The Dolphin Connection is a 30-minute shallow- and deep-water dolphin experience that gives you the opportunity to touch, play, and interact with a dolphin. You’ll begin in shallow water before moving into deeper water, where you can pet, play, and swim alongside the dolphins. While there are no dolphin rides in this program, you’ll enjoy the peaceful and exciting experience of sharing the water with dolphins as they swim naturally around you.
Your experience also includes General Admission, a Dolphin Educational Briefing, and a special guided tour of Neptune Park and the Aquarium Room. Neptune Park is an outdoor area where you can see dolphins, sea turtles, and sand tiger sharks while exploring more of the park.
Paid participants must be 5 years of age or older to participate. Adult $210 / Child $210
Book Your Dolphin Connnetion << Click
The time slots available includes a guaranteed 30 minute dolphin program, educational briefing, animal exhibits, changing time, & reviewing your photos. Total time of activities is about 1 1/2 – 2 hours. Check in 1 hour before activity time.
Must Meet Age Requirement Adult $210 / Child $210+tax/fee
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John’s Insider Tip:
I really enjoy the Dolphin Connection Swim because it offers a completely different kind of dolphin experience. The focus isn’t on being pushed or pulled through the water. Instead, it’s about the quiet, gentle feeling of being in the deep water with the dolphins as they swim beside you and around you. There’s something really cool about simply sharing the water with them and experiencing the dolphins in a more relaxed way. If having a dolphin ride is an important part of your bucket-list experience, I recommend upgrading to the Dolphin Immersion Swim, which includes the ride.
Want a Ride with the Dolphins?
If you want the excitement of a dolphin ride along with shallow- and deep-water activities, then the Dolphin Immersion Swim is the program for you.
Click Here to See the Dolphin Immersion Swim
Not Comfortable Swimming in Deep Water?
No problem! If you prefer to stay in shallow water and enjoy hands-on time with a dolphin without any deep-water swimming, choose the Dolphin Encounter (Non-Swim).
Click Here to See the Dolphin Encounter
The Dolphin Facility is on South St Augustine Beach. You will get complete written directions with your ticket. < Map >
Driving Times: These times are approximate from the location listed below to St Augustine Beach, depending on traffic and weather conditions
John’s Insider Tip:
For all my Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, and Orlando guests, why not turn your dolphin experience into a day trip you won’t forget?
For my Orlando friends, make it a dolphin and beach day. After your dolphin experience, head over to nearby St. Augustine Beach, where the beach is free to enjoy. Spend some time swimming, walking along the beach, or simply relaxing by the ocean before heading back to Orlando.
For my Daytona Beach and Jacksonville dolphin lovers, make a full day of it! Come enjoy your dolphin swim and then head into historic St. Augustine. Explore the historic fort, walk the charming streets, visit the shops and restaurants, or take a horse-drawn carriage ride through town.
Dolphins, the beach, and historic St. Augustine—all in one day. Now that’s a Florida day trip to remember!
St. Augustine is one of those places that instantly feels like you stepped into another era—America’s oldest city, packed with charm, history, and nonstop things to do. Explore the iconic Spanish fortress, Castillo de San Marcos, then slow things down with a classic carriage ride through the cobblestone streets of the historic district, where every corner has a story. Between the museums, shops, beaches, ghost tours, live music, and world-class restaurants, it’s the kind of destination that keeps your days full and your nights unforgettable. And if you’re coming all this way, don’t stop at sightseeing—add a once-in-a-lifetime dolphin experience to your trip. Swimming with the dolphins St. Augustine is only about 30 minutes by car, and it’s the perfect “wow moment” to complete your vacation. Don’t forget this incredible dolphin adventure!
Must Meet Age Requirement Adult $210 / Child $210+tax/fee
Choose Your Dolphin Connection Date << Click
The Dolphin Connection is approximately a 30-minute shallow- and deep-water dolphin experience. You’ll have opportunities to touch, interact, play, and swim alongside bottlenose dolphins. Unlike the Dolphin Immersion Swim, the Dolphin Connection focuses on swimming and interacting naturally with the dolphins and does not include a dolphin ride.
Participants must be at least 5 years old. Children ages 5–7 must have one paid adult participant (18+) in the water for each child. Guests ages 8–17 may participate in the water without an adult alongside them, but they must have a paid adult participant or paid observer (18+) accompanying them at the facility.
The Dolphin Connection includes both shallow- and deep-water activities, so participants should be comfortable entering deeper water and able to follow the trainers’ directions. Everyone is required to wear a provided life vest during the in-water experience. If you are not comfortable going into deep water, the shallow-water Dolphin Encounter may be a better choice.
No. The Dolphin Connection does not include a dolphin ride. Instead, you’ll experience the peaceful and exciting feeling of sharing the water with dolphins as they swim around and alongside you. If having a dolphin ride is an important part of your experience, choose the Dolphin Immersion Swim, which includes a dolphin ride.
