Updated in September 2026, this Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is a marine park and aquarium on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and one of the oldest marine parks in the United States, having opened in 1955. As of September 2026, the park has moved into its fall and winter schedule, with admissions now closing at 3:30pm rather than the 4:30pm summer cutoff.
This guide was updated in September 2026 and reflects that current fall schedule, along with this year’s ticket prices. The park is accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA) and holds IMATA-ATP accreditation for its animal training programmes.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Open daily from 9am; admissions close 4:30pm (spring/summer), 3:30pm (fall/winter) |
| Ticket prices | Adult $36.95–$38.95; Senior $35.95–$37.95; Child (3–12) $26.95–$28.95; under 3 free |
| Address | 1010 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 |
| Nearest transport/parking | On Okaloosa Island, ¼ mile east of Brooks Bridge; on-site parking |
| Typical time needed | 3 to 5 hours |
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park opening hours
The park is open daily, starting at 9am.
- Admissions close at 4:30pm during spring and summer, and at 3:30pm during fall and winter; the shorter fall cutoff applies as of September 2026.
- The park is closed only on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
- Shows and animal chats run throughout the day rain or shine, though severe weather may cause delays.
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park ticket prices
Adult admission ranges from $36.95 to $38.95, depending on the date.
| Ticket type | Standard | Variable pricing (select Tue–Thu) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (13–61) | $36.95 | $38.95 |
| Senior (62+) | $35.95 | $37.95 |
| Child (3–12) | $26.95 | $28.95 |
| Military Discount Adult | $33.46 | $35.26 |
| Military Discount Child | $24.46 | $26.26 |
| Infants (under 3) | Free | Free |
Group discounts apply for 15 or more visitors (10% off) and 50 or more (20% off), though blackout dates apply from March through September.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in September 2026. You can check current details on the official Gulfarium site.
The park is not part of a commercial city pass scheme such as Go City or CityPASS. It holds AMMPA and IMATA-ATP accreditations, which relate to animal care standards rather than any shared reciprocal-admission network, so no cross-park discount applies here.
How to get to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
The park is on Okaloosa Island, a quarter mile east of Brooks Bridge.
- From Pensacola: take Highway 98 East into Fort Walton Beach, cross the Brooks Bridge onto Okaloosa Island, and continue a quarter mile; the park is on the right.
- From Destin/Panama City Beach: take Highway 98 West into Destin, cross onto Okaloosa Island, and continue about 5 miles; the park is on the left.
- From I-10: exit at Niceville (from Pensacola) or Freeport (from Tallahassee) and follow FL-85 or FL-293 south to US-98.
Parking at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
On-site parking is available directly at the park entrance.
No separate parking fee is listed on the official site.
Five great things to do in Destin
- 🍹 Take the tiki boat – out to the Crab Island sandbar for snorkelling, drinks and good times.
- 🐬 Meet the local dolphins – on one of Destin’s legendary dolphin cruises.
- 🤿 Combine a dolphin-watching cruise – with a snorkelling adventure.
- 🪂 See Destin from 400ft above the water – on a parasailing experience.
- 🌅 Watch the sun go down – and spot dolphins – on a sunset cruise.
How long to spend at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
Most visitors spend 3 to 5 hours at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, or roughly half a day.
The Dive-In Eatery offers lunch at picnic tables next to Seal Harbor, so you can easily make a full day of your visit without leaving the park. Guests who leave for lunch elsewhere can return the same day by showing their admission receipt at the gate.
Accessibility at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
The park is committed to providing a welcoming and accessible environment, including accessible entrances, restrooms, and parking.
- The park is outdoor and open-air; walkways are covered with awnings, but you will get wet walking between exhibits on rainy days.
- Only registered service dogs are permitted; other pets are not allowed anywhere on site, including in vehicles.
- The park is smoke-free, including electronic and vapor cigarettes.
- Outside food and drink are not permitted, except for special diets, baby formula, or baby food.
What to see at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
Dolphin Oasis is the park’s main dolphin habitat, with daily presentations and several dolphin encounter options.
Manatee Cove is a renovated habitat for rescued manatees, featuring improved viewing windows and a state-of-the-art underwater observation area, alongside daily educational chats.
The Living Sea exhibit has offered daily dive demonstrations through floor-to-ceiling windows since 1956, when it became the first aquarium feature of its kind.
Shoreline Theater, Seal Harbor, and Penguin Preserve host sea lion presentations, harbor seal chats, and African penguin chats throughout the day.
The Expedition Trail and Reptile Safari bring visitors close to alligators and other reptiles, with scheduled chats at both.
Founded in 1955 by researcher J.B. “Brandy” Siebenaler, the park was the first to stage underwater shows using SCUBA gear and the first to develop a successful synthetic milk formula for rescued baby dolphins, a formula still used today.
The park is directly on the Gulf of Mexico on Okaloosa Island, so several exhibit areas offer views out over the water between animal presentations, and the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center works behind the scenes on sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation, with some of that work visible to visitors through the C.A.R.E.ing for Turtles programme.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
|---|---|
| Entry process | Buy tickets online in advance to avoid the higher variable pricing charged on select Tuesday–Thursday dates. |
| Layout | Bring a rain jacket, since this is an open-air facility and walkways aren’t fully covered. |
| Timing | Check the daily schedule board for show and chat times, since seating is first-come, first-served. |
| On-site logistics | Leave pets at home, since only registered service dogs are permitted. |
| Crowds | Budget for the Dive-In Eatery, since outside food and drink aren’t allowed except for special diets. |
Frequently asked questions about the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Gulfarium open year-round? | Yes, it’s open daily all year, closing only for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No, though booking online can secure lower pricing on some dates. |
| Are pets allowed at the Gulfarium? | No, except registered service dogs. |
| Can you bring food into the park? | No, outside food and drink aren’t permitted, except for special diets, baby formula or baby food. |
| Is the Gulfarium wheelchair accessible? | Yes, with accessible entrances, restrooms and parking throughout. |
Things to do near the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
- Emerald Coast Science Center – a hands-on science museum in Fort Walton Beach, a short drive away.
- Air Force Armament Museum – a free military aviation museum near Eglin AFB, roughly 15 minutes’ drive.
- Okaloosa Island Boardwalk and beaches – shops, dining and beach access right next to the park.
- Destin Harbor and HarborWalk Village – shops, restaurants and boat charters, roughly 15 to 20 minutes’ drive.
- Navarre Beach – a quieter Gulf Coast beach with its own fishing pier, roughly 20 to 25 minutes’ drive.
Alternative attractions
- Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, Gulfport, MS – a marine mammal rescue and education centre with dolphin encounters, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours’ drive.
- Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Gulf Shores, AL – a ZAA-accredited zoo, roughly 1.5 hours’ drive.
- Zoo World, Panama City Beach, FL – a zoological park with over 260 animals, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours’ drive.
- The Gulf Breeze Zoo, Gulf Breeze, FL – a 50-acre zoo and safari park, roughly 1 hour’s drive.
- USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, Mobile, AL – a WWII battleship, submarine and aircraft pavilion, roughly 2 hours’ drive.
More Emerald Coast travel
Other Emerald Coast travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- First time visitor’s guide to Gator Beach in Destin, Florida’s Emerald Coast.
- Top beaches near Destin: Henderson Beach State Park, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Grayton Beach State Park.
- Step into the past at Historic Pensacola Village.
- What to know before visiting Fort Pickens in Pensacola.
- Key information for visiting Big Lagoon State Park near Pensacola.
