Is the Dolphin Swim at Discovery Cove Worth It for Kids?

Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission — at no additional cost to you. We only recommend hotels, tours, and experiences we’ve personally used and loved.

When planning our family’s Florida trips, we’ve explored a lot of parks — Disney, Universal, Epic, Volcano Bay, and more. But one day stood out as truly unforgettable: Discovery Cove in Orlando. We first visited in 2014, before we had kids, and loved it so much that when we returned with our children, ages 8, 9, and 10 years, it remained the one of our highlights of the trip.

From our experience, the Dolphin Swim at Discovery Cove is a unique, hands-on experience for school-aged kids, especially if they love animals. It’s not cheap, and it’s not a traditional waterpark or theme park ride, but for families who want a calm, memorable day in Orlando, it can be worth every penny.

What Is Discovery Cove?

Discovery Cove is an all-inclusive day resort designed to offer relaxed, immersive experiences with nature and animals:

• Includes dolphin swim, snorkelling with tropical fish, lazy river, beaches, and unlimited food and drinks (including beer and wine for adults).

• Comes with all essentials: snorkel gear, wet suits, towels, lockers, animal-friendly sunscreen, and parking.

• Very different from theme parks — calmer, smaller, less crowded, and perfect for families wanting a slower-paced day.

When we visited with our kids, it was a welcome break from the high-energy theme parks, giving everyone a chance to rest, explore, and interact with nature.

For a full guide on Discovery Cove for school-aged kids, see: Is Discovery Cove Worth It for School-Aged Kids?

What the Dolphin Swim Experience Is Like

The dolphin swim is not what many people imagine — it’s intimate, educational, and very hands-on.

• Group size: Usually 10 people. On our visit, there were only 6 of us, so we joined another family of 4 — it felt personal and low-stress.

• Shallow water interaction: You spend about 30 minutes with one dolphin, touching, observing, and learning.

• Education: Guides teach about dolphin behaviour, care, and conservation.

• Photos: Professional photos cost extra, but on our trip, a family member stayed on shore and captured our kids’ reactions perfectly.

It’s important to note that the swim is about connection and learning, not about dolphin shows or tricks (although the dolphin did do some flips). For kids who love animals, it’s magical.

What Age Is Best for the Dolphin Swim?

• Minimum age: Usually around 6 years old.

• Best for school-aged kids: Old enough to remember and enjoy the experience, young enough to be excited.

• Confident swimmers: Get the most out of the swim and snorkelling activities.

• Younger kids: Can enjoy the park’s other attractions even if they don’t swim with dolphins.

From our experience, our 9-year-old couldn’t do some of the additional experiences, but he still loved the dolphin swim and the lazy river. For more guidance: What Age Is Best for Discovery Cove?

How Much It Costs (And What You Get)

Yes, Discovery Cove is expensive per person, but you get:

• All meals, drinks, and park activities

• Snorkelling, lazy river, beaches, and more

• Sometimes included SeaWorld or Aquatica tickets, depending on the package

• Prices vary but expect entry to discover cove is approximately £140-50, adding the dolphin experience is an additional £60; no discount for children as they participate in all included activities.

We booked ours during a Black Friday deal, which made it more manageable. Still, even at full price, we felt the value for a unique, calm, and unforgettable family day was worth it. Tickets are available via Get Your Guide which offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before, tickets are also available direct but without the free cancellation option, although the park will move your date once for free upon request.

What Else You Get at Discovery Cove

Even if your kids skip the dolphin swim, the park is packed with activities:

• Snorkelling with tropical fish and rays — our kids spent ages spotting colourful species in the Great Reef.

• Animal viewing: you can still see the dolphins from the beach, visit the bird aviary, flamingo pens, otters and monkeys

• Lazy river floating — perfect for a break between activities, and we loved watching our kids drift along safely.

• Beaches and soft sand areas — a place for free play and building sandcastles.

• Unlimited food and drinks — from kid-friendly slushies and snacks to beer and wine for adults.

