UNIQUE EXPERIENCES IN THE DANUBE DELTA
Group tour departure
How flexible are you?
Group tours leave on set dates. Adding ±2 or ±3 days usually shows you more departures.
Our tours
Popular tours for 2027
Destinations: Danube Delta
Three nights in Mila 23, in the heart of the Danube Delta, with a day on the lakes and channels, a day trip to Letea Forest and a sunrise tour on the water.
From €470 per person
See the tour: Danube Delta Nature Tour 4d/3n, 2 day trips included, SHARED 2027
Destinations: Danube Delta
Skip the crowds: boat trips at sunrise and in the late afternoon, when the speed boats are gone and the Danube Delta is quiet again.
From €470 per person
See the tour: Danube Delta Summer Nature Escape, Skip the Crowds, 4d/3n, 2027
Destinations: Danube Delta
Four nights in Mila 23 and three days of birding from sunrise, on the lakes, at Letea and at Caraorman, with a specialised guide and at most 8 birders.
From €800 per person
See the tour: Danube Delta Birdwatching Tour 2027: Small SHARED Group, 5d/4n
Destinations: Danube Delta
8 to 10 hours of birding from sunrise, in an open boat built for the Danube Delta, to Mila 23, with a guide who is both a birder and a wildlife photographer.
Destinations: Danube Delta
A day by boat from Tulcea to Letea, with a coffee stop in Mila 23, a safari car to Letea Forest and an optional lunch in a local household.
Destinations: Danube Delta
Four nights in the heart of the Danube Delta, with a last night at Letea from April to June, sessions at sunrise and in the evening light and at most 4 photographers in the boat.
From €1,000 per person
See the tour: Wildlife Photo Tour to the Danube Delta, 5d/4n, 2027 SHAREDChoose your trip
Find your way into the Danube Delta
One day from Tulcea
Day Trips
Shared or private, by boat to Letea, Mila 23, Caraorman or Sulina, and by minivan into Dobrogea, with a guide who knows the way and the stories.
See the day trips
Stay in the heart of it
Multi Day Nature Tours
Two to six nights in Mila 23, a fishing village reached only by water, with boat trips at the best hours of the day and dinners cooked by your hosts.
See the nature tours
From sunrise, with a birder
Birdwatching Tours
Small groups and private tours in the Danube Delta and Dobrogea, with a specialised birding guide, for beginners and seasoned birders alike.
See the birding tours
In the first and last light
Photo Tours
A low open boat and a wildlife photographer guide, hides in Dobrogea, and photo tours to Lake Kerkini, the Balkan Mountains and Transylvania.
See the photo tours
Film crews, projects, agencies
For Professionals
Boats, permits, guides and local access for your production, your photography project or your groups. Everything on request.
See how we work
Before you come
Danube Delta Guide
When to come, how to get here, where to stay, what lives in the Danube Delta, and the birds month by month. Written by the people who guide you.
Read the guide
How we travel
The Danube Delta, without the speed boats
Most visitors see the Danube Delta from a covered speed boat, under a low roof, behind walls of cloudy plastic sheeting. You see almost nothing of the landscape, and the experience is close to zero. Add loud music, a boatman who speaks no English and a race from one stop to the next, and the birds fly away long before the boat arrives. We do it differently, and we are proud of it.
Open boats, at low speed
Our own boats, built for the Danube Delta, with low power engines. Nothing between you and the landscape: you see, hear and smell the Danube Delta all around you.
At the right hours
In summer, from about 9:30, hundreds of speed boats race through the main channels. Our summer trips leave at sunrise or in the late afternoon, when the Danube Delta is quiet again.
The right guide for your trip
Naturalists, specialised birders and wildlife photographers, each on the trip made for them. A nature tour, a birding tour and a photo tour are not the same trip.
Open boat means open. No roof, no shade, no heating. That is what makes it a complete experience. We offer you a fabulous day on the water; your part is to come prepared for sun, wind and rain.
Our guests
What our guests say
AMAZING
Discover Danube Delta was a unique and unforgettable experience. Iliuta was an outstanding guide, who made sure to answer everyone’s questions and cater to the group’s needs. Moreover, his knowledge of the wildlife and history of the Danube Delta was not only beyond impressive, but also entertaining. The small size of the group is ideal, as one can completely enjoy and immersive themselves in this experience. Would definitely recommend to anyone who is interested in exploring and learning about the Danube Delta or to anyone who is looking for an out of the ordinary experience.
