If you’re looking for somewhere to see dolphins in North Carolina then you’re in the right place.
There’s plenty of places to see dolphins in their natural habitat all over North Carolina, from the Outer Banks to Wilmington.
This post will tell you all of the best places to see dolphins in North Carolina and includes all the information you’ll need for a fun day out.
When Is The Best Time To See Dolphins In North Carolina?
Whilst dolphins can be spotted all year round off the coast of North Carolina, the most frequent sightings occur during the summer months.
Dolphins tend to spend more time in the waters around North Carolina during the summer to raise their young.
The dolphins tend to arrive in May when they give birth to their young. They tend to remain here until late fall when they then move to warmer waters.
However, there are many areas around North Carolina where dolphins can be seen all year such as Hatteras Island.
The best time of day to see dolphins in North Carolina is in the morning and late afternoon as they tend to avoid the heat of the sun during the daytime.
Can You Swim With Dolphins In North Carolina?
The dolphins present in the waters around North Carolina are wild dolphins. This means it’s not possible to swim with dolphins in North Carolina.
Even though you can’t swim with or touch the dolphins, you can still get up close and personal with them and get some fantastic views either from the shore or from a boat or kayak.
Did you know you can also see dolphins in South Carolina?
Best Places To See Dolphins In North Carolina
There are many places across North Carolina where sightings of dolphins are common.
Below I’ve detailed all the locations and included all the information you’ll need to see a dolphin.
Where To See Dolphins In Outer Banks
The Outer Banks are a 200-mile string of barrier islands just off the coast of North Carolina that separate the Atlantic Ocean from the mainland.
Sightings of dolphins are common along the Outer Banks. Many bottlenose dolphins spend their summer in the waters of the Outer Banks and then migrate south for the winter.
If you want to experience the Outer Banks to the fullest, you can charter a boat and spend the day cruising along the shores fishing, looking out for dolphins, whales and much more.
As the Outer Banks covers 200 miles, there’s many locations where you can spot dolphins from their shores. I’ve listed the best places below:
Nag’s Head
One of the best places along the Outer Banks to see dolphins is at Nag’s Head.
Nag’s Head is a beach town and popular vacation spot. It’s known for sandy beaches and towering sand dunes.
Hundreds of dolphins come to Nag’s Head each year and some regular visitors have even been given names.
Look out for ‘Onion’ and his family who were first spotted over 20 years ago and have been sighted there almost every year since. Onion is easily recognisable due to his damaged fin.
You can view dolphins at a distance from the beaches of Nag’s Head but you may get a closer view by heading out on a kayaking tour.
Check out the video below to see some of the many dolphins of Nag’s Head:
Kitty Hawk
Another place where you can see dolphins in the Outer Banks is at Kitty Hawk.
Kitty Hawk, located in the heart of the Outer Banks, is a beach town known for its woodland and variety of animal life. Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are popular activities in Kitty Hawk.
Sightings of dolphins just off the coast of Kitty Hawk are regular. The dolphins spotted here are Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.
A great way to get out in the water at Kitty Hawk is by going surfing! Surfing is super fun and will also give you a closer view of the dolphins! Don’t worry if you’ve never surfed before, you can get a surfing lesson.
Check out the video below of some dolphins playing in the ocean at Kitty Hawk:
Hatteras Island
Another place in the Outer Banks where you can see dolphins is on Hatteras Island.
Hatteras Island is a large island that forms the southwestern tip of the Outer Banks. Dolphins are frequently spotted cruising along the shore or just off the island’s inlets.
You can spot the dolphins all over Hatteras Island on its many beaches, however one popular spot is in Hatteras Village.
Check out the video below of some dolphins spotted around Hatteras Island:
Where Else Can I See Dolphins In North Carolina?
You can also see dolphins elsewhere in North Carolina.
Below I’ve listed all of the other places across North Carolina where you can see dolphins.
Wilmington
There are dolphins present in the Wilmington area. Whilst you can’t swim with dolphins in Wilmington, you can see them from the shore of various beaches.
Wilmington is a city located on the southeastern coast of North Carolina.
The best place to see dolphins in Wilmington is at nearby Wrightsville Beach. They can be regularly seen swimming along the coastline all year round.
One of the best ways to see them is by booking onto a boat tour. You can enjoy the scenic views of Wrightsville Beach and catch a glimpse of the dolphins.
You could also book a private tour just for you and your group if you prefer.
Dolphins can also sometimes be spotted at the nearby Carolina Beach.
Check out the video below of a dolphin spotted at Wrightsville Beach:
Topsail Island
Another place in North Carolina where you can often see dolphins is on Topsail Island.
Topsail Island is a 26-mile barrier island located just off the coast of North Carolina. The island lies just 40 miles northeast of Wilmington.
For the best views of the dolphins, head down to Topsail Beach where you can often see dolphins swimming in groups, jumping out of the water and playing with each other.
There’s lot’s of beaches on Topsail Island to choose from, you can hire an electric bike to easily get around the island.
You can see some dolphins just off of Topsail Island in the video below:
Beaufort
A great place to see dolphins in North Carolina is Beaufort.
Beaufort is a small town on North Carolina’s eastern coast and forms part of the Crystal Coast.
Bottlenose dolphins can be seen in the waters surrounding Beaufort year-round and sightings are common.
In contrast to other locations in North Carolina, sightings of dolphins along the Crystal Coast are actually more frequent during the winter months (rather than the summer).
The best way to see them is by joining a boat tour in the area.
The same waters surround other places along the Crystal Coast. In the same area as Beaufort, along the Crystal Coast, is Morehead City, Atlantic Beach, Harkers Island and Shackleford Banks – dolphin sightings are also common here too.
Check out the video below of a dolphin sighting in Beaufort:
Find out where you can see dolphins in Texas.
Cape Lookout National Seashore
Another place in North Carolina where you can often see dolphins is the Cape Lookout National Seashore.
The Cape Lookout National Seashore is a 56-mile stretch of islands that forms part of the Southern Outer Banks.
The islands here are largely undeveloped and attract visitors for their variety of wildlife, nature and sandy beaches. Bottlenose dolphins are frequently sighted in the area.
Thanks for reading this post on where to see dolphins in North Carolina.
Wherever you are in North Carolina, there’s plenty of options here to see dolphins in their natural habitat in the Outer Banks, Wilmington, Topsail Island and more.
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