15 Dolphin Watching Trips in the Middle East to Book Before You Land

1.Dolphin Encounter & Aquaventure Waterpark Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,269 reviews · from $197Our pick

At Atlantis the Palm, a marine mammal specialist gives you a 15-minute briefing before a 30-minute shallow-water dolphin encounter. Trainers such as Julia, Warwick, Ryan, and Alexandro may introduce you to dolphins including Tina, Kai, or Maui. Your ticket also covers same-day Aquaventure access, with rides, pools, lagoons, and Kids Splashers Zones.

“Incredible Experience. We took our 8 & 6 Daughters who absolutely loved the experience. We met Amira and Kai the Dolphins and Julia the Dolphin Trainer, who was very knowledgeable and friendly. Would definitely recommend the experience! We also added on the Sea Lion Encounter on the day which was amazing! The only downside is that the photo prices are quite expensive!”

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2.Swim with Dolphins at Atlantis Waterpark

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,184 reviews · from $225

Meet your marine mammal specialist at Atlas Village, change into a wetsuit, and spend about 30 minutes with a trained dolphin in 3-meter-deep water. You’ll snorkel, receive a hug, and watch dolphin behaviors in a small group of up to eight per animal. Your ticket also covers Aquaventure Waterpark that day.

“Wow the most incredible experience loved every minute worth paying the extra £20 to swim with the dolphins, we were lucky enough to be the only 2 booked at the time slot so received the VIP experience…. Totally recommend”

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3.Dubai Dolphinarium Dolphin, Seal & Bird Show Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,020 reviews · from $25Best value

At Dubai Dolphinarium in Creek Park, you’ll watch trained bottlenose dolphins and sea lions perform stunts, then see parrots, falcons, toucans, and other birds show their skills. Choose standard or VIP seating, and allow AED 5 extra for Creek Park entry. The show is family-friendly and lasts a useful couple of hours.

“We had a fantastic time at the Dubai Dolphinarium watching the dolphin, seal, and bird show. The dolphins were incredible — so clever and full of personality — and the seals were adorable and entertaining. The bird show was colourful and interactive, with some amazing tricks. Everything was well organised, family-friendly, and kept both adults and kids engaged from start to finish. Definitely worth a visit when in Dubai!”

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4.Half-Day Dhow Cruise, Dolphin Watching, & Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 507 reviews · 3 hours - 210 minutes · from $37

Meet your guide in Khasab, then cruise Musandam’s steep-sided fjords aboard a decorated Omani dhow. You’ll look for dolphins, stop to swim and snorkel with provided gear, and enjoy fruit, water, tea, coffee, and soft drinks. Guides such as Sohel and Opu are praised for friendly service and useful local insight.

“The boat tour was absolutely wonderful! The crew put so much heart into everything, and Mr. Sohel in particular was incredibly professional, polite, and truly attentive. We were constantly offered soft drinks and coffee, given fresh towels after swimming, and even treated to a freshwater rinse. They even provide masks and snorkels at no extra cost. The entire crew worked together to make this experience unique and unforgettable. If we return, we will definitely choose them again!”

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5.Dolphin Watch & Snorkel Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 388 reviews · 3 hours · from $52

Spend three hours off Muscat searching for dolphins with an experienced captain, then snorkel in a sheltered spot among coral, colourful fish, and possible turtles. Captains such as Faisal, Masoom, Shakir, and Khalid have been praised for careful boat handling and patient snorkelling help. Hotel transfers are available, with departure from Marina Bandar Al Rowdha.

“Really nice trip, we saw lots of dolphins! And during snorkeling also a lot of turtles. Great trip!”

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6.Snorkeling at Dimaniyat Islands and Dolphin Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 347 reviews · from $87Top rated

From Seeb Port, you’ll take a four to five-hour boat trip to the Dimaniyat Islands, with snorkeling gear, drinks, snacks, and a guide who knows the local wildlife spots. Expect turtles and colorful fish, with a chance of dolphins, reef sharks, or whale sharks. The return route passes Al Alam Palace.

“The scenery itself is super! We saw dolphins along the journey and turtles during snorkeling. However, the service of the tour guide requires much improvement. We were given the snorkeling mask but not the fins though fins were available on boat. For the snacks, we were given one slice of sandwich and one slice of watermelon each.”

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7.Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 332 reviews · 2 hours · from $28

Join Nobles Marine Tours for a two-hour dolphin trip from Marina Bandar Al Rowdha. Guides such as Sufyan and Sabbir know the coast well and help you spot Risso’s, bottlenose, spinner, and long-beaked common dolphins. Expect a modern boat, coastal views, water, juice, and the chance of seeing turtles or stopping to snorkel.

“We had a fab time. My mum aged 78 loved it. Our guide Sufyan made sure that we saw the dolphins and were as close to the dolphins as possible. Thank you. The only disappointment was that our tour was meant to be for 2 hours from 10am to 12 noon but we didn’t start until 10.20am ☹️ but finished at 12 noon.”

