Best Time to See Dolphins in Florida
March, April and December is the best time to see dolphins in Florida. Based on 4,437 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when dolphins are most active across the year in Florida.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Common Bottlenose Dolphin · Punkus CC BY
Melon-headed Whale · Lucy Keith-Diagne CC BY
Common Bottlenose Dolphin · Robbie CC BY
4,437 verified observations of dolphins in Florida, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dolphins are recorded in Florida
Peak month
March
657 records (14.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 436 | 9.8% |
| February | 425 | 9.6% |
| Marchpeak | 657 | 14.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 553 | 12.5% |
| May | 363 | 8.2% |
| June | 328 | 7.4% |
| July | 277 | 6.2% |
| August | 228 | 5.1% |
| September | 204 | 4.6% |
| October | 222 | 5% |
| November | 290 | 6.5% |
| Decemberpeak | 454 | 10.2% |
Dolphins you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Bottlenose Dolphin | 3,175 |
| Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin | 833 |
| Atlantic Spotted Dolphin | 10 |
| Short-finned Pilot Whale | 5 |
| Spinner Dolphin | 2 |
| Orca | 2 |
| False Killer Whale | 2 |
| Pygmy Killer Whale | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Florida
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when dolphins are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for dolphins sit around 56 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 70°F | 52°F | 1.9" |
| Feb | 76°F | 57°F | 2.3" |
| Marbest time | 81°F | 60°F | 2.3" |
| Aprbest time | 83°F | 64°F | 4.5" |
| May | 87°F | 68°F | 4.5" |
| Jun | 88°F | 73°F | 9.3" |
| Jul | 88°F | 75°F | 9.6" |
| Aug | 89°F | 76°F | 11.1" |
| Sep | 86°F | 73°F | 11.5" |
| Oct | 82°F | 69°F | 4" |
| Nov | 75°F | 61°F | 4.5" |
| Decbest time | 72°F | 56°F | 3.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Florida. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of dolphins in Florida peak in March, when 657 of the year's 4,437 verified observations are logged — about 14.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through March, April and December.
The quietest stretch is September, October and August, when dolphins are hardest to find — September sees just 204 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The dolphins you are most likely to encounter in Florida are Common Bottlenose Dolphin, Tamanend's Bottlenose Dolphin and Atlantic Spotted Dolphin — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see dolphins in Florida
- Big Cypress National Preserve — National Preserve
- Biscayne National Park — National Park
- Canaveral National Seashore — National Seashore
- Dry Tortugas National Park — National Park
- Everglades National Park — National Park
- Gulf Islands National Seashore — National Seashore
Go see them · Florida
Key West Dolphin Watch and Snorkel Tour - Eco Adventure
Fury's Dolphin Watch & Snorkel Tour offers a unique blend of wildlife observation and snorkeling in Key West. Aboard our state-of-the-art 45-foot...
Staying over? Compare places to stay near Big Cypress National Preserve
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see dolphins in Florida?+
March is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through March, April and December, based on 4,437 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are dolphins hardest to see in Florida?+
September is the quietest month for dolphins in Florida, with only 204 verified records.
Are dolphins active year-round in Florida?+
Dolphins are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Florida, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in March.
More places to see dolphins
More wildlife in Florida