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All things Siesta Key. Stories, news, and event information about Sarasota, Florida's beautiful beach.
How To See Dolphins on the Gulf Coast
Part of the excitement of visiting the Florida Gulf Coast is taking in the amazing scenery and wildlife found in this area. The beaches are rife with beautiful examples of nature hard at work, from seashells to sea turtles, from frothy waves to powder-soft sand in abundance. Getting to see some of the Gulf’s more elusive creatures, like dolphins, can take a little planning, but it’s well worth the effort to view these amazing marine animals. While we at The Best Western Siesta Key can’t guarantee any particular dolphin sightings while you’re here, we can recommend some of the best spots and times of day to be on the lookout. And besides, even if you don’t spot any dolphins, you’re likely to catch one of our amazing sunsets!
No Guarantees
Like all wild animals, dolphins are elusive and there are no guarantees that you’ll see one during your stay in Siesta Key. A great way to increase your chances of spotting a few dolphins to join an excursion like Siesta Key Aqua Adventures or Kokomo Charters. While no charter company can truly promise a dolphin sighting, they can get you out into deeper waters where you’re more likely to see these amazing animals. Plus, they do this all the time, so they have a keen sense of where and when the local dolphins might be swimming by. Dolphins are playful, intelligent animals, too- if they recognize a friendly boat, they might just come over to say hi and play in the boat’s wake!
Best Times
Like many marine animals, dolphins tend to feed at dawn and dusk, making them more visible from the shoreline at these times. That’s why we recommend searching for dolphins while you’re viewing a great sunset along the shore or on a boat. It’s rare that dolphins will come close enough to shore to interact with people, but it has been known to happen. If you choose to go into the water at dusk or dawn, be very cautious. Other, less friendly marine wildlife will likely be around then, too.
Best Locations
Besides a dolphin tour boat, one of the best places to view dolphins in their natural habitats is Turtle Beach. The warm waters and reef-like rocks offshore are home to many fish dolphins love to eat. In fact, all of our beaches have the potential to be a great dolphin sighting spot, since these beautiful creatures live in and around our warm Gulf waters all year long. However, if you want to be sure to see dolphins during your visit to the Florida Gulf Coast, your best choice is to make a stop at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. Our dolphin rehabilitation program is a fun way to see dolphins and be educated on how amazing they are.
Dolphin sightings make any vacation a little more extraordinary. Watching animals in their natural habitat can be a great way to connect to the world around you. At The Best Western Siesta Key, we’ll be happy to offer tips and suggestions to make the most of your dolphin-viewing adventures. Let us book your dolphin-sighting boat tour, help you call Mote Marine Labs, or simply suggest our favorite beach spots for spotting marine wildlife.