Virginia Aquarium Boat Tours — Attraction in Virginia Beach

When we heard Humpback Whales could be seen on the coast of Va, we coordinated a family trip to try our luck!

We had a group of 15, with a variety of ages of kids (3+), and selected the tour thru the VA Aquarium. We all purchased tickets thru the website.

Before the tour I contacted the aquarium and Got some friendly and helpful intel; that the tours had been successful this season in viewing whales and info on temperature and what to wear. It was mid-January and temperatures normally feel 10-15 degrees colder on the water (so they told us, and it was true). We got lucky, it was in the 50s. I we came prepared with boots, snow pants, jackets, hats, hand warmers, most of which we didn’t need.

We arrived half an hour early, which was good bc kids needed to use the restroom and change. The parking lot is for Aquarium visitors and boat tours.

We lined up at the dock, and after our tickets and people were counted, they took pictures of our group (for purchase at the end of you desire. We bought ours bc it was a great family shot)

Aboard the boat, the cabin is a good size, with a number of seats and tables. It was heated. There is a snack bar that has hot dogs, pretzels, chips, candy, sodas, even some adult beverages. You can pay with credit card

Outside the cabin there are seats on the exterior, and lots of room up front for standing and viewing. There was a very fun and helpful tour guide with a microphone to share information and answer questions.

The water was fairly calm, we brought Dramamine, but no one got sick. The ride was very smooth. Some of the kids in our group were very anxious about a boat ride, but after five minutes their anxieties went away

We left the small harbor and channel and moved along the coast kind of near the Cape Henry lighthouse. The trip took ab 30mins. We stopped near another similar ship with eager whale watchers.

We were successful! We saw a humpback whale! This particular whale would breathe three times at the surface in about as many minutes and then “terminal dive” as we learned from the guide, and then would remain below the surface unseen for about 3 minutes and then would come back up and repeat the cycle. The parts of the whale you see are the top of the whale and then the tail when it dives.

The boat captain and crew were on point, they would quickly reposition the vessel so that the front faced the whale. We had many opportunities to take pictures and video the whale.

It was exciting to see such a large sea creature so close to the Virginia coast. I was really glad that we chose the Virginia Aquarium as our hosts. You know that an Aquarium will be conscious of the environment and care of the creatures.

And the other good reason is after a very smooth trip back to the dock, you can enjoy the fun outdoor seal display at the aquarium before you leave to do your next thing.

Highly recommended, fun to do...

Unfortunately this wasn’t a dream trip for us or so many others in the boat. We were in the last spell of the day and the sea was calm and steady. Once we were off the rudees inlet, we were headed for a great start, beautiful waves and great view. We spotted dolphins 10 minutes into the trip and that’s when things started going a bit out of control. Parallel to the 20th street or so, our captain decided to stop the boat and started rotating the boat so everyone in the boat can see the dolphins. It was great for a min or two, but after 20 minutes, people started giving up. Our family was all sea sick in the first 20 turns and started throwing up. There are only two bathrooms in the boat, after a while there was a line up in front of ladies toilet. Slowly men’s toilet became a unisex toilet. The captain came out occasionally from his throne to see what’s going on and once he glanced at a lady who was feeling pathetic sea sick and smirked. By that time people were getting really uneasy and the captain finally stopped the flips. We were glad that the torture ended and we are going to the shore. Everything went fine on the way back, it’s the 30 minutes of turning around in the surf that made people sick. The crew was amazing and welcoming. Boat was the right size and very clean. You might want to carry some water or there is plenty of water and adult beverages at a very reasonable price...

Hands down one of the highlights of Mother's Day weekend! From start to finish, it was the perfect blend of excitement, relaxation, and unforgettable wildlife encounters.

The crew was friendly, knowledgeable, and made sure everyone felt safe and comfortable. They gave us a fun and informative overview of the local marine life and the area as we cruised along the beautiful Virginia Beach coastline.

The speed boat itself was a blast; smooth, fast, and thrilling without feeling too rough. But the real magic happened when we spotted dolphins. It was absolutely mesmerizing and something we’ll never forget. We even had a few moments where they got super close, which made for such a surreal experience.

The views of the ocean, shoreline, and skyline were just breathtaking, truly a perfect way to soak in the natural beauty of Virginia Beach while learning a thing or two about its marine life.

If you're looking for a fun family outing, a romantic experience, or just an exciting adventure on the water, this dolphin tour is a must. Worth every penny...