If you visit Virginia Beach during the warmer months, you may be welcomed by some very special ambassadors: the friendly bottlenose dolphins who migrate through our waters this time of year. The Chesapeake DolphinWatch app, which relies on citizen science to monitor dolphin activity in the nation’s largest estuary, records nearly 2,000 dolphin sightings each year in and around the Chesapeake Bay near Virginia Beach.If you want an up-close and personal encounter with these finny friends, whether by boat, kayak or spotting them from your dinner spot on a dock, here are the best places to spot dolphins in Virginia Beach.
Go on a Boat Tour
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While dolphin watching from the comfort of your beach chair is always an option, we think the best way to experience these intelligent marine mammals is to get out on the water with them. Hop aboard the Atlantic Explorer, a 90-minute ocean 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 other wildlife. Tours run throughout the spring, summer and fall and are staffed by knowledgeable marine educators focusing on research, conservation and responsible viewing practices.
There are also countless opportunities for maritime memory-making at Rudee Inlet — a popular point of embarkation for fishing and water sports tours and a lovely place for waterfront dining after a day out at sea. Start with Rudee Tours, which specializes in viewing marine mammals. Their tours aboard the Rudee Flipper (dolphin watching,) Rudee Whaler (whale watching) and Rudee Rocket (high-speed thrill-seeking with dolphins in your wake) guarantee sightings.
And, for the history buffs in your crew, there’s no better way to learn about the Naval legacy of Virginia Beach than a tour with Patriotic Excursions. Climb aboard one of Captain Jay’s RIBS (rigid inflatable boats) and cruise through the area’s bases with lively commentary and patriotic music. These boats were made to go 30+ mph in rough seas, so don’t expect a dull (or dry!) adventure. Jay is an expert at getting you up close to the bay’s dolphin pods, and the RIBS’ low profile means you’ll practically be nose-to-nose with your newfound friends.
FIN FACT: Bottlenose dolphins are never fully asleep! Using a unique state of consciousness called unihemispheric sleep, they allow one hemisphere of their brain to snooze while the other remains alert. This enables them to rest without entirely losing consciousness or interrupting their breathing.
Paddle Out on a Kayak or SUP
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For an even closer look, get right on the water with a kayak or stand-up paddleboard rental. Chesapean Outdoors, with locations on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront and Chesapeake Bay, offers a variety of regular rentals and guided adventures — including dolphin kayaking (daytime and sunset), dolphin SUP tours, regular kayaking and others. GoKayak! offers guided kayak nature and dolphin tours out of both Rudee Inlet and First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach.
In addition to their regular appearances in waters along Oceanfront, dolphins are frequent visitors to the Chesapeake Bay, and Tula Adventure Sports, located in the Chesapeake Bay, offers a range of tours through these calm inland waterways. Whether you paddle out to the iconic Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel or stay closer to shore, you’re likely to have company — and any encounter with these curious creatures makes for a very special day.
FIN FACT: Bottlenose dolphins communicate with squeaks, whistles and body language — including leaping, snapping their jaws, slapping the water with their tails, blowing bubbles and butting heads. Each dolphin’s signature whistle is as unique as a human fingerprint.
See Dolphins from High Above on a Parasail Ride
If you’re feeling adventurous, get an unmatched view by heading out on a parasailing session over the Atlantic. Rudee Inlet is the take-off point for several parasailing tours like Pirate Parasail and Rudee Inlet Parasail & Water Sports. If you haven’t experienced the unique mix of excitement and serenity that comes with floating 1,000 feet about the water, we think you should give it a try. While dolphin sightings aren’t guaranteed, they are extremely common — and you won’t soon forget having this unique perspective.
FIN FACT: Excellent swimmers, bottlenose dolphins can reach speeds of more than 30 miles per hour, dive to depths over 800 feet — and hold their breath for up to seven minutes.
Catch Dinner and a Show
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In Chesapeake, dinner often comes with a view — and if you’re lucky, an unforgettable show, too. Cruise up for a sunset dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants in Lynnhaven Marina, where dolphins are known to go for an evening swim. At The Back Deck, which looks out over Wolfsnare Creek, you can sip craft brews and munch on fish tacos while you watch your new bottlenose buddies break the glassy, sun-drenched surface. Whether you arrive at Dockside Restaurant and Marina by car or boat, you’ll enjoy acclaimed just-caught seafood dishes accompanied by one of the most comprehensive wine lists in the world.
Rudee Inlet is also an excellent option for dining with dolphins. Popular with locals and visitors alike, Rockafeller’s Restaurant is known for signature oyster dishes accompanied by inlet views. We love the tiki-themed Big Sam’s Inlet Cafe & Raw Bar, where you can enjoy local fare like the Lobster Claw & Knuckle Salad Tower and…and all the umbrella drinks you could possibly want. And you won’t want to miss calamari and “docktails” at Rudee’s on the Inlet Restaurant and Cabana Bar, with unique gliding tables that make you feel like you’re dining on your own yacht.
FIN FACT: With brains larger than ours — relative to overall size, of course — bottlenose dolphins are one of the very few animals that have been documented using tools. Pods of dolphins will often cooperate to make mud rings or bubble nets in order to capture fish.
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- Boat Tours
- Kayak
- Oceanfront
- On the Water
- Parasailing
- SUP Boarding
Written by Staci Amend
As a Californian living in Colorado, writer Staci Amend takes a “why not both” approach to the whole mountains vs. oceans debate. She covers travel, nature, beauty and fashion for a variety of publications and brands — and is happiest when surrounded by hand-painted tile, struggling to pronounce her next meal. A Huntington Beach native and longboarder, she tries to time her Virginia Beach visits with the East Coast Surfing Championships.
