Want to see a dolphin show in Florida? Although there aren’t a lot of places that perform dolphins shows anymore, there are still a few places in Florida where you can see one.
The following is a list of dolphins shows in Florida:
Gulf World Marine Park:
Address: 15412 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL
Website: gulfworldmarinepark.com
Established in 1969, Gulf World Marine Park is a dolphinarium in Panama City that is home to dolphins, penguins, seals and stingrays.
The park offers a dolphin show during which bottlenose and Rough-toothed dolphins perform an array of flips, leaps and twists.
During the show, the trainers dive into the water and swim alongside the dolphins while they interact with them.
Visitors sitting within the “splash zone” can even experience being splashed by the dolphins while they perform tricks during the show.
In addition to the dolphin shows, the park also features various animal encounters such as a sea lion encounter, a swim with dolphins encounter, a penguin encounter and a stingray encounter.
The Gulf World Marine Park is owned by Ron Hardy.
Miami Seaquarium:
Address: 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL
Website: miamiseaquarium.com
Established in 1955, the Miami Seaquarium is a 38-acre oceanarium in Key Biscayne that is home to dolphins, sea turtles, sea lions, stingrays and penguins.
The Miami Seaquarium offers a dolphin show, called the Flipper Dolphin Show, which is a Caribbean-themed live show with music and performances by the dolphins.
Miami Seaquarium is owned by the Dolphin Company.
If you would like to visit the Miami Seaquarium and want to save money on tickets, check out this article on Miami Seaquarium discount tickets.
In 2021, the USDA found several animal welfare violations at the facility and later found that several dolphins at the facility were deliberately being underfed which caused aggressive behavior in the dolphins, such as attacking a trainer and biting visitors.
In 2022, one of the park’s dolphins attacked a trainer during the show and dragged her underwater and rammed into her.
Seaworld Orlando:
Address: 7007 Sea World Dr, Orlando, FL
Website: seaworld.com/orlando
Established in 1973, SeaWorld Orlando is a theme park in Orlando that features amusement park rides and animal experiences.
The park offers a live dolphin show, called Dolphin Adventures, in its Dolphin Stadium. The show highlights the dolphin’s natural behaviors and traits and teaches the audience about the role these animals play in the ocean as well as the threats they face.
In addition, the park also offers animal encounters, such as a penguin encounter, walrus encounter, sea lion encounter and a beluga encounter.
Seaworld is accredited by Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.
Sources:
“AZA Accredited and Certified Members.” AZA.org, aza.org/inst-status?locale=en
“Dolphin Strikes Trainer During Mishap at Miami Seaquarium Show.” WTSP, 12 April 2022, wtsp.com/article/news/regional/florida/dolphin-trainer-miami-seaquarium-show-video/67-1cda2c8e-db8d-4b73-9d69-e4408e4f3c85
“See it: Dolphin Attacks Trainer During Flipper Show at Miami Seaquarium.” CBS News, 13 April. 2022, cbsnews.com/miami/news/dolphin-attacked-trainer-flipper-show-miami-seaquarium/
“Exhibits & Presentations.” Miami Seaquarium, miamiseaquarium.com/things-to-do/experiences/
“Show Schedule.” Theater of the Sea, theaterofthesea.com/attractions/hours-show-schedule/
“Dolphin Show.” Gulf World Marine Park, gulfworldmarinepark.com/bottlenose-dolphin-show-panama-city-beach/
