virginia beach dolphin boat tours

10 Best Virginia Beach Boat Tours: Cruises, Charters & Dolphins

(The post Virginia Beach Boat Tours may contain affiliate links that I may earn a small commission when you click on or purchase from the links. This is at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own. You can learn more about this in my  Disclosures & Disclaimers .)

Alexis is a travel blogger and author with lifelong travel experience visiting unique destinations around the US as well as a decade of experience in theme park entertainment and circus arts.

Carousel of Chaos is a collection of travel guides, trip planning resources, historical archives, recipes and other lifestyle content based on amusement attractions and unique US travel destinations.

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The 12 Best Virginia Beach Boat Tours

Virginia Beach is one of the best water destinations in Virginia, so it’s no surprise that the city offers a wide variety of excellent boat tours that are great for the whole family!

A boat tour will give you an unforgettable opportunity to see bottlenose dolphins, whales, seals, bald eagles, seabirds, and more! 

There are a wide variety of tours available in the Virginia Beach area, as well as in the surrounding Hampton Roads and Norfolk area. Dolphin tours are especially popular since Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are quite common in the region. 

Whale-watching tours are also popular, particularly in the winter months when whales migrate to the area.

Other popular excursions include a guided tour of local landmarks like the Cape Henry Lighthouse. Fishing trips are also popular. 

You can even book a kayak nature tour, which is a great way to get an even closer look at the incredible coastal animals that live off of the east coast of Virginia. 

Below are my top recommendations for Virginia Beach boat tours.

Note:  This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, please see the  Disclaimer .

Top photo by Tony Cordaro from Pixabay .

Virginia Beach Boat Tours

Rudee tours.

Ruddee Tours actually boasts the largest fleet of boats in Virginia Beach! 

They offer a number of wildlife sightseeing tours, including a full-day fishing tour, whale-watching tours, dolphin tours, and winter wildlife excursions. 

Ruddee has a number of different whale-watching trips, including two-hour tours, half-day tours, and full-day tours.

The winter wildlife excursions give you a chance to gray and harbor seals, humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins, and seabirds. 

They also offer unique special tours such as Boats & Goats, which is a boat tour that also includes snuggling with adorable baby goats on board. 

You can also book a 90-minute sunset boat tour, with drinks and snacks on board.  

If you’re looking for more of an adventure, you can book a tour on the Rudee Rocket speed boat. 

You can purchase tickets online.

Virginia Aquarium Boat Tours

The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center also has boat tours available. An added plus is that you will get to learn more about marine life from the researchers at the aquarium.

From mid-December to early March, the aquarium has 2-hour whale-watching boat tours, during which you might get a chance to spot humpback whales or bottlenose dolphins.  

They also offer a unique Sunset and Moonrise cruise, which gives you a chance to watch the beautiful sight of the sun setting as the moon rises over the Atlantic Ocean. This event occurs in spring. 

Another unique experience is the Ocean Collections Boat Tour, which gives guests a chance to help collect marine samples for research and study. 

Patriotic Excursions

Patriotic Excursions has the unique distinction of using boats that were previously used in the military. They use decommissioned, seven-meter RHIBs (a rigid inflatable boat) from the Atlantic and Pacific fleets.

To match their unique fleet of boats, they also have very special tours, such as the Special Ops Simulation, which gives you the opportunity to go on a Special Ops mission. 

They also offer a dolphin cruise, whale and seal watching tours, and sunset cruises. 

You can even book a boat tour bar crawl, which will take you, by boat, to some of Virginia Beaches’ bars.

Virginia Beach Watersports

Virginia Beach Watersports is your destination for jet ski rentals in Virginia Beach. They also have a Norfolk location, which has jet ski rentals, as well as boat tours. 

You can book a  90-minute sunset boat cruise. They also offer a Watersports & Boat cruise, which gives you the chance to go tubing, wakeboarding, or waterskiing!

