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• Historic Harbor Tour and Dolphin Watch

CLOSINGS: We will be closed from October 30 through November 4, November 28, and December 6 through 8.

See Galveston Harbor up close aboard Seagull II on the Historic Harbor Tour and Dolphin Watch, Galveston Historic Seaport’s 50-foot twin-engine motor vessel. Fast, stable, and sheltered, she was built specifically for harbor sight-seeing excursions and education and is a perfect platform for waterborne experiential learning. The boat is U.S. Coast Guard certified, and her operators are fully licensed and knowledgeable about the history and lore of her home waters. Seagull II has a comfortable main deck, sheltered from sun and rain, and an open upper deck affords a full panorama of water and sky.

WEATHER POLICY |  Seagull II and the Historic Harbor Tour and Dolphin Watch will not operate during lightning, thunderstorms, or sustained winds of 25 knots or higher or if The National Weather Service has issued a Small Craft Advisory. All other situations, such as rain, waves, vessel condition, and extraordinary circumstances, are at the Captain’s discretion. Seagull II will operate in a limited capacity in reduced visibility scenarios. At <1nm of visibility, tours will be restricted by the Captain’s discretion. At <1/2 Nautical mile of visibility, tours will be postponed or canceled. If the Galveston or Houston channel is closed or restricted by the USCG or Port of Galveston, Seagull II will follow all directions as broadcasted, which could include postponing or canceling tours.

PLEASE NOTE | Seagull II will not be operating on November 3-6, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. We will also close at 3 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

PRIVATE CHARTERS | Seagull II makes an excellent and unusual venue for birthday parties, office get-togethers, receptions, convention features, and more. The ever-changing scenery of the busy harbor, the excitement of a dolphin sighting, and a restful sunset over an island occupied only by birds combine to make your event one to remember. For reservation information, call us at 409-765-3432.

FIELD TRIPS & SCHOOL GROUPS | See the imprint of events and eras in Galveston’s nearly two centuries of history on a shifting shoreline. From the restored 1877 sailing vessel Elissa to the grounded ferroconcrete vessel Selma to the sites of the Civil War Battle of Galveston, history is visible on Galveston Bay. Social Studies take on new life as students explore the first and oldest seaport in Texas, which is still busy and evolving. Contact us at 409-763-1877 for booking.

• INTRODUCTION TO GALVESTON HARBOR TOUR: 1 hour. $10 per student & $15 per chaperone. Enjoy a tour of history, wildlife adventure, folklore, and more. See Galveston and Galveston Bay from a unique perspective. Experience close-up encounters with big ships, dolphins, and seabirds.
• MARINE BIOLOGY TOUR – FLOATING CLASSROOM: 90 minutes. $20 per student and chaperone. Students breathe the ocean air, visit area birding islands to see indigenous shorebird species, pose challenging questions, use the scientific method, and discuss their findings with the marine biologist aboard.
• MARINE BIOLOGY TOUR – FLOATING CLASSROOM/LABORATORY: 2 hours. $25 per student and chaperone. Our marine biologist leads students in trawling for fish and other sea creatures for hands-on and microscopic observation. Students pose challenging questions and explore answers using the scientific method. The tour visits area birding islands to see indigenous shorebird species and birds of passage in all their variety.
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2002 Strand Galveston, TX 77550

Phone: 409-765-7834 E-mail Us | View Employee Directory

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Incorporated in 1954, Galveston Historical Foundation is one of the nation's largest local preservation organizations. Over the last 50 years, the foundation has expanded its mission to encompass community redevelopment, public education, historic preservation advocacy, maritime preservation and stewardship of historic properties.

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Galveston Harbor Tour and Dolphin Watch

• 19 Pier 21 Galveston, Texas 77550
• (409) 763-1877
• Website Email
• Hours: Monday 10AM-5PM Tuesday 10AM–5PM Wednesday 10AM–5PM Thursday 10AM–5PM Friday 10AM–5PM Saturday 10AM–5PM Sunday 10AM–5PM

See Galveston Harbor up close aboard Seagull II on the Historic Harbor Tour and Dolphin Watch, Galveston Historic Seaport’s 50-foot twin-engine motor vessel. Fast, stable and sheltered, she was built specifically for harbor sight-seeing excursions and education and is a perfect platform for waterborne experiential learning. The boat is U.S. Coast Guard certified and her operators are fully licensed and knowledgeable about the history and lore of her home waters. Seagull II offers soft drinks and bottled water for sale and has a comfortable main deck, sheltered from sun and rain. An open upper deck affords a full panorama of water and sky.

