Paddle alongside the wild dolphins of Virginia Beach on a small-group kayak tour from North End Beach. Watch for sea birds and other wildlife as you steer an easy to use, sit-on-top kayak along the coast to the Cape Henry Lighthouses. Learn about the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins that swim past the Virginia coast each summer, and explore the shore with an experienced guide.

Dolphin-watching tour with a small group for personalized attention
Explore the Virginia Beach coast by kayak
Family-friendly tour: no experience necessary
All necessary equipment included and guides help you navigate

What's Included

All taxes, fees and handling charges
Local professional guide

Gratuities

Departure & Return

Departure Point

Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Location varies- call to confirm exact launch location Directions: North End of Virginia Beach Oceanfront and will meet your guide - location to be determined based on current. Call tour operator for departure location.

Departure Time

9:30 AM

Return Details

This activity will end right where it started.

What To Expect

Meet your guide at North End Beach in Virginia Beach, get fitted out with a boat and learn the basics of kayaking operation and safety. Your sit on top boat is stable, comfortable and suitable for all skill and experience levels, so you can focus on soaking up the scenery and watching for dolphins.

Follow your guide on a route toward the historic Cape Henry Lighthouses that passes through prime dolphin habitat. Atlantic bottlenose dolphins live and swim in groups, and have extraordinary intelligence; if you’re lucky, a dolphin may choose to play right alongside your boat, interacting and showing off. You’ll also see seabirds like the pelicans and ospreys that nest along the coast, and groups occasionally spot a sea turtle or cownose ray slipping beneath the surface.

When you reach Cape Henry Lighthouse turn your boat around for the return trip to North End Beach, where you’ll finish the tour.

North End Beaches

Meet your guides on the sand at North End Beach. After a short briefing on safety and kayak operation, your guides will help you launch your kayak into the Atlantic Ocean. Follow your guides and paddle along the coast of Virginia Beach while watching for dolphins. You may also see pelicans, ospreys, sea turtles or cow-nose rays. Paddle to the Cape Henry Lighthouses before turning around and paddling back to the launch site.

Admission Ticket Free

Cape Henry Lighthouse (Pass By)

Paddle to the Cape Henry Lighthouses before turning around and paddling back to the launch site.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Operates in a variety of weather conditions; please dress appropriately for your tour date's weather forecast
For customers whose weight exceeds 250 lbs, please call us directly before booking to speak with a representative.
Not wheelchair accessible
Infants must sit on laps
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

Operated by Chesapean Outdoors

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

about cancellations

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

131 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 131 reviews

Fun in the sun

Susan_E, May 2022

The guide was very professional and knowledgeable. Tommy really enjoyed educating and helping us have a great experience!

Response from Host, May 2022

Thank you so much!

Great experience!! Will do it again!!

Marjuin_M, May 2022

We had a great experience with Tommy our Tour Guide! He was very knowledgeable and patient. We Love it!!!

Response from Host, May 2022

Thank you so much!

Had a perfect day and a...

Barb_A, Sep 2021

Had a perfect day and a wonderful time - Will was a great tour guide!! Would definitely do it again.

Kayaking with dolphins

Marvin_P, Sep 2021

The tour guide,Will was great. We seen quite a few dolphins that came right up to our Kayaks. Also learning the history of how the fishing nets were used was very interesting. We Loved the tour would recommend it to everyone.

Saw lots of dolphins!

Chelsea_B, Aug 2021

The guides were pretty friendly laid back and knowledgeable about the area and the wildlife. Didn't see many dolphins initially but as we were heading back we got caught up in a few pods and saw dolphins all around us! It was a super fun experience and everyone was able to get pics/videos! Also the waters weren't too bad for paddling.

Great! Even for Beginners.

Jhordyn_M, Aug 2021

Absolutely loved this tour. It was my husband and I’s first time kayaking. It was super fun and easy, and a great workout! My husband and I agree that we would definitely do it again. And seeing the dolphins was a huge bonus! Shout out to Tommy our guide. He’s the best.

Awesome!

Dannella_R, Aug 2021

The boys who led our tour were very fun and knowledgeable about the area wildlife. We had a lot of fun! Definitely recommend!

A big disappointment

Alexa_J, Aug 2021

The location was changed the day before, didn’t get to see the Cape Henry lighthouse. Was way more than the 12 kayaker maximum on the trip, and never saw one dolphin. Some people actually left the excursion early. This was a huge waste of money and total disappointment. 0/10.

Response from Host, Aug 2021

Absolutely not a fair review. The literature says we reserve the right to change the location based on winds, tides and currents. We actually do this so that YOU, the customer will have the best experience on the water. You have to understand life on the water to appreciate that. Dolphins are wild animals and it’s not Sea World- there is never 100% guarantee on any wild animal. Although almost all of tours do see them. Our guides divide the groups in smaller groups and we have more than enough guides to give everyone on the tour personal attention. Just read all of our other reviews. I sure wish you had called and shared your experience with us- I would have been happy to refund you. Sounds like the boat tour for dolphins might have been a better fit for your group. Maybe next time!

Dolphin Fun

Sandy_L, Aug 2021

Our two guides were two brothers who were very knowledgeable about the area where we were touring and the beautiful dolphins we saw as well as the other animals in the area. My kids had an amazing time. One of the best highlights of our first trip to Virginia Beach!!!

AMAZING

Brittany_D, Jul 2021

Saw so many dolphins. The tour guides were great! 1st time kayaking, What an experience! Will definitely do it again!

Response from Host, Aug 2021

Thank you!

Questions?

Product code: 31434P1

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