Interact with our dolphins in one of these terrific programs Dolphin Research Center offers a variety of terrific programs where you can interact with our dolphins. Trainer for a Day, Researcher for a Day, Dolphin Encounter and Dolphin Dip can all be reserved in advance and online! Read the descriptions for the programs that interest you. When you’ve made your choice, click to our online reservation system to check availability and reserve your dolphin interaction! Please note that we do not accept advance reservations for Meet a Dolphin, Paint with a Dolphin and Play with a Dolphin. These programs are offered daily on a walk-in basis.
	DOLPHINLAB		MEET THE DOLPHIN
	TRAINER FOR A DAY		PAINT WITH A DOLPHIN
	RESEARCHER FOR A DAY		DOLPHIN DAYCATION
	DOLPHIN ENCOUNTER		SPECIAL NEEDS PROGRAM
	DOLPHIN DIP		RESERVATION POLICIES
	PLAY WITH THE DOLPHINS		ACCOMMODATIONS

In Trainer for a Day, one of our experienced Animal Care and Training staff members teaches you about animal training techniques and how we use them with the DRC pod. You'll be paired with a trainer throughout the day-long journey. See how we prepare meals in the Fish House and assist during various behavioral sessions.

Your day includes opportunities to build a relationship with the dolphins, just like the trainers. You will participate in a Deep Water Dolphin Encounter with your new friends, experiencing them in their own element. All of the DRC trainers begin by learning how to play with the dolphins, and your day also includes playtime, where you learn what kinds of games different dolphins enjoy. You and the dolphins will even work together to create a work of art while they paint you a one-of-a-kind Dolphin Art T-shirt.

What is it like to communicate with another species? As you spend the day with your dolphin trainer friends you will hear first hand tips of how to read and understand dolphin behavior. Learn how DRC uses positive reinforcement to share new behaviors with the dolphins and sea lions. Then, the explanation comes alive as you join the trainer on the dock and experience the joy of communicating with the dolphins yourself. You may help the trainer shape new behaviors. You will learn and use hand cues (like sign language) to ask for specific behaviors. You be the judge. Was the dive high enough? Blow your whistle to reinforce that the dolphin did an A+ job. The real excitement comes when the dolphins race back to you at the dock, pumped up with the thrill of their accomplishment! Then you lavish love and praise on them as a reward and thank you.

Lunch brings more informal time with your trainer. Ask all the questions you've always wanted answered. Hear personal anecdotes of their own experiences with their dolfriends and sea lion friends. Be prepared to eat and run, because a trainer's life is always busy. Go behind the scenes of our sea lion habitat and learn some of the differences and similarities in training the two different species. Ascend our research tower and learn how to observe dolphin behavior from the perspective of our research team. The dolphins teach us so much, and we want to share in the knowledge.

By the end of your visit, we guarantee you'll know what a true day-in-the-life of a dolphin trainer is all about. Your trainer whistle, painted T-shirt, and color photographs of you and your new dolphin friends are yours to remind you of your day. Most importantly, you'll have gained treasured friendships and vibrant memories to ensure that Trainer for a Day is an experience you'll never forget!

This unique training adventure is available daily by advance reservation for only $650 per person. To provide the fullest experience possible for each participant, DRC prefers to limit each day's adventure to no more than four people. However, a family or group of six can be accommodated by special arrangements. Participants must be able to speak and understand English. The program is open for individuals age 5 and up. Although the program is not geared for younger children, they are welcome to participate to the level of their ability. A participating adult must accompany children 12 and under.

For reservation policies and more information about the program, click here.

Reservations for Guests with Disabilities

Dolphin Research Center welcomes guests with disabilities. We assist and enable individuals to participate in the dolphin interactive programs by removing the barriers with specialized equipment and in-water or on-the- dock assistance, if needed. For the guest’s safety and comfort, we must be advised if there are any physical or mental conditions that could affect a guest's participation so we may plan accordingly to meet those needs.

Guests with disabilities, to reserve a program, please click here.

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Researcher for a Day: Delve into the fascinating world of marine mammal science with Dolphin Research Center's exciting new Researcher for a Day program. Spend the day as part of the research team, and get an inside look at current research studies.

A Researcher For a Day watches Talon make his selection in one of our Numbers studies

Picture yourself taking part in projects to explore the intelligence of our dolphins and sea lions. Learn how the dolphins are trained to understand the tasks. Help collect valuable data that adds to our knowledge base about these amazing animals.

When you arrive, research staff members, who will serve as your teammates and teachers, meet you to begin the experience. A researcher's day is never boring and always busy, so come prepared to get to work right away! Throughout the day, you'll participate in a variety of sessions, with personalized instruction and hands-on responsibilities.

Lunch is included before it's time to get busy again with more activities.

Since no day at Dolphin Research Center is all work and no play for humans or marine mammals, you'll go down on the dock to enjoy a playtime session with the dolphins and slip into a lagoon for Dolphin Dip - our very popular wade-in interactive program!

