If you’re like most people, you only get vacation time once a year. And you want that vacation time to be spent somewhere amazing doing something memorable. But how do you choose the right activities and destination?
Well, if you live in a cold climate and your vacation lands during winter break, then chances are you’ll choose someplace warm and tropical to visit. Well, there are a ton of those destinations to choose from. And for each, there are a plethora of activities to choose from as well.
How about we make things very easy for you. When it comes to visiting someplace sunny and warm, you simply can’t beat Florida. It’s right in our own back yard and it’s a pretty place with gorgeous weather. And, when it comes to family-fun activities, Florida has no shortage of those!
But let’s get even more specific: We think you and your family will have a wonderful time visiting Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and while there, swimming with dolphins!
Why Visit Jacksonville Beach?
If you’ve never been to Jacksonville Beach, you’re in for a wonderful surprise. Located along Florida’s “First Coast,” Jacksonville Beach is known for its vast stretches of pristine beach, a newly redesigned golf course, famous fishing pier and a ton of fun water activities for you and your family can enjoy. There are also a lot of delicious eateries and great shopping destinations if your idea of thrills is a seafood lunch followed by bargain hunting.
One of the things Jacksonville Beach is known for are the dolphins that swim and frolic just outside the surf life. Visitors and native residents are charmed almost daily to witness these creatures play. But it’s a bit hard to swim with them when they are out beyond the surf line. But we know someplace where you can easily and safely swim with dolphins, and that’s at Marineland in St. Augustine, just a short drive away.
Keep reading to learn about the wonderful dolphin swim programs. We’ll also give you some suggestions on accommodations and other activities you and your family may enjoy.
There is something for everyone here !
Dolphin Swim Programs Near Jacksonville Beach
What is it about dolphins that allows them to easily capture the hearts and imaginations of so many people? Is it their playfulness? Their acrobatic skills? Or maybe their high intelligence that makes us want to get close to them? Probably a combination of all of these traits.
I’ve had the opportunity (and privilege) to swim with dolphins St Augustine and interact with them, and I can tell you, they really are magical animals. If you think interacting with dogs and cats is a good time (and it is!), just WAIT until you get face-to-face with dolphins. They are incredibly smart – perhaps smarter than any person you know, and so funny. It’s like they are trying to make you laugh.
If you and your family want to experience the magic yourselves, then I encourage you to visit Marineland in St. Augustine. Just one hour south from Jacksonville Beach, the facility is easy to get to and makes the perfect daytrip.
Here are some of the programs you and your family can enjoy at the Marineland facility:
The Royal Swim Program
Looking for an adrenaline rush? Then you’ll want to book your slot now to experience the Royal Swim Program. This program begins with a brief orientation where you’ll learn all about dolphins and their wild habitat. You’ll learn how they hunt, communicate and what they eat in a typical day. You won’t BELIEVE how much they eat!
If you have any questions, you’ll be able to ask the trainer at the end of orientation. When all questions have been answered, it’s time to slip into the warm water and wait to meet your dolphin friends.
Talk about anticipation! Soon, you’ll see ripples forming on top of the water, then you’ll see some fins stick out of the water (that will get your heart racing even faster). And before you know it, a shiny, smiling dolphin head will pop up in front of your face. If you’re like most people, you will immediately start giggling!
Spend a little time getting acquainted with your new dolphin friends. You can hug and kiss them and receive flipper handshakes. But just when you thought you were already having fun, the REAL fun begins. Because before long you’ll be able to experience cool interactions with the dolphin like the foot push and amazing dorsal fin pull that will make you feel like you’re flying!
Who can participate in this program? People 8 years of age and older who are comfortable in the water and strong swimmers.
Book Your Royal Dolphin Swim
Swim Adventure
The Dolphin Swim Adventure is another exciting interactive program you and your family can enjoy. Like the Royal Swim program, this one also starts out with a brief education orientation, followed by a Q&A if there are any questions.
And like the Royal Swim program, you’ll also get a chance to hug and kiss the dolphins and get a dorsal fin pull and foot push. But what sets the Swim Adventure program apart is the fact that you’ll get to experience the unforgettable belly ride. The dolphins will lie on their back and you’ll get to lie on their stomach and hold onto their pectoral flippers as they swim around and around. It truly is an unforgettable experience.
Again, everyone in your party will need to be at least 8 years of age and a strong swimmer.
Now you may be wondering if there is a program for families with small children are for those people who can’t swim. The answer is yes, the Dolphin Encounter!
Book Your Dolphin Swim Adventure
Dolphin Encounter
The Dolphin Encounter program is for people of all ages and for those individuals who aren’t entirely comfortable in the water or aren’t strong swimmers.
The program takes place in shallow water and you will be standing on an underwater platform. You’ll still have a great time interacting with these animals.
Whichever program you choose, you can be sure you will have a magic-filled day you won’t soon forget!
Book Your Dolphin Encounter
Marineland – A Special Place
Marineland isn’t just a wildlife facility, it’s a rich part of Florida history. Not only has Marineland made significant contributions to marine science and conservatism, they, and their dolphins, have also appeared in many Hollywood films over the past 80 years.
This park has been around since 1938, so you could say these guys know what they’re doing! They quickly became known as the world’s very first oceanarium. While the facility was opened with the idea of providing Hollywood film-makers a place to shoot underwater footage for motion pictures, it quickly became a place where sea life was cared for and valued, and where people can learn about some of the world’s most amazing creatures.
Today, this modern 1.3 million-gallon facility continues to grow as a leader in marine conservation, animal care and community education.
While the dolphin interactive programs are some of the most popular, the facility also offers some other fun activities you may be interested in:
Paint with a Tortoise!
Tortoise Time is a half-hour interactive encounter where you’ll get to hang out with tortoises. Not only will you get to feed them, but also paint with them. This is a really cool program.
Aquarist for a Day!
If you’ve wondered what it would be like to train sea life, this is the program for you! You’ll get a behind the scenes look and be able to help trainers with feedings, cleaning and interacting with some of the more active animals in the facility like eels, rays and octopus.
Kayak & Boat EcoTours
Because they are committed to eco-education, Marineland offers this great program, in partnership with Ripple Effect EcoTours, and the University of Florida’s Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience. You’ll get to explore the Matanzas Inlet, one of the only natural inlets on the east coast of Florida, which collides with one of the most pristine, undeveloped streams in Florida, The Pellicer Creek.
You’ll see all sorts of wonderful flora and fauna in this beautiful coastal ecosystem all from the low-impact, unique perspective of a kayak!
As I mentioned, Marineland is located in St. Augustine, Florida, just one hour south of Jacksonville Beach. It’s a very simple, straight shot to the facility on either I95 or A1A. You have a couple of choices on how to get there.
Rent a Car
If you are flying into Jacksonville airport, you could simply rent a car. Driving to the facility will be relatively easy, depending on time of day and how much traffic you experience.
Uber/Lyft
If you don’t want to rent a car, you can always use an app like Uber or Lyft. Fares should be pretty reasonable, and if you have a large party and everyone chips in, it will be very affordable.
