Swimming with dolphins question

missyj1115
missyj1115 Posts: 1,220 Member
edited November 2024 in Chit-Chat
Taking my son to St. Petersburg Florida for 3 days and then over to Disney World for the remaining 4 days. Does anyone know of a place I can take him to go swim with dolphins? I have searched and searched and searched to wind up empty handed... That is unless I want to spend $350 each at discovery cove :( Leaving on March 27th.. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!

Replies

  • Follow_me
    Follow_me Posts: 6,120 Member
    I'll tell you this Missy. I go to the beaches in MW Florida frequently in the summer as I live nearby. About half the time I see dolphins swimming near the shoreline. I'm not so sure if they'll let you swim with them if they're in the wild or if they have to be trained to do so. But, I do see them around. And where there are dolphins, there are NO sharks!
  • _John_
    _John_ Posts: 8,646 Member
    I got to do this at a dolphin research camp in Honduras. It was awesome. They liked playing a game where they would grab a piece of leaved water plant from your hand.

    If you play with one of the babies and get too close, prepare to be b***h slapped by mama...
  • missyj1115
    missyj1115 Posts: 1,220 Member
    Follow_me wrote: »
    I'll tell you this Missy. I go to the beaches in MW Florida frequently in the summer as I live nearby. About half the time I see dolphins swimming near the shoreline. I'm not so sure if they'll let you swim with them if they're in the wild or if they have to be trained to do so. But, I do see them around. And where there are dolphins, there are NO sharks!

    Dolphins = No sharks!! Great advice, thanks!
  • missyj1115
    missyj1115 Posts: 1,220 Member
    _John_ wrote: »
    I got to do this at a dolphin research camp in Honduras. It was awesome. They liked playing a game where they would grab a piece of leaved water plant from your hand.

    If you play with one of the babies and get too close, prepare to be b***h slapped by mama...

    I can just about imagine how wonderful this would be...Especially for my 8 year old boy but sadly I am having a very hard time trying to find a place that does it :(
  • ilfaith
    ilfaith Posts: 16,769 Member
    I know Marineland (on the east coast, just south of St. Augustine) offers dolphin encounters. But rates are still in the $200 ballpark, and it might not be worth the 90 minute drive from Orlando.

    http://www.marineland.net/index.html
  • ilfaith
    ilfaith Posts: 16,769 Member
    Wanted to add that the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (not too far from St. Pete) does offer a dolphin encounter program. It is home to Winter and Hope (of "Dolphin Tale" fame). I don't believe they actually get to swim with the dolphins, but they do get to work alongside a trainer.

    http://www.seewinter.com
  • Cerakoala
    Cerakoala Posts: 2,547 Member
    I did go to discovery cove. If you end up going with that option I will say it was worth the cost. Great experience, all day event, free food and drinks (alcoholic and non) and lots of other stuff like snorkeling, bird aviary, and other neat things :)
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    I don't know. I did it in the caribbean and I think it cost like $250-300. I was with a small group of 5 people and it was really special. Even if you find a place, I can't imagine it costing much less than $250. I'm a cheap person and I thought that price was completely worth it...I swam with a freaking dolphin.
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