Dolphin Activities

This unique program offers participants the opportunity to spend the entire day with the training staff at the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences. Go “behind the scenes” and learn about their daily care and food preparation.

Also learn about dolphin anatomy and training techniques during “hands-on” interactive sessions with the dolphins. Participants will also have the chance to work one-on-one with the dolphins and initiate trained behaviors both in and out of the water.

Immediately following the 30 minute Dolphin Encounter, this activity allows you to swim and snorkel with our resident pod of dolphins on their terms, with no trained behaviors. Experience what it would be like to be a ‘part of the pod’ in the wild – it’s a thrill you’ll remember for years to come. With a limited number of fellow participants, you’ll enjoy maximum physical contact with these friendly marine mammals as they swim along with you throughout a two-acre enclosure. You’ll be captivated by their natural curiosity, intrigued by their whistles and clicks as they communicate with each other, and delighted to see mothers and their calves swimming side by side.

This dynamic 45 minute dolphin activity begins with a brief introduction to two dolphins, who will greet you on the platform with a handshake, a kiss, and a friendly smile. You’ll then enter the water for a playful swim to experience a thrilling “Footpush”, as the dolphins push you by the feet above and around the water’s surface, allowing you to feel their speed and strength! Then, take it easy on a ride around the lagoon, while holding on their smooth dorsal fins for the famed “Dorsal Ride”. In addition, they will amuse you with various water behaviors, vocal skills, tail splashes and applause.

The Dolphin Encounter begins as you travel across our lagoon to Bailey’s Key, one of two keys that make up Anthony’s Key Resort and the private home to a large family of Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins. At a beach-front cabana, you’ll receive a brief orientation and then you’ll walk along a white sandy beach to wade waist deep into the gin-clear waters of the Caribbean where a trained naturalists will give you a personal introduction to a resident dolphin. The trainer will describe the dolphins’ characteristics, anatomy and behaviors and will give you the opportunity to touch, kiss and play with a member of this friendly family of marine mammals. During the 30-minute encounter portion, you’ll have excellent photo opportunities in addition to professional photographs that will be taken of you and your new friends.