Local Favorites Florida: Marineland Beach, Swim with the Dolphins!
One of our absolute favorite beaches in Florida is Marineland. This beach is right on the edge of the St. Johns and Flagler County lines. A short drive from St. Augustine or Daytona. Marineland Beach has everything a beach-goer can love during any season in Florida. During the summer months we take refuge from the heat in the water, picnic under a pavilion, and shower off before sanding-up the car! Although I don’t have pictures shown, there ARE spots along the shoreline without rocks hindering your swimming or time in the waves.
What about the other seasons?
Does Florida have any other seasons?
The spectacular thing about Marineland is that it is perfect during the winter months too. When it’s too cold to swim in the ocean, we enjoy jumping the rocks, searching for shells and wildlife, and listening to the waves crash.
What is most appealing about Marineland is: it is always quiet, enjoyed mostly by locals, and less crowded than the nearby tourist beaches. Vacationers and tourist mainly stay further South towards Daytona Beach or near historic St. Augustine. This leaves Marineland Beach available for those who want to relax and enjoy their family time.
Another great thing families will love about Marineland is that you can’t drive on this beach. I remember being completely stressed when I took my toddler to Daytona Beach for the first time. I was so worried, we didn’t stay and opted to go somewhere cars could not venture instead. Kids, water, and cars don’t mixed. I urge parents of young children NOT to take their kids to Daytona Beach, it isn’t safe for them.
First Visit?
If it is your first visit, be sure to stop into Marineland Dolphin Adventure. They offer inexpensive viewing opportunities of their Dolphins AND even opportunities to SWIM with them! This adventure makes a great birthday gift or anniversary date!
Once Upon a Time…
Marineland was known as Marine Studios and was the location for several movies and firsts in Dolphin marine science. The first Dolphin born in captivity was born at Marineland AND the first dog to scuba dive did so here too! I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, after all, Marineland is the world’s oldest oceanarium? Learn more about their history in “Marineland” by Cheryl Messinger before your visit.
Just the thought of a beach has me relaxing! I would absolutely love to swim with dolphins. I will keep this in mind IF I ever get my family out of the midwest.
This sounds like a great place! I’ve never liked the crowded beaches. Marine land sounds great too.
We live near the beach, so I know how relaxing it can be 🙂
This sounds like a great way to spend the day, and somewhat less chaotic then one of the parks!
Hmm, I love beaches, they’re so good for relaxing and hanging with friends!
This looks so heavenly
I live in Florida and haven’t swam with the dolphins yet. My whole family would love doing this. Thank you so much for sharing. God Bless
I have lived in Florida since I was four and have never been here! I would love to swim with the dolphins!
What a fun thing to do, I always wanted to.
This sounds like a fun place to visit. Perfect for a family day!
Swimming with the dolphins is a dream of mine, your so lucky. I bet it was just amazing. The beach is my favorite place to be besides home
Love hanging out at the beach and it looks like so much fun there seeing the sea life. Cars on the beach would scare me.
I’d love to swim with dolphins.
We live in Florida and have not done this yet. I can’t wait to take the grandchildren. This is something I would really enjoy also. Thank you so much for sharing
It would be a fun and exciting experience to swim with the dolphins!
On my bucket list…To swim with the dolphins! I am such an animal lover and over 25 years ago I was able to pet and feed dolphins at Sea World but you could not swim with them. The dolphins a large pool. Some day my dream will come true!
This definitely is on my personal bucket list is to swim with the dolphins, BUT: only in their natural habitat. I do not agree with having dolphins in captivity at places like Marine Land. These dolphins deserve to be free, not be put on display and deemed ‘family entertainment’ and perform literally like trained seals. 🙁
I know so many people who would love this. What fun.
This sounds like a lot of fun and I would love to go there.
I have always wanted to swim with the dolphins! I would probably chicken out because I’m a scaredy cat but I would love to do it!