Action and Adventure! Take a look at all we have to offer. Lockers and/or cubbies are available for personal gear. If your child is between at least 8 and 48 inches tall, they can get in the water with the dolphins; the water will be no more than chest-deep on the smallest children. Children between 1 and 5 may participate in these programs at no charge, as long as they stay in their parents arms. Dolphin Cay, Bahamas 5. The dolphins are in a controlled environment. According to a recent Traveler Story, swimming with dolphins is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each session includes up to eight participants. Theater of the Sea is a marine park renowned for its programs that give guests a chance to swim with sea lions, nurse sharks, stingrays, and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. The sea turtles featured are a part of the rescue and rehabilitation program at Miami Seaquarium. Please contact us by phone if you have any questions. Our dolphins are curious and playful and seem to enjoy interacting with people. Be prepared. Theater Of The Sea. During the Reef Presentation, a diver accompanied by a group of Sea Trekers work their way around the aquarium allowing visitors to watch as he/she hand-feeds tropical fish, large groupers, stingrays and moray eels. Being able to swim near dolphins in their natural habitat was thrilling! We like the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies because of the education value and the options for younger children. Key West: Fury Water Adventures. Dolphins arent used to being touched by humans. Dolphin Cove consists of an aquarium where visitors can watch dolphins swim, play, and jump above the water. Animal Encounters Shows Exhibits Animal Info All Filter Participants must be able to speak and understand English. Listen to your guide; they know these animals best and will be able to help you make the most out of your experience. As part of the experience, participants will receive a keepsake Indianapolis Zoo Dolphin In-Water beach towel. I am horrible at remember names but he owns the business and was amazing! This particular facility was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and received new dolphins in 2012. Take a look at all we have to offer. 12 Places to Swim with Dolphins in Florida - Oceans Beyond Piracy We really enjoyed our guided tour. *Please note: Children under 48 will do the Dolphin Encounter behaviors, may need to be held, and may not be able to complete all behaviors. Pay attention to your instructor, as they will provide you with essential information. Anyone that is handicapped or has any medical restrictions, special needs, prosthetics, or pacemakers is required to contact Gulf World prior to booking. The Dolphin Research Center is at 58901 Overseas Highway, Grassy Key, FL. Learn about our African penguins at Penguin Isle and immerse yourself in their environment with our all-new penguin encounter! Whether you reserve this experience for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, the Dolphin In-Water Adventure is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet amazing marine mammals up close. The common bottlenose dolphin can range from six to twelve feet and weigh anywhere between 300 and 1,400 pounds. After 3 hours of dolphin interaction, you will finish with a photo-op and a souvenir to keep as a reminder of the lovely experience. Call Today - 850.234.5271. This fun-filled, 30-minute program is a great way for young and old alike to have an unforgettable experience with a dolphin. While youre there, you can also feed Rufus, the pelican from Dolphin Tale.. Looking for the perfect place to stay in Panama City? Yatch was very clean. A tour begins with a 15 minutes education and safety presentation, following which you can dive in and have your swim. Common bottlenose dolphin use whistles, clicks, squeals, and other sounds to communicate with one another. The red-footed tortoise is a species of tortoise from northern South America. The Sardine Run, South Africa 13. The warm waters are home to spinner, spotted, common bottlenose, Indo-Pacific bottlenose, and Risso's dolphins. Please bring your own towel. Swimming With Dolphins: Swim with Dolphin World - (800) 667-5524 Dolphins Home Florida Locations Hawaii Location Caribbean Locations Mexico Locations Contact Us Extra Florida Locations Find the Closest Florida Locations to Swim with Dolphins and best one for you, either, Miami, Florida Keys, Orlando, St Augustine, or Panama City Beach. Cancellation Policy:All sales are final and non-refundable unless cancelled by Gulf World. A classroom session about dolphin characteristics, adaptations and training. For safety reasons pregnant women are not allowed to participate in any in-water dolphin interactive programs. Designed to stimulate the apes physical, social and intellectual abilities, the Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center is home to one of