Did you know that you and your family can ride and kiss a real Atlantic bottlenose dolphin about 20 minutes from Berkeley? I did not.
My older children and I were treated to a hands-on learning session with dolphins and trainers from the Dolphin Discovery program at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (the theme park formerly known as Marine World).
It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that they now want to do every Sunday because it seemed so easy.
How Dolphin Discovery at Six Flags Vallejo works
- Make a reservation for dolphin lovers over 50″ tall. If you want to sign up a solo swimming kid, that’s cool, parents can pay an observation fee for $20.
- Pack a swimsuit, and leave your jewelry at home.
- If you’re doing it first thing, park in the main lot ($20) and come to the bright blue building before the main park entrance (alternatively, you can enter from the park near the Ocean Discovery zone).
- Attend a 45-minute class about marine mammals — longer if your children ask a ton of questions. Ahem.
- Suit up. Dolphin Discovery provides wet suits and booties to all participants.
- Sit and swim with a dolphin and trainer. Most of the experience happens sitting on the side of the enclosure (pictured above), but each person will get a chance for a dolphin fin ride-along (see my timid son getting a thrill below).
- Choose your photographic evidence. Pic or it didn’t happen? Participants get one complimentary print from the on-staff photographers. More pictures can be purchased after the event.
What else you need to know about Dolphin Discovery with kids
The program is offered year-round, seven days a week. Participants must be at least 50” tall and ten years of age (they used to allow as young as age 6 if my children look a little small!). As of June, 2023 this is the price breakdown:
- $149 per person for swim only
- Extra fee can include dolphin experience and park admission
- 20% discount for Season Pass holders
Find out more about Dolphin Discovery on their webpage, including making reservations.
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Huge thanks to the Dolphin Discovery class and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom for providing our experience and photographs. I received no other compensation.
[All photos property of Heather Flett and 510families. All rights reserved]