First Landing Charters

First Landing Charters offers charter boats that you can reserve for your party. It is a good option if you want to go on a tour as a group or family. 

They have a wide variety of tours available, including a sunset cruise and moonlight cruise. They also have a Seals, Dolphins, and Whales tour. 

First Landing also has a tour to Cape Charles, where you can explore more local restaurants. 

Other tours include Tangier Island for the Day, Oysters and Ospreys, and Crabpots and Carriers. 

GoKayak! Paddle with a Porpoise

GoKayak! focuses on, as you might have guessed, kayak tours. They feature guided kayak dolphin tours from First Landing State Park.

The tour gives you a chance to explore the Virginia Beach oceanfront and see dolphins as well as many of the other marine animals that inhabit the area, including bald eagles, ospreys, even sea turtles, sting rays, pelicans, herons, and more.

They offer three daily tours at 9:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 6:00 pm. Each of the tours lasts two hours. No kayaking experience is needed, though you may need to do some paddling.

Note that the tours are closed during the winter months.

Chesapeake Bay Pedal Club

The Chesapeake Bay Pedal Club focuses on fun. They feature a floating 20-passenger Cycleboat pub. The tour travels through Rudee Inlet for scenic views around Virginia Beach.

The highlight of the tour is the 10-person bar with snacks and drinks. The tours are perfect for private events like birthday parties, and bachelor and bachelorette parties. You can also book a public cruise if you have a smaller party.

Chesapean Outdoors

Chesapean Outdoors also specializes in guided kayak dolphin tours.

They also offer other activities including stand-up paddle-board tours, bike tours, surf lessons, rentals, adventure camps, and more.

Moore to See Photo Expeditions

Moore to See Photo Expeditions specializes in private boat tours and eco-tours in some of the more secluded locations in the Virginia Beach area. 

One of the available nature tours is North Landing R., which explores the secluded North Landing River and surrounding marshlands. 

Another tour option is Picnic on the River, which includes a quiet river location where you can enjoy a picnic basket full of fruits, meats and cheeses, bread, crackers, pasta salad, and water.

You can also book a private sunrise and sunset tour. 

They offer a large number of other unique tours, including: 

• Great Bridge Battle – learn about the history of the area on a trip to the Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterways Historic Park.
• Back Bay – get a chance to see hundreds of birds, plus marine mammals and reptiles of the region. 
• River Crab Feast – enjoy a boat tour, plus a feast of steamed Blue Crabs, locally caught in Back Bay and Currituck Sound.
• Winter Eagle Tours – get a chance to see the majestic bald eagles that migrate to the area each winter!
• Birds & Brunch – visit an island rookery with over 2,000 pairs of nesting birds!

Pleasure House Oysters Boat Tour

Pleasure House Oysters Boat Tour offers a very different kind of boat tour: you get the chance to tour an actual oyster farm along the Lynnhaven River!

There are three main tours you can choose from: The Chef’s Table Tour lasts about three to four hours, and includes either lunch or dinner, plus a sampling of locally sourced oysters.

You can bring your own bottle of wine to enjoy with this very unique experience. You also get a chance to learn about the local wildlife and waterways.

Pleasure House Oysters Boat Tour also offers a Tasting Tour of the local oysters.

For those really interested in a hands-on experience, the Waterman Tour gives guests a chance to wade into the riverbed and pick up oysters and other marine animals like crabs and eels. This tour option also includes the Tasting Tour experience.

You can purchase tickets by calling.

Noah Genda Cruises

Noah Genda Cruises comes with a cute and clever name. They offer private tours on a pontoon boat, under the helm of a U.S. Coast Guard captain who has been exploring the Virginia Beach waters for nearly 50 years!

Some of the available tours include sunset and dinner tours, dolphin tours, Lynnhaven River and Chesapeake Bay tours, a boat trip to Seashore State Park, and shelling on the Eastern Shore. 

Jolie Luxury Party and Cruises

If you are looking for a party boat, then Jolie Luxury Party and Cruises offers just the thing. Their tours can include a water slide, tubing, jet skis, and more!