By the end of your visit, we guarantee you'll know what it's like to be a marine mammal research scientist. Beautiful color photographs of you and your new dolphin friends are yours to remind you of your day. Most importantly, you'll have gained greater insight into these fantastic, fascinating marine mammals.

This unique research experience is available, on a limited basis, weekdays only by advance reservation for $500 per person. To provide the fullest experience possible for each participant, DRC limits each day's adventure to no more than three people. However, other groups can be accommodated by special arrangements. Participants must be at least age 5, but the program is not geared to younger children. A participating adult must accompany children ages 12 and under. Participants must be able to speak and understand English.

For reservation policies and more information about the program, click here.

Reservations for Guests with Disabilities

Dolphin Research Center welcomes guests with disabilities. We assist and enable individuals to participate in the dolphin interactive programs by removing the barriers with specialized equipment and in-water or on-the-dock assistance, if needed. For the guest’s safety and comfort, we must be advised if there are any physical or mental conditions that could affect a guest's participation so we may plan accordingly to meet those needs.

Guests with disabilities, to reserve a program, please click here.

Program participants hold objects in a match-to-sample game with Tanner and Emily Guarino, Administrative Director of Research.

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The Deep Water Dolphin Encounter includes the energetic dorsal pull. Not a swimmer, or uncomfortable in deep water? Choose the Shallow Water Dolphin Encounter for a great time while remaining on the submerged platform.

Ask about private Dolphin Encounters!

Dolphin Encounter is an educational program that includes about 20 minutes of structured time in the water, so please plan accordingly. You are invited to spend as much time as you like watching sessions before and after your program. To participate in the Deep Water program, guests must be at least 5 years old, and children ages 5 through 7 must be accompanied in the water by a paid adult participant. Guests must also be able to speak and understand English.

The Shallow Water Encounter is open to all ages with no language requirement. A participating adult must accompany children younger than 8. Children ages 4 and younger must be held on the parent’s hip while in the water.

Cost for either Dolphin Encounter program is $189 per person and includes a full day admission, educational materials and a certificate upon completion of your program. Children ages four and under are free. For an additional fee you can purchase high quality photographs taken of you during the encounter. Advance reservations are required since program availability is limited.

For reservation policies and more information about the program, click here.

Reservations for Guests with Disabilities

Dolphin Research Center welcomes guests with disabilities. We assist and enable individuals to participate in the dolphin interactive programs by removing the barriers with specialized equipment and in-water or on-the- dock assistance, if needed. For the guest’s safety and comfort, we must be advised if there are any physical or mental conditions that could affect a guest's participation so we may plan accordingly to meet those needs.

Guests with disabilities, to reserve a program, please click here.

>> Absolutely no reservations will be accepted by mail, fax or electronic mail. <<

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Fun for the entire family, Dolphin Dip is a group activity that includes approximately 20-25 minutes of in-water time and is only $104.00 per person for ages 5 and up. Children younger than 8 must be accompanied in the water by a participating adult. Dolphin Dip is free for children 4 and under, who must be held by a parent or guardian. Group size is limited to no more than 6 people. A professional photographer will take pictures of your experience that will be available for purchase. Dolphin Dip is available by reservation and on a walk-in basis.

For reservation policies and more information about the program, click here.

Reservations for Guests with Disabilities

Dolphin Research Center welcomes guests with disabilities. We assist and enable individuals to participate in the dolphin interactive programs by removing the barriers with specialized equipment and in-water or on-the- dock assistance, if needed. For the guest’s safety and comfort, we must be advised if there are any physical or mental conditions that could affect a guest's participation so we may plan accordingly to meet those needs.

Guests with disabilities, to reserve a program, please click here.

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It's a toss-up who'll enjoy the experience more -- you or the dolphins!

Play with the Dolphins is offered Monday through Sunday afternoons. The cost of this program is $50.00 plus admission for visitors ages 5 to adult. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a participating adult. Available on a walk-in basis only, space is limited to 6 participants, and is offered daily, so visit DRC early and sign-up!

For more information, call 305-289-1121.

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After watching an exciting behavior session, you'll join the trainers on the dock for an up close introduction to the dolphins. Then kneel and hold the T-shirt over the water while the dolphins use the colors you chose and paint! We'll take a commemorative photograph. The cost for Paint with a Dolphin is only $55 in addition to your admission price and the shirt is yours forever to wear or display. The program is open to ages 3 and up. A participating adult must accompany children younger than age 8. If the adult does not wish to participate fully in the program, then a nominal $10 fee will be charged.

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A college-accredited program which allows participants to spend a week immersed in the world of dolphins. Imagine playing a rousing, wet game of seaweed toss, using a hand signal to communicate a request, touching a sleek gray fin offered in trust, and attending seminars outlining what is known about dolphins, as well as the vast realm of the unknown. Upon completing the Basic course, participants may wish to extend their knowledge and experience by pursuing the Intermediate and Advanced DolphinLab courses. Modified versions of the Basic course are also offered for schools or special interest groups. To learn more about our DolphinLab and Dolphin Camp programs, please click here.

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