Reviews, Tours in Egypt, Tours in Hurghada

Hurghada: Speedboat Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling with Lunch

3.Speedboat Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,141 reviews · from $40

Take a fast, small-group boat from Hurghada to search for dolphins, snorkel at two or three Red Sea reefs, then relax on a sandy island or shallow sandbank. Captain Islam, Karim, Ahmed, and other local crews are praised for careful boat handling and friendly water guidance. Lunch, fruit, drinks, equipment, and hotel transfers are included.

“Everything was great! It went smoothly as well! We booked just one hour before pickup, and it still worked out perfectly – respect to the organization for that! Amazing captains, amazing guide. They were respectful of the animals. We were able to observe the dolphins from the boat, and later we went snorkeling without disturbing them in their natural habitat. And simply a beautiful view! They also made sure everyone on board was well taken care of! There were food, drinks, and snacks available for everyone. There was also a full set of snorkeling equipment available. Even those who were unsure or uncomfortable in the water were given a life…”

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Hurghada: Dolphin Watching Boat Tour with Snorkeling & Lunch - Two reef stops, with time to get comfortable
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin & Whale Watching, Lunch Experiences, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in Egypt, Snorkeling in Hurghada, Tour Reviews, Tours in Egypt, Tours in Hurghada

Hurghada: Dolphin Watching Boat Tour with Snorkeling & Lunch

4.Dolphin Watching Boat Tour with Snorkeling & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,819 reviews · from $25

Sail from Public Beach Number 9 in Hurghada for 6 to 7 hours of dolphin watching, two guided snorkeling stops, lunch, and soft drinks. Guides such as Mido and Khalid help swimmers of different abilities, while the crew also offers banana boat and sofa boat rides. Dolphin sightings are not guaranteed.

“Really good activity, great organisation fun and food. Saw dolphins & snorkelling was good”

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Île aux Bénitiers: Snorkeling w/Dolphins Boat Tour & Lunch - Crystal Rock with Le Morne in view
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin & Whale Watching, Lunch Experiences, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in Mauritius, Tour Reviews, Tours in Mauritius

Île aux Bénitiers: Snorkeling w/Dolphins Boat Tour & Lunch

5.Île aux Bénitiers: Snorkeling w/Dolphins Boat Tour & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,635 reviews · 7 hours · from $115

You’ll leave your Mauritius accommodation early, ride a speedboat from the west coast, look for wild dolphins, snorkel near Crystal Rock, and eat a three-course BBQ on Île aux Bénitiers. Guides such as Yan, Alex, Lulu, and Kevin have led past departures. Hotel transport, equipment, drinks, and a beach break are included.

“Just a lovely day out. Slightly disconcerting as to how many boats were out around the dolphins and swimmers. Something that perhaps needs to be looked at.”

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Hurghada: 6 Islands Tour with Dolphin Watching & Snorkelling - From hotel pickup to the Hurghada marina
Dolphin & Whale Watching, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in Egypt, Snorkeling in Hurghada, Tour Reviews, Tours in Egypt, Tours in Hurghada

Hurghada: 6 Islands Tour with Dolphin Watching & Snorkelling

6.6 Islands Tour with Dolphin Watching & Snorkelling

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,624 reviews · 8 hours · from $51

Spend about eight hours on a small speedboat from Hurghada, visiting Giftun, Orange Bay, Magawish, Nemo Bay, Juzur Abu Monqar, and sandbanks. You get three snorkeling stops, a shipwreck site, fruit, water, and soft drinks. Guides such as Basil, Fatih, Omar, and Ahmed are known for helping nervous swimmers. Lunch and parasailing cost extra.

“What an amazing tour! We got to visit multiple islands and snorkelled multiple times! It’s a group tour so you get to meet other people! Guide and pilot (Ahmed) was amazing! Will definitely do this again!”

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Hermanus: Boat Based Whale Watching Experience - Meeting the boat at Hermanus New Harbour
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Hermanus: Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

7.Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,180 reviews · 1h 30m · from $93

Set out from Hermanus New Harbour for a 90-minute to two-hour whale-watching trip in Walker Bay. Your English-speaking crew gives a safety briefing, explains local marine life, and takes you toward whale sightings when conditions allow. Look for southern right whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds from the spacious upper deck.

“Very enjoyable and informative. Philip and team were excellent.”