• Family Friendly
• Local Owned
• Water Views

Where the Texas Coast begins.

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Baywatch Dolphin Tours has been operating out of Galveston Harbor for over a decade. Our goal is to offer affordable fun for all ages on our 45-minute Dolphin watching excursion.

We’re located at Pier 21 in front of Harbor House Hotel. Just two blocks from the historic Strand District in downtown Galveston.

We have four vessels in our fleet that were built with Dolphin Tours, Burials at Sea, and private events in mind. We are now offering enclosed and heated tours, with a 360 view for the ideal dolphin watching experience.

We also offer Galveston Party Boats for your special occasion!

Open 7 days a week! Seasonal and weather permitting

Sunset Tours on scheduled date

The boat leaves every half hour so be there 30 minutes early to guarantee your choice of seating

832-859-4557

2100 Harborside Drive Galveston, TX, USA

Business Hours

Please see our bookings calendar for hours and availability. View bookings calendar

Don’t forget to check out our other attractions while you are on the island!

Pirates, Legends of the Gulf coast

Baywatch Island Tours

Haunted Mayfield Manor

Haunted Harbour Tours

We also offer services for celebration of life ceremonies..

Learn More About Our Services

We run our tours rain or shine.

BayWatch Dolphin Tours is all over the internet and we would love to hear from you!

If you were happy with your time with us, PLEASE TELL EVERYONE!

If you were unhappy of your time with us, PLEASE TELL US! [email protected]

Introducing Bay Queen!

Now Booking Galveston’s First and Only Riverboat Attraction bayqueengalveston.com

Galveston Island Guide

Harbor Tours: Take Time to See Some Dolphins

There are three harbor excursions that allow you to learn about Galveston’s port and, more than likely, see a dolphin or two. All tours depart from various docks on Pier 21 Downtown. These tours are:

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Galveston, a vibrant island paradise, also holds a dark and fascinating past. Battered by hurricanes, ravaged by fire, and forever marked by the Great Storm of 1900, the island has witnessed immense tragedy. These events have left an indelible mark, not just on the physical landscape, but perhaps on the very soul of Galveston.

Our tour sets sail from Pier 21, a historic landmark that has borne witness to countless arrivals and departures. But whispers linger of those who never truly left. Was it a sailor lost at sea, or a victim of the 1900 storm, forever searching for a way home? As we depart, keep your eyes peeled for unexplained activity around the pier – is that a ghostly figure waving from the distant dock?

Brace yourself for a chilling journey into the heart of darkness. Galveston, a city steeped in a history of tragedy and turmoil, is a breeding ground for the supernatural. Ranked as the third most haunted city in the nation by USA Today , its shadowy corners and spectral whispers beckon the brave and the bold.

Our Haunted Harbor Tour is your passport to a realm of terror. As darkness envelops the island, we’ll navigate through the most sinister sectors of Galveston, where the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest.

Galveston: a city where history is as palpable as the sea breeze. For nearly two centuries, this island has borne witness to a tumultuous tapestry of human experience. From the swashbuckling pirates to the cataclysmic force of the 1900 storm, Galveston’s past is a haunting specter that lingers in its shadows.

Experience Galveston’s history from a unique perspective. As light fades, we’ll venture into the heart of the unknown, where the line between the living and the dead blurs. Are you brave enough to confront the island’s darkest secrets?

Our Haunted Harbor Tour offers an exclusive, after-dark experience that brings you closer to the island’s captivating shoreline. As one of the few late-night boat tours available, we provide a unique perspective on Galveston’s iconic landmarks.

Glide through the inky waters, getting up close with the island’s breathtaking features. From the majestic shoreline to the mysterious depths, our tour reveals a Galveston unlike any other. Prepare to be captivated by the city’s nocturnal allure as we navigate through its hidden corners.

Are you ready to set sail on a chilling adventure? The Haunted Harbor Tour of Galveston beckons you to Pier 21, where you’ll embark on a thrilling 1.5-hour journey through the island’s haunted history.

