Discovery Cove Dolphin Swim
What the Discovery Cove dolphin swim involves, the age and height rules, what the day is like without it, and who should pay for it or skip it.
The Signature Dolphin Swim adds about 30 minutes in shallow water with an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, in a group of up to nine, after a 10-minute orientation. Swimmers must be at least 6 years old and 42 inches tall, and at the official “from” prices it costs about $40 more than the same day without it.
Book it if a dolphin encounter is the reason you are going to Discovery Cove and everyone who wants to swim meets the rules. Skip it if your children are under 6, if nobody in the group is especially drawn to dolphins, or if you would rather put that money toward a SeaWorld and Aquatica package. Without the swim you still get the whole all-inclusive day: snorkeling, the aviary, the river, meals and drinks.
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What the Signature Dolphin Swim is
The dolphin swim is the one standard dolphin experience at Discovery Cove. It starts with a 10-minute orientation with the trainers, then an animal care specialist leads your group of up to nine guests into shallow water for about 30 minutes with an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, including demonstrations of the dolphin’s natural behaviors. All told, plan on about 40 minutes.
It is sold as a package: you buy the Signature Dolphin Swim package instead of the Day Resort package, and it includes everything else in the Discovery Cove day. There is also an Ultimate Animal Experience add-on that includes a second, enhanced dolphin interaction, for guests aged 6 and up.
The same Discovery Cove ticket covers both versions of the day. You pick Day Resort or Dolphin Swim, with or without extra parks, in the date picker. Our Discovery Cove ticket breakdown lists every option.
Who can do the dolphin swim
Check these rules before you buy:
- Minimum age 6.
- Minimum height 42 inches.
- Children aged 6 to 12 must be accompanied in the water by a paying adult who is also doing the dolphin swim.
That last rule catches many families. If you have an 8-year-old who wants to swim, one adult needs a dolphin package too, even if they would happily watch from the side. Children under 6 can visit Discovery Cove, but they cannot join the swim.
Wetsuits or swim vests are provided and required in the animal habitats. You must remove all jewelry except wedding bands, use only the animal-safe sunscreen supplied, and leave personal cameras behind during the dolphin session.
A Discovery Cove day without the dolphin swim
The Day Resort package is the same day with the dolphin session taken out. You still get:
- snorkeling with thousands of tropical fish and rays in The Grand Reef, with a bridge over the shark habitat
- hand-feeding hundreds of birds in Explorer’s Aviary, three free-flight aviaries
- the Wind-Away River, which floats through a beach, a rainforest, an underwater cave and under a waterfall into the aviary
- otters and marmoset monkeys at Freshwater Oasis, and Caribbean flamingos at Flamingo Point
- the 85°F water of Serenity Bay
- Animal Connections pop-ups with animals such as sloths
- breakfast, lunch, unlimited snacks and drinks, beer and wine for adults, all gear and parking
Without the swim you have no dolphin session to plan around, so the day runs at your own pace. Whether that is enough depends on how much the swim itself matters to you.
For the full picture of what the ticket includes and how it compares with SeaWorld, read Is Discovery Cove worth it?
The price difference
On the official site (as of 2026) the packages start at these prices:
| Package | Without dolphin swim | With dolphin swim |
|---|---|---|
| Day at Discovery Cove only | from $159 | from $199 |
| + 14 days of SeaWorld and Aquatica | from $219 | from $259 |
| + 14 days of SeaWorld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens | from $239 | from $279 |
At every level the swim adds about $40 per person at the “from” price. Actual prices change by date and season. Pick your date in the widget above to see the live price for each package, or compare every package side by side on our Discovery Cove tickets page.
For a family of four where only two can swim, the numbers get more complicated: two people buy the dolphin package, two buy the Day Resort package. You do not have to buy the same package for everyone.
Who should book the dolphin swim
- Anyone for whom swimming with a dolphin is the main reason to visit. The rest of the day is lovely, but it will not make up for missing the one thing you came for.
- Families with children aged 6 and over who are confident in the water, and a parent happy to swim with them.
- Couples marking a special occasion.
- First-timers who may only visit Discovery Cove once and want the full version of the day.
Who should skip it
- Families with children under 6 or under 42 inches. Book the Day Resort package and come back for the swim in a few years.
- Nervous swimmers or anyone uneasy around large animals. You spend the session in the water next to a dolphin.
- Guests who have already done a dolphin swim and mainly want a relaxing day.
- Budget-conscious families who would get more from putting the difference toward a +2 Parks package, which adds two weeks of SeaWorld and Aquatica.
- Travelers with strong reservations about captive dolphin programs. The rest of Discovery Cove can still be a good day, but the swim may not sit well with you.
Photos, timing and practical tips
Because personal cameras are not allowed in the water during the dolphin session, professional photos come only from Discovery Cove’s photo packages, which vary in selection and price and are bought separately. Decide in advance whether you want them, so you are not choosing under pressure at the end of the day.
Arrive at check-in, which opens at 7:15am; the park is open until 5pm. If you have booked three or more add-ons, the official FAQ asks you to arrive by 7am. Book summer and holiday dates about two months ahead, because attendance is limited and walk-ups are not sold.
In summer, afternoon thunderstorms can pause everything in the water, and Discovery Cove is excluded from SeaWorld’s weather make-good. Doing the snorkeling and river early leaves room for the weather.
If you are building a whole family trip around animals, see Orlando with kids and compare the other big parks on our theme parks hub.
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to swim with dolphins at Discovery Cove?
You must be at least 6 years old and 42 inches tall for the Signature Dolphin Swim. Children aged 6 to 12 must be in the water with a paying adult who is also doing the dolphin swim, so budget for a second dolphin package. Younger children can still visit Discovery Cove on the Day Resort package and enjoy the snorkeling, aviary and river.
How long is the Discovery Cove dolphin swim?
The swim is about 30 minutes in the water, after a 10-minute orientation with the trainers, so plan on around 40 minutes in total. Groups are up to nine guests with an animal care specialist. The rest of your Discovery Cove day, from breakfast through to 5pm, is free for snorkeling, the aviary and the river.
How much more does the dolphin swim cost at Discovery Cove?
At the official “from” prices as of 2026, the Signature Dolphin Swim package starts at about $199 against $159 for the Day Resort package, a difference of about $40 per person. The same gap applies to the +2 Parks ($219 vs $259) and +3 Parks ($239 vs $279) versions. Prices vary by date, so check the live price for your day.
Can you take photos during the dolphin swim?
No personal cameras are allowed in the water during the dolphin session. Discovery Cove’s photographers take professional pictures, sold as photo packages that vary in selection and price. For the rest of the day, a waterproof phone pouch is handy for your own snaps around the park.
Is Discovery Cove worth it without the dolphin swim?
Yes, for families with small children and anyone who wants a relaxed day of snorkeling, animals and included food and drinks. If the swim is the only thing you care about, though, pay the extra so you have no regrets. Our Is Discovery Cove worth it? guide has the full cost breakdown.
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