Discovery Cove® Tickets

Frequently Asked Questions for

General Information

• What is Discovery Cove?

  Discovery Cove is a unique island paradise resort where you can immerse yourself in a breath-taking tropical setting and experience some truly memorable animal encounters including the chance to swim with dolphins.

  This all-inclusive oasis offers a fantastic mix of tranquillity and exhilaration - move at your own pace doing as much as you want or as little as you’d like. Aside from the chance to swim with dolphins, other highlights include the Grand Reef where you can snorkel with thousands of tropical fish and paddle amongst rays, Wind-Away River, which gently transports past white sand beaches, through dense rainforests, waterfalls and an underwater cave. Freshwater Oasis® featuring curious marmosets, snorkelling face-to and an in-water Relaxation Station where you can unwind with a drink. Discovery Cove Tickets include all meals and snacks freshly prepared throughout the day plus unlimited soft drinks, water and select alcoholic drinks (for over 21s).

• What is the difference between the Discovery Cove Package and the Discovery Cove Ultimate Package?

  The Discovery Cove Package includes a day at Discovery Cove plus 14 consecutive days of admission to SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica.

  The Discovery Cove Ultimate Package includes a day at Discovery Cove and 14 days of access to SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. The Ultimate Package also includes free parking at the featured parks.

• Can I visit SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Aquatica before my Discovery Cove visit date?

  Yes. Your digital ticket for Discovery Cove includes a gate-ready barcode for all of the other SeaWorld Parks included within your Discovery Cove package. You can visit any of the other SeaWorld Parks before your Discovery Cove visit date and this portion of your ticket will be activated the first time you visit one of those parks. Your Discovery Cove Digital Ticket will be uploaded to your Customer Account upon full payment.

• Do I need to be a good swimmer to do the Dolphin swim?

  No, even non-swimmers are able to take part as the majority of the experience takes place in waist-high water.

Rides & Attractions

• What is there to do at Discovery Cove?

  There is so much to do at Discovery Cove. You have the option to participate in an interactive dolphin swim experience during your stay which is often the highlight of our customers' experience. You can also feed tropical birds in the Explorer's Aviary, snorkel with fish and rays in the Grand Reef, relax on the Wind-Away River or simply sunbathe on the beautiful white sands of Serenity Cove. There is also a variety of additional experiences which you can pre-book, such as the SeaVenture underwater diving experience.

• How big is Discovery Cove?

  Discovery Cove is split into 6 distinct areas including The Grand Reef, the Dolphin Lagoon, The Freshwater Oasis, Explorers Aviary, Wind-Away River and Serenity Bay. In total, the park covers roughly 22 acres so there is plenty to explore on your all-day, all-inclusive experience. We recommend getting there early in the day to make sure you can experience everything. 

Location

• Where is Discovery Cove?

  Discovery Cove is located directly opposite SeaWorld and just off International Drive in south-west Orlando. To walk between the two takes roughly 25 minutes. It is also roughly a 20 minute drive from Universal Orlando Resort and  20-25 minutes from the Disney Springs area.

• Is Discovery Cove in SeaWorld?

  Discovery Cove is not inside SeaWorld. It is located next to SeaWorld and is owned and operated by SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment. You can access both parks with the Discovery Cove ticket which includes free access to SeaWorld and Aquatica. 

• How far is Discovery Cove from Disney?

  Discovery Cove is a 20-25 minute drive from Walt Disney World.

• How far is Discovery Cove from Universal Studios?

  Discovery Cove is a 12-minute drive from Universal Studios, which is part of the Universal Orlando Resort. 

Ticket Information

• Can you buy Discovery Cove tickets on their own?

  You sure can! Choose the Discovery Cove Day Only Experience option for admission to just Discovery Cove. As with all Discovery Cove tickets - there is an option to choose with or without the Dolphin swim element. 

• Do I need a reservation for Discovery Cove?

