Can you swim with dolphins in Tampa Bay? There is currently no dolphin swim facility located directly in Tampa Bay. The closest major option is Discovery Cove in Orlando, about 1½ hours from Tampa depending on traffic. If you would rather enjoy a more dolphin-focused experience instead of spending the day at a large theme park, Dolphin World can also help you compare other Florida options, including our St. Augustine Dolphin Swim or the Dolphin Encounter at SeaWorld Orlando.
We know you probably clicked on this page because you want to swim with dolphins near Tampa Bay or enjoy some type of memorable dolphin encounter during your Florida vacation. Since there is no dolphin swim facility directly in Tampa Bay, the closest major choice is Orlando, located about 1½ hours away by car depending on traffic. Many Florida travelers already split their vacation between Tampa Bay and Orlando, so adding a dolphin experience can easily become part of your trip planning. If Tampa Bay is your only destination, it is still worth making the day trip to Orlando to turn your dolphin dream into a reality.
Once you arrive in Orlando, you have two very different dolphin experience choices. Discovery Cove in Orlando offers a full-day resort-style package that can include a dolphin swim along with snorkeling, tropical lagoons, beaches, food, and other activities. For travelers who prefer a shorter experience, SeaWorld Orlando offers a poolside dolphin encounter where guests can get close to the dolphins without committing to a full-day Discovery Cove visit. If your main goal is simply to spend time swimming with dolphins and you do not want a full theme-park or resort day, another option is to drive approximately three hours from Tampa Bay to St. Augustine Beach for a more dolphin-focused experience.
Below is a comparison chart to help you decide which dolphin experience is the best fit for your schedule, budget, and the type of interaction you want.
| Dolphin Program | Starting Price From | Requirements | Location | Amenities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery Cove Dolphin Day Resort |
$299 | 6 years old & up | Orlando | Dolphin Program, Food, Activities & Animal Exhibits |
| SeaWorld Encounter (Poolside) | $139 | Any Age | Orlando | SeaWorld Park & Dolphins (Poolside) |
| Dolphin Swim | $210 | Minimum Height of 48 Inches | St. Augustine Beach | Deep & Shallow Water Dolphin Program |
| Dolphin Encounter | $175 | 3 years old & up | St. Augustine Beach | Shallow Water Dolphin Program |
Discovery Cove is a unique all-inclusive day resort where you and your family can enjoy interacting with all kinds of animals is a lush, tropical setting. But perhaps the biggest thrills come from the swimming with dolphins in Orlando near Tampa Bay Florida.
Have you ever wanted to get up-close-and-personal with a dolphin? It’s been the lifelong dream of many people. Well Discovery Cove gives you a chance to make your dream come true. This encounter is an absolute thrill and I highly recommend you and your family make sure to leave enough time in your schedule to head to Discovery Cove.
The Dolphin experience will begin with one of the animal care specialists teaching you all about dolphin habits and behaviors. You’ll learn about their diet, how they communicate with one another, and just how social these creatures are. Everyone in your group will get the chance to ask any questions they may have.
When all questions have been answered, it’s time to slip into one of the crystal clear swimming lagoons to meet the dolphins! You’ll never forget the moment when one of the dolphins comes rushing up to meet you! If you’re like I was when I first swam with dolphins, you’ll giggle like a little kid and those giggles will continue for the entire half hour while you splash around in the water, enjoying the tricks and antics of your new best friend.
I assure you, you’ll never forget your time with the dolphins! But also know that Discovery Cove offers a lot of other exciting activities!
While swimming with dolphins Orlando may be the highlight of your visit, Discovery Cove offers plenty of other memorable experiences for the whole family.
Spend time in the Explorer’s Aviary surrounded by colorful birds, visit Freshwater Oasis to see playful marmosets, or snorkel among tropical fish in the Grand Reef. Guests can also encounter stingrays, enjoy a thrilling deep-water shark swim, or explore the reef on a SeaVenture helmet-diving experience.
Discovery Cove also offers vacation packages that can include admission to other Central Florida attractions and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Busch Gardens combines African-inspired animal experiences with popular thrill rides, live entertainment, and attractions such as Tigris, Cheetah Hunt, SheiKra, Kumba, Congo River Rapids, and Falcon’s Fury.
If you want a memorable dolphin experience during your Orlando visit but do not want to spend the day swimming, the SeaWorld Orlando Dolphin Encounter is a great choice. This poolside experience lets you get close to bottlenose dolphins, learn about their behavior and care from SeaWorld trainers, and enjoy an up-close interaction without needing a swimsuit or getting into the water. It is especially convenient for families already planning a day at SeaWorld because the encounter can be added to your park visit, giving you time to enjoy the dolphins as well as the rides, shows, and other animal exhibits throughout the park. SeaWorld admission is required separately, and advance reservations are recommended because space for the dolphin encounter is limited.
