Birthday Parties Your next private party could be your best ever! Florida's Gulfarium can host private parties for birthdays, special occasions, family reunions, and special holidays. Click here for more information.

 

Current Hours for Spring and Summer 2008

Regular Hours: Admissions are open from 9:00am until 4:00pm. Park closes at 6:00pm.

Note: During the month of May, Florida's Gulfarium is host to many school group field trips during the morning hours of each weekday. Please be aware that due to high volumes, our admissions office may close for a short time during the morning hours until the groups have left. If you would like to visit Florida's Gulfarium during the month of May, we would suggest visiting us in the afternoon or on weekends.

Click HERE for specific show times.

 

 

 

 

For the year 2008, the Gulfarium will also be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Please call in advance to verify the park's hours of operation and show availability. The health of our animals, catastrophic weather, and other unforeseen circumstances may alter our regular schedule of events.

Our 24-hour recorded information line is 850-244-5169.

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General Admission Rates

• Adults (ages 11 and over): $18.75

• Children (ages 3-10) $11.00

• Ages 2 and under are free when accompanied by a parent paying the regular rate.

Six percent Florida state sales tax will be added to all admissions and fees. Rates are subject to change without notice. Visa and MasterCard accepted in admissions, gift shop and snack bar with proper ID.

Note: We do not offer refunds or rainchecks.

Group Reservations (No group bookings in June, July & August)
Group rates are available for groups consisting of 25 or more paying people all arriving and entering together. There are no group bookings for June and July. Please call 850-243-9046 Ext. 24 for group rate admission prices and available dates. A prior reservation made at least 2-weeks in advance is required. One person must pay for the entire group. Supervising adults are required for children. Some restrictions apply. No group bookings in June, July & August.

Discounts

Military Discount:
$1 Off discount is available to military personel with a military ID (active, non-active or retired). One discount per card holder and immediate family.

Annual Passes

• Adults (ages 11-61): $50.00 + tax

• Children (ages 3 - 10) $40.00 + tax

• Seniors (age 62 and over) $45.00 + tax
• Family $150.00 + tax (2 Adults and 2 Children) Certain restrictions apply.

Annual pass holders receive the following membership benefits:

• 10% off of all areas of the park.
• 25% off guest one day pass during the months of Oct thru Feb.
   (Guest may pay separate as long as they are going in at the same time.)
• 10% off guest one day pass March thru Sept.
   (Guest may pay separate as long as they are going in at the same time.)
• 15% off addition individual passes bought with family pass.
• 25% off next year’s family pass if renewed before expiration date.
• 15% off next years individual pass if renewed before expiration date.

Same-Day Reentry
You are welcome to leave the park and return the same day with your receipt. Please present your receipt to re-enter.

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The Shows and The Animal Exhibits

Florida's Gulfarium opens it's doors at 9:00am. The first series of shows start at 10:00am. A series consists of the Dolphin Show, the Sea Lion Show and the Dolphin Demonstration. The show series start every two hours; 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm. You can attend any of the shows in each series at anytime and you are not limited to the amount of time you spend at the park. You can also see the shows over and over if you'd like! Your camera/camcorder is welcome throughout our park. Click here for more information about our Sea Life Shows. Click here for more information about our Animal Exhibits.

Detailed list of show times:

 

 

Open Daily Admissions Open 9:00-4:00pm Park Closes at 6:00pm

10:00am Dolphin Show 10:30am Sea Lion Show 11:00am Dolphin Demonstration Penguin & Otter Feed Demonstrations 12:00pm Dolphin Show 12:30pm Sea Lion Show   1:00pm Dolphin Demonstration Penguin & Otter Feed Demonstrations   2:00pm Dolphin Show   2:30pm Sea Lion Show   3:00pm Dolphin Demonstration Penguin & Otter Feed Demonstrations 4:00pm Admissions Close   4:00pm Dolphin Show   4:30pm Sea Lion Show   5:00pm Dolphin Demonstration Penguin & Otter Feed Demonstrations 6:00pm Park Closes

The average time spent at the park is about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Show Seating
All of the shows have covered seating. The main Dolphin Show allows visitors to stand around the pool to get an up-close view as the acrobatic dolphins perform. Watch out, this is the splash zone!
The Living Sea is the only air conditioned inside exhibit.

 

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Driving Directions
Florida's Gulfarium is located in Ft. Walton Beach, FL in the western part of the state's panhandle. The cities of Pensacola and Panama City can be reached in about one hours drive. 

View Larger Map

1010 Miracle Strip Pky SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32548

Parking

Florida's Gulfarium offers free and ample parking.

 

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Photography
Flash and video photography are permitted. Any commercial use of still or motion pictures taken at the park without written consent of Florida's Gulfarium is prohibited. Camera film is available at the Dolphin Reef Gift Shop.

 

Gift Shop

The Dolphin Reef Gift Shop features an extensive collection of t-shirts, beach towels, jewelry and books about the aquatic world and gifts that are inspired by nature.

 

Snack Bar

The Gulfarium features a snack bar with cold refreshing drinks for those hot days and warm hot chocolate for cold ones!  Hungry? Sink your teeth into a fresh hot-dog or hamburger. Souvenir cups are available for all ages as well.

Weather

The weather in Fort Walton Beach right now is:

 

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Special Programs 

Aquatic Summer Camp (Grades 1-6) - Canceled for 2008

Summer Camp is open to children entering grades 1 through 6. Each session runs five days, Monday through Friday during the months of June and July. Hours are 9 AM to 4 PM. Camp activities include the Gulfarium's marine life shows, swimming, snorkeling, and personal encounters with some of our marine animals. Campers also explore wetlands and learn aquarium keeping. For many, this is the first plunge into a lifelong journey through the aquatic world. For more information about Summer Camp or other children's activities, click here for more information.

 

Dolphin Therapy

Another program new to the Gulfarium is the JF Dolphin Project for children with disabilities.  The JF Dolphin Project is a one to two week therapy program for children with academic, communication, and/or physical therapy needs. The project utilizes Pantropical Spotted dolphins as motivational tools. Interaction with a dolphin is the reward children receive for accomplishing specific therapy and learning goals.

 

Dolphin Interaction

If you are interested in interacting with a dolphin at the Gulfarium, you can participate in our Spotted Dolphin Encounter program for an extra fee. This program allows you to get into the pool with our Pantropical Spotted dolphin, with the assistance and supervision of one of our dolphin trainers. You cannot swim with the dolphin, however you will get to feed them, learn about their background and give them signals to perform behaviors right in front of you! Advanced reservations and deposit required. If you are interested in scheduling your own Spotted Dolphin Encounter, please call 850-243-9046 Ext. 24 or click here for more details.

 

Events and Parties

Your next private party could be your best ever! Florida's Gulfarium can host private parties for birthdays, special occasions, family reunions, and special holidays. We also offer a rent-a-park program for extra large groups who want to reserve the entire park!

 

Check out the Specials page for more information about parties and events.

 

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Florida's Gulfarium
1010 Miracle Strip Parkway, SE
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
850-243-9046 or 800-247-8575
info@gulfarium.com