 Discovery Cove
Guests have the once in a lifetime opportunity to swim with the dolphins at Discovery Cove. There is much controversy surrounding the park because animal rights activists believe the animals are being exploited. Nonetheless, no other park offers a better opportunity for swimming with the dolphins. In addition, the park goes above and beyond to ensure the safety of these gentle and amazing creatures.
A full day spent at the 32 acre Discovery Cove can costs $229 - $259 per person, depending on the season. Included in this price are the opportunities to swim with the dolphins, play with rays and fish, and get close up views of barracudas and sharks safely located behind Plexiglass. The pristine white sandy beaches are perfectly complimented by the blue waters and colorful birds. Lunch, a wetsuit, towels, lockers, parking, a 5 x 7 photo of the group, bird and fish food, and snorkeling equipment are also included in the price. Guests also receive a complimentary admission to either Busch Gardens or SeaWorld for seven consecutive days. Choosing to skip the dolphin swim brings the price down to $129 - $159 per person.
Upon entering Discovery Cove, guests walk through a large thatch roof tiki building. They then register and receive a photo I.D., which is used to charge drinks at the park. Guests are given time to swim with the dolphins, which is done with a total of seven guests and a trainer. Together, participants wade into shallow water and learn about dolphin behavior and are provided with the opportunity to hug and kiss the magnificent animals. Guests then get to swim one on one with the dolphins in the deep-water lagoon.
The entire area is beautifully landscaped with underwater ruins and coral reefs. There is also a pool area that is used to teach snorkeling. This area has gorgeous waterfalls and white beaches surrounding it. Guests experience close encounters with a variety of animals, particularly birds, native to Tahiti, Bahamas, and Micronesia. Guests take a swim with thousands of exotic fish in the Coral Reef area and even have the opportunity to explore a shipwreck underwater. Guests can also float are swim along the Tropical River, which runs through most of Discovery Cove. It also contains many hidden grottos and sunken ruins.
All snacks, drinks, and lunch are included in the price. The meal is from Laguna Gril, which opens at 11:00 am. This counter service restaurant offers hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, chicken pasta, cobb salad, Caesar salad, and stir-fry. Although sodas and water are free, wine and beer are extra. Seating is located outside beneath large umbrellas. There is also a waiter service available to bring food and drink to guests at the beach.
Guests must be at least 6 years old to participate in the dolphin swim. With only 1,000 guests allowed in the park each day, it is truly a privilege to be a park guest. It is necessary to make reservations ahead of time and best to do so 6 months ahead of time. It is possible to make reservations as long as one year before the visit. It is also possible to check for cancellations on a preferred day to visit.
Reservations can be made by calling 877-434-7268 or by going online to www.discoverycove.com. A 25% deposit must be paid when booking reservations and the full payment is due 45 days before the day of visit. It is possible to receive a full refund if reservations are cancelled 30 days before the visit. A 50% refund is granted to cancellations made 15 to 29 days before the visit, a 25% refund is available for cancellations made 8 to 14 days before, and no refund is provided if reservations are cancelled with 7 or less days left before the day of visit
Ray Lagoon
At Ray Lagoon, guests can snorkel with hundreds of cownose and southern rays. In this peaceful and protected area, guests can touch and play with the gentle creatures, which grow up to 4 feet in diameter. Ray Lagoon provides an up close encounter that will not be soon forgotten!
Dolphin Encounter
The Dolphin Encounter is Discovery Cove’s main attraction. Here, groups of no more than 10 guests and two trainers come together to explore the magnificent bottlenose dolphin. Guests are introduced to the dolphin by first providing it with a soothing and bonding rubdown. Any worries guests may have had about being in the water with the dolphins are soon melted away after feeling the rubbery, yet clean, dolphin skin. At the same time, guests must be careful to refrain from kicking, making sudden movements, or slapping with water with their hands.
The trainer or trainers also demonstrate how hand signals result in instant reactions from the dolphins, such as spinning, chattering, and flipping. Guests are also treated to a special hug from the dolphin and a photo, which can be purchased later, is taken to commemorate the moment. Then, two guests at a time are given the chance to swim into deeper water with the trainer. Here, they can play with the dolphins. Among the games guests get to play
Then comes the part you've been waiting for as two people at a time along with a trainer swim out to deeper water to "play" one-on-one with the dolphin. What you do depends on the trainer but always ends with each person hanging on for dear life to the dolphin's back and a fin for a tow into shore. What a ride! Your session ends with a big smooch on your new friend's nose.
Dolphin Lagoon – Three guests and a trainer begin by wading in the shallow area for their introduction to a dolphin. Guests learn about dolphins’ behaviors, get to know the animals, and discover how SeaWorld’s trainers use hand signals to communicate with the dolphins. Guests swim and play with the dolphins, one-on-one. The dolphin experience lasts about 90 minutes with 30 minutes spent in the water with the animals. Photographers are on hand to record the event and you can buy the photos.
Swim with the Dolphins:
- Begins with a brief orientation, after which guests and a trainer wade into shallow water for their introduction to a dolphin.
The Aviary
The Aviary is nearly worth the price of admission to Discovery Cove! This aviary contains over 250 tropical birds, which roam freely about and readily accept food from the hands of guests.
A Discovery Cove representative stays within the Aviary in order to provide guests with bird feed in order to entice the birds. In addition, the representative is able to provide guests with interesting facts and information about the birds, as well as provide advice for attracting the birds to feed from guest hands. Although, little coaxing is generally needed as the birds seem to appear out of nowhere at the site of food!
A recently added Small Bird Sanctuary offers guests the opportunity to feed hundreds of smaller birds, such as hummingbirds and finches. Entering through the Tropical River rather than walking in provides an extra surprise.
Coral Reef
The Coral Reef area allows snorkelers to play and swim with thousands of tropical fish, set against a magnificent coral reef backdrop. Swimmers also enjoy a terrifying and amazing swim close to barracuda and sharks, which are safely located behind clear Plexiglas partitions. Guests also enjoy exploring an underwater shipwreck and multiple hidden grottos.
Tropical River
The Tropical River is found throughout the Discovery Cove as it winds its way through the many different habitats offered in the park, including lush tropical forests, sandy beaches, a quaint fishing village, and an underwater cave. Guests floating or swimming along the Tropical River encounter walkways, beaches, waterfalls, and lagoons. In fact, swimming beneath one waterfall leads to the inside of a large aviary that is home to 300 birds representing areas from around the world.
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