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Our world-renowned marine habitat at Dolphin Cay invites guests to learn about and interact with dolphins and sea lions as they immerse themselves in 14-acres of lagoons and pristine sandy beaches. The multi-species habitat is one of the most sophisticated in the world, featuring naturally balanced and filtered sea water for 35 bottlenose dolphins and 8 sea lions, as well as Bahamian reef natives like Nassau grouper, conch, and sea stars.
The extraordinary Dolphin Cay opened in 2007, just in time to provide a safe and permanent home for dolphins and sea lions left stranded by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Join us in celebrating the 15th Anniversary of Dolphin Cay, as we share their extraordinary story.
Born 1974
Jackie was one of 8 dolphins swept out to sea when Hurricane Katrina destroyed her home at a Gulf Coast aquarium. She gets along well with all our dolphins even though she is known as a “fish-thief” and enjoys playfully stealing other dolphins’ toys. She is often seen swimming close to her daughters, Rose and Bimini.
Born 1986
Before she was swept out to sea during Hurricane Katrina, Tamra survived another natural disaster: a devastating 6.7 magnitude earthquake that cracked her pool at Magic Mountain theme park in California. Tamra is one of the largest and strongest dolphins at Dolphin Cay – her leaps are the highest of all our dolphins!
Born 1985
Cherie rode out the storm in a hotel swimming pool with Brewer. She is our most dominant female dolphin, and the other dolphins take their cues from her. She is easy to spot by her dark grey color and shark bite scars near her tail.
born 1985
Michelle was one of the dolphins swept out to sea when Hurricane Katrina hit. Michelle gave birth to our second healthy calf at Dolphin Cay, Missi (named for Mississippi) in April 2007 right after Dolphin Cay opened.
born 1988
Toni and her mother, Jackie, were rescued together after Hurricane Katrina and can usually be found side-by-side. Toni creates her own games blowing bubbles underwater, and just like her mom Jackie, she likes to splash people walking by her lagoon.
born 1996
Brewer rode out the hurricane in a nearby hotel, before finding a permanent home at Dolphin Cay. He is one of the friendliest and most personable dolphins at Dolphin Cay. His enthusiasm makes him a superstar pick for meeting guest VIPs. He has crazy basketball skills – catching them in his mouth and dribbling them on top of the water.
born 1998
Katelyn is Cherie’s daughter and sheltered with Jonah in a swimming pool at the Seaway Inn during Hurricane Katrina. Her son, Kalik, is a 3rd generation Katrina baby, the youngest dolphin at Atlantis.
born 1999
Jonah sheltered from the hurricane in a hotel pool with Katelyn and is our most unique dolphin at Atlantis with his upturned rostrum and off-center blow hole! He is always eager to learn new things and likes to race other dolphins across the lagoon.
born 2001
Elijah was swept out to sea when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, destroying his home at the aquarium. He is the smallest male in the pod, weighing only 280 pounds, but an amazing athlete. He tends to have a short attention span, but when he is focused, he’s a fast learner.
Born 1974
Jackie was one of 8 dolphins swept out to sea when Hurricane Katrina destroyed her home at a Gulf Coast aquarium. She gets along well with all our dolphins even though she is known as a “fish-thief” and enjoys playfully stealing other dolphins’ toys. She is often seen swimming close to her daughters, Rose and Bimini.
Born 1986
Before she was swept out to sea during Hurricane Katrina, Tamra survived another natural disaster: a devastating 6.7 magnitude earthquake that cracked her pool at Magic Mountain theme park in California. Tamra is one of the largest and strongest dolphins at Dolphin Cay – her leaps are the highest of all our dolphins!
Born 1985
Cherie rode out the storm in a hotel swimming pool with Brewer. She is our most dominant female dolphin, and the other dolphins take their cues from her. She is easy to spot by her dark grey color and shark bite scars near her tail.
born 1985
Michelle was one of the dolphins swept out to sea when Hurricane Katrina hit. Michelle gave birth to our second healthy calf at Dolphin Cay, Missi (named for Mississippi) in April 2007 right after Dolphin Cay opened.
born 1988
Toni and her mother, Jackie, were rescued together after Hurricane Katrina and can usually be found side-by-side. Toni creates her own games blowing bubbles underwater, and just like her mom Jackie, she likes to splash people walking by her lagoon.
born 1996
Brewer rode out the hurricane in a nearby hotel, before finding a permanent home at Dolphin Cay. He is one of the friendliest and most personable dolphins at Dolphin Cay. His enthusiasm makes him a superstar pick for meeting guest VIPs. He has crazy basketball skills – catching them in his mouth and dribbling them on top of the water.
born 1998
Katelyn is Cherie’s daughter and sheltered with Jonah in a swimming pool at the Seaway Inn during Hurricane Katrina. Her son, Kalik, is a 3rd generation Katrina baby, the youngest dolphin at Atlantis.
born 1999
Jonah sheltered from the hurricane in a hotel pool with Katelyn and is our most unique dolphin at Atlantis with his upturned rostrum and off-center blow hole! He is always eager to learn new things and likes to race other dolphins across the lagoon.
born 2001
Elijah was swept out to sea when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, destroying his home at the aquarium. He is the smallest male in the pod, weighing only 280 pounds, but an amazing athlete. He tends to have a short attention span, but when he is focused, he’s a fast learner.