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Swimming with Dolphin VIP Snorkeling Sea Trip With Lunch and Transfer - Hurghada - Dolphin House and the search for wild dolphins
Dolphin & Whale Watching, Lunch Experiences, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in Egypt, Snorkeling in Hurghada, Tour Reviews, Tours in Egypt, Tours in Hurghada, VIP

Swimming with Dolphin VIP Snorkeling Sea Trip With Lunch and Transfer – Hurghada

8.Swimming with Dolphin VIP Snorkeling Sea Trip With Lunch and Transfer – Hurghada

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,104 reviews · from $9Best value

Spend about eight hours on the Red Sea, traveling from Hurghada to Dolphin House and coral reefs for guided snorkeling, water sports, lunch, and soft drinks. Hotel pickup, equipment, life jackets, and a professional guide are included. Dolphin sightings are possible but never guaranteed, and some pickup areas require an extra fee.

“Went with my wife, 6 year old and friends of the family. All 8 of us were made to feel welcome and relaxed and the team made sure we were happy and having a good time. It was my wife's and my daughter's first time and they were both made to feel at ease and safe which helped them to relax and enjoy the moment. I would highly recommend this trip to anybody. Thank you!!!”

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Hurghada: Dolphin World Show with Walruses and Pickup - Taking your seat for the dolphin show
Dolphin & Whale Watching, Tour Reviews, Tours in Egypt, Tours in Hurghada

Hurghada: Dolphin World Show with Walruses and Pickup

9.Dolphin World Show with Walruses and Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,075 reviews · 5 min · from $23

Spend a family-friendly morning at Dolphin World near Hurghada watching dolphins, sea lions, seals, and a walrus perform for about an hour. Hotel transfers from Hurghada and Makadi Bay are included, with El Gouna pickup available as an add-on. You can also pay extra for dolphin swims and photos. Guides such as Rahma and Mohamed help coordinate the visit.

“The show was amazing! The trainers are really talented. The transport was on time, quick ride to the destination. Kids were amazed. I recommend to buy the family photo with dolphins on spot because it costs 15$ (for the whole family), which is much cheaper than via the internet.”

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From Kendwa: Mnemba Boat Trip and Dolphin Snorkel Adventure - Searching for dolphins near Nungwi
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin & Whale Watching, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in Tanzania, Snorkeling in Zanzibar, Tour Reviews, Tours in Tanzania, Tours in Zanzibar

From Kendwa: Mnemba Boat Trip and Dolphin Snorkel Adventure

10.From Kendwa: Mnemba Boat Trip and Dolphin Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,043 reviews · 4 hours · from $50

Set out from Mama Mia near Kendwa with an English-speaking crew, often led by guides such as Hassan, Ludo, Hamis, or Abra. Search for dolphins, snorkel Mnemba Atoll, and stop at a tide-dependent sandbank for fresh fruit. The four-hour trip includes gear, drinks, life jackets, transport, and conservation fees.

“Loved it!! I'm happy we left early and managed to see the dolphins :) the guides were professional dolphin trackers and very organized in time and snorkeling activities. Mnemba was more beautiful in real life than in pics. Special thanks to Ommy for being a great support”

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Hermanus: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip - Crossing Walker Bay by purpose-built catamaran
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin & Whale Watching, Tour Reviews, Tours in South Africa

Hermanus: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

11.Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 807 reviews · 2 hours · from $98

Join Southern Right Charters at Hermanus New Harbour for a two-hour cruise aboard a purpose-built catamaran. A whale specialist explains southern right, humpback, and Bryde’s whales as well as dolphins and seals. Guides such as Ken, Jacques, and David have led past trips, while onboard video and drone footage can be purchased separately.

“We enjoyed the trip, we were fortunate to see some southern right whales and seals. The guide was friendly, entusiastic, informative. The staff was very helpful when I got seasick. We recommend this tour!”

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Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise - Dolphins beside the bow
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin & Whale Watching, Table Mountain & Cape Town Highlights, Tour Reviews, Tours in South Africa

Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

12.Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 687 reviews · from $185Top rated

Join Raggy Charters at 8am from Nelson Mandela Bay Yacht Club for a four-hour wildlife cruise in Algoa Bay. A maximum of 20 people share the catamaran while guides such as Jake explain whales, dolphins, African penguins, seals, and seabirds. Sightings vary, but the slow pace and small boat give you time to watch and ask questions.

