If I’m late or I miss the show, what do I do?
Don’t miss it! Unfortunately, we can’t offer refunds, and your ticket is only good for the show time printed on it.
How long does the show last?
Approximately 20–25 minutes.
How soon before the show should I get to the dolphin show theater?
We recommend you arrive at the amphitheater in Pier 4 at least 15 minutes prior to show time.
Will I get wet?
We have a clearly designated "Splash Zone" area, so it’s up to you!
How many dolphins perform in each show?
Typically, two to four dolphins perform in each show.
What are the other dolphins doing in the back?
We have four pools here, and we separate our dolphins for various reasons. Our young calves and their mothers are in the back pools, as are our show dolphins when they’re not performing in a particular show. Our show dolphins need time off to relax, just like human performers!
How many dolphin trainers work here?
We currently have 13 marine mammal trainers. It takes four trainers to put on each show, and 8–11 trainers are needed here every day (including holidays and snow days!) to care for the dolphins.
How do you become a dolphin trainer?
To become a marine mammal trainer, we recommend you get a degree in biology, psychology, or zoology. Additionally, most of our trainers got involved first through internships or volunteer programs, either at the National Aquarium in Baltimore or at other facilities. » Learn more about how to become a marine mammal trainer here.
Is that salt water?
Yes; Atlantic bottlenose dolphins live in salt water, as do all dolphins except for a few rare species of freshwater dolphins. The Aquarium makes its own salt water. The dolphin system holds 1.3 million gallons of seawater.
What do you feed them?
We feed our dolphins restaurant-quality herring and capelin.
Can we touch the dolphins?
Unfortunately, we have too many visitors to give everyone a chance to get up close to our dolphins. If you’d like to have this special opportunity, you can book a Dolphin Encounter Immersion Tour here.
How many dolphins do you have here?
We currently have 10 dolphins housed at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. » Read about each dolphin here.
Where did these dolphins come from?
Some were born right here in the National Aquarium! Others came from other aquariums around the country. » Read about breeding here.
Where do they sleep?
Right here in the pools! Dolphins don’t sleep the same way humans do. Researchers think dolphins rest only one half of their brain at a time, so they’re always partially awake and aware of their surroundings, and can continue to come to the surface to breathe. Sometimes a dolphin will continue to swim slowly around the pool, or sometimes the sleeping dolphin will float at the surface of the water.
How long does it take to train them?
Depending on the behavior, it can take anywhere from a week to a year. Typically, it takes two to three years to fully train a dolphin.
How long do dolphins live?
On average, a bottlenose dolphin is expected to live about 25 years, but they can live much longer.
How do you train the dolphins?
We use positive reinforcement, rewarding the dolphin for performing the behavior. » Read more about how we train our dolphins here.
