How to Swim with the Dolphins in Orlando, Florida

To swim with dolphins in Orlando, Florida, Discovery Cove is the only place to go. A second option is an excursion to the keys. Florida Dolphin Tours will pick you up in Orlando and provide transportation to their dolphin experiences in the Florida Keys.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Visit Discovery Cove, which is the only place you can swim with dolphins in Orlando, Florida. Discovery Cove is an all-inclusive park that provides many activities and amenities in addition to the dolphin swim. While you can purchase admission to the park without the dolphin swim, you cannot purchase the dolphin swim alone. If you opt to spend the day at Discovery Cove, your package will include snorkeling in the coral reef, swimming in the resort pool or tropical river and engaging in hands-on experiences with rays, birds and, of course, dolphins. Also included in the package is breakfast, lunch, snacks and beverages. The dolphin-swim session is about 30 minutes long. Groups consist of eight people. When it's your turn, you can experience petting, playing and swimming with your dolphin. The end of your session often includes a fishy kiss goodbye.

2. Book your trip at the Discovery Cove website (see Resources below) or call [phone]. Plan to arrive early and spend your entire day at Discovery Cove to make the most of your experience.

3. Venture out of Orlando and explore what the rest of Florida has to offer. Florida Dolphin Tours will pick you up in Orlando and provide transportation to their dolphin experiences in the Florida Keys. You can choose from a 1- or 2-day getaway. The 2-day tour includes an airboat ride and visit to Miami’s Bayside shopping area. Your transportation, hotel accommodations and evening meal are also included in this package. Your dolphin swim session will last about 2 hours. This session includes both an educational portion where you learn about your dolphin and the actual swim. Your swim includes dorsal tows, kisses and handshakes.

4. Make reservations at the Florida Dolphin Tours website (see Resources) or call [phone]. Keep in mind that the airboat tours and other inclusions only come with the 2-day package.

5. Consider which experiences are most important to you before choosing a destination. Orlando is perfect for theme parks such as Walt Disney World, Sea World and Universal Studios, all located in close proximity to one another. If interacting with wildlife and experiencing the ocean is at the top of your list, consider spending your vacation at one of Florida’s many beaches, or in the Florida Keys.

Tips & Warnings

• If you choose to visit the Florida Keys or a location on the coast for your dolphin experience, you can also look into sightseeing cruises that will give you a chance to see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat as well.
• If neither of these options meet your needs, there are a variety of other dolphin encounters offered throughout Florida. Dolphins Plus in Key Largo offers structured swims, similar to what you experience with Discovery Cove, and natural dolphin swims that simulate swimming with dolphins in the wild. The Miami Seaquarium offers the Dolphin Odyssey program for swimming with their dolphins. You can also try the Dolphin Encounter at the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys.

Resources

• Discovery Cove
• Florida Dolphin Tours
• Dolphins Plus
• Dolphin Research Center
• Miami Seaquarium