Private Dolphin Sightseeing Boat

Cocoa Beach: Private 2-Hour Dolphin Sightseeing Tour runs through Cruise Cocoa, LLC. Rated 4.8 across 46 reviews. Runs 2 hours. From $374.5.

Overview

This is a two-hour cruise on the Lei'd Back, a tiki-themed pontoon fitted out with thatch and bamboo roofing and a Polynesian look throughout. The boat carries up to six passengers, and because the booking is for the whole vessel, the trip is yours alone: family, friends, or coworkers, whatever mix you bring. Cruise Cocoa, the operator, supplies ice and bottled water, and guests can bring their own food and drinks on board, with the only restriction being no glass.

Trips leave from Cape Crossing Marina on Merritt Island and loop back to the same spot. Along the way the captain keeps watch for dolphins, manatees, alligators, and the many bird species that live along these waterways. Reviewers of this exact tour frequently report seeing dolphins, often in several spots, plus manatees and birds up close, and one also mentioned an alligator sighting.

The format suits a range of groups. One reviewer's party spanned preteen to grandparents and everyone enjoyed it, while others booked it for birthdays and return trips. The itinerary includes a safety briefing as part of the cruise, and smoking and intoxication are not allowed on board. The listing also highlights the chance to marvel at rocket launches from SpaceX, Blue Origin, NASA, and more, depending on timing.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Cape Crossing MarinaArrive at Cape Crossing Marina, 290 Marine Harbor Dr., Merritt Island, FL 32953. This is the meeting point; hotel pickup is not included.
2. Board Lei'd BackClimb aboard the tiki-themed pontoon for a safety briefing before setting off. Bring any food and drinks you want, minus glass containers.
3. Two-hour sightseeing cruiseCruise the Cocoa Beach waterways for 2 hours with wildlife viewing, scenic views, and commentary from the captain on the area and its species.
4. Return to the marinaThe trip ends back at Cape Crossing Marina, the same place it started.

What To Expect From The Tour

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

• Bring your own refreshments. The tour is BYOB and you can bring food as well, though no glass is allowed. Cruise Cocoa provides ice and bottled water on board, so you only need to pack what you actually want to eat or drink.
• Sun protection. The listing specifically reminds guests not to forget sunscreen under the Florida sun. Two hours on open water means direct exposure for the whole trip.
• Wildlife odds are strong. Several reviewers said they saw dolphins in multiple places, and manatees and a wide range of birds came up repeatedly in reports of this tour. One also logged an alligator. Sightings depend on the day.
• Good for mixed ages. One reviewer's group ran from preteen to grandparents and everyone enjoyed it. The format works for generations traveling together.
• Knowledgeable captains. Reviewers again and again praised the captain's knowledge of the waterways, the birds, and the mammals. One reviewer noted their guide made an extra effort to point out manatees and dolphins.
• Small group format. The boat takes six passengers and the booking is private. One reviewer specifically said they were happy to have a small private tour so everyone in their party could see the animals clearly.

Common issues. There are few complaints about this tour in the available reviews, and the main limits are practical ones. Hotel pickup is not included, so travellers must make their own way to Cape Crossing Marina in Merritt Island. The boat carries six passengers. Smoking and intoxication are not permitted on board.

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