Find Adventure Worth Flipping Over At Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

Vacationing on the Gulf Coast is the ultimate getaway for many of us. I’ll speak for the team here at BeachGuide emphatically stating that we can’t get enough of the Gulf’s crystal clear water gently rolling along the sugar white shoreline. It’s absolute heaven! But inevitably at some point during the vacation, don’t we all feel the need to venture from our beach chair and seek a new adventure?

Good news! If you’re seeking new adventure, you’ll find loads of it at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park conveniently located on Okaloosa Island in Destin-Fort Walton Beach, FL. A $30 million expansion completed earlier this year, the venerable marine park is even better than ever thanks to the brand new Dolphin Oasis. The best news is you’ll feel like you’re still beachside at Dolphin Oasis as it encompasses 2.2 acres of sandy dunes and lush natural landscaping along the coveted emerald waters of the Gulf Coast.

Dolphin Oasis Stuns Crowds Plus Offers Intimate Experiences

We’ve all been mesmerized from afar by the dolphins we see swimming along the coast. The Dolphin Oasis at the Gulfarium gives you the chance to get up close to these fascinating creatures. Sitting in the new grandstand with seating for 480 guests, you can enjoy the Dolphin Presentation* where the park’s dolphins delight the crowd with spectacular flips and natural behaviors under the direction of their talented professional animal care team. Warning: splashing may occur and you will love it! You’ll also be thrilled when you stop by the exhibit habitat which has a 27-foot acrylic split-level viewing area for up close underwater views of the dolphins.*Be sure to check the daily schedule for times of the Dolphin Presentations which are held throughout the day.

But wait, there’s more to Dolphin Oasis! The park offers three interactive experiences with the dolphins. The Splash ‘N Play encounter is literally immersive where guests are in the water with the dolphins helping the Marine Mammal Trainers feed and play with them. The Discover Dolphins encounter allows guests to be dockside with the trainers for an up close experience of feeding and touching the dolphins. If you’re planning to spend the entire day at Gulfarium, consider starting it with the Rise & Shine Dolphin Package. Start your morning with a splash during this early dockside encounter with our playful dolphins! Enjoy a guided walk to Dolphin Oasis before participating in this hands-on experience. Be sure to dress for the occasion—you might get wet! What’s Included: Interact with our Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, take part in a fun and educational session led by animal care experts, and enjoy full-day admission to the park. Photos will be taken and available for purchase in the Gift Shop.

Conservation And Animal Welfare Are Always Top Of Mind

One of the things we love most about all of the dolphin experiences is how the passionate staff incorporates a message about the vital importance of protecting dolphins through conservation efforts in the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, conservation and animal welfare are at the heart of everything the Gulfarium does. The new dolphin habitats are triple the size of the previous one allowing for more enrichment opportunities and social group variation for the dolphins. Furthering the Gulfarium’s animal welfare efforts, the original dolphin habitat recently underwent renovations to accommodate manatee rehabilitation patients as part of the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP).

The Gulfarium had conservation in mind throughout all aspects of designing the Dolphin Oasis expansion from the saltwater used to the native landscaping. The habitats use one million gallons of saltwater pulled directly from the Gulf of Mexico. Before the water enters the exhibit, it runs through a series of high-tech filters that are also energy efficient as the system can process more than 13 million gallons of Gulf saltwater in just one day. Sitting along the beautiful beaches of Emerald Coast, the Dolphin Oasis prominently features sand dunes and native plants in its landscaping. The park is committed to preserving sand dunes recognizing the important role they play in natural coastal protection from storm surge and high waves along with their overall beneficial impact on the ecosystem. 

Gulfarium Visitors Can Now See Manatees—Florida’s Beloved Gentle Giants—Up Close

The Gulfarium has proudly opened Manatee Cove, a true haven for manatees needing focused rehabilitation and long-term care to thrive. Furthering the Gulfarium’s incredible animal welfare efforts, Manatee Cove was a three-year labor of love which included extensively renovating the original 300,000-gallon dolphin habitat to accommodate manatee rehabilitation patients as part of the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP).

The habitat includes state-of-the-art filtration technology that mimics Florida’s natural spring waters, providing an optimal environment for the three manatees—Lil Joe, Inigo and Romeo—who call the Gulfarium home. Manatee Cove features an underwater observation area where guests can get an up-close view of these gentle giants that no one who visits will soon forget!

Manatee Cove not only gives visitors a chance to learn about and view these magnificent marine creatures, but it also provides critical support for manatees in need. In fact, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in 2023 alone, 556 manatees perished in the state, with 89 falling victim to boat strikes. With statistics like this, it’s expected that additional rescued manatees will join the Gulfarium family in the future.

There’s A LOT More Than Dolphins at The Gulfarium

Get ready for an exciting day at the Gulfarium! You will find so much to do throughout this beautiful, engaging open air facility! One of our favorites is the Sea Lion Presentation where the sea lions are endlessly entertaining! Keep in mind the dolphin and sea lion presentations have limited first-come, first-serve seating. The Gulfarium boasts a variety of up close habitats and Animal Encounters that will delight guests of all ages with the chance to touch and feed everything from penguins to alligators. Here are some of the Encounters that you can experience:

• Discover Penguins
• Penguin Plunge
• Discover Sea Lions
• Discover Gators
• Reptile Safari
• Discover Harbor Seals
• Discover Turtles

For those avid marine enthusiasts, there is a VIP Trainer experience that’s amazing! Participants spend the morning with trainers for a hands-on look at caring for the diverse array of animals who live in the park. This behind-the-scenes experience allows you to work side-by-side with trainers and aquarists creating once in a lifetime memories!

Throughout the day you can also participate in a variety of Animal Chats with the trainers where you can see and learn about a particular species. If you don’t have time for a personal Animal Encounter, you can often watch them taking place at the different exhibits. Check out the daily schedule to plan your visit.

Adventure Awaits You!

The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is a true gem on the Emerald Coast! On your next coastal vacation, add this to your list of new adventures to experience – trust us, you won’t mind missing a day sitting on the beach! The Gulfarium opens daily at 9 am all year round except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

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Best places to stay near The Gulfarium

Check our guest favorites below, or view all Fort Walton Beach vacation rentals.

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