Swimming with Dolphins 2026 in Dubai

Swimming with Dolphins in Dubai takes place at Dubai Dolphinarium in Creek Park, where trainers lead small groups into the pool to meet the resident bottlenose dolphins up close. The experience starts with an introduction to the animals and then moves into the water, with a choice of a shallow-water or a deep-water session. It is pitched as both exciting and educational, and it is one of the few places in the city where you can get into the water with dolphins under the guidance of their own trainers.

How the Swimming with Dolphins Session in Dubai Works

This is a hands-on activity rather than a show you watch from the seats. Each group is capped at six guests, which keeps the time in the pool personal and gives the trainers room to work with every swimmer. Before you get in, the team explains how the dolphins behave, how they communicate and how to move around them calmly, so you go into the water knowing what to expect.

Once in the pool, the trainers guide each interaction. One booking listing describes the guided swim as roughly 30 minutes long, which is enough time to settle in without the session feeling rushed. A wetsuit is provided for the activity, and there are changing rooms on site for before and after.

Shallow Water or Deep Water

You pick your session when you book. The shallow-water option suits guests who are less confident in the water, since you stay where you can stand while the dolphins come to you. The deep-water option gives a fuller swim alongside the animals, so it is the better choice for strong swimmers who want more time moving with them.

What the Package Includes

The ticket bundles more than the swim. It covers entry to the dolphinarium, the trainer-led session, one Dolphin and Seal Show on the same day, one printed photo or video of your swim and a complimentary drink. Extra photos and videos can be bought separately at the venue if you want more than the one keepsake.

The Dolphin and Seal Show is the dolphinarium’s long-running family performance, with the trainers and their animals working together in the main pool. Seeing it on the same day as your swim is a good way to round off the visit, and children who are too young to swim can still enjoy that part of the day. The venue also runs an exotic bird show, which some families add on separately.

About Dubai Dolphinarium and Creek Park

Dubai Dolphinarium opened in 2008 and is widely described as the first fully air-conditioned indoor dolphinarium in the Middle East. Because the whole facility is indoors and climate-controlled, the experience runs comfortably through the hotter months as well as the cooler season. The main arena seats around 1,200 people for the shows.

The dolphinarium sits inside Creek Park, by Gate 1 on Riyadh Street in Umm Hurair 2, close to Children’s City and Dubai Healthcare City. Creek Park opened in 1994 and covers more than 96 hectares of lawns and shady paths along Dubai Creek, so it is easy to turn your swim into a longer outing with a picnic or a walk by the water. The park charges its own entry fee at the gate, which is separate from the dolphinarium ticket.

Who the Dolphin Swim Suits

The experience works well for families with older children, couples marking a special occasion and visitors who have always wanted to swim with dolphins. The ticket page states that swimmers must be older than five, and younger participants must be accompanied by a paying adult. Some resellers list a higher minimum age and ask for confident swimmers, so check the age band for your child when you book and choose the shallow-water session if they are still building confidence.

It also suits anyone curious about marine mammals. Because the trainers explain the dolphins’ behaviour before and during the swim, you come away knowing more about the animals rather than simply having a photo.

Practical Points Before You Book

Dubai Dolphinarium is open from Wednesday to Monday and closed on Tuesdays, with several swim sessions on each open day. One operator asks guests to arrive around 30 minutes before their session, which leaves time to pay the park fee, change and meet the trainers.

Bring a swimsuit to wear under the wetsuit and a valid photo ID. A towel and a change of clothes make the trip home more comfortable. Outside food, drinks, glassware and alcohol are not allowed inside. Tickets on the official listing are non-refundable and cannot be cancelled, so double-check your date and session before paying.

By car, there is parking at Creek Park. By metro, Dubai Healthcare City station is a short walk from the park. Most taxi drivers know the dolphinarium well.

More Things to Do Nearby

Pair your visit with other attractions in Dubai, or browse our list of kids’ events in Dubai for more family days out. For a wider look at the city, see our guide to things to do in Dubai and the latest ideas for things to do in November.