Interact with our dolphins and sea lions in one of these programs
Dolphin Research Center offers a variety of terrific programs where you can interact with members of our pod.
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 Dolphin Explorer, Meet a Dolphin, Paint with a Dolphin, Play with a Dolphin, Sea Lion Splash or Hug the Sea Lion. These programs are offered daily on a walk-in basis.
Get ready for the ultimate
experience -- Trainer for a Day! Whether you're
interested in pursuing
a training career, or simply want
to know what it's like to walk in a trainer's sandals,
this all-day intensive interactive adventure is a dolphin
lover's dream come true.
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 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 a CD of 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 $675 per person. 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. To provide the fullest experience possible for each participant, DRC prefers to limit each day's adventure to no more than four people. If you have a larger group that wants to participate together, please call 305-289-0002 to see if that can be arranged.
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.
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.
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 $525 per person. To provide the fullest experience possible for each participant, DRC limits each day's adventure to no more than four 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.
A Researcher for a Day participant checks the dolphin's answer in DRC's "Less" project.
Enter the exciting world of the dolphins in Dolphin Encounter and participate in a playful, structured, interactive program. During an orientation, the trainer will explain what to expect and will also show you basic hand signals so that YOU can ask the dolphins for a variety of interactive behaviors during your session – including the energetic dorsal pull!
Ask about private Dolphin
Encounters!
Dolphin
Encounter is an educational program that includes
about 20-25 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 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. Children who
are younger than 5 may accompany their parents but
must be held on a parent’s hip at all times in the
water.
For safety reasons, the trainer may determine you are unable to participate in the dorsal pull if you do not speak or understand English well enough to fully understand their instruction. You will be offered a different interaction from the submerged platform and spend the same amount of time in-water.
Cost for the Dolphin
Encounter program is $199 per person and includes a full day admission, educational materials and a certificate upon completion of your program. Children ages four and under are $50. For an additional fee you can purchase high quality photographs taken of you during the Encounter. Advance
reservations are recommended although some walk-in spots might be available during the day.
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. <<
Plunge
into fun with the new Dolphin Dip program. Step
down onto the submerged platform and greet your
new gray-faced friend with a backrub and a flippershake.
Dance, spin, splash – then watch the dolphin
imitate you! Learn to give signals like a trainer
and applaud the dolphin's amazing athletic behavior.
Fun for the entire family, Dolphin Dip is a group activity that includes approximately 20-25 minutes of in-water time and is only $119.00 per person for ages 5 and up. Children younger than 8 must be accompanied in the water by a participating adult. Dolphin Dip is $50.00 for children 4 and under, who must be held by a parent or guardian. 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.
We're
serious about having fun! During this terrific
interactive program:
Participate in a short
orientation with your trainer about dolphin
behavior and the importance of play in a dolphin's
daily life.
Go down on the dock to
meet a dolphin face to face
Pick a toy and participate
in one of the dolphin's playtime sessions!
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 $60.00 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!
Get up close and personal in a hands-on experience with a California sea lion. Slip into the water and stand waist-deep on a submerged platform while the trainer introduces you to your new friend. Feel the sleek texture of her fur when she glides under your hand for a backrub. Smile while she smooches you on the cheek.
During this terrific program, you'll learn about their physiology, society and other interesting details, all while interacting face-to-face with one of DRC's beautiful family members.
Sea Lion Splash is offered Monday through Sunday on a walk-in basis only. The cost of this program is $80.00 plus admission for visitors age 5 to adult. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a participating adult. English is a must! Space is limited to 4 participants and spots may quickly sell.
Discover the excitement of research while having fun with the dolphins!
During this terrific interactive program you'll participate in a short orientation with the trainer about the types of research we do at DRC. Then, go down onto the dock to play learning games with the dolphins and participate in research-related activities!
Help the dolphins show off their smarts. You'll all have a great time!
Dolphin Explorer is offered Monday through Sunday on a walk-in basis only. The cost of this program is $75.00 plus admission for visitors ages 5 to adult. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a participating adult. English is a must! Space is limited to 4 participants, so visit DRC early and sign-up!
If
you've craved the chance to touch a dolphin,
this is for you! After one of our fun-filled, sessions, join the trainer on the dock to shake flippers and say hello to a new dolphin friend! Let them glide under your hand for a backrub. Ages 1 and up. A participating adult must accompany children under the age of 8. The
cost for this program is $25 per person plus
the cost of your admission to DRC. Offered on
a walk-in basis only.
Picasso, Monet or Turner? Not quite, but a Pax, Merina or Tursi-created DolphinArt T-shirt is still a classic! T-shirts painted by our dolphins are among the most popular items among visitors, staff and members! Now, you can help while a dolphin paints a shirt just for you!
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! The cost for Paint with a Dolphin is only $65 in addition to your admission price and the shirt is yours forever to wear or display. A commemorative photograph will also be available for purchase. 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.
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.
Your
day includes opportunities to build a relationship with the
dolphins, just like the trainers. You will participate in
a 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
Encounter is an educational program that includes
about 20-25 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 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. Children who
are younger than 5 may accompany their parents but
must be held on a parent’s hip at all times in the
water.
It's a toss-up who'll enjoy the
experience more -- you or the dolphins!
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! The cost for Paint with a Dolphin is only $65 in addition to your admission price and the shirt is yours forever to wear or display. A commemorative photograph will also be available for purchase. 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.