the largest groups of orangutans in any American zoo. Find tickets here! Certificates are valid for one year from the date of purchase. Where and How to Meet Dolphins in Florida | VISIT FLORIDA Children are permitted to swim with dolphins in the lagoon as long as they are confident and strong enough to handle the water. There is no maximum age. From getting a kiss and a hug from a skilled and spirited dolphin, to swimming next to a dolphin mom and her calf in the wild, there is an extraordinary encounter perfect for all interests and skill levels. The tour is a total of four hours, and their . Stay calm and collected, and the dolphins are most likely to approach you. For the safety of our dolphins, trainers and other participants, only observers can take pictures or video, and flash photography is permitted. Try swimming with dolphins! These are also some of the best gifts for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day or even Christmas! Explore the oceans most loved creatures during this deep-water experience. Special Needs:For everyones safety and comfort, please advise us if there are any emotional, behavioral, or physical conditions that could affect a guests participation so we may make appropriate accommodations. You cannot wear any jewelry during interactive programs. Scuba & Snorkelling Swim with Dolphins. Please bring your own towel. Make an ocean of memories as you meet bottlenose dolphins up close, experience the wonder of marine life, explore 80 years of Florida history, and even swim with dolphins in our unique educational programs. To get you started we have prepared a list of 12 places to swim with dolphins in Florida. It is home to marine species like sea lions, sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles. Our birds are surrounded by tropical landscape, allowing them to roam freely and enjoy the weather. All members of this order are expert divers and have four swimming flippers. These places are ideal for both adults and children. DIVR+ is a virtual reality snorkeling system with sensory feedback. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. The captain was great and took us to some really beautiful spots. Aside from dolphins, you may also encounter other Gulf Coast locals such as: With such a diverse ecosystem, the Gulf of Mexico is brimming with beautiful wildlife and scenery just waiting to be explored! Dolphins Plus and Dolphins Cove are sister facilities in Key Largo, Florida, which allow kids as young as 3 years old to wade in shallow water with a dolphin while petting and posing for pictures. However, the experience does not stop there. Panama City Beach offers plenty of up-close encounters with dolphins, so swimming alongside Flipper and friends is something you can mark off the bucket list! SeaWorld Orlando is at 7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando, Florida. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher, Enjoy the day on the water with friends & family in Miami Beach with Dolphin Water Sport. Dolphin Lagoon - Swim with Dolphins in Orlando | Discovery Cove These six programs truly stand out for their first-rate educational and interactive dolphin experiences. You will have a one-on-one encounter with dolphins. But its main center of attraction is dolphins. Theres a series of eight programs that accommodate children as young as three years. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The Dolphin Discovery Group operates 15 marine parks in Mexico and the Caribbean, including Cozumel, Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, Grand Cayman, Anguilla and St. Thomas. Location Price Range Special Features Our VIP Tour is an interactive 2 1/2-hour program where you may have the opportunity to get up-close and personal with some of our exotic animal friends. Highly recommend this for families. Whether youre jumping in the gorgeous Gulf of Mexico and viewing nature at its finest, or hanging out at the Gulfarium or Gulf World witnessing just how smart these dazzling dolphins really are, youre in for a treat! Learn about our resident animals, and the importance of our education and conservation mission. Observers experience the classroom session and watch the in-water activity from nearby; they do not enter the water. A ticket to swim with the dolphins here also includes other ocean activities offered at the resort. There are three interactive programs available. Come meet these lovely birds and take picturesque photos! Swimming with Dolphins Near Ft Lauderdale (800) 667-5524 Top 10 places to swim with dolphins in Florida - that you'll love! Participants receive a souvenir towel and digital photograph of themselves with a dolphin! At Gulf World may have groups of up to 12 people. Especially during spring and summer, traffic in Panama City Beach can be trying. Are you looking for a fun, rewarding, and unique job with amazing perks? There's an experience for every member of the family. Fun