If you want interaction and to be able to touch the dolphins, then head over to Sea Worlds Discovery Cove (you need rsvps as they only allow in 1000 each day). You will be given a time slot for your swim and you can make a day trip out of it. There are several "pools" to swim in with fish, sharks, rays, etc. There are snack bars, locker rooms with showers, shops, etc. When your time comes, you watch a video about dolphins (all dolphin swims are required to have an info session as its the main purpose of the swim-to educate people). A group of I believe 5-6 get in the pool (there are other groups in the water as well) with one dolphin. You spend around 30 minutes in the cold water (youre given a wetsuit top that acts as a life jacket) and the trainer talks about the dolphin and demonstrates things that he does in the wild. Each person has the chance to tell the dolphin to do a trick with hand signals, kiss it, and grab hold of its dorsal fin for a ride back. There is a photographer for each group and you can purchase photos afterwards. You cant wear jewelry or bring a camera in the dolphin pool with you as it can harm/distract the dolphins. No pregnant women are allowed to swim with them either (the dolphins are attracted to the fetus). In my opinion, its the best dolphin swim Ive done (Ive done several in the FL Keys) and well worth the $$$.
alison
