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| ATLANTIC BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN (in the Matanzas River) |
For the other species of dolphin found in Florida, I have created pages with a list of sightings. However, if I were to list every time an Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin was sighted in Florida, well, it might would take years! Throughout the state, Bottlenose Dolphins are sighted in Florida everyday, and I wouldn't doubt that 100 or more encounters with this species could be noted each and every day. Therefore, instead of writing down individual sightings, I will instead share with you where Bottlenose Dolphins are spotted, and where they are generally not.
Let's Start On Florida's East Coast, at the Florida/Georgia Border...
Bottlenose Dolphins are often seen in the St. Mary's River. Though it is difficult to find information on how far up the river they swim, I'd imagine that once you reach Scrubby Bluff, dolphin sightings would begin to disappear. They are also found in the St. Mary's Entrance. If you're lucky, you may even spot dolphins "strand feeding" in this area.
The Amelia River is another great place to look for dolphins! Again, keep an eye out for the "strand feeding behavior!"
So far, I have not been able to find any footage of dolphins in Seton Creek or near Nassauville, but I wouldn't doubt that they're there. However I'd imagine that once you get near Eagle Bend, dolphin sightings further west in the river will become fewer.
You may also spot dolphins in Fort George Inlet, the Fort George River, and likely Simpson Creek as well.
Dolphins can also be found in Clapboard Creek.
The St. John's River (the part of it near the ocean, of course) is another great place to go dolphin spotting. The St. John's River dolphins appear to be quite the "explorers," as once, a dead dolphin was found all the way in Lake Crescent! Even more remarkably, a live Bottlenose Dolphin was once found in distress in Lake Monroe!
I have seen a few photos of dolphins in the Guana River, however, it does not appear to be an every day occasion. The Tolomato River, too, seems to be a little "dolphin deprived."
St. Augustine Inlet is a wonderful place to search for dolphins! The Matanzas River, too, is full of them.
Dolphins are also often spotted in Matanzas Inlet, and can be found swimming in the Matanzas River all the way to the Palm Coast area!
You may also spot dolphins in Pellicer Creek, but it's not very common that they enter this waterway.
Though it is located about twenty miles from the nearest inlet, the Tomoka River and Tomoka Basin is another place where Bottlenose Dolphins can sometimes be found.
Dolphins can be seen in the Halifax River from around the Tomoka Basin to Ponce Inlet.
Ponce Inlet, too, is another great place to search for dolphins.
The Indian River North and Mosquito Lagoon is full of dolphins. Definitely check it out.
The dolphin action does by no means go away once you enter Haulover Canal and the Indian River. Dolphins can be found throughout the Indian River, from Haulover Canal where it begins to Jupiter Inlet where it ends.
Though it is a ways from the nearest inlet, the Banana River is also a great dolphin watching destination.
Oh, and don't forget about Port Canaveral. Though it is busy with ships and small recreational boats, dolphins still enter the port quite often.
Sykes Creek is another place where you'll likely spot dolphins.
I have seen a dolphin in the Canaveral Barge Canal once, but I wouldn't suspect that this is an everyday event.
Dolphins can also be found in the St. Lucie River.
It appears that dolphin sightings in the Loxahatchee River are not very common.
As for the Intracoastal Waterway in southeast Florida - not exactly the best place to look for dolphins. Lots of boats traffic, narrow waterways, huge buildings along the water, and likely a fair share of pollution from all of the good sized cities on the shore.
However, this story changes in Biscayne Bay.
Dolphins can be found throughout the Florida Keys. As for the many "basins" and sounds between the chain of "keys" and the the south coast of Florida, along with Florida Bay, be on the lookout for dolphins and an exciting hunting behavior called "mud netting."
I've seen a little bit of footage of dolphins in Whitewater Bay, but they do not seem to appear in this waterway as much.
As for the many rivers, creeks, and bays from Ponce De Leon Bay to the Ten Thousand Islands, not the best dolphin watching...
Bottlenose Dolphins can be found throughout the Ten Thousand Islands and Chokoloskee Bay.
The waters around Marco Island, including Gullivan Bay and Rookery Bay, happen to be a quite popular destination fro dolphin watching in Florida.
Though it is somewhat crowded, Naples Bay is another place you could consider for a dolphin watching trip.
Outer Doctors Bay and Inner Doctors Bay do not appear to be very good dolphin watching spots.
Outer Clam Bay and Inner Clam Bay are probably difficult places for dolphins to reach, as Clam Pass and the creeks leading to them are very shallow and narrow.
The Chocohatchee River, too, is not on the "dolphin watching" list.
Bottlenose Dolphins are, however, spotted in Estero Bay.
Just north of Estero Bay is San Carlos Bay, another great spot to look for dolphins.
The Caloosahatchee River, along with Nearby Matlacha Pass and Pine Island Sound, is another perfect destination for dolphin watching.