Galveston Dolphin Tours

• Up To 6 Passengers

Galveston Fishing Charters » Dolphin Tours

About Galveston Dolphin Tours

For the Galveston dolphin watching and harbor tour, we will embark on an adventure into the Galveston harbor to learn about some of the amazing history and the wildlife that call it home. The Galveston harbor is also home to dolphins year-round, just waiting for you to come visit and see them. Dolphins can be very tricky to get a picture of, so have your camera ready and be quick!  We will almost always have dolphins swim by to say hello as we make our way through the port. Depending on the day, cruise ships, cargo ships, other boats, barges and more can also be seen. This is a unique experience to see galveston from a different perspective, while also enjoying the privacy of being with your own group rather than a crowded tour boat.

We depart and return from our slip at the Galveston Yacht Basin and Marina on the east end of Galveston Island for our 1 hour tour. While on the tour, please feel free to ask questions and learn more about Galveston as well.

Or use the calendar below to select your date

More Galveston B oat Trips

• Up to 6 Passengers

Birding TOURS

Explore the incredible birding opportunities on this private, guided birding boat tour in Galveston!

• Sunset Cruises

Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Galveston Island for a relaxing evening and a great sunset view. Dolphin tours also included

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Galveston Harbour Tours

Review Highlights

“ We spent time watching the dolphins surf near our boat and others first, then cruised around the harbor . ” in 12 reviews

“ Got some great dolphin views and a trip out to the sunken ship ! ” in 4 reviews

“ Captain Brian did a nice job of keeping us dry on a windy day, despite fair warning that we could get wet. ” in 3 reviews

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

2200 Harborside Dr

Texas Seaport Museum

Galveston, TX 77550

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Amenities and More

About the business.

Business owner information

Galveston H.

Business Owner

Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for youth ages 6-18, and free for children 5 and under. See Galveston Harbor up close aboard Seagull II on the Historic Harbor Tour and Dolphin Watch, Texas Seaport Museum's 50-foot twin-engine motor vessel. Fast, stable and sheltered, she was built specifically for harbor sight-seeing excursions and education and is a perfect platform for waterborne experiential learning. The boat is U.S. Coast Guard certified and her operators are fully licensed and knowledgeable about the history and lore of her home waters. Seagull II offers soft drinks and bottled water for sale and has a comfortable main deck, sheltered from sun and rain. An open upper deck affords a full panorama of water and sky. …

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If you're looking to do a harbor tour and dolphin watch this is the one you want to do. The tour starts with a brief talk about the Elissa then moves into the harbor channel where dolphins are abundant. We happened to catch them in the middle of a mating ritual! They took us around the cruise terminals, pointed out several things about Pelican Island and the oil rig museum. Right around to Sea Wolf Park and to the concrete ship. The crew were knowledgeable and entertaining. We've been to Galveston several times and can't believe we didn't do this before.

While visiting Galveston I decided to take this harbor tour for the first time thinking it would be interesting and it was. An adult ticket for the one hour boat tour is $17 and you can add another tour of the adjacent sailing ship Elissa for another $8 to make it a combo price of $25 total. Tickets can be purchased online or at the ticket booth at Pier 22 between Fisherman's Wharf restaurant and Willie G's restaurant. This tour is conducted on a 50' boat with twin inboard motors. The boat has a lower deck that is covered with open sides and another deck upstairs that is open air and provides the best seats for viewing as long as the weather is good. All seats are general admission so if you want a topside seat board early. The tour makes one loop of the inner harbor along with venturing just outside near the shipping channel and on the other side of Pelican Island. There you pass by the Naval Museum that includes a destroyer escort and submarine from WW II both on land and a little further you will see the remains of the old SS Selma freighter that was scuttled there. It was a ship that was built of concrete during WW I and then scuttled shortly thereafter. For some reason, my tour only got with about 250 yards of it and no closer. Also during the boat ride you will numerous dolphins that are native to the area. There are other tours advertised as dolphin watching tours and I'm not sure how they are different from this one because my tour saw many on our ride. An added treat was being able to cruise by Battleship Texas which is currently in dry dock on the other side of the harbor and fully exposed from the stern for great viewing. The tour returned on time. The only reason I don't give 4 stars is because we should have gotten closer to the Selma for viewing and pictures and the audio speakers topside were very weak and made it hard to hear the live narration of the sites we saw passing by. If you visit the island and want to get out on the water and see the sights this is a good diversion to consider.

