General Admission
Enjoy your day exploring Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys. General Admission gives you the freedom to explore the facility at your own pace, watch dolphin and sea lion, and bird training and research sessions, enjoy educational presentations, and connect with our animal care and education team. You can come and go throughout the day with a dolphin hand stamp, so you can return to visit your favorite animal friends.
- Open 7 days a week
- September 8, 2026-December 14, 2026 9:00am to 3:30 p.m. Last admissions at 3:00 p.m.
- December 15, 2026-September 7, 2027 9:00am to 4:30 p.m. Last admissions at 4:00 p.m.
- Closed on Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day
Included:
- Gain access to wander around the facility at your leisure and observe specialized animal sessions. From high-flying athletics and dolphin fun facts to medical training and research, you get to see it all!
- 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
- In between sessions, enjoy a variety of educational presentations in the Dolphin theater and on our causeway
- 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 dolphin and sea lion fun!
- Dolphin Research Center is pet friendly and welcomes animals that are leashed or harnessed
- Free parking. Bus parking also available on a limited basis
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.
Leashed pets are welcome at Dolphin Research Center and may accompany you throughout the facility. Please keep your pet safely leashed and under your control at all times.
Pets are not permitted to 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.
Pregnant guests are welcome to visit Dolphin Research Center and enjoy General Admission. For safety and liability reasons, pregnant guests are not permitted to participate in our interactive experiences.
Wear comfortable, Florida weather-appropriate clothing and footwear. If you think you may decide to participate in an interactive experience during your visit, consider bringing a swimsuit and a change of clothes. Some experiences can get you wet, even when you remain on a dock, and freshwater showers and changing areas are available.
Dolphin Research Center is ADA compliant and welcomes guests with disabilities. Our property features accessibility amenities including designated accessible parking, ramps throughout the facility, and an elevator at the Welcome Center. Many areas of the property and our experiences are designed with accessibility in mind.
If you or someone in your group has a physical, cognitive, or other disability or accommodation need, we encourage you to please submit a request with our team booking an interactive experience. Our team can discuss your specific needs, answer questions about accessibility, and help determine what accommodations may be 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.