Charlotte Harbor is one of the biggest intercoastal waterways in the state of Florida. Here, dolphins can be spotted in the harbor, the harbor's inlet to the ocean - Boca Grande Pass - and even into the lower sections of the Myakka River and the Peace River.
Gasparilla Sound, Gasparilla Pass, and Placida Harbor is FULL of dolphins. You may even spot a dolphin in Catfish Creek, Whidden Creek, Bull Bay, or Turtle Bay.
Dolphins are more seldom seen in Kettle Harbor, but once you reach Lemon Bay and Stump Pass, get ready to see some dorsal fins!
Lyon's Bay, Robert Bay, and Dora Bay probably are not the best dolphin watching spots.
Blackburn Bay, too, does not appear to be the best dolphin destination.
However, get ready for dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Big Sarasota Pass, New Pass, and Longboat Pass!
Tampa Bay, Old Tampa Bay, Hillsborough Bay, and Passage Key Inlet, along with the Shell Key Preserve/Fort Desoto State Park area, is another excellent place to go dolphin watching.
Boca Ciega Bay and John's Pass are a "yes" too!
Clearwater Bay and Clearwater Pass are a good one to try out too! While you're there, you may even want to stop by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and see the famous tail-less dolphin, "Winter."
As you go northward, you'll soon come across St. Joseph Sound, Anclote Anchorage, and the Anclote River. All are good places to try.
Dolphins can also be found in the Pithlachascotee (or simply "Cotee") River.
The stretch of Florida coast from Port Richey to Bayport is quite interesting. There are no intercoastal waterways (with the exception of small, short creeks), and the water is very shallow, even if you travel miles offshore. The coastline consists of mostly salt marsh. Dolphins can be found throughout this area.
Dolphins can occasionally be seen in the lower sections of the Weeki Wachee River and in the Mud River. Occasionally (though rarely) dolphins may even swim up into the Weeki Wachee Gardens area. From Weeki Wachee to the Withlacoochee, be on the lookout for dolphins using the "mud netting" behavior to hunt.
There are miles of completely undeveloped marshy coastline that meets untouched swamp and woods from Bayport to Chassahowitzka Bay. Dolphin sightings in the Chassahowitzka River are occasional, and dolphins have even been seen in the springs near the Chassahowitzka River Campground. Dolphins are more often seen in Chassahowitzka Bay.
Okay, I'm not really sure what to think about the Homosassa River. I've read where people say stuff like "You can't go on the Homosassa River and not see dolphins!" but this waterway is in the middle of several similar rivers where dolphin sightings are not so common. I haven't been to Homosassa yet, so I may update this if I go. I have seen video footage of dolphins near Homosassa Springs and even up the Halls River. Dolphins are also spotted in Homosassa Bay.
I have also seen photos/videos of dolphins on the Little Homosassa River as well.
Dolphins are occasionally seen in the Salt River, Saint Martins River, and around Ozello.
Dolphins make occasional appearances in Crystal River, King's Bay, and once I saw a video of dolphins in Hunter Springs. There are plenty of dolphins in Crystal Bay, however.
Dolphins are also occasionally (though seldom) spotted on the Withlacoochee River. I've seen pictures of dolphins as far upriver as B's Campground and Marina in Yankeetown, but your best bet is going to be Withlacoochee Bay.
I haven't been able to find any footage of dolphins in the Waccasassa River, but I'm not sure if that's because they're not there or hardly anyone visits this river. I'd definitely imagine that there's dolphins in Waccasassa Bay, however.
Cedar Key is another somewhat popular dolphin destination.
I've seen like one video of a dolphin in the Suwannee River. Probably not the best place for dolphins, but I'm not completely sure. Of course, there's probably plenty of dolphins in Suwannee Sound.
The Steinhatchee River also sees dolphins every now and then, and I'm sure they're spotted in Deadman Bay as well. Interestingly, around 1964, several "blond" colored Bottlenose Dolphins were seen near and in the Steinhatchee.
The Ecofina River...not really...
Same with the Aucilla River.
Dolphins are sometimes seen around the base of the St. Marks River and also in Apalachee Bay.
However, this isn't the case in Ochlockonee Bay and the Ochlockonee River.
Saint George Sound and Apalachicola Bay are more open and you'll probably find dolphins there.
Saint Joseph Bay (no, not the one down by Anclote - there's another one in northwest Florida) is the same story.
The next place to the north where you'll find dolphins in St. Andrew Bay, then Chocawhatchee Bay (which I've heard has a lot of dolphins).
Dolphins are also often seen in Pensacola Bay and occasionally Escambia Bay.
Lastly, you will likely find dolphins in Perdido Bay as well. Just like the St. Mary's River in northeast Florida, in the middle of which lies the Florida/Georgia border, Perdido Bay holds the Florida/Alabama border.
So, I hope this helps someone, because it took a LONG time to compile all this info, lol. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments box below 😀
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