If your main goal is to swim with dolphins and you are not looking for a full-day theme park or resort experience, then St. Augustine Beach may be worth the longer drive from Tampa Bay. Here you can choose between two dolphin-focused programs. The St. Augustine Dolphin Swim includes both shallow and deep-water interaction, giving guests the chance to get close to the dolphins and actually swim with them. The Dolphin Encounter is a non-swim option that takes place in shallow water and is a better choice for younger children, non-swimmers, or guests who simply want an up-close dolphin experience without going into deeper water. The drive from Tampa Bay is considerably longer, but for someone who really wants a dolphin-centered experience, it could be worth the day trip. If you are a preplanner, you could even build a Florida vacation that includes Tampa Bay, Orlando, and St. Augustine and enjoy a different experience in each destination.
Book Your St Augustine Dolphin Programs
Tampa Bay is one of Florida’s most exciting places to visit or call home, offering a great mix of sunshine, waterfront scenery, family attractions, dining, entertainment, and easy access to other top Florida destinations. Visitors can enjoy beautiful bay views, nearby beaches, warm weather, and outdoor activities throughout much of the year. Families have plenty to do with popular attractions such as Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, The Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa, and the Tampa Riverwalk. The area also has a strong local food and entertainment scene, with neighborhoods like Ybor City, downtown Tampa, and St. Petersburg offering restaurants, history, nightlife, and cultural experiences. Tampa Bay is also an excellent home base for Florida day trips, with Clearwater Beach, Orlando attractions, and other memorable experiences—including opportunities to swim with dolphins—within driving distance.
Now that you have chosen Tampa Bay as your travel destination, you may need a little guidance on where to stay, where to go, and what to expect during your visit. Tampa Bay has a little bit of everything—beautiful waterfront areas, family attractions, great restaurants, lively neighborhoods, nearby beaches, and plenty of opportunities for day trips. Whether you are staying in downtown Tampa, near the airport, close to Busch Gardens, or over toward St. Petersburg and Clearwater, each area offers a different kind of Florida experience. As we mentioned earlier, Tampa Bay is full of surprises, and with a little planning you can make your vacation both relaxing and exciting. For those who already live in the area, you know how wonderful Tampa Bay can be, but sometimes it is fun to explore your own backyard and discover attractions, restaurants, beaches, and experiences you may have overlooked. We hope this guide helps you make the most of your time in Tampa Bay and gives you a few new ideas for your stay.
When it comes to comfortable and affordable accommodations, Tampa Bay has no shortage of options. Here are a few, I recommend based on personal knowledge. I have chosen a low- mid- and high-priced option.
This resort style hotel is a mid-priced option that is located conveniently next to the airport and downtown Tampa. Guests can enjoy 35 waterfront acres that have been thoughtfully designed to inspire complete relaxation.
During your down time, you and your family can enjoy plenty of nature without ever having to leave the grounds. Birdwatch, look for manatees near the boat dock, or ride bikes along the scenic 9.5 mile bayside trail.
Many rooms have terrific views of the bay, and the décor is modern and airy. For seafood lovers, you’ll also enjoy the hotel’s award winning restaurant called Oystercatchers. This place has actually been named one of Tampa’s 25 most iconic restaurants and if you eat here, you’ll know why!
2900 Bayport Dr, Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 874-1234
Here is a lower-priced option that is also near the airport, making it very convenient to get to. The place has been newly renovated and each room now has flat-panel TVs with 30 channels of HD programming.
The hotel has an outdoor heated pool, meeting facilities, and free breakfasts every morning. There is also free transportation each day to Seaport. The rooms aren’t fancy, but they are spacious, clean and comfy. All-in-all, if you are on a budget and looking for someplace nice to lay your head down at night, this is a great option!
4730 W Spruce St, Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 287-0440
Okay, this is a higher priced option but you get a lot of bang for your buck. You’ll definitely need to book in advance if you want to stay here because this place is very popular!
This is a AAA Four-Diamond rated hotel offering stylish and modern accommodations. The place is posh for sure! Rooms are ultra-plush and come with everything you could possibly need to have an amazing and comfy stay. High def flat screens, free Wifi, fuzzy bathrobes, and high end amenities… yep, this place has all that!
If you want some excitement at night, then this is definitely the hotel for you as there is also 245,000 square feet of gaming space for your personal entertainment. Try your hand at blackjack, poker, or slot machines. Live entertainment plus great pieces of Hard Rock music memorabilia makes this place incredibly fun and special.
5223 Orient Rd, Tampa, FL 33610
(866) 388-4263
While I definitely think you should make it a point to go to Discovery Cove and swim with the dolphins, there are some other pretty awesome activities right in Tampa Bay:
If you love trying out the food and alcoholic beverages of a local area, then this walk is right up your alley! Enjoy the historic neighborhood of Ybor City in Tampa on this guided walking tour. This area of the city boasts a rich Latin culture and is home to the state’s oldest cigar-making families. On your walk, which lasts about 3 hours, you’ll get to enjoy trying tapas, flan, mojitos and Cuban sandwiches and more!
