discovery cove or florida keys dolphin ??

[bex7583]

had planned on booking discovery cove but just found all these other dolphin swims looking for keys accomodation

what are your experiences of either of these attractions? costs etc?

 

[Kath2003]

In terms of swimming with the dolphins, the Keys are better.
In terms of the whole day, Discovery Cove rocks.

Lots of places in the Keys do "natural" dolphin swims - no forced interaction. It's way nicer than the commercial version but you don know what interaction you may get.

 

[starrysky]

We loved Discovery cove with all the other options for the day. I was slightly disappointed with the dolphin swim as it was a bit too short and the interaction not that long. That being said it was still amazing to be up close with them like that and its a memory that I will keep with me. DH is not the strongest swimmer and he still loved it.

The bird area and the rest of the park is great fun to explore plus they have the new tour with the dive helmets which looks really cool.

I would love to do the Keys option but we could not factor it in when we were on Honeymoon. Plus It was DH first ever trip so we did not want to miss out on too much park time.

If you have it in your budget there is nothing like being in the wild and getting a much truer experience than what you get at Discovery cove.

 

[sjt22]

I am thinking of doing the one at florida keys.

I have the virgin rep ringing me today as I had a few questions about it

 

[consumermonkey]

I have done Discovery Cove back in 2009. I am a poor swimmer and my sis who swims like a fish has Down's. We both had a WONDERFUL day. Mum was with us too and although she wouldn't set foot in the water, still goes on about how well we were treated and how wonderful a time she had.

I was in Orlando solo earlier this year and got chatting to a tour guide from Dolphin Tours (google could be your friend on that one!) who told me his tours were amazing and cheaper than Discovery Cove.

If you are confident in the water, I would give the private companies a try, but I am not and at DC, it is so much more than the Dolphin interaction.

 

[canadiankim]

Many years ago DH & I did a dolphin swim at Marathon Key with the Dolphin Research Centre. It was wonderful and very natural and the work they did there with austistic and mentally handicapped children was wonderful.

Stanley was my 'swim' for the session and I will also remember him

This year becuase we don't have time to do the drive we will be taking DS (12) and DD(9) to Discovery Cove so that they can have the same sort of experience.

 

[bex7583]

Many years ago DH & I did a dolphin swim at Marathon Key with the Dolphin Research Centre. It was wonderful and very natural and the work they did there with austistic and mentally handicapped children was wonderful.

Stanley was my 'swim' for the session and I will also remember him

This year becuase we don't have time to do the drive we will be taking DS (12) and DD(9) to Discovery Cove so that they can have the same sort of experience.

oh lovely to hear from somebody who has tried both !! im a good swimmer but prone to pancking easily so may feel safer in shallow water then the keys swims have priced cheaper than the discovery cove and i am thinking it will be nice to have some planned activitys at other parts of the trip rathe

 

[Lizzi]

No opinion on Discovery Cove, as I haven't done it yet (though planning on it for next year!)

We did try and swim with dolphins in the Keys on our honeymoon though - stupidly left it til the second-to-last day, turned up at the location and there wasn't a single person in sight. :-\


On another note - I can thoroughly recommend this resort in the keys: http://www.tranquilitybay.com/

It's absolutely beautiful - we stayed for 3 nights and I wish we'd stopped there the whole week instead of driving on to Key West.

 

[claireanddylan]

I have done the 2 day dolphin experience with Florida dolphin tours

http://www.floridadolphintours.com/

Was brilliant. The dolphins are kept in sea water and therefore a really natural environment. They looked very happy and healthy and were really enthusiastic for you to get in the water with them.

The hosts are excellent, both from the tour company and the dolphin park. The hotel is nice (although I wasn't keen on our room backing on the car park with the doors being so flimsy!)

I got engaged in the water so it holds some special memories for me. They really went out of their way to help OH propose and printed a waterproof sign he could take in the water and came towards me with it asking if I would marry him. Was so sweet of them.

 

[canadiankim]

oh lovely to hear from somebody who has tried both !! im a good swimmer but prone to pancking easily so may feel safer in shallow water then the keys swims have priced cheaper than the discovery cove and i am thinking it will be nice to have some planned activitys at other parts of the trip rathe

The main reason it will have priced cheaper is because DC includes all your meals, wet suits, sunscreen etc. Our swim at the Keys didn't include anything like that, we just had to wear a life vest.

It was in deeper water but the interaction was well worth it. Enjoy whichever your choice