Swimming with dolphins probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Mississippi, but it’s actually a possibility at the newly opened Ocean Adventures Marine Park in Gulfport. But that’s not all the new attraction has to offer. The enormous facility also offers the option to swim with sharks and sting rays – and that’s in addition to an interactive museum, touch pools, and more. Take a look:
Located in Gulfport, the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) recently received a $15 million makeover, which included the addition of Ocean Adventures Marine Park.
The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies/Facebook It’s open Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
In addition to a number of under-the-sea exhibits, the 30,000-square-foot facility offers visitors the chance to swim with dolphins, sting rays, and sharks.
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Adults and children eight and up can take part in the close-up encounters.
The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies/Facebook
For $120, you can take part in the 45-minute Dolphin Interaction Program, which ends with a dip with a dolphin.
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Spend some time wading around with sting rays and sharks for $45. (You’ll even have the chance to feed them.) If you really want to get up close and personal, opt to snorkel and swim with them, which will cost $65.
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Don’t forget to bring your bathing suit and towel. Non-slip shoes, a snorkel (if needed), and souvenir photo are included with all encounters.
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Not interested in shelling out all that cash for an encounter? That’s okay; general admission to the park also offers the chance to get intimate with creatures from the ocean.
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With a general admission ticket, you’ll have access to the Discovery Room touch pools, which are home to stingrays, sharks, horseshoe crabs, fish, blue crabs, sea stars, and sea urchins.
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Prefer to be more of a spectator? Check out the Dolphin Presentation, where you’ll see dolphins work with their trainers and interact with other guests.
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But marine life isn’t all the park covers. Through special presentations and exhibits, you can learn about tropical birds and reptiles.
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A general admission ticket is $14 for adults, $13 for seniors/military, $12 for children 3 – 12, and free for children 2 and under.
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Ready to pay a visit to one of the Gulf Coast’s newest attractions?
The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies/Facebook
Ocean Adventures Marine Park is located at 10801 Dolphin Ln., Gulfport, MS 39503. For more information, call (228) 896-9182 or click here for the IMMS website.
The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies/Facebook
It’s open Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
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157gwenf/TripAdvisor
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Trevor Bingham/Google
Aaron Green/Google
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David Steckbeck/Google
This isn’t the only new attraction on the Gulf Coast. Learn about another in “Mississippi’s Newest Beachfront Attraction Is The Only One Of Its Kind In The Nation…And You’ll Want To Visit.“
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