Marineland: Coastal Trails, Dolphins and Marine Research

Marineland offers several distinct visitor experiences: the A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway, hiking trails, marine research and dolphin-related activities. Activities range from coastal walks with information stations to encounters with marine animals; talks and tours each have their own participation requirements. If you are looking for a hotel in Marineland, first consider whether you would rather spend your time being active outdoors, exploring marine life or learning about research.

Coastal Route and Trails in the Preserve

The A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway passes through Marineland. The River to Sea Preserve is also in Marineland, on both sides of Highway A1A. The Preserve has hiking trails as well as a canoe and kayak launch that provides access to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Matanzas River. This offers two distinct activities: walking on the trails and accessing the waterways via the launch. For planning purposes, that means a clear distinction between an activity on land and a starting point for a trip on the water.

Coastal Walk with Information Stations

The Discovery Walk at Whitney Laboratory is an educational coastal walk with information stations. Topics range from the Matanzas Estuary, biodiversity and conservation to sea turtles. The stations give the walk a natural history focus, combining physical activity with information about marine life and conservation. Some of the original stations are scheduled to return in 2026.

Dolphin Programs and Aquarium

At Marineland Dolphin Adventure, the two dolphin programs differ mainly in where guests are positioned. The Dolphin Meet & Greet takes place at the dock, outside the water. During the Dolphin Encounter, guests meet the dolphins from a submerged platform in shallow water; the program is offered on every operating day. The choice therefore depends specifically on whether you are looking for an encounter outside the water or from a platform in shallow water. The Sea to Shore Aquarium at Marineland Dolphin Adventure features native and tropical fish species, complementing the focus on dolphin encounters with an exhibit of a variety of fish.

Research, Sea Turtles and Talks

The UF Whitney Laboratory is located in the Town of Marineland between the Matanzas River and the Atlantic Ocean. The Sea Turtle Hospital is part of the Laboratory; its educational programs cover its research and rehabilitation work. The Hospital’s behind-the-scenes tours are open to registered participants who have paid. The Whitney Laboratory’s free public lecture series is organized differently: it includes spring presentations (January to May) and fall presentations (September to December). Talks and parking are free; registration or reservations are not required. This lets you choose between a format that requires registration and payment and a public lecture series that requires no registration.

Historical Highlights

Marine Studios opened in 1938 as the world’s first oceanarium and is now known as Marineland Dolphin Adventure. The Whitney Laboratory was built on two acres of donated land in the Town of Marineland and dedicated in 1974. The dates mark two distinct phases in Marineland’s marine history: the opening of the oceanarium and the later dedication of the laboratory.

Discover more destinations: Palm Coast, Flagler Beach.

For the overview of the wider destination: Flagler.