Captain Gator and first mate Katie Scarlett with my oldest grandson, Cooper, after our sunset dolphin tour. (Larry Vaught Photo)
I think I have been on 10 dolphin tours in various states/countries and I have enjoyed each of them in a unique way. But none compared to Captain Derek’s Dolphin Adventure Tour at Tybee Island.
My family of seven went out Tuesday night for the sunset dolphin cruise not quite sure what to expect and knowing there is no guarantee of seeing dolphins (Captain Derek’s offers a chance for a return trip if you happen not to see dolphins or if the captain does not feel you saw enough dolphins).
However, I think it took about five minutes after we boarded with Captain Gator (who is from Wise, Va., and knew plenty about Kentucky basketball fans) and first mate Katie Scarlett to spot our first dolphins. I thought that it likely would be a while before we would see any more dolphins — if we did see more — on our cruise. Instead, we just kept seeing dolphins on our 90-minute cruise along Tybee’s coastal waters while also seeing historic lighthouses and Fort Pulaski.
A shrimp boat — this is prime shrimping season here — was still out and Katie explained that dolphins loved to congregate around the shrimp boat to take what the fishermen throw back in the ocean. We kept the shrimp boat close most of the cruise and the dolphins just kept coming.
Captain Gator estimated that we probably saw 75 dolphins during our cruise, including six baby dolphins. Katie explained that it’s not unusual to see a lot of dolphins but to see baby dolphins and also that many dolphins are unusual. She said the natural habitat at Tybee is perfect for dolphin viewing.
Captain Derek’s has five boats that have more power to produce a wake behind the boat. Near the end of the tour two other boats that were also out lined up beside our boat and took off full speed. Katie said sometimes the dolphins would try to play in the wake — and did they ever.
Dolphins followed us and often jumped in the air or even flipped. That went on for about 15 minutes and was even more fun to watch than when we had dolphins swimming all around the boat earlier.
Unlke most tours, Captain Derek’s allows you to bring food and drink on board to enjoy as you want during the cruise. The boats were also not so crowded that you could not find a seat or a spot to stand — and you were allowed to stand almost as soon as the boat left dock.
This was also my first time on a sunset dolphin cruise but won’t be my last, especially when I return to Tybee Island.
* * *
For more information go to https://tybeedolphinadventure.com/ or call 912-658-2322. Captain Derek’s Dolphin Adventure is located at 3 Old US Highway 80, Tybee Island, Ga., 31328.
