Sunset Dolphin Cruise in Destin, FL — Aboard the Island Runner
Sunset Dolphin Cruise Booking Details
Please bring with you the provided confirmation number (located on the voucher e-mailed to you after online purchase), a valid drivers license and credit card for verification. Please call to confirm your requested departure time at least 24 hours prior to arrival. Reservations booked less than 24hrs prior to arrival are not guaranteed until confirmed by the vendor. Redeem your voucher at 530 Harbor Blvd., Destin, FL 32541 with a representative. It is best to arrive at least 45 minutes early for instruction.
Departure Details
Dolphin tours are available daily March through October. Departure times are typically in the morning, but customers can request later times upon booking. Check availability and pricing by clicking the "view pricing" button above. It is best to book at least 2 days in advance to avoid sellouts.
Adult: $35 / Child: $25 / Infant: $5
A Romantic, Family-Friendly Way to End the Day
This is the gentle, scenic cousin of our jet ski dolphin tour. No driving, no balancing — just a glass in your hand, the breeze in your hair, and the kind of view that makes vacation photos look unreal. Couples love it for date night. Families love that grandkids and grandparents can come on the same boat. Photographers love that the golden-hour light hits dolphins at exactly the right time.
- Coast Guard-certified vessel built for comfort, holding up to 27 passengers
- Front-row sunset views with the dolphins as your supporting cast
- Complimentary iced water + adult beverages available for purchase
- Storage for small soft-sided coolers, beach bags, sunscreen, towels, and water toys
- Calm, relaxed pace — perfect for kids, older guests, and anyone who’d rather sip than steer
What’s Included on Your Destin Sunset Dolphin Tour
Every Island Runner sunset cruise includes:
- Roughly 90 minutes on the water with a USCG-licensed captain and professional crew
- A scheduled sunset route through Destin Harbor and the East Pass — the area’s prime dolphin habitat
- Complimentary bottled water
- Onboard bench seating with built-in storage for coolers and beach bags
- Select adult beverages, sodas, and snacks available for purchase
The Sunset Dolphin Experience
Atlantic bottlenose dolphins live in Destin Harbor and the surrounding waters year-round, and they tend to be most active in the late afternoon and early evening — which is exactly when our sunset cruise leaves the dock. Our captains know the inlets, sandbars, and feeding lanes where pods consistently surface, and they’ll position the boat so everyone — not just one side of the deck — gets a clean look. While we can’t guarantee dolphin sightings (these are wild animals), the success rate on the sunset tour is exceptionally high.
Departure Location — 7 Calhoun Ave., Destin
Check in at 7 Calhoun Avenue, Destin, FL 32541 — the green building to the left of Destin Marina. Park in the spaces marked “Parking for Island Runner / Xtreme H2O,” or follow the parking attendant on site. Plan to arrive 45 minutes before departure for check-in and to give yourself a buffer for the marina lot.
What to Bring
- Sunglasses with a strap (the sunset glare is real)
- A light layer for the cooler ride back after the sun dips
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, your favorite snacks
- A camera or phone — golden-hour dolphin shots are next-level
- A small, soft-sided cooler if you’d like to bring snacks (no glass, no outside alcohol — beverages are available for purchase on board)
- Photo ID at check-in
Who It’s Perfect For
- Couples celebrating anniversaries, honeymoons, or a long-overdue date night
- Families with kids of all ages — adult tickets start at age 13, child tickets are ages 4–12, and young child tickets are ages 3 and under
- Multi-generational groups who want everyone on the same boat
- Travelers who want one perfect, no-stress evening in Destin
- Photographers chasing golden-hour wildlife shots
Pricing & Booking
Sunset dolphin cruises on the Island Runner start at $65 per adult. Private charter is available for groups who want exclusive use of the boat — call about availability. Customers are encouraged to reserve at least one day in advance.
Cancellation & Weather Policy
Tipsy Tiki / Island Runner has a 24-hour, weather-permitting cancellation policy. Changes or cancellations made outside the 24-hour window are eligible for a full refund or reschedule. Changes made inside the 24-hour window are not refundable or reschedulable, and no-shows are not refunded. If our team deems the weather unsafe on the day of your cruise, we’ll reach out to reschedule or issue a full refund.
Reserve your spot on the sunset dolphin cruise and let Destin’s best window of the day work its magic.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sunset Dolphin Cruises
What time does the cruise leave and how long is it?
Will we see dolphins?
How much are tickets, and is it good for kids?
Where do we check in and park?
Can we bring food and drinks?
Sunset Dolphin Cruise Docks — Parking & Check-In
Golden hour on the Gulf, two boats to catch it from — here’s where each one boards.
Which Dock Is Yours?
Your boarding dock is tied to the sunset cruise you choose — it’s on the booking screen and repeated in your confirmation email.
The Tipsy Tiki Destin: 530 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541 · (866) 602-6137
The Tipsy Tiki’s sunset sail boards at our boardwalk dock at 530. Get directions
Crab Island Runner: 7 Calhoun Ave, Destin, FL 32541 · (850) 706-2722
The Crab Island Runner’s sunset run boards beside the bridge. Get directions
Parking
The Tipsy Tiki (530 Harbor Blvd): free parking right at the dock, first come, first served — when the lot fills, overflow waits just up the hill at 531 Mountain Drive.
Crab Island Runner (7 Calhoun Ave): the Destin Marina’s public lot sits right beside the launch; it goes fast on summer days, so share a ride when you can.
Check-In
Your captain does the driving on this one. Arrive 45 minutes before departure with a photo ID, finish the waivers at the dock, and settle in — the crew takes care of the rest.
Bring aboard: a light layer for after the sun drops, a camera with a strap, and a soft-sided cooler (no glass).
