Exclusive Private Dolphin Encounter
Price: $2,189–$2,689 per private group (Includes 1–6 people)
Ages: No minimum age restriction. This is a premium program with no minimum age restrictions
Duration: 1.5 Hours. 20-25 minutes spent in the water.
Enjoy a private, personalized dolphin experience with your own group at Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys. Your group will have exclusive use of a designated dock with no guests outside your party, giving you more one-on-one time to interact with our dolphins and experience a variety of trainer-guided behaviors. Every dolphin has a unique personality, so no two experiences are exactly alike.
Included:
- Private dock for 1 to 6 people – no sharing with people outside of your group.
- More one-on-one connection time with the dolphin(s). Each dolphin is unique. Watch their personality shine as you share a variety of individual interactive behaviors.
- 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
- Digital Photo Package
- General Admission for the participants
- 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!
- Dolphin Research Center Membership – Adopt an Animal Dolfriend Level for each participant
- General Admission annual passes for two (2) people.
- 1 one-day General Admission pass to share with family or friend.
- 10% discount on Digital Photo Packages.
- 10% discount in the Gift Shop (exclusions may apply).
- Exclusive updates and news from the entire Dolphin Research Center Family.
- Annual subscription to our Dolphin Society e-Newsletter.
- A full-color electronic adoption certificate, full-color photo, and a biography about the animal family member of your choice.
- Access to the Members-Only section of the website showcasing the latest news, pod updates, spotlight videos, and more!
This experience is only available to one group each day and must be reserved in advance.
For questions, to check availability, or to reserve your Exclusive Private Dolphin Encounter, please call 305-289-0002 or email us at exception.request@dolphins.org. (Program cannot be directly booked online.)
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.
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 participants.
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.
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.
