Responsible and safe wildlife-watching practices from Cocoa Beach Dolphin Tours.

Wildlife-watching is a popular activity that allows people to get up close and personal with intelligent and fascinating animals. However, we humans must remember it's easy to get caught up in the thrill of viewing wildlife in their natural habitat. Having a professionally guided tour with Cocoa Beach Dolphin Tours, which has been in business for over 20 years, will provide you with everything you need to know before, during, and after the tour.

Cocoa Beach Dolphin Tours provides guests with large, stable, fully covered 50-seat Pontoon Boats piloted by USCG Master Captains, with a dedicated Naturalist on board every tour to educate guests and identify wildlife. While on tour, we practice safe wildlife-watching practices and want to share some of those practices with you to help ensure that the animals receive the care and respect they deserve.

• Keep a safe distance: While on tour guests should avoid disturbing the animals while in their natural habitat, which is why we maintain a safe viewing distance from all wildlife. You must remember you are in their territory, so please maintain a quiet observation, and keep everything natural to not disturb the animals.

• Respect their behavior: Dolphins and other wildlife are wild animals, and it's important to respect their behavior and routines. Our staff will never chase or herd the animals and you should never try to touch or feed them.

• Minimize your impact: Avoid polluting the water or disturbing the natural habitat of the wildlife by properly disposing of any trash, and avoiding loud or disruptive equipment. If you want to take photos of the animals you can do so with the flash off, as too much light and noise can startle them.

• Be mindful of local regulations and guidelines regarding the wildlife: Our knowledgeable and trained staff will go over all local rules and regulations before heading out on tour, but it is your responsibility to follow them. Approximately 50 or more threatened or endangered animal species call Brevard County home. By recognizing the significance of our local wildlife, we can take crucial steps toward preserving these precious natural treasures.

It's easy to get caught up in the thrill of wildlife viewing, but it's important to remember that it's not always just about people watching wildlife. We must also consider the impact we have on the animals and their habitats, and be mindful of how our actions may be affecting their behavior. By following these tips, you can help protect these amazing animals for future generations to enjoy.

Cocoa Beach Dolphin Tours offers multiple tour departures daily, beginning at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. and sunset. Book your tour today to experience the wonder and beauty of these wonderful creatures and come in search of wildlife!

Sources:Dolphin watching tips (responsibletravel.com);4 Tips for a Responsible Dolphin Cruise Tour (boattoursjohnspass.com);How to Watch Whales and Dolphins Responsibly | Dolphin Project;Brevard County Natural Resources - Animals and Wildlife (brevardfl.gov)