Attractions in Miami - Miami Seaquarium You must arrive 1 hour prior to your scheduled swim time and account for high season traffic. Copyright 2023 Family Vacation Critic All Rights Reserved, Little Kids: 3-6 Big Kids: 7-9 Tweens: 10-12 Teens: 13-17. The Florida Keys are an incredibly popular place for dolphin interaction programs. It is about an hour away from Panama City Beach, pending traffic, and makes for a perfect day trip to another beautiful part of the Gulf Coast! FloridaSevenMaps / Shutterstock. You can help by supportingThe Nature Conservancys Gulf conservation efforts. The Retreat. Dont miss our three fun shows! If you would like a place to swim with dolphins in Florida but not actually get into the water with them, 32 Best Maine Resorts (2023) With Reviews, 21 Best Gatlinburg Resorts, Tennessee (2023) With Reviews, 22 Best Virginia Beach Resorts (2023) With reviews. Only one observer may accompany each participant. The movie features renowned actor Morgan Freeman. For guests visiting the facility to swim with the dolphins, you need to buy a ticket for the Dolphin Encounter program. Some of these opportunities emphasize education; others are purely entertainment. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Among the highlights is Hawks Cay Resort, which is affiliated with and shares property with Dolphin Connection. Adults and other children who can swim have three dolphin swimming programs from which to choose. Other critters you may come across include: In 2015, the Gulfarium celebrated its 60th anniversary, making it one of the worlds oldest marine animal parks. Individuals under the age of 6, including infants, are not able to attend or observe this program. This 14-acre playground is where those lucky dolphins now call home. Panama City Beach is the perfect place to swim with dolphins in Florida. There are options for people of all ages. Tickets and Annual Passes and animal experiences. Most tourist know Panama City Beach as the Spring Break mecca of Florida, which it is, but also known for Swimming with Dolphins too. If you would like to swim with other sea creatures, embark on the Epcot Seas Adventures Aqua Tour or the Epcot Seas Adventures DiveQuest. The supervising adult must purchase an adult ticket to be in the water with the child. Welcome to Miami Seaquarium, where endangered sea turtles and manatees find a safe haven and dolphins delight children of all ages. Get up close with a dolphin in this unique opportunity from out of the watera perfect opportunity for families. Enjoy a unique interaction with one of the worlds most beloved birds in an intimate setting. feel free to check our list of best Puerto Rico all inclusive resorts in 2022! You can swim with dolphins in their natural habitat or opt for a dolphin watching tour and watch them swim by the side of your boat. Common bottlenose dolphin use whistles, clicks, squeals, and other sounds to communicate with one another. 30 min This place is where you will probably have the longest swim you will ever have with dolphins in Florida. The State of Florida is renowned as one of the best places internationally to swim with dolphins. If youre in the wild, do not touch the dolphins. The facility is at the Village of Islamorada in a lush green park with tropical gardens. Please leave valuables at home. Friendly, helpful, and so full of pride for their beautiful island. A fast and exciting ride with the dolphin while you hold onto their pectoral fins; in the magnificent belly-ride. A slice of Africa is recreated in Indianapolis in the expansive Plains exhibit. The park is actually home to not only bottlenose dolphins, but also the only collection of rough-toothed dolphins in long-term care in the country. St. Augustine, FL 32080. Temperate and tropical forests across the world are represented in our Forests exhibits. I recommend using this service for a fun day in the sun! Bottlenose dolphins are one of the most popular and well known cetacean species in society today. Yatch tour from Dolphin Water Sports with Captain Juan was top notch! Royal Swim participant hugging a dolphin at Gulf World Marine Park. {Read Reviews & Book Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park Admission Tickets Online}, Dolphins jumping for joy at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Royal Swim participant hugging a dolphin at Gulf World Marine Park. Sea Life Park will be closed today, Wednesday 4/19/23 due to power outage from the heavy rain last night. Swimming with dolphins in the wild is undoubtedly the more exciting option, given the unpredictable nature of, well, nature. Best Diving Schools near Nelson Bay, Australia, for swimming with Dolphins. Salty C's Adventures. This also means there is a perfect dolphin swim experience for everyone! In this program, you can swim, shake hands, and kiss dolphins! Gulf World Marine Park. Scuba & Snorkelling Swim with Dolphins. It is an intriguing marine journey where you will