You can also relax with a lunch grilled right onboard the ship, plus you can enjoy other snacks and drinks. It is a great choice for parties. 

Learn more about the best activities near Virginia Beach!

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Go on an Epic Day Trip from Virginia Beach

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Go on a winery tour near Virginia Beach

Check out the top things to do in Virginia Beach in Winter

5 Unique Boat Tours You can Only Find in Virginia Beach

With miles of beautiful coastline and meandering waterways, Virginia Beach is home to an aquatic playground of fun and adventure. With unique coastal agriculture and wildlife, a maritime history the is distinctly our own, and two shorelines with unbeatable views, here are some of our favorite boat tours to help you explore everything Virginia Beach has to offer by sea.

Patriotic Excursions

With our unique military history, and as the home of many of the country’s largest, most-crucial military bases today, it’s no secret that the Navy plays a big role in our maritime environment here in Virginia Beach. For an in-depth look at this unique operation, as well as a detailed explanation of our area’s military history, it doesn’t get much better than Patriotic Excursions’ Captain Jay, and his military RIBS (rigid inflatable boats), used today by the Navy SEALs.

Captain Jay provides commentary as well as patriotic music as you journey to visit the different bases in the area. These boats were made to go 30 mph+ in rough seas, handling even the choppiest of waters with ease, so don’t expect a boring ride. This journey through our military culture is a thrill seekers delight, and you will definitely not stay dry as you’ll skip and hop over the waves as you go. 

We’d take this tour for the thrills and military stories alone, but Jay is also an expert at getting you up close to the dolphins of the Bay, As these boats sit closer to the water, you can’t beat the view. For an adventure around the entire coastline of Va Beach, from the Chesapeake Bay area to the Resort area at the Oceanfront, give Patriotic Excursions a call.

Pleasure House Oysters Boat Tour

@salganz , Instagram

Lynnhaven oysters, once coveted around the world for their size and saltiness, were near extinction just 12 years ago. Thanks to habitat revitalization efforts—an effort the folks at Pleasure House Oysters helped spearhead—the river’s oyster population is thriving. You can hop aboard a tour where you’ll learn more about that success story and the important role oysters play in the river’s ecosystem and you can even taste the oysters plucked straight from the water beneath you.

The tour captain, Chris Ludford, wanted to give locals and visitors the opportunity to learn and experience what goes into growing and farming oysters, as well as teaching the importance and impact that they have on keeping the waterways clean. On his tours, you’ll learn about the history of the river that you just can’t find in history books. Since Chris’s farm is run solely by him and a few helpers, you can see the pure muscle that makes these legends come to life and land on the plates of oyster lovers from around the East Coast.

Virginia Aquarium Craft Brews Cruise

@traceymn56 , Instagram

The Virginia Aquarium offers probably one of the easiest ways to enjoy the water with their Craft Brews Cruise. The aquarium has partnered up with many of our favorite local and regional breweries for an unforgettable, and decidedly local, experience. The tour, aboard the aquarium’s Atlantic Explorer is two hours in length and recurs monthly on the third Friday. Tickets can go quickly so make sure to reserve your spot in advance!

Virginia Aquarium Dolphin Watching Tours

@jfullerphotography , Instagram

While dolphin-watching from the comfort of a swell-side beach chair is one of our favorite pastimes, the best way to experience dolphins might be to get out on the water with them.  Hop aboard the Atlantic Explorer, a 90-minute excursion operated by the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, for up-close sightings of the charismatic creatures, as well as sea turtles, brown pelicans, bald eagles, and more. Tours run throughout the spring, summer, and fall and are staffed by knowledgeable marine educators who focus on research, conservation, and responsible viewing practices. 

