About Sea Life Park Hawaii - Dolphin Encounter
Meet dolphins from a waist-deep platform at Sea Life Park Hawaii, with 30 minutes of water time, park admission, a printed photo and a souvenir cup included.
Step onto a waist-deep platform and meet the park's playful Atlantic bottlenose dolphins eye to eye. In this hands-on program you'll practice simple hand signals, feel the smooth texture of dolphin skin, and learn about anatomy, training methods and conservation efforts—all while splashes fly and smiles widen. The encounter is designed for families and first-time participants, making it a fun mix of education and light water play.
Activity Highlights
- Beginner-friendly, get-wet dolphin meet-and-greet
- Waist-deep platform is ideal for participants age 4 and up
- Learn about dolphin anatomy, behavior, training and conservation
- Approximately 30 minutes of water time with the dolphins
- One complimentary printed photo per participant
- Keepsake souvenir cup
- 10 % discount on retail purchases the day of your visit
- Sea Life Park admission included—explore exhibits, shows and other marine animals before or after your encounter
Activity Notes
Where & When
Sea Life Park Hawaii Hours:
Daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (closed seasonally on Tuesdays)
Dolphin Encounter Program Times:
11:00 am - 11:30 am (check in at 10:00 am)
2:15 pm - 2:45 pm (check in at 1:15 pm)
Please check in 1 hour before the start of your reserved program.
Roundtrip Transportation from Waikiki:
Roundtrip transportation from Waikiki area hotels is available at an additional cost. If you book your Sea Life Park tickets with added transportation, your exact pick-up time and location will be in your confirmation email. We will select the closest location to your hotel. Pick-up will be between 8:45 am and 9:15 am (see pick-up schedule below). Departure from Sea Life Park back to Waikiki is available at 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.
Pick-up / Departure Time to Sea Life Park:
8:45 am: Hilton Hawaiian Village (Grand Islander Bus Depot)
8:55 am: La Croix Hotel (Olohana Street)
9:00 am: Sheraton Waikiki Bus Depot (Aloha Landing)
9:05 am: Ross Dress for Less (Seaside Ave)
9:10 am: Hyatt Regency (Koa Ave)
9:15 am: Waikiki Beach Marriott (Paoakalani Ave)
Driving Out:
Parking at Sea Life Park is $18 +tax per vehicle per day ($9 +tax for military/kamaaina). Parking is cashless. Only electronic payments, such as debit cards, credit cards and mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted.
Check in at 1 hour prior to your program time at Sea Life Park Hawaii, located at 41-202 Kalanianaole Hwy, Waimanalo, HI 96795
View Map
Driving Directions:
From Waikiki, take the H-1 East (Lunalilo Freeway). H-1 becomes Highway 72, continue east through residential area. After the residential area ends, continue driving along the coast past Hanauma Bay and Sandy Beach, to Makapu'u Point. Sea Life Park Hawaii is located on the left side of the road. You will see the large signage indicating the entrance from the highway.
Restrictions
Children must be at least 4 years old to participate in this activity.
Children ages 4-12 must be accompanied into the water by a paying adult 18 years or older (one adult per child).
Pregnant women may NOT participate.
The use of safety vests is required.
No spectators allowed in backstage area.
No phones or cameras allowed.
All jewelry should be removed prior to participation in any in-water activities, however, certain exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for items such as wedding rings or nose piercings that cannot be easily removed. Please notify the Sea Life Park team at check-in.
Toe rings must be removed before any in-water activity.
Reef walkers or neoprene water shoes may be worn during the program.
Prescription/protective eyewear is allowed if secured with a lanyard.
Please empty all pockets before entering the water.
Hats may be worn and must be snug and secure.
Hair ties or rubber bands may be used to keep hair away from the face. Please avoid bobby pins or loose clips that may fall into the water.
To help protect marine life, avoid sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate. Instead, use reef-safe products with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
All guests must be in good physical condition and be able to walk over uneven or sloped surfaces and enter and exit the water via stairs without assistance. For disabilities, please contact reservations. A questionnaire will be required to be filled out by guest to assess and advise approval to participate in requested program.
All participants or their legal guardians are required to sign a release of liability and waiver form before participating.
Special Notes
Your park admission is included.
Before in-water programs, guests will check in at the Locker Room area near the Sea Lion habitat. Facilities include:
Outdoor shower rinse stalls (not enclosed showers).
Restrooms and changing stalls.
Locker rentals are available for $6.
Sea Life Park is a family-friendly place that welcomes children and school groups every day. After water activities, guests are asked to wear bathing suit cover-ups while walking through the park. When dining in the restaurant, shirts or tops must be worn, and swimwear bottoms should be fully covered.
A portion of admission price goes towards marine animal rescue and rehabilitation programs.
Operation Days
Daily (except on Tuesdays during low season)
Duration
30 minute animal program + a full day at the park
Capacity
12
Vendor
This activity is operated by Sea Life Park.
