Contact Us

Sign up to receive information about our special offers and deals. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more details about how we use your information, view our Privacy Policy.

DON'T MISS OUT ON OUR BEST DEALS – SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER!

Puerto Vallarta Tours

About Us

Policies

All Tours

Shows & Sunset

Beach & Snorkeling

Dolphins & Sea Lions

Adventure Tours

Cultural Tours

Scuba Diving

Scuba Lessons

Private Charters

Whale Watching Tours

Please arrive at the check-in point 45 minutes before departure.

Cameras are only allowed in the observation areas

No jewelry, accesories, or sunscreen is allowed in the pool

Each dolphin program is unique and based upon our groups, specialists and dolphins

All of our programs are designed with our dolphins’ wellbeing in mind

Essential Information

What to Bring

All of our marine mammal encounter programs, including our Dolphin Kids encounter, have a remarkable and well-established safety record. This means you can sit back in the exclusive observation area specifically for parents and enjoy watching your kids giggle and splash around with their new flippered friends!

Our Dolphin Kids program is supervised by our highly experienced Animal Care Specialists who work closely with our animals on a daily basis, understanding their behaviors and personalities on a deep level. Each participant will be required to wear a life jacket and each interaction will be closely monitored to ensure a safe environment and enjoyable experience for everyone!

The Safety of Our Kid-Friendly Dolphin Encounters

Children in the Dolphin Kids encounter will do more than meet a dolphin! They will also get to pet and hug the dolphins, check out their fascinating anatomy, shake a fin, and even get a wet dolphin kiss!

Our goal is to give kids who love dolphins the chance to be closer to these amazing animals than they ever dreamed, and learn all about what makes these creatures so special! All of this is done in a small group under the guidance of our Animal Care Specialists, who curate a well-balanced sense of independence for your little ones to feel confident and empowered.

If you want to experience swimming with dolphins for the whole family, our 

 encounter is great for adults, kids, and non-swimmers of all ages. Our 

 experience is another great option if you want a more personalized experience swimming with dolphins. Please 

Create Lasting Memories with Dolphin Swimming for Kids

When children swim with dolphins, they fall in love with these intelligent, curious creatures and are driven to protect them. Helping kids understand why marine research and conservation is important isn’t always easy! But when kids have a chance to meet and communicate with a dolphin, they feel a stronger personal connection to the oceans and marine life.

Kids who swim with dolphins naturally want to do their part to keep our oceans clean and healthy. After their Dolphin Kids experience, your child may even be inspired to become a marine biologist or a vet!

Inspiring the Next Generation of Conservationists

Our dolphins receive top-notch healthcare and a diet that is closely monitored by experts to ensure that they are as healthy and as happy as they can be in our care. For more information about why we take dolphin welfare so seriously, please read through our 

.

The American Humane Association has awarded our dolphin programs with a 

, which recognizes the high standards we follow in the care of our dolphins and sea lions.

Committed to Dolphin Care

Vallarta Adventures Rescue Teams maintain close cooperation with agencies at various government levels and stranding networks, ensuring they are always ready for emergency actions. Our team, with experts in animal rescue, veterinary care, and animal nurturing, specializes in helping animals in need, focusing on those that are sick, injured, or alone, including the crucial work of marine mammal disentanglement. Their fundamental goal is to rehabilitate these animals for a successful re-release into their natural habitats. For more details on our commitment to animal care, see our 

Our Commitment to Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Release to Nature

To book this experience in Private
contact us at 

Book at least 3 days in advance and get 30% off tours.

Relaxed

Min. 4 years old

20 Minutes

Families

Small groups

Yes! Spaces are limited and fill up quickly, so to ensure your preferred tour date and time, we recommend booking in advance.

Do I need to reserve in advance?

Cameras are only allowed in the observation areas; they are not allowed in the lagoons. However, we offer professional photos that are available for purchase after your dolphin encounter.

May I bring a camera or video camera to take pictures?

The oils and residues from sunscreen, even biodegradable ones, are harmful to many marine animals, including Dolphins. Please use sun-protective clothing instead to protect your skin and marine life.

Can I wear sunscreen (SPF)?

We do provide areas to secure your personal belongings during your tour, but we recommend leaving all jewelry and small items in your hotel.

Can I wear jewelry?

Our animals’ health and welfare are a top concern, so we limit each session. All of our marine animals spend less than two hours each day interacting with the public. The rest of the day is allocated to training time, playing, and socializing.

Why do you limit the number of sessions for people to interact with the animals?

We put the safety of our guests first. All of our programs have a well-established safety record and have been continuously studied for over 20 years, each time reaffirming their exemplary standards.

How safe are interactive programs?

Yes, but before making a reservation, please consult one of our 

Can special needs visitors participate in your dolphin programs?

We follow a strict program for preventative health care for all our marine animals, which includes daily health assessments, regular voluntary veterinary examinations, and dietary needs assessments. We also provide an exceptionally clean and stimulating environment for our marine animals to live in and a safe setting for their social community (pods) and family to reproduce and grow. For more information please refer to our 

How do you care for your animals?

FAQs

What’s Included

Kid-Friendly Dolphin Encounter in Puerto Vallarta


Make your little one’s vacation dreams come true with our Dolphin Kids program! Watch as they splish splash with one of our Pacific Bottlenose dolphins from our shallow water pool under the supervision of our highly-trained Marine Mammal Specialists.

You won’t want to miss the opportunity to watch as your kids smile, laugh, pet, and play with our dolphins! As they safely interact with these magnificent marine mammals, they’ll learn all about their unique vocalizations, social capabilities, and pod dynamics in a fun and engaging setting.

Plus, your little ones will learn all about the importance of conservation efforts and sustainability, ensuring a well-rounded experience for all!

This is an unforgettable hands-on learning opportunity designed especially for younger children to have fun and learn more about dolphins in a small group setting. And don’t worry, no swimming skills are needed to participate in this kid-friendly dolphin encounter!

Our kid-friendly dolphin encounter is one of the Most Fun Things to Do with Children in Puerto Vallarta. Watch them swim, play, and learn about dolphins!

Kid Friendly Dolphin Encounter | Vallarta Adventures ®

Watch as your little one swims, plays, and learns about dolphins during our unforgettable Dolphin Kids experience! Ignite their adventurous spirit and make memories to last a lifetime as kids aged 4-9 pet, play, and hug our dolphins during this kid-friendly dolphin encounter. Parents can watch from our designated observation area, capturing cute photo souvenirs and smiles you’ll cherish forever!

Our Marine Mammal Center is accredited by: