Feeding the Dophins

[jeni16]

This year when we go to SeaWorld DH wants to be able to feed the dolphins. How do you go about this? We saw other doing it last year when we were there.

 

[gardener14]

During our visit, we fed the dolphins, sting rays, sea lions, and seals (the latter two are in the same habitat). Although feeding the dolphins is the highest profile interactive experience at the park, it was the least enjoyable for us.

Dolphins can only eat so much, so feeding times are established throughout the day. Feeding the dolphins requires waiting in a long slow line to purchase food which is priced higher than the other animal feeding locations in the park (the price per tray of fish is higher and the quantity of fish per tray is lower). The dolphins are only interested in food, so they come to a person with food, eat, and quickly scurry away to find another person with food. The ability to "interact" with the dolphins (pet them or take a picture) is very limited. The area is also very crowded with people trying to do the same.

We very much enjoyed feeding the sting rays, seals, and sea lions. Those experiences were some of the highlights of our visit. Food is sold continuously throughout the day, so crowds are generally not an issue, the price is lower for more fish than what you get at the dolphin habitat, and the opportunity for interaction is much greater.

The sting rays eat from mouths on their undersides. You place your hand near the bottom of the shallow pool, and the sting rays eat out of your hand. You can feel their large mouths chomping on your hand, and it's a very unique and entertaining experience unlike anything else. Also, they are easy to touch and pet.

Food for the seals and sea lions is also sold continuously, and crowds are generally not an issue. The animals cannot be touched, but they are skillful at catching food that is tossed to them which is very entertaining. Feeding the seals and sea lions causes them to become very active and playful in the water or on the rocks. Photo opportunities are easy as the animals are patiently waiting for another fish and they almost seem to pose for pictures sometimes. There is also lots of room at their habitat for everyone to find a place along the perimeter.

We enjoyed observing the dolphins above and below water, and without the crowds jockeying to feed and take pictures of the experience simultaneously, it was much more enjoyable.

 

[jeni16]

Thank you so much for the very detailed reply. I wasn't aware you could also feed some of the other animals. We'll definately have to check that out!

 

[Lisa P.]

Feeding the dolphins was a real thrill for us - easily the highlight of our Sea World visits. Our 17 yr old sons were amazed at the feel of their skin, especially under the chin/neck/belly. We went first thing in the morning in early January, when the dolphins are hungriest. The crowds were quite low. So we were able to get plenty of interaction. By our taking turns feeding, one or two of us could pet the dolphin as another was feeding the dophin. Also, we noticed that some people dropped the fish into the pool very quickly as a dolphin approached, perhaps they were intimidated by the large animal's mouth. But we took our time, and held the fish up a little bit and pet the dolphin under its chin as we dropped the food into its open mouth. Some of them splashed us playfully after letting us pet them and several returned repeatedly, letting us touch, even after our food was gone. When we went back another day, later in the morning, there were larger crowds and the dolphins were more abrupt in feeding and leaving.

So my suggestion is to go first thing in the morning, for the 9:15 am feeding on days when the park opens at 9:00 am. It's worth missing a show for this, IMHO. The shows are the same later in the day. The dolphins are less hungry, more efficient and surrounded by larger crowds later in the day. HTH!

 

[earthfaries]

We went a week and a half ago for the first time to SW. It was wonderful, and the highlight of the day was feeding the different animals.

You should go straight to dolphin cove if you want to feed them. We were in the park when they opened and went straight to dc and got in line to buy food. We waited about 10 minutes.

The trays are $4.00 each, they do not offer a discount for multiple trays like they do for the other feeding areas. We bought 3 trays for each child, and one for each adult. It was worth the $44.00 for sure It was an incredible experience.

Here is a picture of my kids feeding a dolphin

They loved it!

Also the stingrays are incredible to feed to. They feel so neat and they suck the fish out of your hands! We went there after feeding the dolphins. We got something like 4 trays with lots of little fish for $12.00 or something. It was wet and messy though, you have to lean down and stick your arm in the water, but there is no other experience like it. The kids actually thought feeding them were the most fun and unusual.

The sea lion feeding is also great. You also get a deal on the fish, maybe even 4 trays for $10.00. They are so cute ~ just watch out for the birds! They will steal the fish!!!

Here is a sealion we fed ~ notice the fish in his mouth. They make the neatest sounds and are so hungry for the food and entertaining to watch

We also fed the sharks, but will pass on that next time. None of the sharks actually ate the fish, just all the big fish in the pool ate the fish. That really wasn't fun.

Overall, plan to budget a lot of money for feeding the animals. It is totally worth the price for the experience! It was the best part of SW for us, and an experience you can't do anywhere else

 

[jeni16]

Thanks! We'll definately be feeding the Dolphins & maybe the Sea Lions too. I'm not a big fan of Stingrays so we might have to pass on that one!

 

[gardener14]

You shouldn't pass on feeding the sting rays until you've given it a try. It is truly the most unique animal feeding experience I've ever had and one that is difficult to explain. The instant I fed one fish I was shocked and surprised by what had happened, and I immediately wanted to hand out fish to my family members so they could experience it for themselves.

 

[christy08]

Oh, thanks Earthfairies for the beautiful pics and the great info. I had no idea you could feed them. We're going in October and I am so excited now!