Dolphins Plus

Dolphins Plus offers a variety of daily Dolphin Swims and a Sea Lion Swim to individuals of all ages (7 and above). Unlike many other dolphin facilities that limit a swim with dolphins program to a shallow water encounter, we provide the unique opportunity to enter our dolphins homes for a true swimming with dolphins experience. You will participate in a variety of one-on-one dolphin encounters and/or sea-lion interactions, under the guidance of our highly trained staff.

Natural Dolphin Swims

Our Natural Dolphin Swims are offered twice daily, at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. During this program, participants will enter our natural seawater dolphin homes with snorkeling gear (mask and fins are required; snorkel is optional) and swim with our bottlenose dolphins. This is considered dolphin down-time, and our goal is to maintain a truly natural encounter. Therefore, customers are asked not to reach out and touch the dolphins during the swim but are encouraged to simulate dolphin body language by swimming alongside them and diving underwater with them. Swimmers can enjoy the unique experience of becoming a member of a dolphin pod, while observing their natural grace, beauty, fluidity, and curiosity. During a one-hour educational briefing preceding the swim, participants will learn about a variety of marine mammal topics, such as dolphin anatomy, reproductive biology, intelligence and communication, echolocation, and conservation. Swimmers will also receive guidelines on how to conduct themselves in the water, as well as tips on stimulating dolphin curiosity and interactive games. Participants will be in the water for either 30 minutes or 1 hour (Double Natural Swim, offered at 9:30 a.m. only). Swimmers must be a minimum of 8 years of age and should be very comfortable swimming in water that is 10-15 feet deep, without a flotation device. Prior snorkeling experience is preferred but not required. Please note that snorkeling can be extremely challenging for those not accustomed to the necessary gear (mask and fins are required; snorkel is optional). Swimmers ages 8 12 years must be accompanied in the water by a participating parent or guardian, age 18 or older. Swimmers ages 13- 17 years must be accompanied at the facility by a participating or observing parent or guardian, age 18 or older. Cant decide between Natural Dolphin Swims or Structured Dolphin Swims? Try our Dolphin Combo program. You can participate in both of our dolphin swim programs on the same day and receive a discounted combination price. Watch a Short Video Describing our Natural Dolphin Swim Program

Structured Dolphin Swim Programs

Our Structured dolphin swims are offered daily at 8:30 am, 12:45 pm, and 3:00 pm. This is not a snorkeling with dolphins program, but participants need to be able to swim, and feel comfortable in 10 - 15 feet of water wearing a flotation device. Swimmers should plan on spending at least 2 hours here at Dolphins Plus with us. The Structured Dolphins Swim program begins with an educational briefing that lasts 45 minutes to one hour. The briefing will cover some information on bottlenose dolphins in general, specifics about the bottlenose dolphin at our facility, and the various dolphin interactions you can expect during your dolphin swim program. After the briefing the class will be split into smaller groups, each group on its own platform. The swimmers in each group will take turns entering the water and interacting hands-on with the dolphins. Each swimmer will complete a series of behaviors, which may vary depending on the dolphins and trainer. Dolphin swims continue until each swimmer has completed all behaviors. One on one contact is guaranteed. This program does not involve any free swimming or snorkeling with the dolphins. All interaction is guided by a trainer. Swimmers must be at least 7 years old to participate. Swimmers age 7 to 12 years must be accompanied by a participating parent or guardian 18 or older. Swimmers age 13 to 17 must be accompanied at the facility by a participating or observing parent or guardian age 18 or older. Cant decide between Natural Dolphin Swims or Structured Dolphin Swims? Try our Dolphin Combo program. You can participate in both of our dolphin swim programs on the same day and receive a discounted combination price. Watch a Short Video Describing our Structured Dolphin Swim Program

Sea Lion Encounter

Dolphins Plus offers a Sea Lion Encounter program twice daily at 9:00 AM and 1:15 PM. The sea lion experience is an excellent blend of education and exciting interaction with a California sea lion. The swim portion of the program is preceded by a 20-30 minute educational briefing, during which participants learn about various topics including: California sea lion habitat, feeding habits, predation, reproductive biology, threats to longevity, and conservation. Swimmers also receive information about our own California sea lions life histories and personalities, as well as important guidelines for conduct during the session. The briefing concludes with a feeding and a short demonstration of behaviors by Sugar, one of our two sea lions. Following the briefing, participants have the opportunity to meet Wono, our energetic and rambunctious California sea lion. Participants will complete a series of trained behaviors with Wono during a session mediated by one of our professional marine mammal trainers. This interaction portion of the program takes part in three stages: on a floating platform, from an underwater bench, and completely in the water. The combination of behaviors varies but may include activities such as flipper tows, kisses, hugs, high fives, jumps, splash fights, and body rubs. The Sea Lion Encounter is a personalized program dedicated to one on one interaction with Wono. The experience is limited to two participants per session and is offered twice daily, seven days a week. To complete the in-water portion of this program, participants must be comfortable in water approximately 10-15 feet deep. Wono does enjoy interacting with her new human friends from the floating platform or bench, so accommodations may be made (with advance notice) for individuals who are uncomfortable in the water. Participants must be seven years of age or older and speak English. Watch a Short Video Describing our Sea Lion Program

Dolphin Education

Dolphins Plus is committed to the conservation and protection of marine mammals worldwide through education, research, experiential learning, and environmental awareness. We offer one of the most exceptional and highly reputable educational experiences to students of all ages. For more information regarding our marine mammal classes, our visiting educators program, our trainer for a day program, and our internship program, please click on one of the links below.

Watch a short video describing our classes and camps!

Dolphin Camp A fun, educational program designed for children ages 7 - 10, involving class instruction and dolphin swims.

Marine Mammalogy Lab Level I (ages 11 - 14) and Level II (ages 15 - 18+). A unique educational program, involving lectures on marine mammal topics, exciting local field trips, and dolphin swims.

Visiting Educators An opportunity for educators from around the world to visit our facility with their students to observe and study marine mammals in a natural seawater setting.

Trainer for a Day Discover what it takes to be a dolphin trainer by spending a day with one of our experienced animal care staff members.

Internship Program Qualified individuals will develop and implement individual research projects, in addition to participating in ongoing Dolphins Plus research.