Discovering North America’s Best Marine Park Safari Experiences

From the sun-kissed beaches of Florida to the spectacular Pacific Ocean coastlines, North America is blessed with an incredibly diverse array of marine wildlife. Whether you’re looking for a fun family adventure or an adrenaline-filled vacation away with your friends, we’re about to uncover the best marine park safari experiences available from coast to coast.

If you know where to go, you too can witness wild dolphins playing in the surf or an Orca whale breaching the water’s surface – and if you’re feeling courageous, why not take the plunge for a cage dive with great white sharks in California. If this sounds like you, join us for an expedition that showcases the best marine sea life experiences available that will create memories that will last forever.

Embark On a Dolphin Watching Tour in Dunedin, Florida

Our first stop is to the tropical waters of the Sunshine State’s west coast for an exhilarating trip to meet with the dolphins of Dunedin, Florida. Whether you’re planning a trip with your family or friends, a boat trip out to the turquoise seas of the Gulf of Mexico to see these incredible creatures in the wild is a dream bucket list achievement.

When you’re in Dunedin, head to Dunedin Marina to meet with the crew at the ParrotDise Express for an exciting day tour or sunset tour for an authentic dolphin cruise experience. Their 47-foot mono-hull boat, the ParrotDise Express, creates the perfect wake for regional dolphins to play – so close you can almost touch them – providing you and your family the most real-life dolphin experience you won’t find at an aquarium.

Spend the day on the crystal-clear waters of a dolphin-watching experience by booking your stay at the Best Western Plus Yacht Harbor Inn in Dunedin, Florida.

Help Save the Sea Turtles on South Padre Island, Texas

Our next marine life-inspired destination also benefits sea turtle conservation efforts on South Padre Island, Texas. Here, visitors to South Padre Island in May can often catch sight of female turtles arriving on the beach to lay eggs, and from mid-June through to August, you can witness the resulting hatchlings head out to sea for the first time at dawn.

However, we also recommended heading to Sea Turtle Inc, South Padre Island’s very own turtle rescue and rehabilitation center. Guests can go on self-guided tours of the outdoor rehabilitation pools where injured turtles recover before being released back into the wild, which is ideal for educating kids and adults alike about the life of sea turtles and conservational efforts to help them survive.

Whether you’re up late for the mother turtles’ arrival or the dawn departure of the turtle hatchlings, get a great night’s sleep at the Best Western Beachside Inn on South Padre Island, Texas.

Cruise Along With The Californian Seal Population in San Diego, California

Our next marine park safari destination offers a perfect blend of sea and land adventures, much like the diverse wildlife you’ll encounter in San Diego, California. Famous for its California seal and sea lion population, when you head to San Diego, be sure to join the captain aboard the popular SEAL Tours’ sightseeing boat with wheels.

With pick-up points at Seaport Village and Embarcadero, SEAL Tours takes guests on a ride through the scenic streets of downtown San Diego before heading into the waters of San Diego Bay. Once aboard the state-of-the-art US Coast Guard-certified Hydra-Terra vehicle, your guides will provide an incredible, fully narrated tour as you cruise past the local seal populations basking in the Californian sunshine.

After a fully immersive tour of San Diego and San Diego Bay, relax and enjoy a cozy night’s sleep when you book your accommodation at the Best Western Yacht Harbor Hotel in San Diego, California.

Cage Dive with Great White Sharks off The Farallon Islands in California

Our next amazing marine park safari adventure is not for the faint of heart – but a once-in-a-lifetime experience, nevertheless. Remaining in California, our next venture is to join the experienced crew at Shark Dive Adventures to cage dive with the great white sharks in the Farallon Islands 35 miles off the coast of San Francisco.

The good news is, you don’t have to get into the water as topside guests can watch from the comfort of the boat, but if you’re keen to take the plunge, you can also enjoy a cage dive. From the safety inside the cage, guests can dive or snorkel at the surface and come face to face with these wild animals of the deep.

After your cage diving adventures off the San Francisco coast, ensure you get a tranquil night’s sleep at the Best Western Plus Bayside Hotel in Oakland, California.

Witness Orca’s and Whales Leaping off the Coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia

For our final highlight on our tour of North America’s top marine park safari experiences, we head north of the border to Victoria, British Columbia in Canada. Here, we highly recommend joining the squad at Orca Spirt Adventures for an unforgettable adventure to spot the humpback and killer whales who call the waters off Vancouver Island home.

Brilliant fun for the whole family, you can head out to try to witness the most spectacular feat of these impressive marine animals leaping out of the sea. The whale-watching tour is guided by a knowledgeable and experienced team led by Marine Naturalists, experts in marine wildlife ecology who can answer any questions you might have as your remarkable experience unfolds.

Enhance your rare whale-watching adventure off the coast of Vancouver Island by booking your family stay at the Best Western Plus Inner Harbour in Victoria, British Columbia.