See all photos from Mike M. for Galveston Harbour Tours

What a wonderful experience!! It was blazing hot during the tour, but that didn't take away any of the enjoyment. Our captain Brian was funny without being too cheesy. We got to see several dolphins for a good 20 minutes. It was delightful! The tour was informative and interesting. Didn't get seasick either! Going out to see the SS Selma was very unexpected and amazing. I will say, it's a bit tricky to get into the boat as there isn't just a ramp to walk onto. My spouse has mobility issues and it was challenging to get on, but the crew was great helping him get off and on. Definitely recommend!

We had a wonderful experience. The crew was very knowledgeable about the harbor, and the shipwreck of the Selma at the edge of the bay. We saw lots of dolphins and had some laughs. Thanks for the memories.

We have been on this tour 2 times in the last couple of weeks with family and really enjoyed it. One time more dolphins than others but the staff knows a lot, are friendly and funny. Really recommend this tour!

Amazing experience. We saw lots of dolphins, learned a lot, and laughed a lot. I highly recommend this company for your Galveston dolphin cruise. Staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and all around amazing.

We did the combo tickets to tour the Elisa ship and the harbor history & dolphin tour. It was great! The combo tickets to both attractions were cheaper than the baywatch dolphin tour next pier over. Combo adult tickets were $25 and $20 for youth, or $17 of just dolphin tour. Baywatch was $25 for each adult & youth with no added 2nd attraction. So we paid $90 total for double attraction combo tickets versus $100 for dolphin tour only at Baywatch place. We had time before we were to board the boat so we toured the Elisa ship first. We were told we could even tour it again after our boat tour if we wanted to. It is 2nd oldest sailing ship in the world, still fully sailing. Really neat self guided tour. After we looked all throughout the ship we stopped by their gift shop, nice and cool to cool down from the heat. Grabbed some drinks and ice cream here to enjoy prior to boarding the boat for harbor tour. They had an upstairs room that we found from the signs saying we could take drinks and food up. Room was nice and spacious with plenty of tables and seating. We sat to have our snacks and watched out the windows to the harbor area below. Nice views. Then our historical and dolphin tour began. We sat on the top deck. It was nice to feel the breeze on this hot day. Tour guide captain was very knowledgeable and fun. Knows how to keep your attention and had great information, he really seemed to enjoy his job which was contagious and felt authentic, making such a good time of the tour. We saw lots of dolphins, the Elisa ship from a different perspective, battleships in the dry docks across the harbor, the retired Ocean Star oil rig, a sunken ship made out of concrete and we even passed the Galveston Naval Museum where you can see a submarine and a ship.

See all photos from Sarah H. for Galveston Harbour Tours

Have been on the tour multiple times and it is a great way to see the Galveston Bay area. Enjoyed getting a closer look at the Battleship Texas while it is being repaired! The tour guide provides a good narrative and we saw dolphins.

Battleship Texas

Great little harbour cruise! The guide we had, Capt Todd, was very informative and fun. We saw tons of dolphins and they get right up next to the boats. Learned fun facts about them as well as the nearby history. Definitely recommend doing this, even as a local I still have a blast on it.

We had a great tour of the Elissa and a great Historic harbor tour on the seagull two! The combo package saved a few bucks & the boat guides were super entertaining! Got some great dolphin views and a trip out to the sunken ship! Highly recommend, touring with this group also supports the Galveston Historical Foundation! Making sure history across the Island is kept for generations.

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Come take a journey into Galveston Bay, where our world-famous Galveston dolphins are the stars of the show!

Experience this 45-minute guided tour where you can enjoy the thrill of seeing these beautiful creatures up close. Not only will you meet the dolphins, but you’ll also see  cruise ships, tall ships, the Cement Ship along with the shoreline of historic Galveston!

$30 – Adults — $20 Children

Voted Best Dolphin Tour in Galveston

It's best to arrive 15-20 minutes before your tour, we're located at pier 21 in front of harbor house hotel.

2100 Harborside Drive Galveston, TX 77550

832-292-2669

Every day: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Our Tours are Top-Rated!