Dolphin tours in Port Adelaide, South Australia, offer a unique and memorable experience for visitors to get up close with Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and other marine wildlife. There are several tour operators and vantage points to choose from, catering to various preferences and budgets. Some popular dolphin tour options include Dolphin Explorer Cruises departing from Berth 2, Queens Wharf, Port Adelaide. These cruises provide an opportunity to spot dolphins and other marine life in their natural habitat. Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tours offer guided kayak tours from Lot 204 Garden Island Road, Port Adelaide, allowing participants to paddle through creeks lined with ancient mangrove forests, explore shipwrecks, and spot the local Port River dolphins. Adventure Kayaking SA provides kayak tours departing from the Boat Ramp, offering a more adventurous way to explore the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and its resident dolphins. Port River Cruises offer small boat river cruises in Port Adelaide, including dolphin cruises, tours to the 'ships graveyard,' seafood and wine cruises, cultural tours, and charters.
Land-based dolphin watching spots include the Port River waterfront near the lighthouse and Hart's Mill in Port Adelaide. The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, just half an hour's drive from the Adelaide CBD, is home to around 30 resident bottlenose dolphins and approximately 400 transient dolphins that visit at various times. The sanctuary also hosts a variety of other wildlife, such as stingrays, long-nosed fur seals, and seabirds. Remember to follow guidelines for responsible dolphin watching, such as maintaining a safe distance, not feeding or harassing the dolphins, and properly disposing of fishing lines and bait bags.