Quick answer
Yes, you can swim with dolphins in Orlando at Discovery Cove, located at 6000 Discovery Cove Way. The dolphin swim is included in the Day Resort Package, priced at $199 per person, which also grants access to all other park areas. The park operates daily from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, and dolphin swim sessions are scheduled throughout the day in small groups with trained animal care specialists.
Discovery Cove limits daily admission to around 1,300 guests, a cap designed to maintain the quality of each dolphin interaction and prevent crowding in the shallow lagoons. That restriction makes advance booking essential, especially during summer and holiday weeks when slots fill months ahead. The dolphin encounter itself unfolds in waist-deep water. Participants wade into a lagoon sectioned for small groups, where a pair of trainers introduce the resident bottlenose dolphins by name and explain hand signals used during the session. The 30-minute interaction includes a dorsal-fin tow across the lagoon, a series of tactile moments where guests touch the dolphin's skin and observe behaviors like tail walks and vocalizations, and a briefing on the animal's diet and conservation status. Wetsuits are provided year-round, and no prior swimming ability is required since the water depth stays below chest level for most adults. Beyond the dolphin lagoon, the day package grants access to the Grand Reef, a saltwater snorkeling area populated by rays and tropical fish; the Wind-Away River, a lazy river threading through a rainforest aviary where guests hand-feed lorikeets; and Serenity Bay, a freshwater pool edged with sandy beaches. Unlimited food and beverages are included, along with snorkel gear, wetsuits, towels, and lockers. The all-inclusive structure means no additional purchases are required once inside, though professional photo packages of the dolphin encounter are sold separately. Can you swim with dolphins in Orlando outside Discovery Cove? No other facility in the metro area offers a comparable hands-on dolphin program. SeaWorld, Discovery Cove's sister park next door, provides dolphin viewing and feeding experiences but not in-water encounters. The exclusivity concentrates demand at Discovery Cove, reinforcing the need to book weeks or months ahead for preferred dates. Guests arriving between 9:00 and 9:30 AM complete check-in before their assigned dolphin swim slot, which is staggered throughout the day to distribute groups evenly across morning and afternoon sessions.
“Discovery Cove limits daily admission to around 1,300 guests, a cap designed to maintain the quality of each dolphin interaction and prevent crowding in the shallow lagoons.”
Can You Swim With Dolphins in Orlando Every Day? Opening Hours
Discovery Cove keeps the same schedule every day of the week, with no closed days built into the regular calendar. That makes it easy to plan a dolphin swim around any day of a trip.
| Monday | 09:00 – 17:30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 09:00 – 17:30 | |
| Wednesday | 09:00 – 17:30 | |
| Thursday | 09:00 – 17:30 | |
| Friday | 09:00 – 17:30 | |
| Saturday | 09:00 – 17:30 | |
| Sunday | 09:00 – 17:30 |
Getting to Discovery Cove for Your Orlando Dolphin Swim
Discovery Cove sits on International Drive next to SeaWorld Orlando, about 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport (MCO). The simplest approach for most visitors is by car via I-4, using International Drive as the final stretch to the entrance at 6000 Discovery Cove Way, Orlando, FL 32821.
I-4 to Exit 71 or 72, then International Drive south to Discovery Cove Way
From MCO airport via I-4 East/South to International Drive
I-Ride Trolley (Green Line) along International Drive to SeaWorld/Discovery Cove area, then short walk
From SeaWorld Orlando or neighboring International Drive resorts to the Discovery Cove entrance
Best Time to Arrive to Swim With Dolphins in Orlando
The best window to arrive is 09:00–09:30, right at check-in, since Discovery Cove caps daily attendance and early arrivers get first pick of dolphin swim slots and lagoon-side spots. Season matters too: Orlando's cooler, drier months draw different crowd levels than summer's peak heat and rain.
Weekday mornings
Fewer guests than weekends—
Arriving right at check-in on a Tuesday through Thursday means shorter lines at the check-in desk and a wider choice of dolphin swim time slots.
January to March
Lighter crowds, off-peak seasonMild, dry, highs around 70–75°F
This stretch falls outside major school breaks, so early check-in translates into an even quieter lagoon area and less wait for equipment fitting.
June to August
Heavier crowds, summer vacation peakHot, humid, highs near 90°F with afternoon storms
Summer sees the year's highest attendance, so the 09:00–09:30 arrival window matters most here to avoid being pushed into later, more crowded swim groups.
Around Thanksgiving and Christmas–New Year
Very high crowds, holiday travel surgeCool, mild, highs around 70°F
Florida holiday tourism peaks hard in this stretch, so early check-in is especially important to secure a preferred dolphin swim time.
Verdict: Arrive right at check-in, 09:00–09:30, on a weekday in January through March for the shortest waits and best pick of swim slots.
Rules for When You Swim With Dolphins in Orlando
Discovery Cove enforces strict protocols to protect both dolphins and guests during interactions. Following these rules ensures your swim session proceeds smoothly and safely.
Do
- Apply reef-safe sunscreen before arrival or use the provided changing areas
- Follow your trainer's hand signals and positioning cues during the encounter
- Keep movements calm and let the dolphin approach you
- Remove all jewelry, watches, and accessories before entering the water
- Confirm you meet the swim competency requirement at check-in
- Wait for your assigned time slot and listen to the pre-swim briefing
Don't
- Don't wear standard sunscreen or cosmetics into the lagoon
- Don't chase, grab, or initiate contact with dolphins
- Don't bring cameras or phones into the water during your swim
- Don't participate if you're pregnant or have mobility limitations
- Don't touch the dolphin's blowhole, eyes, or flippers
- Don't expect to swim if you can't tread water independently
Can Kids Swim With Dolphins in Orlando? Family Logistics
Discovery Cove works for mixed-age families since non-swimming kids still get a full day of pools and animal encounters, but the dolphin swim itself has a minimum age that rules out toddlers and preschoolers.
Age sweet spot
The dolphin swim segment has a minimum age requirement (commonly cited as 6 years old), so verify current age and height rules on the official site before booking for young children.
Non-swimmers
Kids under the swim age can still spend the day in the walk-through aviary, the Serenity Bay pools, the lazy river, and the snorkel lagoon while older siblings do the dolphin session.
Strollers
Stroller use is realistic on the paved paths between pools and the aviary, but expect to park it during pool time since there is no stroller access into the water areas.
Facilities
Lockers, changing rooms, and showers are provided as part of the day resort package, which helps with wetsuit changes and swimsuit swaps for younger kids.
Keeping them engaged
Non-swimming children tend to stay occupied longest at the shallow pools and the aviary, where hand-feeding the birds gives them something active to do while waiting for the family's swim slot.
Downtime
Build in rest breaks around the dolphin swim slot, since the segment involves a briefing and wait time that can feel long for younger siblings sitting out.
Checklist Before You Swim With Dolphins in Orlando
Before your dolphin swim at Discovery Cove, confirm these essentials to ensure a smooth visit.
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Book your Day Resort Package in advance — Spots fill quickly, especially during peak season and weekends.
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Bring government-issued photo ID — Required at check-in to verify your reservation and identity.
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Pack reef-safe swimwear only — Sunscreen and lotions from home are prohibited to protect marine life.
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Arrive between 09:00–09:30 — Early check-in maximizes your time before your assigned dolphin swim slot.
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Print or download your confirmation email — Staff will need to scan or reference it during the check-in process.
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Leave valuables at home or in provided lockers — Secure storage is available, but minimizing items simplifies your day.
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FAQ: Can You Swim With Dolphins in Orlando?
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