Marineland Dolphin Adventure

Marineland offers a variety of ways to interact with their dolphins, as well as hands-on exhibits about marine life and the history of this classic Florida attraction.

On A1A, 18 miles south of St. Augustine.
9600 Oceanshore Blvd, St. Augustine, FL, 32080
  • (904) 471-1111
3.5

Hours of Operation

Sun - Sat: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

  • The World's First Oceanarium, Marineland opened in 1938 as "Marine Studios." Now a dolphin conservation center, Marineland Dolphin Adventure offers a number of ways to interact with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, as well as hands-on exhibits and educational programs to inspire and connect guests with marine life. Marineland is located just south of St. Augustine on scenic A1A.

    Dolphin Packages

    The Dolphin Immersion Program - Visitors can touch, feed and interact with dolphins in both shallow and deep water during this 30-minute seasonal encounter. Suitable for ages 5 and up. Children under 10 must be accompanied by paying participating adult 16 years or older. $219.00 (September through February) - $235.00 (March through August).

    Trainer for a Day - This program allows visitors to see what it's like to be a dolphin trainer! Teens and adults can can hang out with Marineland's trainers and learn what it's like to teach and train dolphins. This is a five-hour opportunity which includes participating in Immersion and Dolphin Designs programs along with other activities. Suitable for ages 13 and up. Ask about Marineland's 3-day trainer camp. $485.00 per day

    Discover Dolphins - A 20-minute interaction experience. Vacationers can feed, touch and interact with bottlenose dolphins in Marineland's shallow water habitat. Suitable for ages 5 and up, however children under the age of 8 need to be accompanied by a paying participating adult 13 years or older. $179.00 (September through February) – $199.00 (March through August).

    Dolphin Designs - Create a work of art with a dolphin artist! This activity allows you to interact with Marineland's dolphins and create a truly unique and unforgettable piece of art. Suitable for ages 5 and up. $99.00

    Touch and Feed - This activity allows visitors to Marineland to feed and interact with bottlenose dolphins pool side. Suitable for ages three and up, however children under 8 need to be accompanied by a paying participating adult 13 years or older. $36.95

    Also, Marineland offers a Behind the Seas Tour for $26.95. This Behind the Seas Tour will take visitors behind the scenes and below the deck to tour the facility and animal habitats and learn about Marineland Dolphin Adventure's unique and fascinating history spanning over 80 years.  This includes the pioneering work in aquatic animal research, the advancement of life support systems for aquatic environments and exhibits featuring live animals of the Southeast region of the United States. Seniors (ages 60+) are $25.95. Children (ages 3 - 12) are $16.95.

    History

    The idea for Marineland, the World’s First Oceanarium, first came from W. Douglas Burden, Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, Sherman Pratt and Ilya Tolstoy. They imagined a place where sea creatures could live and thrive in a simulated ocean environment. Fred Henderich and Company designed the premises of Marineland, and was also responsible for the Orange Street School, the Y.M.C.A. building, Plaza Bandstand, the original Flagler Hospital, Florida Normal College, Excelsior School, and the Visitor’s Center. The ocean park was constructed by Arthur Franklin Perry Co. from the Jacksonville area. “Marine Studios” opened on June 23, 1938 with its biggest attraction being the bottlenose dolphin. More than 20,000 visitors attended the opening. Originally, Marineland consisted of a Circular Oceanarium that held 400,000 gallons of water, and a Rectangular Oceanarium that held 450,000 gallons of water. But several outside amenities began to spring up around it including the Marineland Motel, the Dolphin Restaurant, the Moby Dick Lounge, and Marineland Marina.

    Marineland consists of 125 acres between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. It was made a sophisticated destination due to its association with Ilya Tolstoy who was the grandson of Leo Tolstoy, and even famous writers such as Ernest Hemingway and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings graced Moby Dick’s Bar with their presence. The site was a filming location for many movies including Creature from the Black Lagoon, Revenge of the Creature, Sea Hunt, and Benji Takes a Dive. Benji was the first dog to scuba dive, and he did so at Marineland. Over 900,000 visitors came each year to Marineland through the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s to see their spectacular Dolphin show.

