Tiki Boat Dolphin Sightseeing

2 Hour Tiki Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Cocoa Beach runs through Cruise Cocoa, LLC. Rated 4.7 across 69 reviews. Runs 2 hours. From $65.

Overview

The boat leaves from Cape Crossing Marina on Marine Harbor Drive in Merritt Island, and no hotel pickup is provided. Bottled water, ice and a cooler are on board, and guests are welcome to bring their own drinks.

The ride itself is calm-water cruising rather than open-ocean sailing. Dolphins are the headline, and one reviewer described them coming right up to the boat, close enough for photos and videos. Manatees show up often too, along with a wide mix of birds, and individual reviewers have also reported spotting a water moccasin and an alligator. The captain narrates as you go, and multiple travellers singled out how much they learned about the local wildlife and plants.

The tone is relaxed and family friendly. One reviewer said their captain gave plenty of time for photos, videos and questions. It suits families and older travellers alike, with one group spanning ages 35 to 80 reporting that everyone enjoyed it.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Cape Crossing MarinaArrive at Cape Crossing Marina, 290 Marine Harbor Dr., Merritt Island, FL 32953. Confirm the meeting point with the operator before setting out, since one reviewer found the address on their ticket confusing.
2. Board the tiki boatBottled water, ice and a cooler are provided, and you can bring your own drinks.
3. Cruise the Indian River LagoonSpend the next two hours cruising the calm waters of the Indian River Lagoon Estuary while the captain narrates the tour and points out wildlife.
4. Return to the marinaThe tour wraps up after the full two hours on the water.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of this cruise.

• Bring your own drinks. The tour is BYOB and provides bottled water, ice and a cooler. Bring whatever else you want to drink for the two hours on the water.
• Shade and sun. The boat is covered, which one reviewer said protected their group from the sun.
• Have a camera ready. Dolphins sometimes come right up to the boat, and reviewers mention getting photos and videos as well as watching manatees and many bird species. Keep your camera within reach rather than stowed away.
• Relaxed pace. The waters are calm and the ride is unhurried. One traveller noted their captain gave plenty of time to watch and photograph rather than rushing between spots, and the whole trip suits a wide age range.
• Wildlife varies. Dolphins are the main draw but sightings are not guaranteed every minute. One reviewer felt the dolphins could have cooperated better, while manatees stole the show that day, so go expecting a mix rather than one species.

Common issues. There is no hotel pickup, so travellers must make their own way to Cape Crossing Marina in Merritt Island. One reviewer reported a mismatch between the meeting point printed on their ticket and the actual location, though a phone call to the company sorted it out quickly, so it is worth confirming the address before you leave. Wildlife is wild, and one reviewer noted the dolphins were less active on their trip even though manatees filled the gap. Cancellation is possible up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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