Swimming with dolphins is not just child’s play, it’s an activity adults also enjoy for the chance to interact with these intelligent creatures. There are a number of locations where you can swim with the dolphins in Florida, in a variety of atmospheres.
Tips
Miami Seaquarium The Miami Seaquarium’s Dolphin Odyssey includes a 15-minute educational presentation followed by 30 minutes in the water with the dolphins. During that time, you may touch, feed and learn to train one. You will also get to swim with one and have the opportunity to take a dolphin ride across the water. The Miami Seaquarium also offers a shorter Dolphin Encounter experience, which includes interacting but not swimming with dolphins.
Discovery Cove, Orlando When you purchase a dolphin swim at Discovery Cove in Orlando, you are getting an entire day’s worth of ocean experiences in 30 acres of marine life and coral reefs. You can take your time learning about the dolphins and wading in their lagoon before or after the 30 minutes of interaction. Discovery Cove also has an optional Trainer For A Day program, which gives you one-on-one instruction and additional access.
Gulf World Marine Park, Panama City Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City beach offers a swim with dolphins program that last for about an hour and a half. The first part is the familiarization with the mammals, which includes learning about the dolphin’s senses. The encounter follows, allowing you time to get up close and interact. At Gulf World Marine Park you will also find alligators, sea lions, stingrays, sharks and turtles. There are also concerts, shows and events.
Dolphin Research Center, Grassy Key The purpose of the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key, Fla., is to aid marine mammals and teach humans to interact with them, so swimming with the dolphins here is a different experience than at other places. You are encouraged to spend the day there, watching the marine life train and seeing the ones being rehabilitated. There are many programs here that allow you to interact with the dolphins. To swim with them you need to purchase the Dolphin Encounter program.
