The Sunshine State opens up to an array of possibilities when it comes to finding the ideal location to enjoy an up-close-and-personal dolphin encounter. For kids and animal-lovers in particular, it’s always at the top end of their bucket-list.
Every year in Florida, hundreds of thousands of people take to the water to enjoy a truly memorable experience. Families, couples and children all flock to Florida’s best and most treasured hot-spots for a taste of the action.
No doubt, many holidaymakers are attracted to the Sunshine State for its world renowned theme parks, gorgeous coastlines and 3000 annual hours of sunshine. However, it’s the unique attractions such as Discovery Cove’s 30 minute dolphin interaction which adds that extra-special touch to your Florida holiday. So weve put together our 4 top places to ensure you won’t miss out and will know exactly where to go.
Discovery Cove
The only place to swim with dolphins in Orlando; one of Discovery Cove’s star attractions is its 30 minute interactive experience with a bottlenose dolphin. In small groups, guests can get up-close and personal with a dolphin before heading into deeper waters for a dorsal fin tow ride back to shore. This amazing interaction offers a perfect and relatively private setting to appreciate a bottlenose dolphin’s true beauty. Children must be over 6 years to partake in the experience and children between the ages of 6-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Dolphin Cove 
If you’re heading to the Florida Keys, you’ll find various places where you can experience a dolphin encounter. In Key Largo, Dolphin Cove offer a number of experiences ranging from painting with dolphins to a shallow water encounter. However, a structured dolphin swim provides a 30-45 minute educational briefing where you can learn about the history, anatomy, intelligence and more about the bottlenose dolphin, before you enjoy a one-to-one experience in the water with various hands-on activities. Guests must be 7 years or older.
Miami Seaquarium
The Miami Seaquarium is a place loved by people of all ages where you can watch a number of shows put on by the dedicated trainers and staff. However, if you want to take to the water to swim with the dolphins, Dolphin Odyssey offers the perfect opportunity. Guests have approximately 30 minutes in the water where they can not only swim with the dolphins but kiss, shake hands and feed them. There are strict height and age restrictions so make sure you are aware of these before you consider booking.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium 
Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Clearwater Marine Aquarium is an unforgettable day out for the whole family. Among the many animal encounters and interactions is the dolphin encounter program where a 30 minute session will involve you learning about the dolphins before working side-by-side with a trainer feeding and training one of their bottlenose dolphins. You will also get your photo taken by a professional photographer, as well as a complimentary t-shirt. Advanced reservations are required and you may get a little wet - just so you know!
If you’ve experienced any other dolphin interactions or encounters in Florida, feel free to comment below. Or maybe you’ve had an opportunity to visit one of the interactions we have mentioned and would like to share it with us?
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