Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

Fort Walton Beach-Okaloosa Island, Florida

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Dec 6 ~ Dec 12
Located on the stunning Okaloosa Island, the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park has been bringing fun-filled memories and marine biology education to the Emerald Coast for over 60 years. This amazing aquarium offers exciting animal encounters, daily shows, animal feedings, and more!

Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park Visitors Guide

Since its inception, the Gulfarium has been an Emerald Coast staple, and a favorite among both locals and visitors to the area. The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park opened in 1955, making it one of the country’s first marine animal parks! Even further, in 1956, the park implemented a “Living Sea Exhibit,” with daily dive demonstrations for visitors to view through glass windows. These windows stretch from floor to ceiling, making the Gulfarium the first aquarium of its time to have such a spectacular feature.

Over the years, the Gulfarium continued to grow and expand into the aquarium you know and love today. The Gulfarium features a wide variety of animals including dolphins, turtles, seals, otters, penguins, alligators, and more! Not only that, the park also features daily shows, and hands-on animal encounters with your favorite aquatic acquaintances. Popular animal encounters include the following:

  • Dolphin Splash Encounter
  • Discover Dolphins
  • Discover Harbor Seals
  • Kids Reptile Safari
  • VIP Trainer
  • And MORE!

The Gulfarium is dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences for their guests, but is also dedicated to marine animal conservation, research, rehabilitation, and education, as well. Hundreds of sea turtles, and other magnificent creatures, have been rehabilitated and released back into the wild by the Gulfarium. This awe-inspiring aquarium is both a Fort Walton Beach family vacation staple, and a significant player in conserving and protecting the magnificent marine life that calls the Emerald Coast home.

In addition, the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park celebrated its 65th anniversary in 2020. While 65 years in business alone is plenty to celebrate, this awesome aquarium celebrated plenty of groundbreaking milestones, as well, including the following:

  • The Gulfarium was the first marine park to perform underwater shows with SCUBA gear.
  • They were the first to record a dolphin jumping to a height of 21 feet!
  • The Gulfarium was the first to successfully raise a stranded baby bottlenose dolphin. They were also the first to develop a synthetic milk formula for bottlenose dolphins, and this formula is still being used today!
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Things to do Near Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

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Dec 6 - Dec 12
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Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park Admission Tickets

1,666 ratings
Prepare for an exciting blend of education and entertainment at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park! Watch as the talented dolphins and sea lions dazzle you with their impressive performances, featuring dance moves and spectacular jumps. Between shows, explore the engaging animal exhibits showcasing penguins, sharks, stingrays, pelicans, dolphins, and sea lions. Nestled on the beach in Fort Walton Beach and just minutes from Destin Harbor, the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park offers the perfect setting for a fun and relaxing afternoon with marine life. Grab your tickets now!
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Discover Turtles Encounter at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

8 ratings
45 Min.
Did you know that sea turtles have a better sense of smell than sharks? This turtle-filled encounter for ages 5 and up will teach you that and more while introducing you to our seafaring Loggerheads, a variety of freshwater turtles, and even our land-loving African spurred tortoises. Go behind the scenes to learn about our long-running sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation program. General admission to the park is not included in encounter price and must be purchased separately. Book your encounter today!
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VIP "Trainer for a Day" Experience at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

1 rating
5 Hrs.
Dive into an unforgettable adventure with the Gulfarium's VIP "Trainer for a Day" experience! Perfect for ages 13 and up, this exclusive opportunity offers a deep dive into the world of marine mammal training. Spend the day working closely with the resident experts and gain hands-on experience with the incredible marine mammals. Discover their behaviors, biology, and the nuances of their interactions with humans. Don’t miss out—book your transformative experience today!
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Discover Harbor Seals at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

6 ratings
10 Min.
Experience an unforgettable close-up encounter with a harbor seal at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park! These charming and playful seals will steal your heart as you get the chance to touch and feed them during this unique interaction. Perfect for ages 8 and up, this experience allows you to watch them in action and discover fascinating facts about these incredible animals. A friendly harbor seal is eager to meet you—book your adventure today!
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Discover Penguins at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

9 ratings
10 Min.
Meet the charming flightless birds of the sea at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park with this Discover Penguins experience! Get up close and personal with an adorable and energetic African penguin and feed, touch, and play with these delightful creatures. Designed for ages 9 and up, this trainer-led encounter offers fascinating insights into the lives of these remarkable birds. Don’t miss this unforgettable opportunity to connect with an African penguin during your visit to the Emerald Coast!
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Discover Dolphins Encounter at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

59 ratings
5 Min.
Experience the magic of meeting a dolphin family up close with the Discover Dolphins encounter at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park! This interactive dockside experience invites you to play, laugh, and learn about the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, celebrated for their curiosity and lively personalities. Be prepared to get a little wet, wear attire that can handle splashy fun! Ideal for ages 5 and up, this engaging encounter promises unforgettable moments. Reserve your experience today!
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Kids Reptile Safari at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

1 rating
25 Min.
Join the Kids Reptile Safari at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park for a thrilling adventure! Explore and interact with fascinating reptiles like turtles, snakes, and lizards. Perfect for young adventurers, this hands-on experience offers a fun, educational glimpse into the world of these incredible creatures. Ideal for kids and families! Book your experience today!
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Discover Sea Lions at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

7 ratings
10 Min.
Get up close with playful sea lions at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park’s Discover Sea Lions! Interact, touch, and learn about these charming marine mammals in a fun, hands-on experience. Perfect for all ages, this unforgettable encounter offers insights into their playful behavior and unique personalities. Book your experience today!
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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much time do most visitors spend at the park?

While this will vary from person to person, most visitors will spend anywhere from a couple of hours, to a half of a day at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park! However, with daily shows and animal chats taking place all day long, it’s easy to spend the whole day here, as well.

2. Is this a good rainy day activity?

Absolutely, a trip to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is the perfect rainy day activity for all ages, as it is open rain or shine! While some of the park is indoors, most of it is open-air, and covered by awnings. With that being said, if you head to the Gulfarium on a rainy day, it is recommended to bring an umbrella or rain jacket with you. There is a chance you may get wet walking to and from the shows and exhibits.

3. Is the Gulfarium handicap accessible?

The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is handicap accessible, with accessible parking available near the front entrance. Even though pets are not allowed at the park, service animals are welcome.

4. Do animal encounters include the cost of admission?

Admission to the Gulfarium is not included when purchasing an animal encounter ticket. If you purchase an animal encounter ticket, you will need to purchase a general admission ticket, as well.

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