How cold is the water?

[cara loves the poly]

How cold is the water at Discovery Cove? We are going May 11. TIA!

 

[dolphingirl47]

As per Discovery Cove website:
The fresh water Resort Pool and Tropical River are maintained between 86°F ±2° (30°C ±1°). The salt water dolphin pools, Stingray Lagoon, and Coral Reef are 77°F ±3° (25°C ±1°).

dolphingirl47

 

[cara loves the poly]

thanks! i've read people say it's freezing.

 

[dolphingirl47]

The Tropical River and Resort Pool have always felt very warm to me. The rest can feel a bit chilly especially if you have gotten very hot on the beach. However, you adapt really quickly.

dolphingirl47

 

[Tinks1984]

Thanks for the info!

We're heading to DC on April 18th for the day and I was wondering this also. I take it that it's best to wear wet-suits for the colder water?

 

[Capt_BJ]

we were comfortable with the vests

 

[Echie]

We went mid March and didn't wear wetsuits.

I almost did because I'm always the first person to be cold, always wear a sweater, etc. But they advised me to try it with a vest first as the wetsuits are hard to take on and off (if you want to take it off for lunch, beach time, etc), and then if I was cold I could always come back and trade for a wetsuit.

Well I never did go back for one. I was perfectly fine. The only time I was a little cold was when I was snorkeling with the fish and just really floating around not moving much. But then I just got out of the water for a bit, warmed up, and went back in later. I wasn't cold for the dolphin swim, and neither was anyone else in our group - they were all just wearing vests too.

I'd say try a vest first and then if you find you're too cold, swap for a wetsuit.

 

[Cass]

It was sooooo cold with the dolphins!! but the lazy river was perfect.

 

[wen-tom]

we did DC in 2006 and the dolphin pool was very cold but you soon forget all about it and enjoy the dolphins. i chose to wear a vest rather than the full wetsuit only becuase i tried on the wetsuit and felt very restricted. it was much easier to swim in the vest.

hoping to go back this year if i can find the money

 

[DixieDolphin]

The dolphin pools are actually slightly cooler than the reef / ray pools. They're generally 76-77F, but the dolphin pool is closer to 72F.

Chilly! I'm on the skinny side and get cold very easily, so I wore a wetsuit for the dolphin swim most trips and switched out for a vest afterwards.

=)