Pattaya Dolphin World Tours

Home to a number of rare Irrawaddy “smiling” dolphins, Pattaya Dolphin World is best-known for its dolphin shows. Besides four daily live performances, the site offers a petting zoo, a toy museum, horse-and-carriage rides, and a short all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) circuit, as well as a restaurant and a bar.

The Basics
At Pattaya Dolphin World, dolphins perform with their trainers in a reasonably spacious pool, and these optional shows are the main draw for most travelers. Almost all travelers visit from Pattaya, although you can also reach the site from Rayong. Pattaya Dolphin World tickets are priced relatively highly for Thailand, with significant discounts for children. Some ticket packages include add-ons such as an ATV trip and a horse-and-carriage ride in addition to hotel transfers.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Pattaya Dolphin World will mainly be of interest to circus fans and families with young children.
• Seating is not reserved, so arrive early for the best view.
• Pattaya Dolphin World has accessible bathrooms and wheelchair ramps.

How to Get There
Pattaya Dolphin World is located about 11 miles (17 kilometers) south of Walking Street, off the main “baht bus” (covered-pickup-truck) routes. Most travelers will find it easier to book a package that includes door-to-door round-trip transfers than to drive in the area’s toxic traffic.

When to Get There
Pattaya Dolphin World is open from morning to early evening, seven days a week, with four daily shows. Seating is covered but open, with no air-conditioning, so it’s worth opting for the midmorning or late afternoon show to beat the midday heat.

Family-Friendly Attractions in Pattaya
Despite its (well-deserved) reputation for sex tourism, Pattaya can be a fun place to spend a few days as a family. Besides Pattaya Dolphin World and the Pattaya Dolphinarium, the city is home to theme parks including the Cartoon Network Amazone and Frost Magical Ice of Siam. Many kids will enjoy Rubberland, devoted to the art of making rubber, as well as the Pattaya Teddy Bear Museum.