Swim with These 5 Animals at Sea World Discovery Cove in Orlando

Ever wish you could go swimming with some sharks? Looking to spend time with dolphins? Sea World’s Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida is an all-inclusive resort where you can snorkel and swim with five distinct animals. Additionally, there is an aviary where guests can hand-feed various bird species. With additional ticket purchases, visitors can also hand-feed some stingrays, as well as be a trainer for a day. There are plenty of animal adventures within this aquatic resort.

Discovery Cove has been voted the #1 best theme park in Orlando for plenty of good reasons — five main ones to be exact. Swimming with fish, sharks, dolphins, and stingrays, and (safely, with a dividing glass) becoming face-to-face with otters and marmosets are a few exciting events that are offered.

1. Swim with the Sharks at Discovery Cove

First, let’s start with the most adventurous exhibit — swimming with sharks. Slip the mask and snorkel on and get up close and personal with 20 different species, including Pacific blacktips, zebra sharks, reef whitetips, nurse sharks, and a spotted wobbegong.  

Need some motivation to get into this particular habit? Still, Some reasons to try swimming with these species of sharks include being able to conquer your fear. Also, get a different perspective on these magnificent creatures, while being able to get an up-close view of how they move and their unique features. Additionally, think of all the bragging rights.

Get your reservations in early, as there are only 16 people per day allowed into this habitat. It’s important to note this event is not included with admission but is available as an upgrade event.

2. Swim with the Dolphins

This event is included with ticket prices and is a crowd favorite. During the experience, the bottlenose dolphins will be your friend, posing for pictures and taking you for a swim via their fin. With several photo opportunities with the park’s professional photographer, memories for a lifetime will be made through this experience. Each dolphin swim begins with a small group meeting a dolphin in a clear swimming area. The group’s dolphin will swim by and allow guests to touch it as it swims by.

And, an animal care specialist will explain about behaviors, habits, and communication abilities of the dolphins. Next, each person will individually be able to interact with a dolphin.

Give your new flippered friend a kiss, pose for a picture (pictures to be purchased separately), and hitch a ride via the fin.

This event is included with entrance, but reservations are still required for the 30-minute event. Kids age six and older can participate with an adult accompanying them.

3. Swim with the Fish at Discovery Cove

There are two places to swim among large schools of fish: The Grand Reef and the SeaVenture. The Grand Reef is included with the entrance price and can be snorkeled throughout the day, but the SeaVenture is a paid, upgrade event.

The Grand Reef is accessible anytime during the park’s open hours and is the crown jewel of Discovery Cove. Keep reading to learn more about The Grand Reef.

4. Stingray Swim

Included in the admission price is The Grand Reef. And, this habitat is probably the most popular, as it is the largest place to snorkel and swim.

Furthermore, the Grand Reef (an 875,000-gallon saltwater reef) houses thousands of tropical fish as well as numerous velvety stingrays. This habitat is perfect for snorkeling, with the deepest part reaching down eight feet. Swim past the rays and fish while traveling down watery paths to the reef’s islands and hidden grottos.

With multiple levels to explore, guests can interact with wrasses, tangs, angelfish, and butterfly fish. And, there are multiple species of stingrays to swim with, including the cownose ray, southern stingray, bluntnose ray, and the eagle stingray.

5. Swim Near Otters and Marmosets

While guests can’t swim in the same pool as the otters, it is possible to swim near them and watch them play underwater. The Freshwater Oasis offers

The Freshwater Oasis offers a place to swim near Asian Clawed otters, watching their playful antics from both below the water’s surface and well as above. Bring your snorkel and mask to watch the otters move through the water, using their webbed hind feet as propellers.

A rainforest canopy hangs above, complete with bamboo bridges and treetop treks, housing many marmosets. While in the water, be sure to look up to catch the playful and curious marmosets playing in the trees above. Marmoset Island opens daily at 9 a.m., and there are enrichment session times throughout the day, weather permitting.

Bonus Interactions (Included with Admission)

Explorer’s Aviary

Take a break from the water and then discover a hidden treasure on the ground. The Explorer’s Aviary houses hundreds of colorful birds that fly above and around guests. Hear their songs as they swirl around you. Get an up-close glimpse while they nibble the fruit treats from your hand.

Watch the Flamingos

To watch the flamingos flaunt their beauty, be sure to catch the parade upon the park’s opening. Starting at The Grand Reef, a flamboyance of flamingos will trek across the beach in front of the Dolphin Lagoon, then will end up in the courtyard near the Laguna Grill.

