Discovery Cove | Complete Visitor Guide

About Discovery Cove

Discovery Cove is SeaWorld's ultra-premium, all-inclusive day resort limited to just 1,300 guests per day. The park offers an intimate tropical paradise experience including swimming with bottlenose dolphins, snorkeling in a coral reef with thousands of tropical fish and rays, floating down a lazy river through an aviary, and relaxing on pristine sandy beaches.

History of Discovery Cove

Discovery Cove opened on July 25, 2000, as a revolutionary concept in the theme park industry - a premium, reservation-only day resort. The park was designed to provide an exclusive, crowd-free alternative to traditional theme parks. Every guest receives all-inclusive access to food, drinks, gear, and experiences. The Dolphin Swim experience has been the park's signature offering since day one.

Park Areas & Lands

Must-Do Attractions

• ✓Dolphin Swim Experience - A 30-minute guided interaction with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins including swimming, hugging, and being towed through the water
• ✓Grand Reef Snorkeling - Snorkel through a massive reef with thousands of tropical fish, stingrays, and even sharks behind a clear partition
• ✓SeaVenture - Walk along the bottom of the Grand Reef in a diving helmet, hand-feeding fish and rays 10 feet underwater
• ✓Wind-Away River - Lazy river winding through tropical landscapes and through the Explorer's Aviary filled with exotic birds
• ✓Freshwater Oasis - Crystal-clear wading pool where guests walk among Asian small-clawed otters and tropical marmosets

Insider Tips

• ✓Book as far in advance as possible - Discovery Cove sells out regularly, especially during peak seasons
• ✓The all-inclusive admission includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, wetsuit, snorkel gear, sunscreen, and towels
• ✓Packages include 14 days of unlimited admission to SeaWorld and Aquatica - an incredible bonus value
• ✓The Dolphin Swim upgrade adds about $100-150 to the base price but is the signature experience
• ✓SeaVenture ($60 add-on) is an unforgettable experience of walking on the reef floor in a diving helmet
• ✓Arrive right at 8 AM to maximize your day - the park feels like a private tropical island in the morning

Best Times to Visit

Discovery Cove limits attendance to 1,300 guests per day regardless of the season, so the experience is consistently uncrowded. However, booking availability is harder to find during summer, spring break, and holidays. Weekdays tend to have more availability. The weather is most pleasant from March through May and October through November.

Tickets & Pricing

Day resort packages start at $199 per person (without dolphin swim) and $299+ per person (with dolphin swim). All-inclusive: breakfast, lunch, unlimited drinks (including alcohol), snorkel gear, wetsuit, towels, locker, sunscreen. Includes 14 consecutive days at SeaWorld and Aquatica. Reservations required.

Dining at Discovery Cove

All dining is included in admission. Laguna Grill serves a full hot breakfast and lunch buffet with grilled chicken, fish, burgers, salads, and sides. Freshly baked cookies and snacks are available throughout the day. Unlimited beer, wine, cocktails, and soft drinks are served at bars and kiosks around the park.