The Riccione Dolphinarium, one of the first in Europe, was opened in 1972 and was originally located a short walk from the beach along Gramsci Avenue. The facility included a main tank 25 meters in diameter and five other smaller tanks for observing fish typical of the Adriatic Sea.
After several managements, the facility closed in 2003, and the dolphins were transferred to Oltremare Park.
The move of the dolphins from the old dolphinarium to Oltremare Park represents an evolution toward a more educational and respectful approach to marine life. In fact, the park promotes scientific popularization on nature topics through thematic and interactive trails.
Here, the Dolphin Lagoon, a reproduction of a rocky inlet in the Adriatic Sea with an area of 9,000 square meters and containing 9 million liters of salt water, allows visitors to get up close and personal with these fascinating mammals.
For more information about the park, see the official website.
Dolphin shows at Riccione's Oltremare Park are both moments of entertainment and interactive education.
During the performances, visitors have the opportunity to closely observe the dolphins' natural abilities and behaviors, as well as training techniques that are respectful of their well-being.
The Dalmatian Gallery offers a privileged view of bottlenose dolphins from a large window of more than 30 square meters.
Activities such as "Get to Know the Dolphins" and "Trainer for a Day" allow close encounters with these mammals, guided by expert trainers, biologists and veterinarians.
Schools can also benefit from special programs such as "The World of Dolphins: Management and Training," which offers multimedia lessons on dolphin care and training.
They are known for their playful nature and can often be observed jumping out of the water, riding the waves created by boats, or playing with objects or other marine animals.
Their intelligence and learning ability have made them Popular subjects for scientific research and attractions in water parks, although this has raised ethical issues concerning the welfare of captive animals: these marine animals, which in the course of evolution have become fully adapted to aquatic life, are particularly susceptible to any changes in their habitat. Disturbances of various kinds can have a significant impact on their mortality, reproduction and, therefore, their ability to survive as a species. Cetaceans are, in fact, among the most endangered mammals, which is why they are protected by laws for their conservation.
In this context, Oltremare Park stands out from others by offering an important opportunity to study their evolution and behavior with full respect for their well-being.
Oltremare Park
Shows and activities with dolphins at Oltremare Park
Dolphin shows at Riccione's Oltremare Park are both moments of entertainment and interactive education.
During the performances, visitors have the opportunity to closely observe the dolphins' natural abilities and behaviors, as well as training techniques that are respectful of their well-being.
The Dalmatian Gallery offers a privileged view of bottlenose dolphins from a large window of more than 30 square meters.
Activities such as "Get to Know the Dolphins" and "Trainer for a Day" allow close encounters with these mammals, guided by expert trainers, biologists and veterinarians.
Schools can also benefit from special programs such as "The World of Dolphins: Management and Training," which offers multimedia lessons on dolphin care and training.
Dolphins of Overseas: knowledge and conservation
The dolphins that can be seen at Oltremare are Bottlenose dolphins, a common species in Italian seas that is part of the Dolphinidae family and belongs to a special group of Cetaceans, the Odontocetes. These marine mammals are known for their exceptional intelligence, social skills and ability to communicate with each other through sound and ultrasound. They live in social groups called pods, which can range from a few individuals to groups of hundreds. They are versatile predators and feed on a variety of fish and squid, using sophisticated hunting techniques that often include cooperation among pod members.
They are known for their playful nature and can often be observed jumping out of the water, riding the waves created by boats, or playing with objects or other marine animals.
Their intelligence and learning ability have made them Popular subjects for scientific research and attractions in water parks, although this has raised ethical issues concerning the welfare of captive animals: these marine animals, which in the course of evolution have become fully adapted to aquatic life, are particularly susceptible to any changes in their habitat. Disturbances of various kinds can have a significant impact on their mortality, reproduction and, therefore, their ability to survive as a species. Cetaceans are, in fact, among the most endangered mammals, which is why they are protected by laws for their conservation.
In this context, Oltremare Park stands out from others by offering an important opportunity to study their evolution and behavior with full respect for their well-being. 