Cocoa Beach Manatee And Dolphin Tours 

5.0/5 (12 reviews)
 401 Riveredge Boulevard, Cocoa, FL 32922, United States

Cocoa Beach Manatee And Dolphin Tours 

Cocoa, FL, United States
21 feet
6
5.0/5 (12 reviews)

Hello,
My name is Captain Drew Cavanaugh and thank you for taking the time to read my introduction. I am a full-time resident of Florida, a full-time USCG charter boat captain in a small city called Oak Hill. I specialize in light tackle saltwater fishing along with wildlife and birding tours here for over 25 years now. We are located just 45 minutes east of Orlando, Kissimmee, and Disney World. We normally see large numbers of dolphin, manatee, exotic birds and wildlife daily.

Oak Hill is located on the Indian River, the Canaveral National Seashore, and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Just 30 minutes north of Cocoa Beach and 20 minutes south of Daytona Beach. Also, this area is part of NASA and the Kennedy Space Center.

This area is famous for the largest congregation of the West Indian Manatee, hundreds of dolphins, and many exotic birds. The area I live in and do my tours in is the number one place on earth to view manatee. On the east coast we have around 5000 of them.

Throughout the spring, summer, fall, and warm winter months, we see hundreds of manatees, dolphins, and wildlife daily, just while out boating and on my fishing charters. I get clients constantly telling me they saw more wildlife here than when they went to SeaWorld.

We also have hundreds of bottle-nose dolphins, sea turtles, and the wildlife refuge is one of the biggest bird refuges on the planet. 100's of birds to see, and some are only seen here. While on your boat tour, there is even a chance you may see a rocket launch from SpaceX or NASA as well. You just never know.

We will meet in New Smyrna Beach, Cocoa Beach or Daytona Beach. This depends on where we are seeing most of the wildlife you want, and it gets us closer to them. We will know the address to meet a few days before your trip.

Unfortunately we do not offer any weekend trips as there may be no manatee or dolphin to be seen with way too much boat traffic out, party boats and jet skis disturbing the wildlife.

Hello,
My name is Captain Drew Cavanaugh and thank you for taking the time to read my introduction. I am a full-time resident of Florida, a full-time USCG charter boat captain in a small city called Oak Hill. I specialize in light tackle saltwater fishing along with wildlife and birding tours here for over 25 years now. We are located just 45 minutes east of Orlando, Kissimmee, and Disney World. We normally see large numbers of dolphin, manatee, exotic birds and wildlife daily.

Oak Hill is located on the Indian River, the Canaveral National Seashore, and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Just 30 minutes north of Cocoa Beach and 20 minutes south of Daytona Beach. Also, this area is part of NASA and the Kennedy Space Center.

This area is famous for the largest congregation of the West Indian Manatee, hundreds of dolphins, and many exotic birds. The area I live in and do my tours in is the number one place on earth to view manatee. On the east coast we have around 5000 of them.

Throughout the spring, summer, fall, and warm winter months, we see hundreds of manatees, dolphins, and wildlife daily, just while out boating and on my fishing charters. I get clients constantly telling me they saw more wildlife here than when they went to SeaWorld.

We also have hundreds of bottle-nose dolphins, sea turtles, and the wildlife refuge is one of the biggest bird refuges on the planet. 100's of birds to see, and some are only seen here. While on your boat tour, there is even a chance you may see a rocket launch from SpaceX or NASA as well. You just never know.

We will meet in New Smyrna Beach, Cocoa Beach or Daytona Beach. This depends on where we are seeing most of the wildlife you want, and it gets us closer to them. We will know the address to meet a few days before your trip.

Unfortunately we do not offer any weekend trips as there may be no manatee or dolphin to be seen with way too much boat traffic out, party boats and jet skis disturbing the wildlife.

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Customer reviews

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Rating

5.0
(12 reviews)
5.0
Boat & equipment
5.0
Captain & crew
5.0
Experience

All reviews (12)