“Booked direct instead of cruise excursion saving a lot of money and Cruise used same boats we were on. Friendly and knowledgeable staff and we had a great time. Not many penguins these days on the island due to over fishing but we saRead more”

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Hurghada: All-Inclusive Elite VIP Dolphin House & Massage - Dolphin House and the wild encounter
Dolphin & Whale Watching, Hammam & Spa Experiences, Hammam and Spa Experiences in Hurghada, Tour Reviews, Tours in Egypt, Tours in Hurghada, VIP

Hurghada: All-Inclusive Elite VIP Dolphin House & Massage

13.All-Inclusive Elite VIP Dolphin House & Massage

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 654 reviews · 450 minutes - 8 hours · from $45

Spend about eight hours on Royal Cruise Hurghada’s VIP boat to Dolphin House. Salam and the multilingual crew provide hotel pickup, breakfast, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, two reef stops, and a back massage. Dolphin sightings are expected but not guaranteed, and swimming depends on weather, boat traffic, and safety rules.

“The experience was unique and incredible even though that we didn’t swim due the weather conditions…the staff was friendly and you feel that you are a part of the family! Incredible massage!I highly recommend!!!!”

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Black River: Dolphin Swim and Whale Watching by Speedboat - The speedboat ride and sea conditions
Dolphin & Whale Watching, Orange Bay & Red Sea Island Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours in Mauritius

Black River: Dolphin Swim and Whale Watching by Speedboat

14.Black River: Dolphin Swim and Whale Watching by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 595 reviews · 5 hours · from $129

From Grande Riviere Noire, join Dolswim’s five-hour speedboat trip for guided dolphin swimming, boat-only whale watching, and reef snorkeling. The boat carries up to 14 guests plus two skippers. Expect a clear wildlife briefing, warm Indian Ocean water, drinks, fins, masks, and a bumpy ride that can leave you wet.

“The whole experience was perfect. 4 opportunities to swim with the dolphins and great advise from the guides. A close but respectful distance from the whales in their natural habitat. Good information about the dolphins and whales plus an honest description of the opportunity of seeing them. The boat ride is in a speed boat and bumpy to enable you to get to the deep water but why would you not want to put up with this for a lifetime experience. Our two boys aged 6 and 8yrs loved it an memories that we will all treasure for years to come. Excellent and would highly recommend but remember this is…”

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Mnemba Island: Dolphin Swim & Snorkeling with Optional Lunch - Getting to Muyuni Beach and onto the boat
Dolphin & Whale Watching, Lunch Experiences, Snorkeling, Snorkeling in Tanzania, Snorkeling in Zanzibar, Tour Reviews, Tours in Tanzania, Tours in Zanzibar

Mnemba Island: Dolphin Swim & Snorkeling with Optional Lunch

15.Mnemba Island: Dolphin Swim & Snorkeling with Optional Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 591 reviews · 3.5 - 5 hours · from $21

From Muyuni Beach, join a small boat with local guides such as Khamis, Ali, or Ramadan to watch dolphins near Mnemba Island, snorkel among reef fish and turtles, and pause for fruit on the water. Hotel pickup is optional, lunch costs extra, and the dolphin chase can be crowded.

“Fantastic!!! amazing experience and the tour guys that we were on the boat they were very friendly and helpful. 🙏🏽 Great team and the vibe was great 😊 Felt a bit sorry for the dolphin that we kept chasing but hopefully it has get used to it.”

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New in Dolphin & Whale Watching

★ 4.5Tamarin: Guided Kayak Tour with DolphinsFrom $64190 reviews
★ 4.2Speedboat to Ile aux Benitier: Dolphin Encounter & LunchFrom $70144 reviews
★ 4.0Ocean Swim with DolphinsFrom $93125 reviews
★ 4.8Mauritius Le Morne: Eco-Friendly Dolphin Watching Tour123 reviews
★ 4.3Matemwe: Mnemba Island Dolphin & Snorkeling Boat TripFrom $35152 reviews
★ 4.7La Preneuse: Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Speedboat TourFrom $5892 reviews
★ 4.6Private Speedboat to Dolphin House with Pickup150 reviews
★ 5.0Dolphin Cruise with Snorkeling & Buffet LunchFrom $26177 reviews
★ 4.7Gansbaai: Whale Watching Trip by BoatFrom $146127 reviews
★ 4.1Full-Day Hermanus Whale Watching TourFrom $120119 reviews
★ 4.6Whale Watching Tour in Hermanus and GansbaaiFrom $249110 reviews
★ 4.6Hula Hula Island Speedboat Tour with DolphinsFrom $42100 reviews
★ 4.8Whale Valley and Wadi El Rayan Waterfalls TourFrom $15093 reviews
★ 4.8El Gouna Lagoon, Diving with Dolphin, Snorkeling & LunchFrom $56100 reviews
★ 4.3Boa Vista: Whale Watching Trip with MotoryachtFrom $94115 reviews

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