A Dolphins surfaces near the Kayak on the Dolphins at Sunset Kayak Tour
OPERATES: Daily year round at Sunset and day times (vary season to season)
TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours. Advanced Reservations Required.
Great Trip!
Chris guided us through a 3 hour kayak tour of a beautiful area. We spotted a pod of dolphins within ~30 feet of our group, saw numerous bird species including an eagle and had a great time. Chris is very… Read more “Great Trip!”
Just minutes from bustling Gulf Shores, the Wildlife & Dolphins Kayak Tour immerses you in a coastal wilderness and one of the prettiest classrooms on earth, kayaking among the beautiful sights and sounds of our local waters with potential visits to the inlets of the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge (BSNWR), Bon Secour Bay, the Bon Secour River, the Intra-Coastal Waterway (ICW), and Oyster Bay depending on weather and currents.
Throughout the tour, we will watch for and learn about Gulf Shores’ Bottlenose Dolphins in their natural environment from the intimate, unobtrusive, and non-threatening vantage point of a kayak while exploring optimal dolphin habitat. Like all wild animals these dolphins can be elusive, but there is nothing like the thrill of seeing these magnificent creatures up close when they choose to show off. Either way, you will come away with an appreciation, understanding, and new found knowledge of dolphins as you learn about their life history, ecology, feeding behaviors, and communal nature.
If your a birding enthusiast, we will also visit a portion of the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge that no driving tourist can reach, as it is accessible only by kayak (or helicopter - not included :->). Join us in exploring this extraordinary haven for migratory birds, nesting Loggerhead and Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles, and the endangered Alabama Beach Mouse. Named as one of the 10 natural wonders of Alabama, the BSNWR refuge serves the additional benefit of comprising one of the largest undeveloped parcels of land on the Alabama coast - its dunes are a reminder of the Gulf Coast, as it once existed.
This tour is definitely a MUST DO for any true eco-tourist! Regularly observed birds in BSNWR: Belted KingFisher, Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Great Egret, Cormorant, and Brown Pelican. In addition to dolphins and the wildlife of the BSNWR, parts of the Bon Secour River, Oyster Bay, and the Intracoastal Waterway are also home to various commercial vessels, so keep on the lookout for cool shrimp boats, crab boats, tug boats and barges, also covered by the tour.
Take a break from the beach and enjoy 3 hours of beginner to intermediate paddling on a variety of waterways. Led by experienced Coastal Nature Guides who will introduce you to the fauna, flora, and history of Gulf Shores and its local waterways.
Please Note: This tour was previously known as the "Dolphins at Sunset" or "Bon Secour National Wildlife Kayak Tour."
-
- A Large Group of Kayakers
-
- Dolphin “waving goodbye” as the sun sets.
-
- Kayaking with the seagulls – Photo courtesy of Chandra Wright
-
- Paddling through the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
-
- Sunset Silhouette
-
- A dolphin jumps on a tour – photo courtesy of Rob Wichmann
-
- Kayakers in Oyster Bay, Gulf Shores
-
- Playing on a secluded Beach
-
- Paddling through Bon Secour Bay
-
- Bottle Nose Dolphins Say Hi!
-
- A Dolphin jumps in front of a kayaker in Gulf Shores
-
- Bella takes a break!
-
- Great Blue Heron
-
- Two Girls Paddle a Tandem Sit-On-Top in Oyster Bay, Gulf Shores
-
- Everyone loves Kayaking
-
- Taking a break at the beach and enjoying the sunset over Mobile Bay.
-
- Resting on the Beach
-
- Shrimp Boats on the Bon Secour River
-
- A Dolphin surfaces near our kayaks
-
- Shrimp Boats on the river
Operates: Year Round. Advanced Reservations Required. Private Group Tours are available for 6 or more paddlers to fit your schedule. For more information call: (251) 272-4088 or email info@wildnativetours.com.
Includes: A dolphin encounter like none other! Kayak rental, PFD's (life jackets), paddles, bottled water, guide service, and gear transport.
What to Bring: Sense of Adventure, Family & Friends, comfortable clothing, cameras, binoculars, snacks, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and your Signed Waiver.
PLEASE BE ADVISED: This tour departs from
Happy Harbor at Oyster Bay
4159 County Rd 6
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 272-4088[/wptab]
Policies & Disclaimers
Cancellation Policy:
For reservations cancelled 3 or more calendar days in advance, there will be no cancellation fee.
Cancellations 2 calendar days in advance will be charged a 50% cancellation fee.
Cancellations within 1 calendar day of event will be charged a 100% cancellation fee.
If tour is cancelled by tour operator due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or refund. Guests will be notified in the event of a weather related cancellation. Due to rapidly changing weather along the Gulf Coast, most weather related cancellations will not be made until day of event.
All tours depart at scheduled departure time. Boats and tours will not be held due to late arrivals. No reschedules or refunds will be issued for late arrivals.
Should I Tip?: Tips are not required but are graciously received. Our guides strive hard to educate and entertain. Please let your guides know how they did.
*We believe in a Leave No Trace policy, in educating, and in preserving these amazing natural wonders for future generations.*