Exceeded my expectations
We did the three night Danube Delta birdwatching tour in early April. The first day we were picked up by boat and brought to the accommodation in Mila 23 at icy winds, but it only got better from there! Every day we spent hours on the water observing around 100 species of local birds. The guides were very professional, knowledgeable and took care of everything. Can't imagine a better tour!
We really had an AMAZING time in the delta with our guide. He was wonderful in every way - from caring for our personal needs to his unbelievable skill in navigating the area and his encyclopaedic knowledge of the species and the ecology. He was able to showcase so many amazing species for us but above all he was so sensitive to, and understanding of, the ecological dynamics of the area and the processes at play in the delta today. Any visit to habitats is bound to have some impact on the habitat and species but I felt confident he did everything possible to minimise that impact. On top of that he was wonderful company. Everything just wonderful - thank you
An amazing experience visiting the Danube Delta on a one-day private birdwatching trip. We left Tulcea before dawn on open-topped boat (see picture) until mid-afternoon when birds were less active. We were lucky to get perfect weather, and seeing the sunrise over the Delta was an unforgettable experience. Our guide (and I think co-owner of the business) Ili was incredibly knowledgeable and alert, pointing out new birds all the time as they were seen or heard and taking us to the best spots for species that we had indicated in advance we were keen to see. Ili also was knowledgeable about the history of the Delta and the pressures it is facing from human activity. At times the sheer number and variety of birds was overwhelming, especially in the 2-3 hours just after dawn when passerines were singing everywhere. Ili was also very patient - I am a birdwatcher that is very good with the ears but a bit slower with the eyes and at times I can miss something that is right in front of me! Although I had a small camera with me, our trip was primarily about soaking in the experience of hearing and seeing the wildlife in such a unique environment. If you are primarily a photographer then you need to let the company know in advance and they may take you different spots in the Delta to facilitate that. On this trip you have the option of buying lunch at a local traditional restaurant in the Mila 23 village, and this is the same place that the longer trips use as their base. It is a peaceful, pleasant spot and some people may welcome an hour without the hum of the boat's engine. Communication in advance of the trip with the operator was excellent, Calina was the person who handled this and she was very prompt at getting back by e-mail when we had a query (always a reply within 24 hours). Especially as we had to change the date of our trip a few weeks before we travelled. One important thing to note if doing this trip is that the boat departs from the small pier at "Port Tulcea Aval", and not from the promenade at Tulcea. If you are staying in the main hotels by the promenade this is about a 15 minute walk. Alternatively you can drive to it, and it is 40 lei per day to leave your car there. As we arrived the day beforehand, we checked out the departure point that day so that we did not have to worry about it on the day. From a birdwatching standpoint, other aspects of our travel plans limited the dates we could have taken this trip. If you have a completely free hand as to when to visit, I would suggest two to three weeks earlier than we visited would be even better e.g. mid April to end of first week in May. Overall a fantastic, unforgettable experience.
The Delta and its bird life in a great nutshell
Not only did we see very beautiful spots and sights, we also spotted dozens of bird species and received expert explanations from our captain and guide Iliuta.
The lunch at a local family's place was good farmer style food served in a relaxed atmosphere.
I returned feeling to have had a near complete overview of what the Danube Delta is about and with a desire to come again.
Excellent value for money!
One of the best things I ever did in my life.
I did the photography tour and everything was just incredible. It's hard going, but totally worth it. It's so beautiful there and the wildlife and birdlife is stunning.
Special thanks to Calina, Marius, and Ionut. You were all amazing and work so hard! The accommodation is beautiful and the staff there are so nice! Thank you to all who made my stay so wonderful!
I hope one day to return to the delta and witness its magic again!
A wonderful day trip to the Danube Delta. Excellent tour guide. Highly recommended. The diversity of wildlife is fascinating. The large number of pelicans and wild horses were a highlight for me. It's something you simply have to see. I would have gladly given more than 5 stars.
An absolutely wonderful experience! I was left with wonderful memories and had the opportunity to meet special people during the trip. A big plus for the birdwatching guide, who was simply extraordinary 🥳 – extremely professional and super passionate about what he does. I wholeheartedly recommend "Discover the Danube Delta" for an authentic adventure! And the accommodation at Casa Vaida was the perfect choice: wonderful hosts, extremely tasty food and super clean rooms. I recommend Casa Vaida with all my heart❤️welcoming host makes you feel at home ☺️🥰
We had an amazing day! The guide spoke excellent English, and the information he shared was incredibly interesting! Lunch was delicious! The 4x4 tour to see the horses was fantastic! Everything was great! I highly recommend it!
