Guide to Marineland Dolphin Adventure
Meet dolphins, explore marine life and discover a piece of Florida history at Marineland Dolphin Adventure. Located along coastal A1A south of St. Augustine, this oceanfront attraction offers dolphin interactions, aquarium tours and educational presentations. Visitors can choose a general admission visit, a dockside dolphin encounter or an experience in the water.
Since 1938
Discover a Florida Original
Marineland has connected visitors with marine life since 1938. Known as the world’s first oceanarium, the attraction combines its historic roots with a focus on marine education, research and animal care. Today, guests can learn about dolphins, sea turtles, sharks and rays while exploring the connection between ocean wildlife and their habitats.
Explore with General Admission
General admission offers a way to experience Marineland without entering the water. Watch dolphin interaction programs from across the lagoon, attend a dolphin training demonstration and join scheduled animal talks and Sea to Shore Aquarium Tours. Presentations introduce visitors to animals including sea turtles, tortoises, sharks and rays.
General admission is currently listed at $20.25, with free admission for children under 4. Animal interaction programs include general admission, making it easy to explore more of the attraction before or after a reserved experience. Check the daily presentation schedule when planning a visit.
Choose a Dolphin Experience
Marineland offers several ways to meet dolphins, with options for different ages and comfort levels in the water.
Meet and Greet
Stay on land during this approximately 15-minute dockside experience. Participants stand or kneel beside the dolphin habitat for opportunities to touch, splash and interact with a dolphin. General admission and digital program photos are included. Special participation rules apply to children ages 4 and younger.
Dolphin Encounter
Interact with dolphins from a submerged platform in shallow water during this approximately 30-minute program. The experience introduces participants to dolphin care and behavior and offers an option for swimmers and non-swimmers. Children ages 3–4 may participate under specific adult accompaniment and life jacket requirements.
Connection
Explore both shallow and deep water during the approximately 30-minute Connection program. Participants learn about dolphin biology, care and social behavior while interacting with the animals. Marineland provides life jackets for all participants. Review the program’s age and adult accompaniment requirements before booking.
Immersion
Choose Immersion for an approximately 30-minute experience that combines shallow-water interaction with underwater observation using a provided snorkel mask. The program also includes a dolphin-assisted dorsal tow or belly ride. Participants must be at least 5 years old, and additional age, accompaniment and weight restrictions apply.
Discover More Animal Experiences
Create a distinctive souvenir with Dolphin Designs, an approximately 15-minute program in which participants select paint colors and hold a canvas while a dolphin creates artwork.
For a closer look at animal care, Trainer for a Day offers a four-hour experience for ages 12 and older. Participants join the training team and take part in several dolphin programs.
Other options include Stingray Splash, with opportunities to hand-feed and touch cownose rays, and Tortoise Time. Review individual program descriptions for availability and participation requirements.
Plan Your Visit
- Location: 9600 N. Oceanshore Blvd., St. Augustine, along A1A.
- Hours: Currently Wednesday–Sunday, 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m., with the last general admission ticket sold at 2 p.m. Operating schedules change seasonally.
- Parking: Free parking is available beside the attraction.
- Reservations: Reserve animal experiences ahead of time and arrive at least 60 minutes before the scheduled program.
- What to bring: For water programs, arrive in swimwear and bring a towel. Remove jewelry and loose items before dolphin interactions.
- Photography: Personal cameras and phones are permitted in public viewing areas but cannot enter dolphin program areas. Photo inclusion varies by experience.
- Accessibility: Contact Marineland before booking to discuss accommodations and individual participation needs.
Check current prices, schedules and program requirements, then reserve an experience at Marineland Dolphin Adventure.