August 26, 2005
Hurricane Katrina moves into the Gulf of Mexico and staff at Marine Life Oceanarium in Gulfport, Mississippi, begin discussing possible evacuations.
August 28, 2005
As Hurricane Katrina strengthens and moves closer, Marine Life Oceanarium staff evacuate 6 dolphins to local hotel swimming pools and 8 sea lions to an inland location, but there is not enough time to evacuate the rest of the animals. Left behind are 8 dolphins, 18 sea lions, and 1 harbor seal.
August 29, 2005
Hurricane Katrina makes landfall and pounds the Gulf Coast with a 25-to-30-foot storm surge. Staff return that afternoon to find the Marine Life Oceanarium destroyed and all remaining animals missing.
August 29 - September 9, 2005
12 of the missing sea lions are found alive, rescued by trainers from Marine Life Oceanarium, and placed in temporary holding facilities. Six sea lions are found dead or euthanized due to injuries and the harbor seal is never found.
September 10, 2005
Marine Life staff in a helicopter spot the missing 8 dolphins.
September 11 - 14, 2005
Marine Life Oceanarium visit the 8 Gulf dolphins daily to feed and train them from floating mats in preparation for rescue.
September 15 - 17, 2005
As 4 of the 8 Gulf dolphins are rescued and placed in safe, temporary pools, the remaining 4 dolphins don’t show up for their feeding on Sept. 17. Worried trainers and rescue staff begin searching for the dolphins again.
September 20, 2005
After days of searching, the missing 4 dolphins surface and are rescued just as another hurricane enters the Gulf.
December 2005
Atlantis is selected as the permanent home for the dolphins & sea lions displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
January 6, 2006
The Katrina dolphins begin arriving to Paradise Island’s harbor-side acclimation facility.
September 2006
The Katrina sea lions are flown to Atlantis Paradise Island.
January 6, 2007
The Katrina dolphins are welcomed to their new home at Dolphin Cay: 11 acres of sand-bottom lagoons and pools filled with more than 7 million gallons of natural seawater.
Today
Dolphin Cay is one of the most sophisticated, multi-species marine habitats in the world and home to 35 dolphins and 8 sea lions.
August 26, 2005
Hurricane Katrina moves into the Gulf of Mexico and staff at Marine Life Oceanarium in Gulfport, Mississippi, begin discussing possible evacuations.
August 28, 2005
As Hurricane Katrina strengthens and moves closer, Marine Life Oceanarium staff evacuate 6 dolphins to local hotel swimming pools and 8 sea lions to an inland location, but there is not enough time to evacuate the rest of the animals. Left behind are 8 dolphins, 18 sea lions, and 1 harbor seal.
August 29, 2005
Hurricane Katrina makes landfall and pounds the Gulf Coast with a 25-to-30-foot storm surge. Staff return that afternoon to find the Marine Life Oceanarium destroyed and all remaining animals missing.
August 29 - September 9, 2005
12 of the missing sea lions are found alive, rescued by trainers from Marine Life Oceanarium, and placed in temporary holding facilities. Six sea lions are found dead or euthanized due to injuries and the harbor seal is never found.
September 10, 2005
Marine Life staff in a helicopter spot the missing 8 dolphins.
September 11 - 14, 2005
Marine Life Oceanarium visit the 8 Gulf dolphins daily to feed and train them from floating mats in preparation for rescue.
September 15 - 17, 2005
As 4 of the 8 Gulf dolphins are rescued and placed in safe, temporary pools, the remaining 4 dolphins don’t show up for their feeding on Sept. 17. Worried trainers and rescue staff begin searching for the dolphins again.
September 20, 2005
After days of searching, the missing 4 dolphins surface and are rescued just as another hurricane enters the Gulf.
December 2005
Atlantis is selected as the permanent home for the dolphins & sea lions displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
January 6, 2006
The Katrina dolphins begin arriving to Paradise Island’s harbor-side acclimation facility.
September 2006
The Katrina sea lions are flown to Atlantis Paradise Island.
January 6, 2007
The Katrina dolphins are welcomed to their new home at Dolphin Cay: 11 acres of sand-bottom lagoons and pools filled with more than 7 million gallons of natural seawater.
Today
Dolphin Cay is one of the most sophisticated, multi-species marine habitats in the world and home to 35 dolphins and 8 sea lions.
Today, Dolphin Cay is also home the Caribbean’s first animal rescue and rehabilitation hospital. We maintain an on-site laboratory, pharmacy, and operating suite. Once the animals recover, our goal is to return as many as possible to the wild.
Every visit to Dolphin Cay supports the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation, a non-profit bringing real, viable solutions to marine conservation challenges from coral reef degradation to marine species in decline.
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