Before entering the water, you’ll participate in an approximately 15-minute educational presentation where you’ll learn about bottlenose dolphins, their behavior, communication, and care. Your Dolphin Connection includes approximately 30 minutes of shallow- and deep-water activities. You should also allow additional time for check-in, changing, exploring the animal exhibits, and viewing your professional photos after the program.
Yes. Family members and friends who don’t want to participate in the water can purchase Observer Admission. Observers can watch their family member or friend during the Dolphin Connection and also enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility.
Personal cameras, phones, smart glasses, and other outside electronic devices are not permitted during the in-water dolphin program. Professional photographers will capture special moments throughout your experience, and professional photo packages are available for purchase after your program.
Arrive with your bathing suit already on underneath your clothing and bring your own towel. Lockers, showers, and changing rooms are available. Jewelry, piercings, cameras, hats, and other loose personal items must be removed before entering the dolphin area. During colder winter months, wetsuit tops may be available to help keep participants comfortable in the water.
The Dolphin Park is located at 9600 N. Oceanshore Blvd., St. Augustine, FL 32080. The park is south of historic St. Augustine and convenient for visitors planning a dolphin experience as part of a St. Augustine Beach vacation or day trip.
Age and adult-supervision requirements vary depending on the dolphin experience you choose. Before booking, review the requirements listed on the individual program page to make sure everyone in your family qualifies for the selected activity.
Yes. Parking is FREE for guests visiting the Dolphin Park in St. Augustine. The outdoor parking area is conveniently located next to the facility.
Reservations are generally non-refundable. Refunds may be provided when the Dolphin Park cancels a scheduled program. Because dolphin experiences have limited availability, be sure to confirm your date, program, and number of participants before completing your reservation.
Reservation changes may be possible depending on availability and management approval. If you need to make a change, contact us as soon as possible. Waiting until the day of your program may limit the available options.
Plan to arrive at least 60 minutes before your scheduled dolphin program. This gives you enough time for parking, check-in, changing, and any required instructions before your experience begins. Dolphin programs cannot be delayed or stopped to accommodate late arrivals.
Pets are not permitted. Trained service animals are allowed, but emotional support animals are not considered service animals for this policy. Guests bringing a service animal should also be prepared to provide proof of current rabies vaccination.
Guests may bring food and beverages and enjoy them in designated areas. Snacks and drinks are also available for purchase at the Gift Shop, and the Ragga Surf Cafe food truck is located on the property. Please remember that drinking straws are not permitted.
You may use your camera in public areas of the park. However, personal cameras, phones, smart glasses, and other electronic devices are not permitted in the dolphin program areas. Guests watching from the designated viewing area may take photographs of the programs.
Dolphin experiences normally operate rain or shine, so a rainy Florida day does not automatically mean your program will be canceled. Programs may be temporarily postponed when lightning is detected within 5 miles of the facility. Guests will be directed to a safe indoor location until conditions allow activities to resume.
If weather conditions prevent the Dolphin Park from completing your experience by the end of the day, options may include rescheduling, receiving a credit to rebook within one year, or receiving a full or partial refund when the program is canceled by the park, depending on how much of the experience was completed. Ticketing fees are not refundable because of weather.
Don’t let a cooler St. Augustine day stop you from enjoying your dolphin experience. During colder periods, neoprene jackets may be provided upon request to help keep participants more comfortable in the water. Full wetsuits are not provided, and guests may not wear their own personal wetsuits during the program.
No. For the safety of both guests and the dolphins, all jewelry and loose personal items must be removed before participating. This includes earrings, piercings, bracelets, necklaces, permanent jewelry, and other items that cannot safely remain on during the interaction.
The Dolphin Park may be able to accommodate guests with a variety of needs. If someone in your party has an emotional, behavioral, developmental, or physical condition that could affect participation, it is important to discuss those needs before the day of your visit. Advance notice gives the staff an opportunity to determine what accommodations may be available and help make the experience as comfortable and safe as possible.
Looking for a gift they will remember long after they open it? Give someone special a St. Augustine Dolphin Experience Gift Card and let them choose an unforgettable adventure with dolphins. It’s a great gift for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, graduations, family vacations, or a special surprise. Instead of giving another ordinary present, give them the opportunity to get up close with dolphins and create memories they can talk about for years.
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Planning ahead can help you save money on your St. Augustine dolphin experience. To receive one of the online discounts below, you must enter the appropriate Online Discount Promotional Code in the discount box on the payment page when making your reservation.
Important: Promotional discounts must be applied when you make your online reservation. Discounts cannot be added to previous orders and cannot be combined with other discounts, promotions, or special offers.
After completing your reservation, you will receive a dolphin program confirmation number. When you arrive at the Dolphin Park in St. Augustine, proceed to the check-in window and provide your confirmation number or the last name associated with your reservation.
