The Dolphin In-Water Adventure - Frequently
Asked Questions
▪
Registration, Scheduling and
Requirements
▪
What You Need to Know Before You Arrive
▪
What Happens During the In-Water
Adventure
▪
What Observers Do
▪
What To Expect From Our Dolphins
Registration, Scheduling and Requirements
What is the best way to sign up for this program?
The easiest way is to register online. Additional questions may be
submitted as a message that will be answered within several business days.
Is there an age requirement?
There is both an age and a height requirement. All Dolphin In-Water
Adventure participants must be at least 4 feet 6 inches tall. Children
14 years old and older who meet this height requirement can participate
without adult supervision. Children under 14 years old will need to be
accompanied by a paid participating adult either in the water or as an observer.
Why do you have to be 4’6” tall to
participate?
This is a wade-in program and guests will be in water that is 3’6” deep.
What if I am sick?
For the safety of both our participants and the dolphins, we prefer guests
be in good health when participating in this program. We will assist in
rescheduling. Please call our Dolphin Phone Line at (317) 630-2076.
What time should I arrive?
Guests should arrive 15 minutes before session start time to fill out
paperwork. Sessions meet in the Education Building directly to the
right of the Zoo admission gates.
 What if I need to reschedule?
Guests can reschedule if there are more than 14 days until the program date, and there is a
$50 rescheduling fee. If there are less than 14 days until your program, there is no rescheduling. However, the
participant can give their space to another person (friend, family member,
etc.) who meets the requirements with no fees attached. We would need to get
names and sizes as soon as possible to make sure we have changing rooms
ready. Please call (317) 630-2076 to make changes.
Can you participate if you have special
needs?
We will make every effort to accommodate persons with special needs.
Because of safety concerns regarding our dolphins, trainers, and
participants, availability for individuals with special needs will be
determined on an individual basis, and we ask that you call us in advance
for more information. If the potential participant has any special needs
concerns (behavioral, cognitive or physical), please call (317) 630-2076,
Monday-Friday, 10am-3pm.
Can an interaction be purchased as a
gift?
Yes. To purchase a gift certificate for the In-Water Adventure, please call
(317) 630-2180, 9am-3pm Mon-Fri. You cannot book a gift certificate
online.
What days and times do you do
interactions?
Times vary. Please check our calendar (within online registration) for available days and times.
For how many people can I make
reservations?
Each program session will have a total of eight in-water participants and
twelve observers.
Do you give refunds?
There will be no refunds unless the Indianapolis Zoo has to cancel the
program and guests cannot reschedule.
What You Need to Know Before You Arrive
Is swimming
with the dolphins involved?
Although this program is similar to swimming with dolphins, you do not
actually leave your feet. You will be submerged in water up to your
waist or a bit higher.
 What time should I arrive?
Participants should arrive 15-20 minutes before scheduled time in order to
check in and sign the program waiver. The program begins in the
Education Building directly to the right of the Zoo admissions gates.
We encourage participants to arrive early and enjoy the Zoo and White River
Gardens prior to their Dolphin Adventure In-Water Experience.
What do I need to bring?
Participants will need to bring a bathing suit and any toiletries.
Each shower holds a dispenser of body wash/shampoo. As part of the
experience, participants will receive a free bath towel. If a participant
desires more than one towel or their own soap and shampoo, please feel free
to bring them. Also, please bring a bag in which to place your
belongings.
Are there changing rooms?
Yes, each guest will be provided with their own locked changing area,
locker, and shower.
What if I cannot remove my jewelry?
For the safety of the participants and the dolphins, participants cannot
have any exposed jewelry. All jewelry must be either covered by the
wetsuit or removed.
Can I wear my medical bracelet in
the water?
Yes, but we ask that it be pushed back under the wetsuit.
Will my personal belongings be
safe?
Each participant will have their own shower and changing space that has a
locked door. The entrance to the locker room area will also be locked
when the group leaves the changing area. A personal key will be on a
lanyard worn around the neck and under the wetsuit while with the dolphins.
Please do not bring valuables, however; we cannot be responsible for these
items. Please bring a bag in which you can place your belongings.
What Happens During the In-Water
Adventure
 What
will a participant get to do during the dolphin interaction?
Guests will learn more about dolphins during an introductory class and
through touching, feeding, and interacting with the dolphins in the
water. Similar to programs featuring swimming with dolphins, the In-Water
Adventure allows you to be as close to dolphins as you can get. Guests
will also get their picture taken with a dolphin. Be prepared to learn
about the threats to dolphins in the wild and about conservation effort to
save the oceans where they live.