Rudee Tours

@rudeerocket , Instagram

The Rudee Inlet is packed with options to get out and explore the waters of Virginia Beach. For a wide range of boat tours that everyone in the family will love, Rudee Tours is the perfect starting point. While their Rudee Mariner and Rudee Angler are great options for those looking to do some deep-sea fishing in style, they are also the home of the relaxing Rudee Flipper, the Rudee Whaler, which offers dolphin and whale watching tours, depending on the season, and the exhilarating Rudee Rocket. The Rudee Rocket , known as the greatest thrill ride on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, is essentially a giant speedboat tour along the coast that is a must for all thrill-seekers.

Virginia Beach Vacation Guide

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Following the City of Virginia Beach's parking schedule for the resort season, the City will resume charging a $5 daily parking fee in Aquarium lots beginning April 1. Members can enjoy free parking year-round!

Aquarium Experiences

We offer dolphin watching tours during the warmer months, as well as whale watching tours during the winter in partnership with Rover Cruises!

Divers in Aquariums

Keep a careful lookout for our divers performing regularly scheduled maintenance in the largest aquariums. Chat with an Aquarium Educator nearby if you have any questions!

Gallery Programs

On occasion, Aquarium Educators conduct Q&A sessions at selected aquariums and exhibits.

Grab, Go, Show Bags

As you journey through the Aquarium, keep your eyes peeled for our Educators and their iconic messenger bags. They are hoping you will stop them and ask them what they have inside. They are ready for your inquisitive mind!

Toddler Programs

Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays | We offer several in-house programs for our littlest learners to enjoy, FREE with Aquarium admission!

Up Close & Personal

Our staff can occasionally be found among the exhibits with one of our Animal Ambassadors, ready to give you an up-close encounter and answer your questions!

Virtual Reality Pods

Enjoy our fully immersive simulators with stunning wrap-around sound and multi-directional movement. Settle in comfortably and experience beautiful and thrilling adventures and you will feel transported to many other worlds. Ages 5+ | $8 (Members $6)

Watershed Warriors

Wednesday through Saturday | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Nature Trail, Owls Creek Garden & Deck. Summers only. Explore Owls Creek with enthusiastic guides and become an eco-champion through interactive science activities.

See What's On The Calendar

Be sure to check out our Daily Events and Featured Events for fun experiences and activities we're hosting!

The Adventure Park

Looking for something new and unique to do that will get your heart racing? Experience our aerial adventure park for the best ropes course climbing and ziplining adventure around!

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Virginia Beach, Virginia

Things To Do

Dolphin Tours & Cruises

Discover Dolphin Tours & Cruises in Virginia Beach. This guide will help you locate a wide range of boat tours and dolphin cruises that are fun and exciting for the whole family. There’s always something new and exciting happening at the beach.

GoKayak! Paddle with a Porpoise!

GoKayak! offers guided kayak nature and dolphin tours from First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach. The First Landing State Park tour launches into beautiful Broad Bay. Guided Kayak Dolphin […]

Surf & Adventure

Surf & Adventure Co. Surf. Paddle. Bike. Explore. Sandbridge is five miles long and less than half a mile wide. This small strip of land separates the Atlantic from Back […]

Virginia Aquarium Boat Tours

As leaders in coastal and marine environmental conservation, research, and preservation, the Virginia Aquarium boat tours bring the ocean to you.

Patriotic Excursions

Enjoy a water tour like only Patriotic Excursions can provide! Experience beautiful Virginia Beach the way it was meant to be seen, from the water. Whether you love military history, […]

Spotting Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins

Here are some tips to spotting dolphins playing and jumping close to the shore in Virginia Beach. Atlantic bottlenose dolphin are most active between 10 am and noon, or especially […]

Live Webcams

Tune into our live webcams and check out the beach activity and weather conditions.

Waterman’s Surfside Grill Boardwalk Webcam

Hampton Inn North Virginia Beach Oceanfront Webcam

Courtyard Virginia Beach Boardwalk Webcam

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Meet the captain, fishing trips, sunset & leisure trips, other types of boat rides.

