Dolphin Encounter
Price: $259 per person (includes all-day general admission). Price does not include reservation fee.
Ages: 5 years and older. A paying participating adult (18+ years) must accompany children ages 5–7.
Duration: 1.5 Hours. 20-25 minutes spent in the water.
Get up close with a dolphin during our most popular interactive dolphin experience in the Florida Keys. The Dolphin Encounter combines shallow- and deep-water interactions with a trainer-guided experience designed to let you meet a dolphin, discover their unique personality, and participate in a series of structured behaviors. No two encounters are alike because every dolphin has their own personality and preferences.
Included:
- Dolphin kiss
- Dolphin handshake
- Leave the platform and join a dolphin for a dorsal pull in deep water
- Guided by your trainer, ask your dolphin for an interactive behavior through a hand signal
- Smile! A photographer will capture the big moments of you and your dolphin friend’s experience, available for purchase. Please note: If you book within 24 hours of your program, you may not be guaranteed a photographer.
- General Admission for the participant.
- Free Parking
- Speak directly with our animal care and education staff, who are always happy to talk with you about our animal family and marine mammals in general.
- Watch narrated sessions and presentations.
- Observe training sessions, research sessions, interactive programs, and more.
- Access to Sprayground and Veterans Garden
- Purchase snacks on the grounds at an independent food concession so that you don’t have to miss a moment of fun!
Exclusive Private Dolphin Encounter: $2189-$2689 (depending on date) for one to six people in a private group. Includes a digital photo package of all members of your group, all-day general admission, and a one-year membership to DRC for each guest! Your special swim experience will occur at one of our docks designated specifically for you and your party. Call +1 305-289-0002 for details and to reserve or email exception.request@dolphins.org
Reserve a Spot
Policies & FAQs
Reservations are non-refundable
In the event of bad weather, DRC will make every effort to complete the program on the day it is scheduled
If a program is canceled due to hazardous weather, rescheduling, refunds or rain checks will be arranged at that time
No Shows: Full charge applies with no refunds.
Pets are not able to attend or participate in interactive experiences. If you bring a pet, please arrange for an individual in your party to attend to the pet while the other members of your party participate in the purchased interactive experience.
Please do not bring/use selfie sticks within the facility. They pose a potential hazard to the safety and welfare of our animal family.
Only floatable, waterproof cameras are allowed in in-water interactive program areas. Cell phones or non-floating, non-waterproof cameras are not permitted on underwater program trays, floating docks, or platforms.
Drones are not permitted. They pose a potential hazard to the safety and welfare of our animal family.
Individuals and families/groups of up to 10 people can reserve online for Dolphin Encounter. For groups larger than 10, please call +1 305-289-0002 or email exception.request@dolphins.org for assistance. Thank you.
Anyone coming to observe family and friends in a program must pay General Admission.
The Dolphin Encounter is approximately 1.5 hours total. We plan 30 minutes for check-in and preparation, including changing clothes and getting ready for your experience, followed by approximately 20–25 minutes in the water with the dolphin. The remaining time allows for transitions and other parts of the experience. Because every dolphin has a unique personality and responds differently during each interaction, no two Dolphin Encounters are exactly alike. Your trainer follows your dolphin’s cues to create a safe, engaging, and personalized experience.
Yes, it includes full-day General Admission for the participant.
For safety and liability reasons, pregnant guests cannot participate.
Wear comfortable, Florida weather-appropriate clothing and bring a swimsuit if your experience includes time in the water. Keep in mind that clothing can get wet during some activities, even when you are not in the water. Wetsuits are recommended when water temperatures fall below 68°F; Dolphin Research Center does not provide wetsuits, but they can be rented from local dive shops. Freshwater showers and changing areas are available, so many guests prefer to bring a change of clothes.
If you or someone in your group has a physical or cognitive limitation, please submit a request with our team. This allows our team to discuss your needs and available assistance in advance.
If your desired date is sold out, check back the morning of your desired date to see if any openings have become available.
No. The price does not include the online reservation fee.
Yes. Visit our Gift Certificates page for more information.
Dolphin Research Center reserves the right to cancel or amend program content and price without notice.
