Ever since Flipper, you've wanted to frolic with dolphins. Here's your chance. Swimming and playing with bottlenose dolphins is the main draw of Discovery Cove, an adventure subsidiary of SeaWorld Orlando.
The 45-minute dolphin-swim experience starts with an orientation that covers dolphin characteristics and how trainers motivate and communicate with dolphins. Then groups of six to eight guests enter the water. Their half-hour of dolphin interaction includes hugs, kisses, rubdowns, playing, and possibly a dorsal tow or belly ride.
While SeaWorld visitors merely observe sea creatures for the most part, as a Discovery Cove guest you can get up close and personal with the animals. Snorkel among stingrays (which really don't sting at all) within inches of sharks and barracuda-a perfectly safe experience. Swim among reefs teeming with colorful fish. Feed the residents of a free-flight aviary that contains more than 200 tropical birds of 30 species. Explore an underwater "shipwreck." Drift down a tropical river with rocky waterfalls. And when you're tired, relax on the park's beaches.
On the rare chilly day in Orlando, wetsuits are loaned to guests at no charge. Regardless of the weather, however, water temperatures at Discovery Cove remain at 78 to 85 degrees.
Location
Discovery Cove is adjacent to SeaWorld at the intersection of I-4 and
State Road 528 (Bee Line Expressway). It's north of Walt Disney World and
10 minutes south of downtown Orlando. Driving directions are available at
the Discovery Cove Web site.
Hours of operation
The attraction is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cost
Three admission packages are offered:
The All-Inclusive Package features a dolphin-swim experience; unlimited access to the coral reef, ray lagoon, free-flight aviary, resort pool, and tropical river; a meal; use of a mask, snorkel, swim vest, towels, lockers, fins, and sunscreen; all-day self-parking; and admission to SeaWorld Orlando for seven consecutive days. The cost is a little over $200.
The Non-Dolphin Swim Package is for children between ages
3–5, and for those who don't want to swim with the dolphins. It includes
everything from the All-Inclusive Package except for the dolphin-swim experience.
The cost is slightly over $100.
The Trainer for a Day Package is includes All-Inclusive Package amenities, plus an enhanced dolphin interaction and training encounter, behind-the-scenes feedings in the coral reef, feeding of exotic birds in the free-flight aviary, behind-the-scenes small-mammal playtime and training session, behind-the-scenes animal food preparation, and behavioral training class. The package is for guests at least 6 years old; participants under age 13 must be accompanied by a paying Trainer for a Day adult. The price is close to $400.
Contact information and reservations
Call or (407) 370-1280 or toll-free (877) 4DISCOVERY.
Disabled access
The swimming and wading experiences are open to those who can maneuver themselves with limited aid or with their own personal assistant. Outdoor wheelchairs with oversized tires are available for easy maneuvering on the beach and into shallow water; one can be reserved by phoning in advance.
Some Discovery Cove activities may require certain physical abilities for safety. Guests who can't enter the water, however, still can touch dolphins in a special area of the park.
Additional information
To swim with the dolphins, guests must be at least 6 years old.
A Discovery Cove experience can last between six and eight hours.
All Discovery Cove participants should feel comfortable in the water. Guests must wear flotation devices (included with admission). Lifeguards supervise the water attractions.
Early booking is highly recommended. Admittance to Discovery Cove is limited to 1,000 guests per day.
You are allowed to change your visit date once at no charge; further alterations cost $50 per change.
If you cancel a visit that is more than 45 days away,
a full refund will be given. You are entitled to lesser refunds when less
notice is given.
Please note
Cost, hours of operation, or other information about this attraction is subject to change without notice. We suggest you confirm with the attraction prior to your visit.
