Top 8 Dolphin Watching Tours in the Philippines

1.Dolphin Watching & Sea Turtle Swim Island Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 159 reviews · 6 hours · from $49Our pick

You’ll leave Panglao before sunrise with an English- or Korean-speaking guide, search for wild dolphins, then snorkel Balicasag’s coral reefs and turtle area. Guides such as Sarah, Paulen, Fatima, and Alex are part of the operating team, but marine life sightings depend on sea conditions.

“Great activity, we got to see dolphins from the boat and swim with Sea Turtles :) Our guide Sarah was the best!”

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2.Pamilacan Island Dolphin/Turtle Watching Tour & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 96 reviews · 8 hours · from $70

Meet your English-speaking guide at Abraham Bohol for an early boat trip to Pamilacan Island. Watch for dolphins, snorkel over turtles and coral, tour the village, and eat a homemade Filipino lunch. Guides such as Ruby and Sarah help make this an easy, personal day out.

“Great Tour! Saw a lot of dolphins and turtles. The team and the lunch was also great!”

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3.Bohol Dolphin Watching, Balicasag, and Virgin Island Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.2 · 29 reviews · 5 hours · from $51

Start before sunrise with dolphin watching in Panglao Bay, then snorkel Balicasag Island’s reefs and seek sea turtles before relaxing at Kalipayan Beach or Virgin Island, depending on current access. Shared boat, gear, fees, and Panglao pickup are included.

“L'une des pires expériences Get your guide, ils nous ont abandonné 2 heures sur l'île sans information sur le prochain bateau, uniquement un guide qui nous disait que le bateau allait bientôt arriver. puis ils ont meme abandonné des gens de notre groupe qui ont encore attendu 30 minutes supplémentaires. Aucun respect des heures de départ (30 minutes d'arrêt sur Virginie island sont devenues +1h). L'aventure est censé durer 5h, nous etions plus 8h en mer. Je ne recommande pas”

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4.Dolphin Watching, Turtle Swim and Party Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 27 reviews · 5 hours · from $69Top rated

Start early from Panglao for dolphin watching near Pamilacan Island, then snorkel with turtles and reef fish at Balicasag. Your English-speaking guide helps in the water and records underwater photos and videos. Filipino lunch, drinks, and a music setup complete this five-hour shared boat trip.

“We had an amazing day on this snorkel tour! The weather was perfect, we even spotted dolphins and enjoyed the included drinks (beer, soda and rum) along the way. Snorkeling was great and the guide took GoPro footage, which resulted in some fantastic photos and videos we received afterward. Lunch on the island was simple but good and well organized. Although there was no island party, it didn’t take away from the overall experience. Overall, it was a fun, relaxed and very enjoyable experience that we would definitely recommend.”

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5.Bohol Balicasag Is Private Tour and Dolphin Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 9 reviews · 1 day · from $108

Start early from Panglao with dolphin watching, then head to Balicasag for reef snorkeling, turtle watching, a paddle boat ride, local island life, and lunch. Guides including Jessie, Fronie, Christian, Amir, and Manuel tailor the day for groups of up to 10. Virgin Island is currently closed.

“A very good and well organised tour ! We were only let down by the weather unfortunately, which dampened the whole trip. We enjoyed our time on the traditional boats, the guys were friendly and professional. The diving was lovely, saw a turtle and loads of stunning fish. The lunch was amazing - freshly prepared with fish, prawns, chicken and fresh fruit. It’s an early start ! But that is probably to beat the crowds. They did try and take us to the quieter part of the island but it is a very touristy tour so expect alot if people.”

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6.Dolphin Watching & Manjuyod Sandbar Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 8 reviews · 10 hours

Start early from Dumaguete, Bacong, Dauin, or Zamboanguita and ride by van to the coast. A private banca takes you around Bais Bay for wild dolphin watching, swimming, snorkeling, and Manjuyod Sandbar. Lunch, towels, guide service, and hotel transfers are included.

“Watching dolphins was fun. Seafood lunch was good. We just lazed in the sandbar afterwards.”

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7.Pamilacan island: Dolphins, snorkel, lunch and walking tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 8 reviews · 8 hours · from $139

Leave Panglao by private boat for dolphin watching, guided snorkeling in Pamilacan’s marine sanctuary, a fresh Boholano lunch, and a 45-minute island walk. You’ll visit a 200-year-old Spanish fort and return the same day with an English-speaking guide.

“Tour privato molto piacevole, con tante attenzioni da parte della nostra guida, dell'equipaggio della barca (fantastica!) e degli abitanti dell'isola. Pranzo tipico filippino, coi piedi nella sabbia e di fronte a un mare stupendo, abbiamo nuotato con 7 tartarughe e visto pesci e coralli coloratissimi!! super consigliato!”

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8.Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling at Balicasag Island

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 4 reviews · 6 hours · from $45Best value

Meet at 6:00 AM near Alona Beach, then cruise toward Balicasag for dolphin watching, guided reef snorkeling, and a turtle sanctuary visit. Shared boats keep the price near $45, while private trips add hotel pickup, lunch, and more flexibility. Guide Fabio has been praised for clear communication when weather changes.

“The activity was rescheduled a few times due to cyclone warning but our tour guide Fabio was very responsive and kept us well informed about the rescheduling and came to pick us up at the hotel for the activity, however the boat rider and handler did not live up to their expectations. We had a very good view of the Dolphins., but when we reached Balicasag island for snorkelling activities our boat stopped very far away from the shore than rest of the boats and we were made to walk on rocky waters where both me and my husband bruised ourselves. Especially my husband fell in water and badly bruised…”

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