Punta Cana Dolphin Family Encounter (Non-Swim) | Shallow-Water Experience
$120 per Adult/$120 per Child
– Must be 36 inches / 3′ / 90 cm+
Book Now
Punta Cana Dolphin Family Experience Encounter (Non-Swim)
You and your kids can enjoy a safe, fun, all-ages dolphin activity in Punta Cana designed especially
for families. The Dolphin Encounter is a non-swim, shallow-water program that teaches
kids (and adults) about dolphins in a way that’s educational, exciting, and respectful. It’s one of the best choices
for children because it introduces them to dolphins up close while learning how to treat animals with care.
Details: Your Dolphin Encounter
- 15–20 minute educational briefing before you enter the water
- 30-minute shallow-water experience (no swimming) including hands-on interaction such as
touching and simple training behaviors
- You’ll also get to pet, play, hold, and kiss your dolphin
- Personal photo opportunities with a dolphin (photos purchased separately)
- A waist flotation belt is provided for use during the session
(wetsuits are not provided)
- Please wear your swimsuit and bring a towel
- Lockers, outdoor freshwater rinse, and changing rooms available at no charge.
- Each dolphin session is unique, based on the guests and the dolphins
- Due to limited space on Dolphin Island, no observers/companions are allowed to watch the dolphin interaction
- Maximum group size: 12 participants per dolphin platform
Age & Adult Participation Rules (Required)
- Ages 5–17: Must have one paid adult (18+) in the water with them
(ratio: 1 adult per up to 3 children ages 5–17)
- Ages 1–4: Must have one paid adult (18+) in the water with them
(ratio: 1 adult per 1 child ages 1–4)
Available With Your Program
Your reserved time slot includes a guaranteed Dolphin Family Encounter (non-swim) plus a
short educational briefing before you meet the dolphins. You’ll also receive
round-trip transportation from your resort to the private beach and back.
Soft drinks are included, and your day also features a boat ride to Dolphin Island
plus snorkeling with sharks and rays. Please plan for up to 4 hours total for all
activities.
Note: The park is closed on Sundays.
$120 per Adult/$120 per Child
– Must be 36 inches / 3′ / 90 cm+
Book Now
Bávaro Beach / Punta Cana Location
Dolphin Island is located inside a private park. This location is between
Bávaro Beach and Punta Cana International Airport.
MAP
Hotel / Resort Guests: Free Pick Up
Free pickup is available from the resorts listed below.
Monday to Saturday (AM and PM pickups)
Bahia Aquamarine, Bahia Bavaro, Bahia Fantasia, Bahia Punta Cana, Barcelo Beach, Barcelo Palace, Bavaro Princes,
Caribe Club Princes, Dreams Royal, Iberostar Bavaro, Iberostar Dominicana, Iberostar Grand, Iberostar Punta Cana,
Impressive, Lopesan, Majestic Colonial, Majestic Elegance, Majestic Mirage, Melia Caribe, Melia Falcon, Melia Punta
Cana, Occidental Caribe, Occidental Gran Punta Cana, Ocean Blue, Palladium Bavaro/Meeting Point, Palladium Palace,
Paradisus Palma Real, Paradisus Palma Real The Reserve, Punta Cana Princes, Riu Bambu, Riu Naiboa, Riu Palace Bavaro,
Riu Palace Macao / Meeting Point, Riu Palace Punta Cana, Riu Republica, Royalton Bavaro, Royalton Punta Cana,
Royalton Splash, Secrets Royal Beach, Vik, Vista Sol, Whala.
To see Bávaro Beach pick-up times for the Dolphin Program,
click here Bavaro Beach transfer times.
