Surprise the Guest of Honor With a Dolphin Buoy Message
One of the best ways to make the celebration extra special is to purchase a premade buoy with a personalized occasion message. During the dolphin program, a dolphin can bring the buoy to the birthday person, anniversary couple, or other guest of honor.
Available buoy messages may include:
- Happy Birthday
- Happy Anniversary
- Will You Marry Me?
A premade Happy Birthday or Happy Anniversary buoy costs an additional $50 and includes one complimentary printed photo. The buoy must be requested at least 24 hours before the program and is subject to availability.
For a wedding proposal, the dolphin can help reveal the special message. However, the engagement ring should be presented after the dolphin program on land. Jewelry, rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, watches, and body piercings are not permitted in the dolphin interaction area because loose items could fall into the water and create a safety concern for the dolphins.
How Many Guests Can Attend a Dolphin Birthday Party?
Small groups are welcome at the St. Augustine dolphin facility. Depending on program availability, a celebration may include approximately 10 to 20 people participating in the water or poolside dolphin experience. Additional family members and friends may attend as observers.
For the most comfortable gathering, Dolphin World generally recommends a total group size of approximately 20 to 40 guests, including participants and observers.
Online reservations are limited to a maximum of 10 participants. To book a group larger than 10 participants, you must call Dolphin World at 800-667-5524. Larger groups should not attempt to make multiple separate online reservations because availability, program times, and adult-to-child supervision requirements must be coordinated correctly.
St. Augustine Dolphin Swim for Older Children and Adults
The St. Augustine Dolphin Swim is the most interactive choice for confident older children, teenagers, and adults. Participants enter the water with professional dolphin trainers and enjoy a structured experience that may include touching, feeding, training signals, shallow-water interactions, and exciting deeper-water dolphin activities.
The Dolphin Swim costs $210 per participant, plus applicable taxes and fees.
Children between 48 and 54 inches tall must have at least one paid adult participant for every three children within that height range. Because of the height rules and the deeper-water portion of the program, the Dolphin Swim is usually easiest for children who are at least 54 inches tall, which is commonly around 10 years old.
Families planning a birthday party should measure every child before making a reservation. For older children and adults looking for the fullest swimming with dolphins St. Augustine experience, the Dolphin Swim is often the best choice.
St. Augustine Dolphin Encounter for Non-Swimmers
The St. Augustine Dolphin Encounter is a non-swim program that allows guests to enter a shallow-water area and interact with a dolphin without participating in the deeper-water swim activities.
Guests may have opportunities to touch, feed, and communicate with a dolphin while following instructions from a professional trainer. The Dolphin Encounter is an excellent option for adults who are not strong swimmers, families with younger children, and guests who want an in-water dolphin experience without completing a full swim.
The Dolphin Encounter costs $175 per participant, plus applicable taxes and fees.
For children from infancy through four years old, one paid adult participant is required for each child. For children age five through 54 inches tall, one paid adult participant is required for every three children in that age and height category.
These adult-to-child requirements are important when calculating the total number of paid participants for a birthday party or family group.
Dolphin Meet and Greet for Young Children
For families celebrating with younger children, the St. Augustine Dolphin Meet and Greet is usually the easiest and most affordable birthday party option.
This poolside program allows guests to meet, touch, and possibly feed a dolphin while remaining near the edge of the dolphin habitat. Participants do not complete the deeper-water activities included in the Dolphin Swim.
The Dolphin Meet and Greet costs $85 per participant, plus applicable taxes and fees.
Children age five and older may participate without a paid adult entering the program with them. However, a parent or responsible adult should remain nearby as an observer. Some young children may become nervous or start crying when they see a dolphin up close, so an observing adult should be available to assist the child when necessary.
For young children, the Dolphin Meet and Greet is generally the simplest birthday party idea. Older children, teenagers, and adults will usually prefer the Dolphin Swim or Dolphin Encounter.
Continue the Celebration at Neptune Park
After the dolphin program, your group may continue the celebration outside at Neptune Park. This semi-private outdoor area has picnic tables, including some tables located under covered areas.
Families can bring properly packed snacks and nonalcoholic beverages for their guests. Simple celebration foods may include sandwiches, fruit, cupcakes, bottled water, juice, and individually packaged snacks. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted.
Neptune Park also has nearby marine-life exhibits featuring sharks, rays, and sea turtles. Guests can visit the lookout area and enjoy beautiful views of St. Augustine Beach and the Atlantic Ocean.
The picnic area is not guaranteed to be completely private, and tables are subject to availability. Groups should keep the area clean and remain considerate of other park visitors.
Add a Free Visit to St. Augustine Beach
Families celebrating a child’s birthday may also want to visit the beach after the dolphin program. Children can build sandcastles, walk along the shoreline, take family pictures, and enjoy the ocean.
There is no admission charge to visit the beach. However, there may not be lifeguards in the immediate area. Parents and guardians must supervise children carefully, and children should never enter the ocean without responsible adult supervision.
Plan Your St. Augustine Dolphin Celebration Early
The key to arranging a successful dolphin birthday party, anniversary, or proposal is planning ahead. Dolphin program spaces are limited, especially during weekends, summer, spring break, holidays, and other popular travel periods.
When contacting Dolphin World, be prepared to provide your preferred date, the number of dolphin-program participants, the number of observers, the ages and heights of all children, and the type of celebration you are planning.
For groups of 10 participants or fewer, you may reserve your preferred program online using the links above. For groups larger than 10 participants, call Dolphin World at 800-667-5524 or email dolphinworldresponse@gmail.com.
Whether you are traveling from Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Orlando, or another part of Florida, a St. Augustine dolphin celebration can create an incredible memory for the birthday person, anniversary couple, family members, and invited guests.