• All-inclusive amenities: lockers, towels, wet suits, snorkel gear, and sunscreen.

Our family loved that the day was totally relaxed compared to theme parks. Even on a rainy morning, we had a memorable, fun experience without feeling rushed.

Are Dolphin Swim Photo Packages at Discovery Cove Worth the Cost?

Discovery Cove offers professional photo packages during the dolphin swim, but there are a few things to know:

• Cost: Photos are extra, and prices can range depending on the package but start at $100+

• Coverage: Professional photographers capture your family interacting with the dolphin and some posed shots.

Can I take my own photos during the dolphin experience?

• If you are participating in the dolphin swim you cannot take your own camera in a waterproof case with you in the water. Those in your party not swimming cannot enter the water to take photos.

• Although, from our experience, it’s easy to have a family member or friend on shore take photos — the swim is shallow and close enough to shore that you can capture all the memorable moments yourself. My photos shown here are NOT the professional shots, they were taken by a member of my party from the shore.

Taking your own photos keeps costs down while still letting your kids relive the experience for years to come.

Pros and Cons of the Dolphin Swim

Pros:

• Unique, intimate animal experience

• Small groups for personal attention

• Optional professional photos

• Memorable and educational for kids

• Relaxed day between busy parks

Cons:

• Expensive per person

• Professional photos cost extra

• Short experience (about 30 minutes)

• Some kids may not want to participate

• The dolphins are not in their natural environment

From our experience, the dolphin swim worked perfectly for our family — our kids still talk about it years later.

Practical Tips for Families Visiting with Kids to do the Dolphin Experience

From our experience, a little planning goes a long way to make the day stress-free:

• Arrive early – The park opens at 7:15 am. We got there at 7:10 am and were already able to check in and book our dolphin swim time, your slot is based on first come first served basis. Early arrival is especially important if you want a morning slot for the dolphin swim.

• What to pack – All you need it a change of clothes and a waterproof camera. Everything else — towels, wet suits, lockers, snorkel gear, and animal-friendly sunscreen — is included. The waterproof camera cannot be taken into the pool with the dolphin unfortunately but it is great for the great reef snorkelling and we were able to use it for the Sea Venture activity (see, Is the Sea Venture at Discovery Cove Worth It for School-Aged Kids?)

• Use lockers – They’re free and you will be asked to take off all loose items including hats, sun glasses and jewellery expect a tight fitting wedding set.

• Keep your pass to hand – this is to check in and register with the photographer so you can view your photos later.

• Apply sunscreen – Discovery cove provide eco friendly sun screen free of charge.

• Wet suit – a discovery cove wet suit or vest is mandatory for the dolphin swim, this comes free of charge.

For a detailed guide to planning your visit, see: Discovery Cove Tips for Families Visiting with Kids

Final Verdict – Is It Worth It for Kids?

For families like ours: yes — especially if your kids love animals and you want a calmer day in Orlando.

• Worth it: Kids who love dolphins, families wanting a break from theme parks, or those seeking a memorable experience.

• Not worth it: Families on a tight budget or kids uninterested in animals.

Families balancing a busy Florida trip, as discussed in How Much Does 2 Weeks in Florida Cost for UK Families?, should weigh cost vs. value.

We stayed 15 minutes from Discovery Cove in a large family villa — for details on accommodation:

• Where to Stay in Orlando with Kids (Universal vs Disney Areas)

• Storey Lake Kissimmee Villa Review: A Family Base for Orlando Theme Parks

For context within our wider trip, see: 2-Week Florida Family Itinerary: Everglades, Florida Keys and Theme Parks

Planning a Family Trip to the USA

If you’re planning a family trip to the United States, we’ve created a collection of practical guides based on our own experiences travelling there with a child. In our USA Travel Hub, you’ll find advice on everything from ESTA requirements and travel insurance to driving, healthcare and managing jet lag with kids, alongside destination guides for places we’ve explored including New York, Colorado, South Dakota and Florida. It’s a useful starting point for parents researching how to plan a smooth and enjoyable family trip to the USA.