Panama City Beach is a popular vacation destination on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Known for its beautiful white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and other Panama City Beach attractions, it draws many visitors yearly. The city offers a range of activities, including water sports, fishing, shopping, dining, and entertainment options for you to experience during your stay in a Panama City Beach condo rental with Dunes of Panama!
One of the most popular things to do in Panama City Beach with kids is to swim with dolphins, one of the most intelligent animals on the planet. Here is our favorite place to meet and learn about these splendid creatures.
About Gulf World
There is a place in Panama City Beach where the marvels of the deep water come to life. A lyrical meeting with a marine marvel awaits daring people who go out on an incredible trip with Gulf World Marine Park.
The park presents a tapestry of marine magnificence, with magnificent turtles, lively sea lions, and exquisite dolphins dancing in unison. Visitors may see dolphins such as bottlenose dolphin, harbor seals, African penguins, stingrays, and a rough-toothed dolphin, soar through the air, their athletic bodies defying gravity in a show of aquatic grace, the result of years of commitment and training.
Beyond dolphins, there is a treasure trove of aquatic wonders just waiting to be explored. Explore the park’s many displays, including sharks, tropical fish, and sea turtles.
Daily Shows
The Dolphin Show at Gulf World Marine Park is one of the exciting things to do in Panama City Beach for families, featuring skilled trainers and resident dolphins performing impressive tricks and synchronized swimming routines. The show emphasized the dolphins’ intelligence, agility, and natural behaviors while providing commentary on dolphins, their social structures, and the challenges they face in the wild. Conservation messages are also woven into the presentation, emphasizing protecting marine environments and responsible interactions with wildlife.
Gulf World’s breathtaking dolphin show features magnificent bottlenose and rough-toothed dolphins. They are thrilled to be one of just two locations in the US where you can get a close-up look at these uncommon rough-toothed dolphins.
The dolphin stars display an impressive variety of flips, jumps, and twists. Seeing the interactions between the trainers and the dolphins is touching. Gulf World is home to several dolphins who were either born there or rescued but declared unfit for release.
The Sea Lion Show
This is another crowd-pleaser featuring a group of playful sea lions and their experienced trainers. The show focused on showcasing sea lions’ agility, intelligence, and natural behaviors, with trainers engaging with the sea lions through positive reinforcement. The show also incorporates educational elements, sharing information about sea lions’ anatomy, behaviors, and role in marine ecosystems.
They have a delightful California Sea Lion presentation! Their cute harbor seal, with whom you will instantly fall in love, will also be featured in the exhibition. Find out how California sea lions and harbor seals differ from one another. They will perform various behaviors for you to see, like “sea lion break dancing,” hand clapping, kissing, and more.
The Feathered Friends Show
This is an interactive presentation featuring parrots, macaws, and other intelligent avian species. Visitors can marvel at the birds’ vibrant plumage, vocalizations, and problem-solving skills. Trainers share interesting facts about the different bird species featured, their natural habitats, and their conservation challenges in the wild.
See our feathered, furry, and scaly cast members and their trainers as they impress you with unusual behaviors and teaching methods. Various birds, cats, dogs, and reptiles will be present. Most of the animal residents were either adopted from shelters or came from other households!
Visitors receive multiple chances to join the performers on stage and engage with the animals. Discover how various species are trained to obtain some training tips for your pets at home! See a bird flying on a wind machine in real time on stage to learn how their flight feathers work.
Plan Your Visit
The beach is calling! Browse our full rental catalog or contact the team at Dunes of Panama to start planning your getaway to Panama City Beach today!
Swim With Dolphins
Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach, Florida, offers interactive experiences for visitors to swim with dolphins. The Dolphin Encounter program, designed by experienced trainers, allows guests to interact with dolphins in a controlled and supervised environment. Guests wade into shallow water or stand on a submerged platform, learning about dolphins through hands-on interactions.
The experience aims to promote understanding and appreciation for these remarkable marine creatures. Trained staff members share information about dolphin behavior, communication, conservation, and challenges they face in the wild. Reservations are required, and age or height restrictions may apply. Additionally, these programs typically require an additional fee beyond general park admission.
Other Interactive Experiences
Gulf World Marine Park includes various Panama City Beach attractions for families and offers an unforgettable marine adventure, immersing visitors in the ocean’s wonders. The park offers a variety of attractions, including Stingray Bay feeding, sea lion and harbor seal encounters, the Stingray Interactive Program, Trainer for a Day experience, Penguin Encounter, and the charming Russel the Crow.
Stingray Bay Feeding provides an opportunity to feed sea lions and learn about their anatomy and behavior. Harbor Seal Encounters provide an intimate encounter with harbor seals, showcasing their intelligence, agility, and playful nature. The Stingray Interactive Program offers an exclusive opportunity to become a part of the stingray’s world, diving into crystal-clear waters alongside trained instructors.
Trainer for a Day program allows visitors to step into the shoes of a professional marine mammal trainer, shadowing the park’s dedicated trainers as they care for and train marine animals. The Penguin Encounter offers a chance to meet and interact with penguins in a chilly, penguin-friendly environment, learning about their species, habitat, and conservation efforts.
Russel the Crow, a charismatic and intelligent bird, captivates visitors with his antics and remarkable problem-solving skills. Observe Russel as he demonstrates his intelligence through puzzles and interactive challenges, showcasing the cognitive abilities of crows and the importance of appreciating and protecting these intelligent avian creatures.
Book Your Panama City Beach Condo Rentals At Dunes Of Panama
When visiting Panama City Beach, book your stay with Dunes of Panama! Our condos in Panama City Beach FL offer vacationers looking for a comfortable and convenient stay. The resort features a variety of amenities, such as multiple swimming pools, tennis courts, beach access, fitness facilities, and more. If you’re interested in booking a condo at Dunes of Panama, contact our team to learn more or book today!
