Sealanya Dolphinpark for Families Alanya

Right then everyone settle down and grab a brew because if you have got the little ones with you on this holiday or if you just have a soft spot for clever animals I have got a cracker of a recommendation for you. We all know that lying on a sunbed in Alanya is absolutely mint for about three days until the kids start climbing the walls and driving you up the pole. When that happens you need a proper day out to keep everyone entertained and that is where Sealanya Dolphinpark comes into the picture. Now I have been knocking about this coastline for donkey’s years and I have seen all the tourist traps but Sealanya Dolphinpark is one of those places that actually delivers the goods if you know how to tackle it properly.

First off let us get the geography sorted because this is where loads of Brits get mugged off. Sealanya Dolphinpark is not in the centre of Alanya. If you are staying near the harbour or Cleopatra Beach and you think you can just stroll there you are having a laugh. It is located in an area called Türkler which is about twenty kilometres west of Alanya heading towards Antalya. Do not I repeat do not jump in a taxi from Alanya centre unless you want to burn through your holiday spending money in twenty minutes. The taxi drivers are decent blokes mostly but the petrol prices here are sky high and the meter will tick up faster than you can blink. The smart way to get to Sealanya Dolphinpark is to use the dolmus which is the local bus. Go to the main road which is the D400 and look for a bus that says Manavgat or Antalya on the front. Tell the driver you want to get off at Sealanya Dolphinpark. He will nod and likely shout when you get there. It costs peanuts compared to a cab and it is how the savvy travellers get around.

Now let us talk about what happens when you actually get to Sealanya Dolphinpark. It is essentially a massive aquatic centre. You have got the main stadium where the magic happens. The dolphin and seal shows are the main event and honestly even a grumpy old sod like me has to admit they are impressive. The trainers have these animals doing all sorts of tricks jumping through hoops and playing ball and waving at the crowd. The kids go absolutely mental for it. The show usually happens a couple of times a day typically in the morning around ten or eleven and then again in the afternoon but check the times before you go because they can change depending on the season.

One of the big draws at Sealanya Dolphinpark is the option to swim with the dolphins. Now listen to me carefully here. This is a bucket list experience for many people and it is proper lush to get in the water with them but it will cost you an arm and a leg. The entry fee just to watch the show is one thing but the swimming ticket is a separate purchase and it is not cheap. We are talking serious euros here. If you are planning to do the swimming at Sealanya Dolphinpark you need to book it in advance especially in July and August because the slots fill up fast. If you are on a budget just sticking to the show is still a good laugh.

Regarding the entry fees at Sealanya Dolphinpark they tend to change every season because of the economy and inflation so I cannot give you a fixed number that will be right next week. However you should expect to pay a decent chunk of change for entry. It is often cheaper for kids and toddlers might be free but make sure you bring their passports or a copy of their ID to prove their age or the staff at the gate might try to charge you full whack. They are strict on the ages so do not try to pull a fast one.

Let me give you some serious warnings about surviving the day at Sealanya Dolphinpark. The stadium where you watch the show is open to the elements. Yes there is some shade but the Turkish sun is relentless. If you go to the midday show you are going to be baking like a potato in an oven. Slap on the sun cream before you leave the hotel and bring hats for the nippers. Also the food and drink inside Sealanya Dolphinpark is priced for a captive audience. It is the same at any theme park in the world really. You will pay over the odds for a burger and a coke. My advice is to have a big breakfast before you go or plan to eat at a local lokanta down the road afterwards.

Another thing to be aware of is the photographers. There will be professional photographers snapping pictures of you at Sealanya Dolphinpark especially if you do the dolphin encounter. The photos are brilliant quality but they will charge you a pretty penny for the prints. Do not feel pressured to buy them if you are skint. You can usually take your own photos from the stands during the show but they might get funny about cameras if you are near the water during the swimming bit.

Also it is worth noting that Sealanya Dolphinpark is often right next to or combined with the Seapark which is a snorkel reef area. Sometimes you can get a combi ticket for both. If you have the whole day free the Seapark bit is actually quite cool because you can swim with tropical fish and even see stingrays but that is a whole other story. If you are just there for the dolphins stick to the Sealanya Dolphinpark ticket.

So to wrap it all up Sealanya Dolphinpark is a cracking day out for families. It is easy to get to by bus and the show is genuinely entertaining. Just be smart with your money regarding the transport and the food and be prepared for the heat. It is one of those places you will remember when you are back in rainy Blighty.

Now it is your turn. I know loads of you have been out here before. Have you visited Sealanya Dolphinpark recently. Did you cough up the cash to swim with the dolphins and was it worth it. Or did you just watch the show and melt in the heat. Drop a comment below and share your experiences. Your feedback is absolute gold for other British travellers planning their holiday so do not be shy. Let us help each other out and build a proper guide right here in the comments. Cheers and happy holidays.