As one of our favourite all-around destinations and one of the best places to see dolphins in the wild, Sri Lanka makes for the dream luxury holiday destination. In Sri Lanka, dolphin and whale watching season runs at different times of the year depending on where you are. On the south coast, it's between November and April, while on the East coast, it's May to October, so whenever you travel, you should have the chance to see these magnificent creatures. During a Scott Dunn dolphin-watching tour here, you’ll sail out into the sparkling Indian Ocean with an experienced crew who will guide you in spotting Blue whales, Sperm whales, Spinner and Bottlenose dolphins from your boat. You can even take part in snorkelling and stand-up paddleboarding after the experience, and we’ll provide all the equipment. The tours are operated by both private and shared catamarans in the south and east coast regions and make for a truly memorable experience.

A paradise-like destination nestled in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is often lauded as one of the best places in the world to observe dolphins in the wild, with the majestic mammals seen swimming the waters throughout the year. If you want the best chance of spotting them though, the best time to go is the dry season which falls between January and April. When it comes to the top location for sightings, we love Meemu Atoll, otherwise known as the Muli Channel, which is home to Spinner, Spotter and Indo-pacific Bottlenose dolphins to name a few. The Maldives is known for its crystal clear waters and beautiful tropical fish, so we’d recommend planning in a private snorkelling or swimming excursion as well if you have the time. You may even spot a dolphin nearby when you’re in the water…

Home to breathtaking beaches, vast savannah and miles of deep blue ocean, South Africa is a safari hotspot and wildlife lover’s dream. It’s also a fantastic destination for marine excursions, including whale and dolphin watching. One of the best places to see dolphins in South Africa is along the Garden Route and particularly Plettenberg Bay and the town of Hermanus where whale and dolphin watching is particularly spectacular between July and November. The dolphins you’re most likely to spot in South African waters include Bottlenose, Havisides and Humpback, and sometimes, on a clear day, you may even spot them from the shoreline. If you can, head to Port Elizabeth which was once claimed to be the dolphin capital of the world, with over 20,000 Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphins residing in Algoa Bay. On a...

A holiday to Australia has it all; from rainforests to beaches, cities to the outback, there’s no end to the adventures a luxury holiday here can provide. And when it comes to wildlife experiences, you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere better. 

If you’re planning a holiday to Sydney, north of the city around Port Stephens is a great spot, said to have a population of between 90-120 resident dolphins. Alternatively, Jervis Bay is a popular location for dolphin and whale watching on the south coast. Between May and November is the best time to see dolphins here, particularly Bottlenose dolphins and Humpback whales as they ride along the surf. 

If your getaway is taking you to the Perth region, we’d recommend a Rottnest Island tour, which, although not specifically a dolphin-watching tour, gives you a good opportunity to...

The US’ sunny coasts of California and Florida almost immediately conjure up images of endless white sand beaches, days upon days of sunshine and glorious food and drink - but they’re also fantastic destinations for discovering a vast array of marine life, and in particular, dolphins. 

In California, as well as trying your hand at surfing, you can kayak with sea lions, or hop aboard a private boat for a tour around Monterey’s coastline in search of whales and dolphins. Between California and the Pacific Northwest coast alone, there are an estimated 11-16,000 Risso’s dolphins, as well as Pacific white-sided dolphins and Northern right whale dolphins. It’s also not uncommon to spot Blue whales, Killer whales and porpoises here, especially from June to October. 

If you’d rather head to the east coast,