swim with about 6,000 sea mammals without getting wet! There is something for children of all ages. Yes, send me expert advice, handpicked recommendations, and tips for my family. Dolphin Research Center - City: Grassy Key, FL - Address: 58901 Overseas Hwy. Fun Swimming with Dolphins in Miami, Florida Whether swimming deep beneath the surface or leaping high above the water, the sealife of Miami Seaquarium will delight and astound. TheDolphin Swim Adventureis such an exciting interaction! Days and times vary. No refunds will be given unless cancelled by Gulf World. You can visit the facility with the sole purpose of either learning about the dolphins or swimming. It has a policy of rescue, rehab, release. The best place to see bottlenose dolphins is on the waters of the Indian River Lagoon. Apart from swimming with dolphins, you will get firsthand training on how to handle dolphins. We had the best time and our captain was phenomenal! He was very friendly, spoke to us about all our options, demonstrated knowledge and professionalism, but more importantly, showed us a great time! They were the first to successfully raise a stranded baby bottlenose dolphin. Panama City Beach Florida offers 27 miles of stunning white sand, emerald green waters and surefire enjoyment in, on or under the water. The bottlenose dolphin is in the Delphinidae family, which has three different species the Indo-Pacific Bottlenose, the Burrunan, and the Common Bottlenose, also known as the Atlantic Bottlenose. Where Can You Swim With Dolphins in Hawaii? Jamie did an awesome job showing us the coral reef and pointing out cool fish! My 16 year old son loves every minute of it and a dolphin swam right up to him! As you make your way down the slide, dolphins will be racing alongside you in the aquarium. It was so cool!!! The Dolphin Encounter is for everyone, including those who cant swim. 11 Best Places to Swim with Dolphins in Florida The locker room area will be locked by your Zoo staff liaison when the group leaves the changing area. Subject to availability. Our group had so much fun. more. Stunning Shell Island with its white-sand beaches, beautiful emerald water, and magnificent wildlife, makes for the perfect place to swim with dolphins. The common bottlenose dolphin is truly a magnificent animal and one of the many reasons why visitors love visiting the Space Coast. All participants are required to wear a life vest and will be in water that is 3 feet, 6 inches deep. 14 best places to swim with Dolphins in the world - Dolphinaris The Indianapolis Zoo is the only place in the Midwest where you can get in the water with dolphins! Do things like shake hands,and even try out some training signals. 2023. Swim with Dolphins: 10 Kid-Friendly Dolphin Experiences | Family Dolphins are certainly one of them. Dolphins will bite one another when fighting or establishing dominance. Review of: 2 Hours Swim with the Dolphins in Panama City. Popular dolphin encounters at the Gulfarium include: These programs differ a bit from those at Gulf World, in that they are geared more towards education and obtaining a better understanding of dolphins as a whole. More From Family Vacation Critic: 28. Anything you purchase through links on our site may earn us a commission. We saw quite a few, including a baby. Dolphin Watch & Snorkel Captain Cook Monument (Hawaii Island), Deluxe Snorkel & Dolphin Watch (Hawaii Island), Swimming With Dolphins in Controlled Environments, Dolphin Quest at the Hilton Waikoloa Village (Hawaii Island), three different experience and counter programs, Dolphin Quest at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, 14 of the Closest Beaches to Louisville, KY for Families. 14 Best Places to Swim with Dolphins in the World [A Guide] 14 Best Places to Swim with Dolphins in the World [A Guide] Are you looking for something new to do? This program is available for older children and adults only. All About Dolphins and Where to See Them on the Space Coast Allswell Communities Holiday Parks - parent brand in Florida, Canaveral National Seashore: Tickets & Tours, Things to do near Canaveral National Seashore, 4-Day Glacier and Bernina Express Self-Guided Tour from Zurich, Rosslyn Chapel and Scottish Borders Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh, Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour | Close Up and Personal, U-Pick - Tangerine and Lemon Picking at Sunmist Tangerine Farm, Breezy Genting Highland Day Tour from Kuala Lumpur, Private Full-Day Montenegro Budva and Kotor Tour from Tirana. As well as Cozumel, Dolphinaris have parks Cancun, Riviera Maya, Tulum and Barcel. