Dolphin Discoveries Sea Adventures - Virginia Aquarium

Since 1989, Virginia Aquarium boat trips have engaged adults, families, and student groups in coastal marine ecology by providing opportunities to observe dolphins, whales, and other marine life in their natural habitat.

To enhance the experience, our programs always feature professional educators to provide interpretation, volunteers with special training to answer questions, and an assortment of biofacts and other visual aids to add a hands-on element to the trip. In addition, staff members on board collect data related to whale and dolphin sightings. This information is used in the Aquarium’s research and conservation efforts that contribute to federal and regional management of marine mammal populations and to environmental assessments.

What’s new?

All of our trips will conveniently depart from the Virginia Aquarium dock located adjacent to the Bay & Ocean Pavilion parking lot and include a cruise through Owls Creek.
All programs are being refreshed to highlight the most up-to-date information about marine life off Virginia’s coast and to provide additional hands-on activities.

A portion of all Sea Adventure ticket sales will support Virginia Aquarium conservation initiatives, including the rescue and rehabilitation efforts of the Stranding Response Team.

Dolphin Discoveries Sea Adventure

As the seasons shift, the sightings of the diverse wildlife inhabiting the coastal waters of Virginia heat up! Join us this spring, summer, and fall on an unforgettable 90-minute excursion aboard the Atlantic Explorer in an exploration for Virginia’s most common and charismatic marine mammal, bottlenose dolphins!

Dolphin Discoveries Sea Adventures offer unparalleled opportunities to experience the sights and sounds of our marine environment and its inhabitants. Each trip offers close-up observations, and when resources allow, we will be using a research-quality hydrophone (an underwater microphone) to listen for dolphins and whales. Specially trained Aquarium educators provide discussions about incredible natural dolphin behaviors, and share what is being done to conserve and protect the species and its habitat. Brown pelicans, bald eagles, and other seabirds are frequently sighted, along with sea turtles.

In keeping with our conservation-based mission, this Sea Adventure adheres to all responsible wildlife viewing guidelines, which ensure our trips do not disturb the animals.

Schedule: Trips are subject change due to boating conditions.

March – April:
Wednesdays & Fridays: 2PM; Saturdays & Sundays: 10AM & 2PM
*Spring Break, April 3-12, daily departures at 10AM & 2PM
May 1 – May 22:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Fridays: 2PM; Saturdays & Sundays: 10AM & 2PM
Memorial Day weekend- Labor Day:
Multiple trips daily
September 8 – September 30:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Fridays: 2PM; Saturdays & Sundays: 10AM & 2PM
October:
Wednesdays & Fridays: 2PM; Saturdays & Sundays: 10AM & 2PM