What you need to know about Discovery Cove and SeaWorld Dolphin Encounter.
One of the lesser-known gems at SeaWorld is Discovery Cove! Here at Discovery Cove, you can gaze at the beautiful colors in the tropical fish displays and sit in the splash zone during the orca show!
In addition to the classic features of the SeaWorld Park, one of the guest favorites is the Sea World Dolphin Encounter at Discovery Cove!
What is Discovery Cove?
Who hasn’t wanted to swim with dolphins when they were growing up? Now, you can make that childhood dream a reality by taking your family to Discovery Cove at Sea World!
Discovery cove is an all-inclusive day resort that offers many different options for experiencing the best that the ocean has to offer – without the lines!
Come relax and enjoy walking in a tropical oasis, hand-feeding exotic birds, and swimming in a tropical river! SeaWorld also offers opportunities to get up close and personal with the aquatic animals. In the Grand Reef, you can snorkel with tropical fish and stingrays. In the Freshwater Oasis, you can wade next to cute, playful sea otters, and other freshwater creatures!
SeaWorld Dolphin Encounter
Of course, the most popular attraction for guests is the SeaWorld Dolphin Encounter! In this exciting opportunity, you get to interact directly with our trainers and dolphins!
This is a group activity, so smaller party sizes are combined into a larger group of about ten people.
Once underway, you’ll get to learn all about how the dolphins are cared for, and how they’re trained. Each guest will be invited to participate in a training session, and get to pet a dolphin, too!
For the animals’ safety, no personal belongings are permitted along the interaction wall. You can still get your picture taken with them! Discovery Cove uses professional photographers to capture the moment, and you can then purchase the photos as an add-on!
Other SeaWorld Dolphin Encounter details include:
- The opportunity to purchase a medium-sized plush as an add-on
- Guests under 3 years old are grouped in with their parents and do not require a reservation
- All guests under 13 years old must be accompanied by a paying adult
- Program times, prices, components, and animal participation are subject to change
Swim with the Dolphins with our Signature Dolphin Experience!
If you want to get even more up-close and personal with these marine mammals, you can sign up for a Signature Dolphin Experience! Get ready to spend some time in a wet suit wading into the crystal-clear water in the Dolphin Lagoon, with dolphins gliding around you and your family!
When you arrive at Discovery Cove, you will be given an appointment time to meet with one of SeaWorld’s dolphin care specialists. They will meet you in the shallow end of the Dolphin Lagoon and teach you all about the animals. Get ready to be blown away by their incredible group habits, communication abilities, and daily behaviors that only trainers would know about!
After that, the trainer will call each person to get their up-close and personal dolphin encounter! They will teach you how to interact with them and tell you about each dolphin’s individual personality through their behaviors. Then you will have a chance to pet them and swim with them – which is the chance of a lifetime, and a truly unique experience for you and your family!
There are a few things to take note of, since the program is slightly modified due to COVID-19. Guests will only be permitted in the shallow end of the Dolphin Lagoon. Children must be at least 6 years old to swim with the dolphins, and those who are under 13 will need to be accompanied by an adult who is also participating in the dolphin experience.
Discovery Cove is committed to the health and safety of their guests and are following the guidelines set forth by the CDC. The CDC recommends people get fully vaccinated to protect yourself and those around you. You can read more about it here.
Trainer for a Day Package
Even though the Dolphin Experience is slightly modified, we know you’ll have a blast! In addition, there’s another package that you can add to your trip experience. It’s the Trainer for a Day package!
With this exclusive opportunity, you’ll be able to enjoy a private, behind-the-scenes experience from Discovery Cove! You’ll get to have a second, enhanced interaction with the dolphins, and even get to have a private photo shoot with them!
Furthermore, it’s not only dolphins that you will get to interact with. There are other animals, too! You can enjoy a private session with sea otters in the Freshwater Oasis and feed the fish in the Grand Reef! You will also spend some time in the Explorer’s Aviary and feed the birds while your guide describes what it’s like to take care of them!
VIP Tours at SeaWorld from World Class VIP!
We care for our guests and make sure they have the best experience possible when we take them on tours. Call our team at (407) 270-3784 today to book your SeaWorld VIP tour today and start with a free private VIP tour quote! Between snorkeling, feeding the animals, and interacting with the dolphins on the Sea World Dolphin Encounter, you’ll be sure to have the experience of a lifetime!