7/22/2023 0 Comments Swim with dolphins orlando![]() (When I visited, there were only about 300 fish in the reef area, and they did a fine job of hiding in the 1.5 million gallons of water.) Inside the reef area is an artificial shipwreck and a glass-enclosed area where snorkelers can view sharks and barracuda.Ī separate tidal area of the Coral Reef is home to more than three dozen rays of three different species. The saltwater reef area eventually will be stocked with more than 10,000 fish representing more than 90 species. Some species are so brazen that they will cover a visitor's arms and head while he holds cups of food for them. When swimmers take a break within the aviary, they can observe and feed more than 100 birds of 46 different tropical species. And a veritable battalion of lifeguards keeps an eye on all the swimmers. When the water starts to get deep, weaker swimmers can head for nearby stairs. The drop-offs are clearly signaled by strategically placed waterfalls. The river varies in depth from about two feet to more than eight feet, and in width from about 15 feet to more than 50. Manmade streams tumble into the Tropical River, a 3,300-foot-long, freshwater swimming pool that encircles the Coral Reef snorkeling area and the free-flight aviary. Discovery Cove trucked in 5,000 tons of white sand to make this the prettiest beach nowhere near the ocean. Cove rules require one or the other whenever a visitor is in the water.Ī quick change, and it is on to the beach to pick a spot to spend the day. The guide takes visitors first to the equipment area to pick up snorkeling gear and either a wet suit or a flotation vest. ![]() The palms and bubbling water makes the rest of Orlando vanish. And the intimate tone of the resort is carried through all the available activities.Īfter visitors register in the reception area, they're escorted by a guide into the park itself, 30 acres of tropical landscaping, white sand and water. While the dolphin encounter is the heart of a visit to Discovery Cove, there is more than enough to fill a day or more. The only disappointment was that the 35 minutes flew by so quickly. ![]() The elation of the encounter was universal. At the trainer's command, he headed toward shore with his passengers in tow, sailing along as if they weren't there. The trainer had us do a surface dive as deep as we could go, and Capricorn followed, cruising past and around us his face seemed to smile at our amateur attempts to become part of his world.īack on the surface, the trainer had three of us place our hands on Capricorn. We swimmers all mimicked the command signals demonstrated by Paul, our trainer, and Capricorn followed our signals as readily as he did Paul's, showing keen understanding of the power of positive reinforcement (a fish snack). The water in the 3 million gallon lagoon is only 70 degrees, so we were grateful for the wet suits that came with our admission, and our diving masks made it easy to watch Capricorn under water. ![]() Our dolphin was a 35-year-old male named Capricorn, 10 feet long, more than 700 pounds and a movie star: He was one of two dolphins featured in the film "Jaws 3." As we slid into the deep water, Capricorn dawdled along beside us, nosing up to us and allowing us to stroke him. ![]()
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