Marine Mammal Trainer for a Day
tours/Dolphins & Sea Lions/Marine Mammal Trainer for a Day

Marine Mammal Trainer for a Day

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Girl learning how to be a dolphin trainer with the expert guidance of a Marine Mammal Expert in Puerto Vallarta.Girl learning about dolphins diet.Girl looking at some samples through a microscope on a veterinarian lab.Marine Mammal Expert teaching about dolphins diet.Girl practicing dolphin communication with hand signals.Girl hugging a dolphin during a Puerto Vallarta dolphin swim.Girl in a Puerto Vallarta sea lion encounter.

Immerse yourself in the whimsical world of dolphins and sea lions as you become a Trainer for a Day, gathering first-hand knowledge from our experienced Marine Mammal Experts. In this once-in-a-lifetime experience, you’ll participate in an interesting behind-the-scenes visit to our Marine Mammal Center and get familiar with the way we provide care to our marine mammals. As part of this full-day activity, you’ll swim with dolphins and enjoy fun interactions with sea lions. This is the ultimate activity for marine animal lovers!

Our Marine Mammal Center is accredited by:

Vallarta Adventures Marine Mammal center is accredited by IMATA, Alliance and American Humane.

3 to 5 hours5 Hours

Minimum 12 years oldMin. 12 years old

Relaxed activities in Puerto VallartaRelaxed

Family Activities in Puerto Vallarta.Families

Small groupsSmall groups

To book this experience in Private
contact us at 1-888-526-2238
or [email protected]

Work alongside Marine Mammal Specialists For a Day in Puerto Vallarta

If you're passionate about dolphins and sea lions and have always dreamt of a closer, more personal encounter with them, our Trainer for a Day program is the ideal choice. You'll engage in exhilarating water activities with marine mammals, gaining unique insights and memories that will last a lifetime.

As a Marine Mammal Apprentice, you’ll learn how to train firsthand from our expert Marine Mammal Specialists at our Dolphin Center in Puerto Vallarta. Throughout a fun-filled day, you’ll experience everything from feeding to learning behavioral training techniques. Plus, you’ll also receive a complimentary lunch, an exclusive Trainer for a Day t-shirt, and a Diploma!

During this experience, not only will you learn everything about marine mammals and how to communicate with them, but you’ll also get to participate in our three most popular interactive programs: Dolphin Signature Swim and Sea Lion Encounter.

Dolphin Trainer for a Day is the perfect blend of educational enrichment and interactive fun, creating a unique opportunity to interact with these remarkable mammals.

  • Exclusive behind-the-scenes access: Step into the shoes of a trainer with an insider tour of our Dolphin Center. Explore areas rarely seen by guests, including our marine mammal lab, food preparation zone, and training spaces.

  • Three unforgettable interactions: Experience our top interactive programs all in one day—Dolphin Signature Swim, Dolphin Adventure, and the Sea Lion Encounter—for a truly immersive and varied marine adventure.

  • Delicious lunch & beverage: Recharge with a tasty lunch and a refreshing drink, included to keep you energized throughout your day as a trainer.

  • Official trainer gear: Take home a Marine Mammal Specialist t-shirt as a keepsake of your incredible experience.

  • Certificate of completion: Receive a Program Diploma to celebrate your day working alongside our expert team.

  • Comfort and convenience: Complimentary towels and secure lockers are provided for your ease.

  • Marine mammal conservation: Your participation directly contributes to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine mammals through our ongoing conservation programs in the Mexican Pacific.

  • Please arrive at the check-in point 45 minutes prior to the program beginning.
  • Minimum age: 12 years old
  • Cameras are only allowed in the guest observation area
  • No jewelry or sunscreen allowed
  • Lifejackets are provided
  • Pregnant women are restricted from this program but are welcome to book a Private Dolphin Swim.
  • Sun protective clothing
  • Swimsuit
  • Extra money for souvenirs & photos

Our Trainer for a Day program is designed to give you the chance to interact with dolphins and sea lions, just like a real trainer would.

This experience takes place at our Dolphin Center in Puerto Vallarta where our Marine Mammal Specialists will take you on an interesting behind-the-scenes tour of our world-class facility and show you the ins and outs of dolphin and sea lion care and training. Our team of experts has decades of knowledge and hands-on experience training marine mammals, so you can rest assured that you’ll be in good hands.

In this unique experience, you'll have the chance to step into our fish preparation area and discover the meticulous process of crafting individual diets for each of our marine mammals. Prioritizing their health and safety, we invest considerable time and effort into ensuring they receive nutritionally balanced meals tailored to their specific needs.

Your day also includes a visit to the medical laboratory, where our veterinarians will explain how they perform regular checkups, along with other techniques of preventive care.

You’ll also get to learn dolphin hand signals and work alongside trainers with dolphins in actual training sessions. This isn’t just a tour that you’ll experience on the sidelines. The Dolphin Trainer for a Day encounter puts you up close and personal with dolphins and their trainers so you can see what really goes into being a dolphin trainer.

The Trainer for a Day experience offers much more than an immersive journey into dolphin and sea lion training; it's also an educational venture. We offer insights and resources regarding local and international conservation initiatives aimed at safeguarding marine mammals. Additionally, this experience includes an overview of our rescue activities, highlighting the vital role we play in the rehabilitation and care of marine animals in distress. We encourage you to explore our Sustainability Program, for which we are certified, to gain a deeper understanding of our commitment to the welfare of our dolphins and sea lions.

Vallarta Adventures collaborates closely with state, local, and federal agencies, alongside stranding networks, to maintain a constant state of preparedness for emergency interventions. Our skilled team of seasoned rescuers, veterinarians, and animal caregivers is dedicated to aiding animals in distress.

We specialize in the care of those who are ill, injured, or orphaned, with a particular emphasis on the critical task of disentangling marine mammals. Our primary goal is to rehabilitate and successfully reintegrate these animals back into their natural habitats. To learn more about our dedication to animal welfare, please visit our Sustainability Page.

Yes! Being a unique program in Puerto Vallarta, the availability of Trainer for a Day is limited and tends to fill up fast. To secure your preferred date and time, we highly recommend making a reservation in advance.

Please note that cameras are only permitted in designated observation areas. They are not allowed in the habitats or during the program. However, you do have the option to purchase professional photos following the experience.

Please avoid the use of sunscreen, including biodegradable varieties, in our efforts to maintain high water quality for our dolphins and sea lions. Instead, we recommend using sun-protective clothing to protect both your skin and our marine mammals.

This restriction is implemented to mitigate potential risks, as jewelry, accessories (such as sunglasses), and medical devices like hearing aids and prescription glasses can inadvertently become dislodged and present a hazard to our marine mammals.

We provide safe storage areas for your personal items, but we advise leaving all jewelry and small items at your hotel for added security.

Our programs have a long-standing safety track record, so you can rest assured you’ll be in good hands during any of our dolphin encounters. The health and safety records of these kinds of programs have undergone continuous scrutiny and study for over two decades.

Yes, but before making a reservation, please consult one of our Adventure Advisors for more information.

Our Marine Mammal Center follows a preventive health care program, which includes daily health assessments, regular voluntary veterinary examinations, and assessments of dietary needs.

We provide an exceptionally clean and stimulating environment for our marine mammals to develop their skills, establish their social communities, reproduce, and grow. For more information, please refer to our Sustainability Page.


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