Discovery Cove (13)

Discovery Cove is located opposite the entrance to Seaworld. It is a unique tropical paradise where guests get the chance to swim with dolphins, have encounters with sharks, snorkel in a coral reef and dive through a waterfall into a tropical aviary.

This secluded park offers guests a once in a life time experience but it comes at a premium price. As guests are limited to one thousand per day it is most important that you book your place in advance. This can be done via their web site or by telephone.

As you would expect Discovery Cove is an extremely personal park, from the moment you check in at the impressive lobby, to the moment you leave, you are treated like VIP’s. The price includes coffee on arrival, a group photograph, lunch and free soft drinks. There is no need to take anything with you, Discover Cove provide for all your requirements. From towels to sun cream, wet suits to snorkels, even beach umbrellas and lockers.

The whole complex is magnificently landscaped with lovely thatched huts, palm trees, streams, coves, hammocks and a beautiful white sandy beach. And because guests are limited there is always a spare sun bed when you need one.

Included in the entrance price is the coral reef, where you can snorkel to your hearts content. Here you will find an amazing array of tropical fish. There is even a small shark! Watch out though, the surface to this pool is quite rough and you can easily graze your feet.

Ray lagoon is next to coral reef, and here you can snorkel and swim with the stingrays. There are always photographers around taking photos in here. You can purchase these before you leave the park. A little expensive but well worth it.

Tropical river is a lazy river that flows around the park. You can snorkel or swim you way round, or just relax and let the current take you at your leisure. Situated off the tropical river, between two waterfalls, is access to the aviary. Holding over 200 varieties of tropical birds. Guests are given a small pot of food to feed the birds with, and again a photographer is on hand.

However, the main attraction of the park has to be the Dolphin swim. This is an optional extra, and is limited to a small number of guests per day. When you book your swim you are given a provisional time for your swim and you need to arrive 15 minutes prior to this to watch a safety video. You are then lead out to the lagoon in small groups. Under the guided supervision of the qualified instructors guests are given an incredible experience with the dolphins. The experience lasts for about thirty minutes and ends with each guest swimming with their dolphin holding onto its fin.

I would recommend Discovery Cove to anyone. It is a fantastic experience not to be missed. Well worth the expense.