About Us

Since 1994, it is our goal to create a personal experience unlike any other. Our captain, crew, and office staff strive to ensure that every guest aboard our vessel is treated to the highest standard of service possible. It is our mission to create a fun and memorable experience that exceeds expectations, just as it has been for 28 years.

Witness the extraordinary aboard The Southern Star – Destin’s Original Dolphin Cruise! Our world-renowned dolphin cruise has been featured on CNN “Earth Matters,” National Geographic’s “Earth Watch,” and hosted writers for numerous blogs, national magazines, and other travel publications. Cruise the pristine emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico along the world’s most beautiful sugar-white sand beaches of Destin, Florida. Experience up-close viewing of dolphins, seabirds, and a variety of other marine life. Our cruises offer affordable, relaxing fun and sightseeing for the whole family!

The Southern Star is an 80′ double-deck, glass-bottom boat, U.S. Coast Guard certified for up to 149 passengers. Custom-built in 2001, she is the largest and most comfortable dolphin tour boat in Destin Harbor. The upper deck offers incredible views, and on the main deck, you’ll find our climate-controlled cabin, clean restrooms, glass-bottom viewing area, and a galley offering snack and souvenir items available for purchase. We ensure that you will find our vessel clean, comfortable, and inviting.

Your captain will begin the narrated tour in Destin Harbor, giving a brief history of the area on which the town was founded and pointing out local places of interest. As we exit the harbor, the mates will assist those interested in feeding the birds and will distribute food to do so. This area is home to a variety of seabirds and other wildlife that we witness throughout the cruise.

Proceeding into the East Pass, the Emerald Coast’s most remarkable features—pristine waters and sugar-white sand beaches—are prominently displayed. If waters are calm enough, we will cruise into the Gulf of Mexico, just off the beach in search of the dolphins as they feed and play. If the seas are uncomfortable, the captain will cruise into calmer, protected waters in the Choctawhatchee Bay, where our resident dolphin pods live and sleep. Safety and passenger comfort are top great priorities, and you are in good hands with your captain and crew.

Sunset cruises are one of the most breathtaking ways to experience the splendor of the Emerald Coast. Following the same structure as our dolphin cruises, our sunset dolphin cruises take place in the evenings and end with a glorious view of the glowing sun slowly sinking into the water.

Throughout the summer, and during special events hosted by HarborWalk Village or City of Destin, we also offer nighttime fireworks cruises that provide incomparable viewing of these spectacular shows. We depart the dock after dusk with the sole purpose of getting an up-close vantage point of the fireworks displays.

Seasonally during the Summer, we offer additional morning dolphin cruises that feature a few bonuses. We host Dolphins and Doughnuts with complimentary doughnuts, and our Jr. Captains’ Cruise focused on activities especially for kids.

No matter the cruise you take aboard Southern Star, our priority is to create an exciting, family-oriented experience that is like no other. The captain and crew are on board to serve you, and should you have any needs during your cruise, feel free to let any of them know.  Additionally, if you would like more information or have any questions about our dolphin cruises or sunset cruises aboard Southern Star, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Cruise times and offerings vary seasonally, so be sure to check our website frequently or call 850.837.7741 for times and reservations!