Our recent trip to Gulf Shores topped off with an unforgettable dolphin cruise with Dolphins Down Under. My family—our three kids, aged 9, 7, and 5, along with dad—absolutely loved it! This cruise quickly became one of our favorite activities from the entire vacation.
A big shoutout to Captain Drew and Rusty, who made the experience even more special. We set out from Orange Beach and, in just five minutes, spotted our first dolphins. For the next hour and a half, we were treated to constant dolphin sightings, so many that we lost count. We even saw a mama dolphin with her two babies—a magical moment for all of us.
The boat offers snacks and drinks for just a dollar each, except for beer and mixed drinks. The cruise lasted about an hour and a half, which was the perfect length for our little ones. There are several time slots to choose from: 10 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, and 5 pm. They also offer a sunset cruise, private charters, and adults-only cruises.
One feature of the boat is the glass bottom, made up of four windows to view the ocean below. While we didn’t spot anything through them, our favorite spot was at the front of the boat. The dolphins often swam right alongside us, so close we could almost touch them. We even crossed the state line into Florida while cruising!
Our kids had a blast, especially trying to make dolphin sounds to get them to swim closer. Captain Drew even let one of my boys steer the boat for a bit, while Rusty snapped some great photos of the whole family. They were both wonderful with the kids, remembering their names and making sure everyone had a fantastic time.
The Dolphins Down Under cruise is located at 28101 Perdido Beach Blvd in Orange Beach. Be sure to enter Caribe Marina into your GPS for easy navigation, as they're located on the left side of the parking lot. Arriving 30 minutes early is a good idea so you can check in, get your kids fitted with life jackets, and enjoy the free parking by the dock.
A few tips: don’t forget sunscreen! While the boat is covered, you’ll still get some sun depending on where you sit. Also, you can bring your own snacks, but no drinks are allowed unless it’s a bottle for your baby.
All in all, we give Dolphins Down Under a well-deserved 5 stars. It was the perfect amount of time for our kids, and the constant dolphin sightings kept everyone excited. If you’re staying at our vacation property, The Little Lady, it’s about a 30-minute drive to this must-do experience.
One more thing: be sure to check online before you go for a code for $5 off per ticket. We found a code at gulfshores.com under the deals section—definitely worth a quick look!