Whether you love them or hate them, you have to admit that sharks are pretty darn cool. That may be why Discovery Cove in Orlando has chosen to bring back the Shark Swim Program!

Intro to Discovery Cove

Discovery Cove is a theme park owned and operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, and located in Orlando, Florida. It is the sister park of SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando. Visitors to the park can interact with a range of marine animals including bottlenose dolphins.

What To Expect from Discover Cove’s Shark Swim Program

This once-in-a-lifetime experience is filled to the gills with adventure! The program begins with an in-depth discussion and training session with Discovery Cove Orlando’s professional aquarists. Guests will be afforded the rare opportunity to learn about the numerous species of sharks that inhabit the resort’s Grand Reef. Following your special introduction, partakers are administered (sterilized) snorkels, as well as masks. Next, it is off to take a deep dive into the water for a “free swim” beside more than 20 blacktip reef, nurse, zebra, and bonnethead sharks, as well as thousands of tropical fish!

Denise Swider, Zoological Curator at Discovery Cove:

“It’s always our goal to bring our guests as close as we can to our animals so they can develop an appreciation for them and want to conserve their natural habitats. What’s great about the Shark Swim program is that it allows our guests to experience these animals firsthand.”

Say Chum… we mean… Cheese!

The extraordinary experience is assured to deliver guests a clear and concise awareness of each shark’s distinctive qualities and characteristics. In addition, participants will learn about the unique care they receive at Discovery Cove Orlando. But before you splash away, each and every guest has the opportunity to take a photo with one of the sharks.

Hours of Operation

The Shark Swim Program is offered through Discovery Cove Orlando’s regular operating hours, which are currently listed as 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM.

Social Distancing

In a concerted effort to provide proper physical distancing between guests (as well as, between guests and trainers) the program will operate at a limited capacity. There are a maximum of 8 spots per day with no more than two parties per session. Due to this limit because space is so limited, guests are encouraged to reserve their spots here as soon as possible.

Discovery Cove is dedicated to providing guests with memorable one-in-a-lifetime experiences while maintaining the necessary health and safety measures.

Limited Capacity aka Make Reservations Now

Due to limited capacity, this highly sought-after program can only permit a limited number of guests to swim alongside these majestic oceanic marauders each day. On the upside, this makes for one heck of an exclusive once-in-a-lifetime event.

Show Me The Money!

The cost for the Shark Swim starts at $129 per person. Five per cent of the proceeds benefit the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. This incredible foundation makes strides to support shark research and conservation all over the world.

Age Restrictions

The minimum age is 10 to partake in Discover Cove Orlando’s Shark Swim Program.

Are you daring enough to jump into the waters with these ocean predators? If you do, may we just suggest that you don’t watch Jaws – Part 1 or Jaws Part 2 before you do. And, for the record, don’t EVER watch Jaws – Part 3 or Jaws – Part 4. Not because they’re scary. Just because… they’re that bad. Life is too short for bad cinema.