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Adults of this species can grow 4 to 8 ft in length and can weigh 500 to 2000 pds. The In-Water experience takes place in the Dolphin Adventure pool located behind the main performance pool and stage area in the St. Vincent Dolphin Pavilion. Gulf World Marine Park is a Panama City Beach staple, and one of the best places to swim with dolphins in Florida! Marsa Alam, Egypt 8. The natural lagoon program is a swim with dolphins as they have their down time in their natural habitat. The facility allows children from as young as seven years to swim with dolphins and sea lions. Have you recently traveled to Florida's Space Coast? Can you participate if you have special needs? Subscribe to special updates & promotions. For those who are a little afraid of the water, theres a wonderful art program where your child holds a canvas and chooses the colors for the dolphin to paint. Apart from swimming with them, you will also get an opportunity to uncover their personalities and connect with them. It ensures that children, including infants, get to interact with dolphins. Guests may not bring in their own wetsuit to use during our in-water programs. Please refer to our reservations page for updated available times. This turtle has a triangular-shaped head with a hooked beak, which allows for the diet of mostly crabs. Once youre ready, your captain will take you to locations where dolphins are known to swim. Many guest rooms offer a view of the dolphin pool, so at any time you can see the dolphins swimming around. Special Occasion: If you would like to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, or have our dolphins help you to ask a very important question, please visit our Special Occasion page. They like to inhabit warm and temperate waters, which makes Floridas Space Coast a prime spot for these creatures to live and play around in. Where to Swim with Dolphins in Florida {15 Best Experiences!} When it comes to swimming with dolphins, it is almost impossible to fight the urge to dive in and grab a fin like in the movies. For lovers of biodiversity, coral, and macro-life, Raja Ampat is a near-mythical destination, and luckily, it also has plenty of dolphins. Swim with Dolphins in Florida: 16 Best Places! (for 2023) One of its attractions is Dolphin Cove, one of the grandest interactive dolphin parks in the world. Otherwise, two edge-of-the-pool programs allow an up-close photo and opportunity to touch and feed the dolphins. 6 Places to Swim with Dolphins | Bucket List Family Vacation It involves a tunnel-like twin slide that corkscrews its way in the middle of an aquarium that contains dolphins and other sea mammals. An adult female green sea turtle may lay up to nine nests in one season, which runs from June through September. Something you can almost always count on seeing in Panama City Beach, however, are dolphins. According to gulfarium.com, theyve accomplished some pretty incredible things throughout the years such as: History and conservation aside, the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is fun for everyone! Cutting-edge technology creates an unbelievably realistic VR experience for one of three experiences: Ocean, Dragons or Space. SeaWorld, of course, is all about education and appreciation of all sea life. While most places give you between 30 minutes and 1 hour to spend with these intelligent mammals, at Epcot, Walt Disney Resort, you will get a 3-hour swimming session with dolphins experience. Would you consider the Swim with Dolphins West Palm Beach ticket to Miami? Submerge your hands and touch bamboo sharks, cleaner fish and invertebrates in our NEW Touch Pools! Read More . Indianapolis Zoo Awards Global Conservation Grants. Kohootz Dolphin Encounters 140 Swim with Dolphins By jamescT8006MQ We had a blast and got to see plenty of dolphins. Sea Life Park is Hawaii's best wild life marine park & aquarium on Oahu. Indigo Ocean Hawai`i (Oahu) Indigo Ocean Hawaii offers a tour called "A`o Hawai`i" that is advertised as a swim with wild dolphins. If you wish to use a neoprene wetsuit jacket, Marineland will provide one for your use (during our colder season). The best place to Swim with Dolphins in Panama City Beach, FL Why choose Water Planet? September 23, 2019 We kneeled on a wooden platform, leaning into deep pools where a pair of Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins swam. 30 minutes of poolside and in-water time with our trainers and dolphins. Children get to feed the dolphins and shake their fins without getting into the water. Swim with Dolphins Florida (800)667-5524 - Swimming With Dolphins (800 Certificates can only be purchased online. The dolphins came to us on cue, talking and splashing as we learned about them and fed them fish. It is one of the ten most visited amusement parks in the country. In each show you will learn more about each mammals lifestyle and what you can do to help out, for example, protecting our waters from trash and recycling when possible. For how many people can I make reservations? Dolphins are very social and friendly. In a controlled environment with a skilled trainer and dolphin, guests get to experience a true one-on-one, unforgettable encounter with one of these incredible creatures.