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8.Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 224 reviews · 4 hours · from $90

Travel from Muscat to the sea for a 4-hour dolphin watching and snorkeling trip. You’ll search for spinner, bottlenose, and common dolphins, then snorkel around Bandar Khiran Bay with turtles and tropical fish. English-speaking guides provide equipment, water, transfers, and help with wildlife spotting. Dolphin swimming is not included, only watching.

“Snorkeling was great. Lots of time to explore. Saw some sea turtles within minutes of being in the water. Boat was great. Better quality than expected. Lots of dolphins. Cool at first, then kind of funny because it was just a bunch of tourist boats chasing after dolphins. Poor dolphins.”

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9.Half-Day Dhow Cruise with Dolphin Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 189 reviews · 3h 30m · from $37

Join Dolphin Khasab Tours for a 210-minute dhow cruise from Khasab Airport, the cruise terminal, or the tour office. You’ll pass fishing villages, watch for humpback and bottlenose dolphins, and swim at Telegraph Island. Tea, coffee, cold drinks, fruit, towels, and life vests are included, but snorkeling gear is not.

“Super, Tour, wenig Leute auf dem Boot. Getränke und Obst frei, frisch und kalt.”

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10.Dolphin Watching Day Tour with Snorkeling & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 188 reviews · 6 hours · from $65

Set out from Khasab Port on a traditional dhow for six hours in Musandam’s Khor Ash Sham. You’ll look for wild dolphins, snorkel at Telegraph Island and Sibi Island, and eat a buffet lunch with drinks, tea, coffee, and fruit. Crew members such as Ishmael, Moyath, and Rajak have been praised for attentive service.

“great trip, supportive and friendly crew, lunch was diverse, fresh and tasty, plenty of coffee, tea, fruits, softdrinks, great snorkeling, the crew found dolphins 3 times, extra bonus: I was alone on the lower deck, so also very private experience”

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11.From UAE: Musandam Khasab Dolphin Watching Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 173 reviews · 1 day · from $140

Travel from Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, or Ras Al Khaimah to Khasab for a full-day dhow cruise through Khor Ash Sham. Captain Havshat and the crew guide you past Telegraph Island, Sibi Island, and Sham, with dolphin watching, two swimming stops, snorkeling, buffet lunch, fruit, drinks, and tea or coffee on board.

“It was great trip. I liked everything from organisation, driver to guys on the boat and experience in general. thanks a lot for this journey!”

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12.Khor Sham Half-Day Cruise with Snorkeling & Dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 143 reviews · 4 hours · from $45

Join guide Jithu and his crew for a four-hour dhow cruise through Khor Sham fjord. From Khasab, you will watch for wild dolphins, stop near Telegraph Island for about 40 minutes of swimming and snorkeling, and receive water, soft drinks, fruit, and dates onboard. Khasab pickup is included.

“Very nice tour, our guide Jithu gave us wonderful information about Khasab and the Arabian Norway. We saw dolphins, snorkeled and swam at Telegraph Island. The crew was very attentive and provided us with a wide variety of drinks, fruit, and delicious dates. Thank you very much, the tour is highly recommended.”

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13.Atlantis Dolphin Kayak Trip & Aquaventure Waterpark

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 92 reviews · from $135

Meet your instructor at Dolphin Bay Lagoon for a guided kayak outing beside Atlantis The Palm’s resident dolphins. You’ll receive a safety briefing from a marine mammal specialist, use provided equipment, and learn about dolphin behavior. A juice, locker, changing room, shower, and same-day Aquaventure entry are included.

“the instructor was very helpful, he gave us a full inside into the dolphins habits etc. it's well worth the money”

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14.Dolphin Watching Boat Trip with Snacks & Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 65 reviews · from $60

Set out from Marina Bandar al Rowdha on a 2-hour dolphin-watching boat trip with a licensed captain and local guide. You’ll cruise past Arch Rock and Bustan Palace, look for dolphins in open water, and enjoy snacks, soft drinks, and water. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, with morning departures around 8 and 10 am.

“Excellent trip out to sea. Well organised. Good clean boat. Hundreds of dolphins all around. Tour along the coastline. Drinks and snacks provided.”

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15.Dhow Cruise with Lunch, Dolphin Watching& Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 54 reviews · 6 hours · from $53

Cruise Musandam’s fjords aboard a shared dhow for six hours, with dolphin watching, snorkeling at Telegraph and Seebi islands, buffet lunch, drinks, and fruit. Guides such as Sohel and Anoor are praised for attentive service and clear explanations. Khasab and cruise-terminal pickup is included, while UAE transfers cost extra.

“Super tolle Tour von einem tollen Team. Immer wieder kleinere Stops zwischendurch, immer wieder Snacks und Getränke bekommen welche inklusive waren. Das Mittagessen hat ebenfalls geschmeckt. Sehr zu empfehlen!”

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