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday (morning pickups only)
- Catalonia Bavaro — 8:00
- Catalonia Royal — 8:05
- Dreams Flora — 7:35
- Dreams Palm Beach — 7:40
- Jewel Palm Beach — 7:40
- Serenade — 7:50
- Sumscape Coco (Antiguo Belive) — 7:45
- Arrival at Base DIP
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (morning pickups only)
- Breathless — 7:15
- Dreams Macao — 7:45
- Dreams Onyx — 7:20
- Excellence El Carmen — 7:10
- Excellence Finest — 7:05
- Excellence Punta Cana — 6:50
- Hard Rock — 7:45
- Nickelodeon — 7:25
- Ocean El Faro — 7:30
- Royalton Chic — 7:25
- Secrets Tides — 7:10
- Sirenis — 7:05
- Wyndham Alltra (Jewel Punta Cana) — 7:20
- Zoetry — 6:45
Getting to the Location
You can arrive by rental car or taxi (directions available upon request), or you can reserve
transportation when booking your program (hotel → location → hotel). Transportation is
included with your dolphin program reservation.
Please note: Service is not available for hotels in the La Romana zone.
Photography
A professional photographer will take photos of you and your group with the dolphins
(photos only, no video).
- No personal cameras are allowed in the water with the dolphins or in the dolphin staging area.
- Digital photo packages (about 20–30 photos) are available for each program. For in-water programs, pricing is
$80+ for 1–2 people (all photos) and $120+ for
3 or more people (all photos). Single digital photos are $50 each.
- Any questions about photo packages and pricing, please speak to the Photo Manager on site.
Swim With Dolphins in Punta Cana
Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin Experience — Bávaro Beach
Meet an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin up close in Bávaro Beach / Punta Cana.
You’ll begin with an interactive briefing to learn dolphin basics and what to expect. Then you’ll enter
the water for hands-on interaction—touching, playing, kissing, and practicing
simple training behaviors with a dolphin.
$120 per Adult/$120 per Child
– Must be 36 inches / 3′ / 90 cm+
Book Now
Bávaro Beach & Punta Cana Vacation Guide
All-Inclusive Resorts, Beautiful Beaches, and Swim With Dolphins
Bávaro Beach and Punta Cana are two of the Dominican Republic’s top vacation areas, known for
turquoise water, soft white sand, and a relaxed all-inclusive resort
lifestyle that makes travel simple. Families, couples, and friend groups love the region for its oceanfront resorts,
great dining, huge pools, and quick access to some of the best beaches in the Caribbean.
Whether you want a calm beach day or a livelier scene with beach bars and water sports, Bávaro Beach delivers
that classic “tropical escape” vibe. And when you’re ready to do something truly unforgettable beyond
the resort, Punta Cana offers adventures like snorkeling, hiking, and the
Dolphin Encounter (non-swim)—a family-friendly experience that’s perfect for guests of all
ages.
Refunds / Cancellations and Changes:
All cancellations must be received by Dolphin World / Keys Adventure Tours, Inc. in writing by email or regular mail.
- A 10% service charge will apply per person for any cancellations prior 31 days of activity date.
- A 50% service charge will apply per person for any cancellations within 30 – 15 day period prior activity date.
- A 75% service charge will apply per person for any cancellations within 14 – 8 day period prior activity date.
- Prior 8 days of your reservation date, you may change your reservation to a gift certificate, where you would not incur any penalties except the change fee. This gift certificate will be good for 1 year from the date of the certificate.
- NO REFUND WILL BE GIVEN TO ANY ACTIVITY PARTICIPANTS who cancel within the 7 day period, does not show up, are late for scheduled program(s). Once a reservation has a confirmation number and confirmed, a refund or change can only be made more than 7 days of the activity date and any change to the program date is subject to availability. Changes made to existing reservations are subject to a $25.00 per person change fee.
- The Dolphin Swim goes on Rain or Shine.
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THE PURCHASE OF TRIP INSURANCE, which will cover your purchase 100% for any interruptions to your Dolphin World activities! We recommend TravelEx Insurance. Ask a Dolphin World Travel professional for advice on Travel Insurance.
Includes: Dolphin Family Experience Program – Enjoy a 30-minute shallow-water dolphin experience where you’ll touch, play, kiss, and learn simple training behaviors with a dolphin—while keeping your feet on the ground the whole time. Perfect for non-swimmers and first-timers, this program is all about close-up interaction in safe, shallow water (no swimming with the dolphins). Includes transportation from most resorts. Book Now!