Top Tour
Beautiful tour with a very competent tour guide informative with insight into life in the Danube Delta. The traditional lunch with fish was excellent
Definitely worth it!
Beautiful views and experiences of the Danube Delta with such great flora and fauna that are well explained.
Including very good local food and beautiful photos of course!
Marius is the best guide! Truly awesome experience with great hosts and food in Mila23. Cheers from Poland to all your staff!
Iulian stands out as one of the finest tour guides I've had the pleasure of encountering. His amiable nature is matched by his extensive knowledge of everything related to the Danube Delta. I wholeheartedly endorse him to anyone seeking a memorable experience.
It was really great being able to have an amazing day discovering the Danube Delta thanks to you guys! The reservation and all information provided by the staff were so helpful and made the ride so much more easier. The tour was amazing with our guide Florin, whom we thank very much for giving us such an amazing experience. The food was very good and we are very happy for choosing them among others for our Danube trip. Florin has an amazing English vocabulary and his knowledge about the birds, plants and fauna are tremendous so it was amazing being able to enjoy the whole ride while learning so much. Thanks to all the team and thank you for giving some great memories ! Keep up the good work 🙂
We were very happy with our day trip to the Danube Delta and felt very safe and well looked after. We gratefully followed the recommendation to wear a sun hat with a band (which can be purchased cheaply in the shop before departure), as well as long-sleeved tops and trousers – plus SPF 50 sunscreen! – and strongly advise everyone to do the same. The boat had no roof, which gave us a sensational view of the birds and wildlife. The owner didn't miss a single animal on the trip; he showed us the beauty of the Danube Delta. I would book a tour with him again anytime. Top-notch!
Read more reviews on TripAdvisor and Facebook.
Who we are
A local team, based in Tulcea since 2004
We are guides, birders and wildlife photographers who live and work in the Danube Delta and Dobrogea, in every season. We show you the Danube Delta as we see it: wild, quiet and full of life, away from the crowds. Read more about us or meet the team.
Licensed tour operator
Alternative Travel, operated by SC Dobrogea Misterioasă SRL, with a licence and an insolvency insurance policy renewed every year.
Our own boats and guides
Boats built for the Danube Delta and guides who know where the wildlife is this week, not last year.
Nature comes first
Members of the Ecotourism Association of Romania and of the Rewilding Tourism Network. We never enter nesting areas and never chase wildlife for a sighting or a picture.
Danube Delta guide
Read before you come
Our boats
Why we travel in open boats
What an open boat means for your day on the water, and why it changes what you see and hear.
Places
The trip to Letea Forest
Old oaks between the dunes, the horses of Letea and the long way there, from the river delta to the marine delta.
Birds
Birds of the Danube Delta and Dobrogea
Our list of the species, month by month, to plan your visit or build your target list.
Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions
Where do the tours start?
Almost all our boat trips and tours start at Port Tulcea Aval, Intrarea Marmurei 3, Tulcea. It is not the public harbour and not the town promenade. The page of each tour tells you the meeting hour.
How do I get to Tulcea?
By car, bus or train, or with our transfer from Bucharest or Bucharest airport, on request. If you come by car, there is a guarded car park at the port, paid separately.
When is the best time to visit the Danube Delta?
April to June is the busiest season for birds, with the colonies, the pelicans and the spring migration. In July and August go out at sunrise or in the late afternoon, away from the speed boats and the heat. September and October bring the autumn migration and quiet water. From December to February we run winter birding and photo trips, for those who come dressed for real cold.
What is the difference between a shared and a private tour?
On a shared tour you join other guests on a fixed program and pay per person. On a private tour the boat and the guide are only for your group, and you pay one price for the group.
I am not a birder or a photographer. Which tour is for me?
Choose a day trip or a multi day nature tour. They are made for nature lovers, at a relaxed pace, with a guide who explains the places, the wildlife and the life of the villages. Birding and photo tours have other hours, other routes and other guides.
Are the boats covered?
No. Our boats are open, with no roof, no shade and no heating. Bring a hat, sunscreen and a rain jacket or a rain poncho, and a warm layer for the early mornings.
How do I book?
Open the tour, choose your date and send us a booking request. We send you the confirmation and the payment link. Your booking is confirmed only when the payment shown on the tour page is made. A request is not a booking.
Contact
- Emailcontact@discoverdanubedelta.com
- Phone, SMS, WhatsApp+40 763 869 400
+40 757 894 456 - Meeting pointPort Tulcea Aval, Intrarea Marmurei 3, Tulcea
- For bookings and requests we always prefer email. Thank you!