Nuevo Vallarta · Marine Encounters

Signature Dolphin Swim

Swim alongside dolphins and observe their underwater movements with a marine mammal specialist.

From

159

USD

Duration
50min
Meeting point
Marine Mammal Center
Difficulty
Moderate
Minimum Age
5
Beneath the Surface

Time to Look More Closely


The experience begins with curiosity: how dolphins communicate, move and interact. Guided by a marine mammal specialist, guests carry those questions into the water, where observation becomes part of the encounter. Looking beneath the surface adds another perspective, while shared moments give families and companions something to discover together.

Two dolphins swimming through a turquoise pool in front of four smiling guests wearing blue life jackets.

Captured on Film

Gallery

A closer look at life beneath the surface, shared through guided encounters and moments of discovery.

THE EXPERIENCE

How the Day Unfolds

Experience the different scenarios you’ll encounter during your adventure, discover unforgettable places, and collect the best memories

Arrive and prepare for the water

Arrive at the Marine Mammal Center 45 minutes before the scheduled program. Complete check-in, store personal belongings in the provided locker and prepare in swimwear and sun-protective clothing. Follow the rules for jewelry, accessories, sunscreen and cameras.
Learn with a marine mammal specialist

Join the educational introduction to dolphin anatomy, behavior, communication and social interactions. Ask questions and listen to the instructions for participating in the water. Put on the provided life jacket, which remains on throughout the program.
Swim and observe beneath the surface

Enter the habitat as directed and float or swim alongside the dolphins under specialist supervision. Use a viewing mask to observe their underwater movements. Children participate with the accompanying adults required for their age and height.
Continue the guided interactions

During the same dolphin session, take part in the close interactions and learning activities led by the specialist. Follow the instructions for touching and positioning, share the experience with your companions and take time to observe between activities.
Dry off and complete your visit

After leaving the water, return the equipment, use the provided towel and retrieve your belongings. If desired, review the professional photographs available for purchase before departing the center and continuing your day in Nuevo Vallarta.

PRICING & BOOKING

Choose Your Experience

Select the option that best suits your plans, with pricing based on guest count, vehicle or experience type.

General Access

159 USD
1 guest . ages 12+

Kids Access

$ 119 USD
1 child . ages 5-11

The Experience

See the Experience


Arrive at the Marine Mammal Center in Nuevo Vallarta and gather for their scheduled session. Families stand together while couples and friends complete check-in, put their belongings in lockers and prepare in swimsuits and sun-protective clothing. The conversation is light, with smiles and questions about what the experience will involve.A marine mammal specialist welcomes the small group and begins an introduction to dolphin anatomy, behavior and communication. Children listen beside their accompanying adults, occasionally raising a hand to ask a question. The specialist explains what guests will notice in the water and how to participate in each interaction.

PLAN YOUR EXPERIENCE

Logistics

Everything you need to know before your experience, from what’s included to meeting details and important requirements.

What's Included

Educational introduction led by marine mammal specialists
Approximately 40 minutes with dolphins, including guided swimming, observation and close interactions
Viewing mask for observing underwater movements
Life jacket throughout the program
Towels and secure lockers
Wetsuits during the winter months

Not Included

Optional professional photographs
Souvenir purchases

Meeting / Pickup Information

Marine Mammal Center, Av. Las Palmas 39-A, Nuevo Vallarta

What to Bring

Swimsuit
Sun-protective swim clothing
Extra money for optional photographs and souvenirs

Requirements & Restrictions

Minimum age . 5 years
The brochure states that guests aged 12 and older may participate without an accompanying adult
For children under 12 who are at least 1.20 m tall, one paying accompanying guest aged 16 or older may accompany up to three children in the water
Eligibility below 1.20 m needs
Wear the provided life jacket throughout the program
Jewelry and accessories are not permitted in the dolphin habitat
Sunscreen, including biodegradable sunscreen, is not permitted . Wear sun-protective clothing
Cameras and mobile phones are not permitted during the program or inside the habitat. Cameras are permitted in designated observation areas.
This program is not suitable for pregnant guests
Discuss accessibility needs and essential personal devices before booking
Follow the specialists’ instructions throughout the experience
Arrived 45 minutes before to the meeting point

Cancellation Policy

24 hours . 100 refund
Less than 12 hours . 50% refund
Less than 12 hours – No sows . No refund

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Bring your curiosity into the water

The introductory session provides a useful foundation for the encounter. Guests can ask about the sounds they hear, the movements they notice and the ways dolphins interact. Bringing a few questions makes the specialist’s explanations more personal and gives younger participants details to look for.
Observation continues between the guided activities. Watching a dolphin change direction or move beneath the surface can become a starting point for further questions, adding substance to the time spent in the habitat.

Sharing the experience as a family

Before visiting, talk through what participating will involve. Younger guests may be most interested in seeing a dolphin nearby, while adults may want to learn more about behavior or spend time observing underwater movement. Understanding those interests helps everyone approach the session with clear expectations.
Afterward, invite each person to describe something they noticed. Those small observations often provide the most useful starting point for continuing the conversation about marine life.

Allow time around the session

Keep the surrounding itinerary comfortable. Changing, retrieving belongings and deciding whether to review photographs all deserve a little room before the next reservation.
If members of your group have different levels of confidence in the water, discuss the program with the booking team beforehand. Clarifying how the session works helps each guest prepare for the visit.

YOUR EXPERIENCE AWAITS

Make It a Day to Remember

Our team is here to help you choose the right experience and make every detail effortless, from availability and booking to the day itself.

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