600 E. 7th Avenue, Tampa Bay, FL
(813) 610-1063
Sometimes you just want to be out on the open water, speeding around on a boat. Well, you can rent and drive your own speedboat across Tampa Bay and you don’t even have to have previous experience to do this. After a short safety orientation, you’ll climb aboard an F-13 mini speedboat and follow your guide’s vessel that’s equipped with a two-way communication device.
(727) 744-3218
Who doesn’t love spending the day at an aquarium? This is a great place to head to if you do happen to get rain one day as it will keep the kiddies busy! This celebrated aquarium is home to over 9,000 awesome sea creatures. View fish, stingrays and even alligators and much more!
701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 273-4000
At the beginning of this article I mentioned just how hard it can be to plan a family vacation. One of the reasons it can be hard is because you never know what the weather is going to do while you’re on vacation. No one wants to deal with rain, but rain happens, even in the sunshine state.
Here is a good general rule of thumb when visiting Florida: If you can help it, avoid going in summer (it’s crowded, humid and everything costs more) and fall (peak season for hurricanes is August to October). So that means going in the winter and spring is ideal.
Weather is one of the reasons you want to plan your trip as early as possible. You’re not the only one trying to plan the perfect family vacation and trying to head to Florida during just the right months. So be sure to select your dates and book your plane fares, hotel accommodations, and theme park tickets as soon as you can!
Well, I’ve already shared so many cool things you can do in and around Tampa Bay. And yet, I’ve barely scratched the surface. There is always something fun and exciting going on in the area, from sporting events to festivals, concerts and other outdoor festivities.
If you want to plan your vacation around any kind of big event or festival that may be going on, you can visit this link to view the activities calendar and get an idea of the fun waiting for you and your family.
To help you plan your vacation, please visit the following websites, which may offer you information that can help you plan better.
Vacations only come around once a year, so you want to be sure you plan properly. I have traveled around Florida extensively, and I can say for certain that Tampa Bay has never let me or my family down. There are so many great activities, and it’s so close to other cool places like Orlando, that you will never run out of things to do. Just be sure to head to Discovery Cove and swim with the dolphins. I promise you it is an experience that you and your family will talk about for years to come!
There are a few things most of us can agree on: Sunsets are great, soggy sandwiches aren’t, and two-week vacations are an absolute blessing! Even if you like your job, it’s just nice to be able to spend some time off relaxing with friends and family.
Now if you’re like most people, you know that planning the perfect vacation isn’t an easy thing to do, especially if you have kids of varying ages. It’s hard to get everyone to agree on a destination that has activities everyone will enjoy, from the littlest to the oldest.
Well I’ve got good news for you: I’m about to make your life easier by sharing a destination that is ideal for family vacations. And the best part is… it’s sunny, warm, and right here in the United States!
Okay, I’ll give you a hint… you’ll be heading to Tampa Bay, Florida. And while you’re there, you’ll have an opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with dolphins too!
There is currently no dolphin swim facility located directly in Tampa Bay. If you want to swim with dolphins near Tampa, the closest major option is in Orlando at Discovery Cove. Travelers who want a more dolphin-focused experience can also consider the dolphin programs in St. Augustine Beach.
The closest major dolphin swim to Tampa is Discovery Cove in Orlando. This is a full-day resort-style experience that can include a dolphin swim along with snorkeling, animal exhibits, food, and other activities. It is a popular choice for Tampa visitors who are willing to make an Orlando day trip.
Discovery Cove in Orlando is approximately 1½ hours from Tampa by car, although actual driving time depends on where you are staying and traffic conditions. Since many Florida travelers split their vacation between Tampa Bay and Orlando, the dolphin swim can be planned as part of an Orlando day or overnight stay.
The best choice depends on the child’s age and whether they want to enter the water. For younger children who are not ready for a deep-water swim, the SeaWorld Orlando Dolphin Encounter offers a poolside experience, while the St. Augustine Dolphin Encounter takes place in shallow water and is available for children ages 3 and older. Families should always check the current age and participation requirements before booking.
Yes. St. Augustine Beach offers a Dolphin Swim that includes both shallow and deep-water interaction with dolphins. This is a good option for guests who primarily want a dolphin-focused experience instead of spending the entire day at a large theme park or resort. There is also a Dolphin Encounter for guests who prefer a shallow-water, non-swim experience.
The St. Augustine dolphin facility is approximately 3 hours from Tampa by car, depending on traffic and your starting point. It is a much longer day trip than Orlando, but travelers whose main goal is to swim with dolphins may feel the extra drive is worthwhile. If you are planning a longer Florida vacation, another option is to combine Tampa Bay, Orlando, and St. Augustine into one trip.
We respect your email privacy
Here is our Privacy Policy.
