A mostly open-air aquarium, Gulf World Marine Park is located on the Gulf of Mexico in Panama City Beach, Florida. The park is home to rough-toothed and bottlenose dolphins, sea lions, stingrays, flamingos, sharks, turtles, penguins, alligators, and reef fish.
The Basics
At Gulf World Marine Park, daily trainer-led dolphin and sea lion shows highlight animals’ agility and skill, while aquarium shows spotlight birds, sharks, and turtles. Interactive programs allow you to interact with seals, feed stingrays, or be a veterinarian or trainer for a day. General admission passes include all shows and exhibits, but interactive programs require separate bookings.
Things to Know Before You Go
On-site food options include a grill and snack bar. No outside food is permitted in the park.
Gulf World Marine Park is completely stroller and wheelchair accessible.
Photos and videos are allowed anywhere in the park, but not during interactive experiences.
Most visitors spend between three to four hours exploring the park.
How to Get There
Gulf World Marine Park is located off Front Beach Road, between the gulf and Panama City Beach’s West Bay Grand Lagoon. There is free parking on-site, as well as an overflow lot for particularly busy days.
When to Get There
Gulf World Marine Park is busiest during summer weekends. If you’re visiting anytime between March and June and want to book an interactive program, be sure to do so in advance.
Animals at Gulf World Marine Park
All of the animals at the park are rescues deemed nonreleasable to the wild, animals born in captivity, or pets who were donated by their owners. Interactive animal experiences are completely safe, but visitors should be prepared to sign a waiver as animals are unpredictable by nature.
Address: 15412 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, Florida 32413, USA
