Indian River Lagoon dolphin and manatee boat tour

Bottlenose dolphins live in the Indian River Lagoon all year, and the water around the Fort Pierce Inlet works as a nursery: from October to May mothers and calves gather there, which is the best time to go. The lagoon also holds close to a third of the country's manatees at some point in the year.

The tours from the Fort Pierce City Marina downtown are unhurried 90-minute cruises on a pontoon boat, with the captain talking about the dolphins, manatees and wading birds as they turn up. Several run each day, weather permitting. Some boats let you bring your own cooler and drinks, and the pontoon has a ramp for wheelchairs and walkers (passengers move to the benches for the ride). Smaller private boats and guided jet-ski versions leave from other docks nearby. Mornings usually have the calmest water. By law boats keep 50 yards from the dolphins, though the animals often come closer on their own.