How long will I be in the
water?
Guests will be in the water or at water’s edge for about 35 minutes.
What is included in the cost?
Program includes Zoo admission, a commemorative towel, and
digital photo.
Guests will also have free use of a light weight wetsuit, life vest and
sandals.
What is the pool like?
Participants meet the dolphins in the Dolphin Adventure pool located behind
the main performance pool and stage area in the Marsh Dolphin Adventure
Theater. The pool is 18 feet deep with a wide ledge that is 3 ½ feet
below the water. Stepped and ramped access to the ledge is available.
The pool is salt water with a temperature range of between 78-81 degrees.
The water may feel somewhat cool at first.
How many people can participate in
a session?
To provide the best experience, each session will have
no more than eight participants. The
participants will be divided up at the trainer’s discretion to afford the
safest and most exciting experience possible. Typically, there will be
two groups of four each.
 Do you need to be able to swim to
participate?
No. Participants should inform the trainers ahead of time if they are
uncomfortable in the water. Guests are required to wear a life vest
and will be in water that is 3 ½ feet deep. This activity is in waist-deep water and does NOT include swimming. The interaction area is a
ledge three feet, six inches deep in a pool that is 18 feet deep.
Do participants have to wear a life
vest to participate?
Yes, life vests are required and are provided. Life vests are required
for the safety of participants. The interaction area is a ledge three feet,
six inches deep in a pool that is 18 feet deep.
Can the participant take pictures?
No, but each participant will be provided with a digital photograph and observers
are allowed to take pictures or videotape. Flash photography is
permitted.
Can I bring my child if I hold
them?
No, each participant is required to be at least 4 feet 6 inches tall and to
have their arms and hands unencumbered.
What about persons with special needs?
The Indianapolis Zoo’s Dolphin Adventure has been specifically designed to
accommodate as many people with special needs as possible. Our changing
rooms are designed to follow ADA guidelines. Additional questions may be
submitted as a message and will be answered within
several business days. You may also call (317) 630-2076 for further
information, Monday-Friday, 10am-3pm.
 What Observers Do
Can
I bring someone to watch?
Yes, there are limited spaces available for observers at a moderate cost.
This cost covers admission to the Zoo, the observer’s participation in the
class, and the opportunity to be close during the in-water portion of the
program.
*Observers cannot register separately; they must be associated with a
participant.
* Observers experience the classroom session and are able to watch their
participant from an area near the in-water activity.
* Observers must be at least 6 years old.
* Observers under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a paid adult observer
with a ratio of one adult per child under 14 years of age.
How much does it cost to be an
observer?
Observers who are with an Indianapolis Zoo member participant pay a $35 fee.
Observers who are with a non-member participant pay a $45 fee. You
cannot attend simply as an observer; you must come with a participant.
Can the observer take pictures
and/or video?
Yes, observers are allowed to videotape and take pictures, but must remain
in a designated area while doing so. Flash photography is permitted.
What does an observer get to do?
Observers will attend the class with program participants and then have a
designated area behind the scenes to observe the in-water experience.
 What To Expect From Our Dolphins
Do
dolphins bite?
Dolphins are predators and have rather sharp teeth. Dolphins will bite
one another when fighting or establishing dominance. Our trainers
having been working with our dolphins for many years and being nipped by one
is a rare occurrence. It is highly unlikely that any participant who
follows our guidelines while in the pool will have a negative interaction
with our dolphins.
Do dolphins like interacting with
people?
Our dolphins are curious and playful and seem to enjoy interacting with
people. They have been conditioned for this program for several years.
They especially seem to enjoy being touched.
Do dolphins like people?
Some wild dolphins have displayed a natural curiosity about people. At
the Indianapolis Zoo, our dolphins have bonded with their trainers and
associate people with something positive.
What can I do to help dolphins in
the wild?
You can help by supporting your local zoo or aquarium, reading or learning
more about dolphins, and working to conserve the natural environment.
For more information about dolphins, we recommend visiting these web sites:
• To learn more about helping to conserve habitats, visit
Save Nature.
• For more information on dolphin research, check out
the
Sarasota Dolphin Research Program
and the
Dolphin Institute.
• For information on helping stranded marine mammals, visit the
Texas Marine
Mammal Stranding Network website.
|