Of the several such centers in the continental United States, this nonprofit, founded in 1984, is one of the most organized and informative. Although some people argue that training dolphins is cruel and selfish, this is one of the most respected of the institutions that study and protect them. Trainers here will also tell you that the dolphins need stimulation and enjoy human contact. They certainly seem to, nuzzling and kissing the people who get to interact with them in daily programs. The “family” of more than 20 dolphins and sea lions swims in 90,000 square feet of natural saltwater pools set up along the shoreline. If you can’t get into an interactive program, you can watch the sessions, which cover topics including fun facts about dolphins, their therapeutic qualities, and research projects in progress. Because the Dolphin Encounter swimming program is the most popular, reservations are required (they can be made months in advance); the cost is $199 per person. If you’re not brave enough to swim with them, try the Dolphin Dip program, in which participants stand on a submerged platform from which they can “meet and greet” the critters ($119 per person); the cost to include kids younger than 5 in both programs is $50.

Note: Swimming with dolphins has both its critics and its supporters. For details, visit the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society’s site at www.WDCS.org.