Reviews Say These 5 Florida Beaches Are Best For Spotting Dolphins
By Hillary Louise Johnson
VACATIONS
Canaveral
Canaveral National Seashore's Mosquito Lagoon is part of the larger Indian River Lagoon system, where estimates hold that around 1,000 bottlenose dolphins live year-round.
The best way to visit them is on an intimate kayak tour. While you won't see them leaping, you’ll get to see them close up, relaxing over a nice fish dinner perhaps.
Clearwater Beach
Boat tour operators here guarantee dolphins on every trip. A fan favorite is Little Toot, a company with tugboat-style vessels that dolphins like to follow.
You can also rent a see-through kayak to paddle through the local dolphin feeding grounds or spy dolphins right from land — a good option if you're prone to seasickness.
Daytona/New Smyrna
At Daytona Beach, you can watch dolphins in front of the lighthouse by Ponce Inlet or see them on a stand-up paddleboard tour on Daytona Lagoon.
About 20 minutes south of Daytona is New Smyrna Beach, where dolphins catch waves right alongside the surfers and frequently cruise the dock of the Black Dolphin Hotel.