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Sign up for one of our fishing charters in Virginia Beach, VA

We offer dolphin watching trips during the summer months

A Day at Sea Is a Day Well Spent

We offer local boat tours in virginia beach, va.

The ocean is a sight to behold no matter how old you are. White sea foam, jumping dolphins and the setting sun are some of the best sights on the entire East Coast. It's one thing to view the ocean from the shore, but nothing compares to the thrill of a spectacular catch, seeing the coordinated jumps of local whales and dolphins up close or watching exactly how the sun sets under the rippling water. Ditch the shore and climb aboard a Double Play Charters boat today. For over 20 years, we've been Virginia Beach, Virginia's ticket for local fishing charters , thrilling boat tours and spectacular days of fun out on the waves . As lifelong Virginia Beach natives, we know the ins and outs of shore and ocean life. Whether it's your first time here or you're a regular visitor, we'll give you an unforgettable nautical experience. Book your local boat tour or fishing charter today by calling 757-418-5611.

There's plenty of adventure out in the ocean

• Fishing trips : You can only catch so many fish from the pier. Reel in a Spanish mackerel, marlin, red drum or any other local fish during one of our open-water fishing charters.
• Sunset cruises : When the sun goes down over the water, all your cares seem to melt away. Enjoy another spectacular sunset during our sunset cruise.
• Dolphin watching : Dolphins are very similar to humans, If you want to see some of nature's most intelligent and social creatures, come join our dolphin watching excursion.

Why you should visit Virginia Beach

• Exciting art galleries and museums
• Beautiful state parks and historic landmarks
• Delicious local seafood and dining options

It's Seabass season!

Fishing will be epic in february with our specials this month.

8 hours of fishing out on our deep wrecks up to 4 people $900, we are aloud 15 fish per person per day so come get your cooler filled with jumbo black seabass!!

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• 200 Winston Salem Avenue,   Virginia Beach ,  VA   23451    (757) 418-5611

Rudee Rocket

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Rudee Rocket - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

First Landing Charters has been absorbed into Atlantic Launch.  Atlantic Launch will be offering specialized charters for groups up to 25 people. Visit atlanticlaunch.com or call 757.708.0707 for further details.  We will be honoring all reservations made prior to March 6, 2024. 

CUSTOMIZE YOUR TOUR

Make it a day! Are you a fishing family? Do you want to see dolphins or whales? Do you want to tour historic sites from the water? Do you just want to head toward the horizon with your friends and get away from it all? Or a little bit of everything? Let us know where you would like to go, where you would like to have lunch, and away you go!

CUSTOM PACKAGES INCLUDE

Bottled Water   |  Ice

*With the increase in fuel prices trips may be subject to an increase in fuel surcharges

Accommodates up to six guests  

Our sister company, Atlantic Launch, can accommodate larger parties up to 25

CUSTOM TOUR RATES

Pricing includes up to six guests  - call us for larger groups up to 25

Call 757.708.0707   for prices, based on distance and time

DON'T FORGET!

What to bring.

Hat (wide-brimmed is best)

Food and beverages

Medications, including motion-sickness medication if necessary

IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE​

Trips are subject to cancellation or rescheduling due to severe weather. If we cancel your trip, the full deposit will be refunded.

Must receive three-day notice of cancellation for full refund of deposit or rescheduling.

Be sure to tip your mate! (15-20% of fee is customary.)

CHECK THE TIDES

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Virginia Aquarium launches new boat tour

T he Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is adding a new boat tour experience starting on April 20, called Owls Creek Marsh Cruise.

Search for osprey, eagles, herons and other wildlife during this 45-minute creek cruise for ages 6 and up on the Atlantic Scout.

Join aquarium educators and the boat captain on a slow cruise to explore the native habitat and fauna that make Owls Creek and Lake Rudee among Virginia Beach’s most valuable natural resources.

Tickets are $19.95 and on sale now. The nature tours will continue through May 31 when dolphin tours begin for the season.

Tickets can be purchased on www.virginiaaquarium.com .

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