Showing 15 of 12 reviews
Mary Bridson
Mary Bridson
us
Missouri, US
Member since 2025
5.0
Verified
fantastic tour
3 Hour – Manatee And Dolphin Tour on September 13, 20254 adults
Captain Drew coordinated an earlier time in the morning just for our small group. He made sure that our wishes were completely satisfied, we saw dolphins and a found us a cove with a group of manatees who came within a foot of our boat. He explained exactly where we were on the river, pointed out and told us about the wildlife and vegetation along our tour, and saw to our comfort and safety. Would recommend this tour and will be taking my other friends and family.
Response from Captain
September 27, 2025
You guys were awesome! Hope to see you again sometime. Thanks!
Wendy Cavett
Wendy Cavett
us
Texas, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
Captain Drew was great!
3 Hour – Manatee And Dolphin Tour on June 29, 20266 adults
we had such a great time on Captain Drew’s boat! He was so personable and knowledgeable about the area. He knew exactly where to take us to see dolphins, manatees, and even surprised us but showing us baby pelicans! It was a perfect trip for the four of us!
Marie Klinzing
Marie Klinzing
us
Minnesota, US
Member since 2025
5.0
Verified
Fantastic
2 Hour – Manatee And Dolphin Tour on September 27, 20252 adults
I 100% recommend Captain Drew! He was very friendly and knowledgeable of the area and where we could see the most sea life. We saw everything we wanted to and had a great time!
Dan Clamonts
Dan Clamonts
Member since 2026
5.0
We picked the perfect day of weather for a beautiful water tour
2 Hour – Manatee And Dolphin Tour on December 18, 2025
It was a beautiful winter day in Florida for a boat tour and wildlife expedition. The scenery and water was picture perfect. We will do this again.
Response from Captain
January 23, 2026
Thank You!!! Had a great time!!
Joe B
Joe B
Member since 2026
5.0
We Just Love The East Coast Of Florida!
2 Hour – Manatee And Dolphin Tour on December 11, 2025
New Smyrna Beach is so much nicer than Cocoa!! So clean, and so much more to see. We like Cocoa Beach but there is just no comparison

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
August 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
2 Hour – Manatee And Dolphin Tour
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
2 hour trip starts at 9:00 AM
+2
US $275
Private tour: up to 6 people
3 Hour – Manatee And Dolphin Tour
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
3 hour trip starts at 9:00 AM
+2
US $350
Private tour: up to 6 people

Customer reviews

Loading...

Rating

5.0
(12 reviews)
5.0
Boat & equipment
5.0
Captain & crew
5.0
Experience

All reviews (12)

Showing 15 of 12 reviews
Mary Bridson
Mary Bridson
us
Missouri, US
Member since 2025
5.0
Verified
fantastic tour
3 Hour – Manatee And Dolphin Tour on September 13, 20254 adults
Captain Drew coordinated an earlier time in the morning just for our small group. He made sure that our wishes were completely satisfied, we saw dolphins and a found us a cove with a group of manatees who came within a foot of our boat. He explained exactly where we were on the river, pointed out and told us about the wildlife and vegetation along our tour, and saw to our comfort and safety. Would recommend this tour and will be taking my other friends and family.
Response from Captain
September 27, 2025
You guys were awesome! Hope to see you again sometime. Thanks!
Wendy Cavett
Wendy Cavett
us
Texas, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
Captain Drew was great!
3 Hour – Manatee And Dolphin Tour on June 29, 20266 adults
we had such a great time on Captain Drew’s boat! He was so personable and knowledgeable about the area. He knew exactly where to take us to see dolphins, manatees, and even surprised us but showing us baby pelicans! It was a perfect trip for the four of us!
Marie Klinzing
Marie Klinzing
us
Minnesota, US
Member since 2025
5.0
Verified
Fantastic
2 Hour – Manatee And Dolphin Tour on September 27, 20252 adults
I 100% recommend Captain Drew! He was very friendly and knowledgeable of the area and where we could see the most sea life. We saw everything we wanted to and had a great time!
Dan Clamonts
Dan Clamonts
Member since 2026
5.0
We picked the perfect day of weather for a beautiful water tour
2 Hour – Manatee And Dolphin Tour on December 18, 2025
It was a beautiful winter day in Florida for a boat tour and wildlife expedition. The scenery and water was picture perfect. We will do this again.
Response from Captain
January 23, 2026
Thank You!!! Had a great time!!
Joe B
Joe B
Member since 2026
5.0
We Just Love The East Coast Of Florida!
2 Hour – Manatee And Dolphin Tour on December 11, 2025
New Smyrna Beach is so much nicer than Cocoa!! So clean, and so much more to see. We like Cocoa Beach but there is just no comparison

FAQs about Cocoa Beach Manatee And Dolphin Tours

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What the boat is like

Boat category
Center console boats
Boat type
Bay boat
Boat manufacturer
Pathfinder
Boat Model
2009 TRS
Year built
2022
Boat length
21 ft
Capacity
6 persons
Engine model
Yamaha
Max crusing speed
39 knots
Powered by
1 x 150HP
Engine Type
Outboard
Fuel Type
Gas
Boat category
Center console boats
Boat type
Bay boat
Boat manufacturer
Pathfinder
Boat Model
2009 TRS
Year built
2022
Boat length
21 ft
Capacity
6 persons
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