  When you purchase a Discovery Cove package ticket, you will need to select a date in advance as the park only has a 1300 daily capacity. There are also a limited number of swims available each day which means it's important to book early, especially if you are visiting over Easter or during the summer months. 

• Do Discovery Cove tickets include SeaWorld?

  The Discovery Cove® Package and Discovery Cove Ultimate Package include admission to SeaWorld Orlando as well as Discovery Cove. 

• When do I select the time for my Dolphin experience?

  The time slots for the Dolphin interactions are allocated upon check in at the park on a first-come, first-serve basis. We advise guests to arrive as early as possible on the day if you have a preferred time that you would like to request.

• What is the SeaVenture experience?

  SeaVenture is an immersive, underwater walking tour that takes place on the Grand Reef and gives you the chance to come face-to-face with tropical fish, rays and sharks. Please note children must be 10+ to participate and anyone under 14 must be accompanied by a participating adult.

Clothing & Accessories

• What should I wear at Discovery Cove?

  You can wear whatever you feel comfortable in although of course you will need your swimming costume if you wish to enter the water. There are changing rooms for you to change into your swim suit and wetsuits are provided by the park. We would recommend sandals or flip flops for walking around as the ground can get warm plus a cover up if you are planning on spending the day in the sun. Remember to bring a spare set of dry clothes to change into afterwards. 

• What do I need to bring with me?

  All Discovery Cove package tickets include the use of lockers, towels, wetsuits, animal-safe sunscreen and snorkels/masks during your visit so all you will need to bring is a dry set of clothes to change into afterwards and appropriate footwear like sandals for walking around the park. You must also bring your reservation and each person must show a valid ID such as a passport for check in.

Opening Information

• When should I visit Discovery Cove?

  Discovery Cove is open year-round and central Florida has a hot, tropical climate so it is always a good time to visit. Plus the fact that Discovery Cove only has a 1300 people capacity meaning it never feels crowded! We always recommend booking early to avoid disappointment, especially if you are travelling in the summer holidays. 

• Is Discovery Cove open in winter?

  Discovery Cove is open throughout the year, including December, January and February, except for a few selected dates between November and February when it closes for maintenance. This is a great time to visit as the climate remains mild and guest numbers will be lower. 

• What time should I get to Discovery Cove?

  Discovery Cove is a full day experience so we advise arriving as early as possible. Check-in opens at 7.15am, waterways open at 9.00am and the park shuts at 5.00pm. By arriving early, you can take advantage of the free breakfast, plus you'll be first in line to choose your dolphin swim time, which is allocated on the day on a first come first serve basis. 

Food & Drink

• What drinks are included at Discovery Cove?

  All tickets to Discovery Cove include breakfast, lunch and all-inclusive snacks and drinks throughout the day including alcoholic beverages. These are limited to selected beers and wine. Please note you need to be 21 and over to drink at Discovery Cove.

Facilities & Amenities

• How do I book a Cabana at Discovery Cove?

  Cabanas are only available to book directly with Discovery Cove, unfortunately, we can’t book a cabana for you. You will need your Discovery Cove reservation number to make a cabana reservation which can be found on your Discovery Cove tickets. If your tickets are not yet ready to download from your Customer Account and you want to book a Discovery Cove cabana, please call us for your Discovery Cove reservation number. Be advised that Cabanas are very popular and you will need to book some time in advance. They start at $200 per cabana.

• Does Discovery Cove have wifi?

  Yes, Discovery Cove has free wifi for guests to use throughout the entire park.

Restrictions

• Can I bring my own camera?

  Guests are allowed to use their own cameras and recording devices throughout the park except in the Dolphin Lagoon and Shark swim. Other party members are allowed to take photos/videos of the experiences from the beach area and professional photos are also taken for you to purchase if you wish.

Parking

• How much is parking at Discovery Cove?

  Parking is FREE with any Discovery Cove package ticket.