Gulf World Marine Park

Gulf World Marine Park was founded in 1969 by a group of five Alabama businessmen, and they announced their plans to build the park in September of that year. [1] The park's first dolphins, four bottlenose dolphins captured nearby in the Gulf of Mexico, were housed at a motel pool for training. They were moved to Gulf World in the spring of 1970. [2] Gulf World Marine Park opened to the public on Memorial Day of 1970. In 2000, the park underwent an expansion. [3] In 2015, Gulf World Marine Park was acquired by the Dolphin Discovery group, a company that owns a number of swim-with dolphins facilities. [4]

• Dolphin Stadium: Currently houses 12 bottlenose dolphins. The dolphins perform scheduled shows at the stadium, and visitors can pay extra for an up-close encounter with them, or to swim with them. As of October 20th, 2021, the dolphin show has been suspended while renovations are made.
• Penguin Habitat: Features African penguins. Visitors can pay extra for an up-close encounter with them.
• Seal Habitat: Features harbor seals. Visitors can pay extra for an up-close encounter with them.
• Sea Lion Stadium: Features California sea lions, which perform in scheduled shows daily. Visitors can pay extra for an up-close encounter with them. The park's four rough-toothed dolphins are also housed here.
• Stingray Bay: Houses two species of stingray, cownose rays and Southern stingrays. Visitors can touch and feed the stingrays.
• Tortoise Habitat: Features African spurred tortoises.
• Tropical Garden Theater: Stadium in which the park's Feathers and Friends Show is held. The show consists of performances from domestic dogs and cats, as well as a variety of birds and reptiles. The majority of these animals are rescues.

30°12′40″N 85°52′2″W