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NewsSarasota MagazineJune 22, 2026Sarasota County

Holmes Beach Ranked Top Spot for Dolphin Sightings on Gulf Coast

A new analysis by BoatBooker ranks Holmes Beach as the sixth-best location in the U.S. for spotting bottlenose dolphins. The ranking is based on data from a scientific database tracking over 240,000 dolphin sightings.

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Why It Matters

The ranking highlights the local area as a significant site for marine wildlife observation, which may influence tourism and recreational boating activity in Holmes Beach and surrounding coastal areas.

Key Facts

  • Holmes Beach is ranked the 6th best place in the U.S. for spotting dolphins.
  • Holmes Beach is ranked the 1st best place for dolphin sightings on the Gulf Coast.
  • Anna Maria Island is ranked 14th in the U.S. for dolphin sightings.
  • Siesta Key Beach is ranked 16th in the U.S. for dolphin sightings.
  • The analysis reviewed 243,809 documented bottlenose dolphin sightings.
  • The data source used was OBIS-SEAMAP, managed by Duke University and NOAA.
  • There are 170 dolphins identified as residents of Sarasota Bay.
  • The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program is the longest-running wild dolphin study in the world.
  • The Sarasota Bay dolphin territory spans from the southern edge of Tampa Bay to the Venice inlet.

Who's Mentioned

organizationNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration“Partner in maintaining the marine database.”organizationSarasota Dolphin Research Program“Conducts long-term studies on the 170 dolphins in Sarasota Bay.”locationHolmes Beach“Ranked 6th in the U.S. and 1st on the Gulf Coast for dolphin sightings.”organizationDuke University“Maintains the OBIS-SEAMAP database.”organizationOBIS-SEAMAP“A scientific database used for the analysis.”organizationBoatBooker“A boat-tour booking website that conducted the analysis.”