    Throughout the years, Marineland has pioneered studies in marine science, animal training, water chemistry and more. Marineland served as the model by which other aquariums, oceanariums and marine parks based their own development and design. Marineland was also the first to successfully breed and train Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, and it was the early scientists there who discovered dolphin echolocation, social behavior and communication. Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, who was the major stockholder of the private company, opted to sell the marine park in the mid-1980’s. In 2004, following a series of hurricanes, Marineland retired most of the original, older structures and exhibits, and began construction on a new, updated facility focusing on education and intimate animal-human interactions.

    In 2006, Marineland was reborn as a modern 1.3 million gallon facility designed with the behavioral needs of the animal, the viewing capabilities of the scientist, logistical needs of the trainer, and the “edutainment” needs of guests in mind. Three bottlenose dolphins were born at the newly constructed Dolphin Conservation Center in July 2008. Marineland has operated as a subsidiary of the Georgia Aquarium since January 2011. Gone are the days of circus routines and jumping through hoops while loud music and narration set the tone. Now the guests join the animals in their habitats and make the physical and emotional connection that inevitably leads to a true understanding of why there is a need to protect these incredible animals and their marine environment. The Marineland of Florida property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

    Marineland offers summer camps, school field trips, and animal training seminars, in addition to private events such as weddings, corporate functions, and neighborhood meetings. 

    Marineland is located on A1A about 18 miles south of St. Augustine.

  • Reviews

    Sterling Brundick on July 30, 2017 - 7:49pm

    1
    A complete and total rip-off. This is not the Marineland that it once was, with the wonderful shows. Now, they charge you first an entrance fee and then charge additional fees for "participation" of various themes, depending on your wallet size. What is so irritating is they charge the adults that are there simple to accompany their children, a fee of like $16.50 each just to hold down the asphalt. That's it. And then a ridiculous fee of $36.95 per child to participate in a 5 minute "Touch & Feed". That's the least expensive activty. It goes up from there. I understand that it cost a great deal of money to "house" the dolphins and take care of them, but the fees are out of site. And they should not charge an adult that is simply accompaning their children and not participating in an event. Because there is nothing for them to do or see. There is no "show" anymore. $115.35 to stand in the heat and throw a couple of sardines to the dolphins. That's a little steep. Never again.

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    Lucy Robinson on December 2, 2013 - 12:01am

    2
    Since the Georgia Aquarium said the purchase of Marineland would be for 'dolphin rescue, rehab,

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    Bobbi Kretschmer on April 20, 2012 - 12:20pm

    5
    This was in my bucket list, It was far more than I ever expected The staff was informative yet friendly, I felt no fear when I did walk up to this 13ft beauty Part the way she Betty made me fee,part the prior run thru with our instructor's.There were 2 baby's in there at the time so I was so lucky to see those up close and personel. Thanks for the memories, I lost everything in a fire,among my life's belonging's my great portrait Sunny painted for me while I held the canvas-that was special! But so is every time I just drop in to see how they are doing! Keep UP the Good Work Staff and everyone involved!

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    kelli on April 12, 2012 - 5:36am

    5
    since dolphin arent fish I wouldnt exspect you to appreciate it

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    Mason Sinderwood on March 20, 2012 - 8:24pm

    4
    Swimming with the Dolphins. Well, to me it was the best time in my life. Out of all the things I did inSt. Agugstine, if was the best!!!! :)

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    Anonymous on February 12, 2012 - 12:28pm

    1
    it was very boring to watch fish jump out of water for the price of the ticket. nothing to do there

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    Anonymous on February 25, 2012 - 8:38pm

    4
    We've taken our 3 and 4 year old there twice now and they love to watch the dolphins. Recommend going on a weekday when it's not so crowded.

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  • Events & Promos at Marineland Dolphin Adventure

    Salt Air Farmer's Market July 22, 2018 - 10:00am
    Salt Air Farmer's Market July 29, 2018 - 10:00am
    Salt Air Farmer's Market August 5, 2018 - 10:00am
    Salt Air Farmer's Market August 12, 2018 - 10:00am
    Salt Air Farmer's Market August 19, 2018 - 10:00am
    Salt Air Farmer's Market August 26, 2018 - 10:00am
    Salt Air Farmer's Market September 2, 2018 - 10:00am
    Salt Air Farmer's Market September 9, 2018 - 10:00am
    Salt Air Farmer's Market September 16, 2018 - 10:00am
    GTM Research Reserve/Marineland Lecture September 18, 2018 - 10:00am

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