Upgrade Events at Discovery Cove

Flamingo Mingle

Want more flamingo time? Additionally, there is an optional, upgraded paid event, which is the flamingo mingle. Meet, interact with, and feed these Caribbean beauties. Another limited-space event, only 20 people get to experience this each morning, so reservations early are best.

SeaVenture

SeaVenture is an add-on experience at Discovery Cove. Guests can enjoy a 20-minute trek along the bottom of the manmade Grand Reef.

Put on a diving helmet and experience an underwater walking tour led by an experienced guide. Next, after climbing down a ladder and placing your feet on the reef floor, be prepared to encounter large schools of vividly colored fish and velvety stingrays. Safely come eye-to-eye with sharks that are behind a 21-foot-long panoramic divider window. Along the journey, plan on unique views of sea life as they swim past and reach out to touch them as they go by if you’d like. Some of the fish are quite comfortable around the human guests, some even allow guests to touch them.

While the 160+ species of stingrays, coral, and tropical fish are too many to name, a few examples found at this exhibit include the giant angelfish, butterfly fish, hermit crabs, sea stars, and sea urchins. Guests can feed the fish, which leads to hundreds swimming around and gobbling up the treats.

Animal Trek

How does a private tour behind the scenes sound? Participate in a private tour and experience up-close photo ops with a variety of small mammals and birds. Winding through a private oasis, the 30-minute tour includes park ambassadors such as macaws, a rescued owl, and more members of the bird species. There is a variety of mammals you will have the chance to meet during your journey, including armadillos, anteaters, and the slow-moving sloth.

Stingray Feeding

Likely the first stop upon arriving, guests can spend some time in the morning feeding the Southern stingrays and the Cownose stingrays. Additionally, feeding thousands of tropical fish is included in this upgraded ticket event. Also, guests can interact with some smaller animals while learning how animals are cared for within The Grand Reef. As with other activities, reservations are required, because only a handful of people can participate each day.

Trainer for a Day

Next up, this neat add-on option allows you to be a VIP. Behind the scenes, a second interaction opportunity with the dolphins that includes a private photo session (photo purchase extra) is included. Furthermore, there are special meet-and-greet opportunities, a private session at the otter habitat, and more.

Included with Park Admission

Meals and Drinks

All meals are included with entry and are made with fresh, local, and healthy ingredients. An all-you-can-eat buffet runs daily for breakfast and lunch.

Also, unlimited beverages are included in the ticket price, and range from caffeine-packed gourmet coffee, to refreshing, ice-cold beverages along with a selection of beer and wine. Add the premium drink package to your day. It includes choices from a fully stocked liquor bard, a selection of craft and domestic beers, red and white wine, along with a selection of signature cocktails.

Finally, it should also be noted that snacks are included too, and are unlimited throughout the day.

Park Comforts

Furthermore, these amenities are included with park admission:

• Complimentary parking
• Usage of Wetsuits, vests, and snorkel gear
• Unlimited use of park lockers throughout the day
• Lounge chairs and hammocks throughout the resort

Rental equipment is available, too. Cabanas are available to rent and are offered in three packages. First, the private cabana option accommodates up to eight guests and includes towel service, a snack basket, and a stocked mini-fridge. Second, guests can opt for the Elite Cabana package. The best value option, this cabana package offers a photo package and personalized buoy delivery. Lastly, the VIP Cabana Package houses up to eight guests and includes a variety of complimentary amenities.

Know Before You Go

Finally, there are some last-minute details to mention. There is a daily park limit of approximately 1,300 guests, which is why reservations are required. Bring your own underwater camera, as they are allowed in some of the exhibits. However, they aren’t allowed in the swimming with the dolphins exhibit.

With the price of admission, a mask and snorkel are provided. Also, towels and beach chairs are available. Eco-friendly sunscreen, safe for water habitats, is also provided. Meals, snacks, and drinks are provided as part of the ticket price as well, which is why outside drinks and foods aren’t allowed.

It is recommended that guests bring books or magazines, earbuds, and other similar items to enjoy the peaceful downtime at the beach area. A camera is also suggested.

What’s more, this aquatic park is open year-round and is the perfect day outing for locals and visitors alike. Besides, what vacation is truly complete with these animal interactions?

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Elena Larina/Shutterstock.com