Water Tours
Dolphin Funtastic
Gallery
Tour overview
Some experiences you can describe and some you just have to feel. Standing on a platform in the water while a bottlenose dolphin swims up, shakes your hand with its fin, and then gently presses its nose to your face for a kiss — that’s the second kind.
The Dolphin Funtastic program at Dolphin Explorer in Punta Cana is the most accessible dolphin experience available on the island. No swimming experience required, no age barriers for kids, and no complicated logistics. You show up, you meet the dolphin, and you go home with a memory that’s hard to explain to anyone who wasn’t there.
What happens on this tour
After hotel pickup from Punta Cana or Bavaro, you’re taken to the Dolphin Explorer facility where your trainer introduces you to the program and walks you through everything you need to know.
You enter the water and stand on a shallow platform alongside your group and your trainer. The dolphin comes to you. The experience starts with the iconic pec shake — the dolphin extends its fin and greets you like an old friend. From there, the activities build: you learn about dolphin anatomy, how the trainers communicate with them, and what conservation efforts are underway to protect them in the wild.
Then comes the moment everyone waits for. The dolphin kiss. The dolphin swims up, pauses, and presses its snout gently to your cheek. It’s brief, completely unexpected in how it feels, and absolutely unforgettable.
The 40-minute water session also includes the show component — sea lion performances and a bird show that kids absolutely love. The whole experience is as educational as it is entertaining, designed for families, couples and anyone who has ever wanted to get close to these remarkable animals.
Excludes
- Swimsuit, towel, biodegradable sunscreen and a change of dry clothes. Leave regular sunscreen at the hotel — the facility requires biodegradable products to protect the dolphins. Cash if you want to purchase photos of your experience.
What's included
- Hotel pickup from Punta Cana and Bavaro resort areas
- Round-trip air-conditioned transportation
- 40-minute Funtastic dolphin encounter program
- Dolphin pec shake greeting
- Dolphin kiss experience
- Facts about dolphin anatomy and conservation from your trainer
- Sea lion show
- Bird show
- Locker for your belongings
- Return transportation to your hotel
Good to know
No swimming experience required — suitable for all ability levels
Pregnancy is allowed up to 6 months — consult your doctor before booking
Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled program time
Use biodegradable sunscreen only — regular sunscreen is harmful to dolphins
Personal cameras are not permitted in the water — professional photos available for purchase
Book 2 or more activities and save 10% with promo code BOOK2SAVE10
FAQs
Do I need to know how to swim for the Funtastic program? No. The Funtastic program takes place on a shallow standing platform. You don’t need to swim at all. This is what makes it the most accessible of the dolphin programs and perfect for all ages, including young children and non-swimmers. What is the difference between Funtastic, Explorer and Supremacy? Funtastic is a standing platform encounter — no swimming required. You interact with one dolphin in a group of up to 20 people for 40 minutes. Explorer is a 50-minute swim program where you hold hands with a dolphin and it takes you for a swim. Supremacy is the most immersive 60-minute experience, reserved for strong swimmers, where the dolphins push you across the water at speed. Funtastic is ideal for families, beginners and anyone who wants a meaningful dolphin interaction without needing to swim. Will I actually kiss a dolphin? Yes. The dolphin kiss is one of the signature moments of the Funtastic program. The dolphin swims up and gently presses its snout to your cheek. It’s completely safe, completely voluntary and completely unlike anything else you’ll do on your vacation. Is this experience good for kids? It’s one of the best family experiences available in Punta Cana. Children aged 6 and above can participate fully. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 1 meter in height participate free when accompanied by a paying adult. The trainers are experienced working with kids and make the whole program fun, safe and educational. Can I bring my camera into the water? Personal cameras and phones are not permitted in the water during the program. Professional photographers are on-site throughout the session and photos and videos of your experience are available for purchase after the program. Why do I need biodegradable sunscreen? Regular sunscreen contains chemicals that are harmful to dolphins and other marine life. The facility requires all guests to use biodegradable sunscreen to protect the dolphins’ health and skin. You can buy biodegradable sunscreen at the facility or bring your own.