Dolphins Plus’ Structured swim provides a thrilling marine mammal adventure of a lifetime! In this deep-water program, guests experience the speed, power, and gentle precision of our Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) via a variety of trained behaviors. Guests begin the program with an educational briefing, and acquire information concerning dolphin anatomy and biology, marine mammal and ocean conservation, and detailed descriptions of the dolphin interactions.

Following the briefing, swimmers are divided into smaller groups, in an effort to maximize and personalize each dolphin interaction. In this swim, guests are asked to enter a natural, ocean-water lagoon (10-15 feet deep) and tread water, while wearing a flotation vest. Guests take turns entering the water and interact directly with the dolphins. Each swimmer will experience fast-paced behaviors such as foot pushes and dorsal tows, participate in powerful bows over hoops and poles, interact with intimate behaviors such as handshakes, belly rubs, and kisses, and even test their skills as trainers, while giving the dolphins hand signals. A dolphin trainer guides the dolphins and the humans through a series of fun and exciting behaviors and directs each dolphin swim. Swimmers should plan on spending at least 2 hours at Dolphins Plus from start to finish.

SWIM PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Participants must understand English or bring someone that can translate in order to take part in the swim program.


• Participants should be comfortable in water that is 12 - 18 feet deep. 


• Swimmers must be at least 7 years old to participate.


• A participating parent or guardian, age 18 or older must accompany swimmers age 7 to 9 years.


• Swimmers age 10 to 17 must be accompanied at the facility by a participating or observing parent or guardian age 18 or older, but can enter the water independently.


• * Due to insurance reasons, pregnant women are unable to participate in our dolphin swims, but are welcome to sign up for the Kissed By a Dolphin Program.


• Observers entrance fee is $10 per person