Dolphin Cove

Swim With Dolphins, Stingrays And Sharks At Dolphin Cove

f you start with the gorgeous beaches, waterfalls, and other natural attributes and weave all the way through the intriguing culture and happening entertainment scene, you’ll see that Jamaica is a bucket list travel destination for more reasons than one. Whether you’re looking for a destination where you can do some sightseeing or somewhere you can jump right into a crazy island adventure, the options are endless on this sunny Caribbean isle.

Image credit: Dean A Innerarity/Shutterstock.com

And speaking of adventures… one of the experiences you probably won’t want to miss out on while in Jamaica is swimming with dolphins. There are two great spots to do this in Jamaica — Dolphin Cove Montego Bay (which was previously called Dolphin Cove Negril) and Dolphin Cove Ocho Rios. These are both dolphin-centric attractions, but there are other marine animals you can also interact with while there, such as stingrays and sharks.

There’s much to learn and love about dolphins at Dolphin Cove in Jamaica! We’ve compiled everything you need to know before going to this attraction to ensure your time there, whether you’re doing a full day trip or just stopping in from a cruise ship, is simply unforgettable.

Things to do at Dolphin Cove in Jamaica

Dolphin Cove Jamaica is the sort of attraction where you’ll be able to do some of the things you’ve always had on your vacation to-do list. With options like swimming with dolphins and petting sharks on the agenda, you’ll be more than grateful for the decision to push the limits and really live in Jamaica by the time your visit to Dolphin Cove is over. If you’re just about sold, here are some of the best things to do at Dolphin Cove in Jamaica:

Get up close and personal with dolphins

There are many ways you will be able to get up close to dolphins while at Dolphin Cove in Jamaica. This can be done through the various programs offered, which start on an introductory level and get more involved as you level up. The first of these is a dolphin encounter program, which takes you about knee-deep into the water to interact with dolphins. This program is great for young children and people who prefer to stay in shallower water.

The dolphin swim package is done in deeper water, and you’ll get to try out various tricks with the dolphins. The third package includes everything contained in the first two packages with the added opportunity to try out a ‘foot push’ (essentially a surfing experience including two very playful dolphins). You can select any program you like based on what you’re comfortable with. If you want to see the dolphins, but don’t necessarily want to get into the water, that’s an option too.

Swim with sharks

If you’re on the braver side, you can opt to swim with sharks at Dolphin Cove. You’ll have the option to also hold and feed Caribbean sharks at this facility. If you decide to go for this encounter, it is comforting to know that the sharks in this experience are not at all dangerous to humans. Added to that, trainers will be with you for the duration of this experience to help ensure you feel safe and have a good time. In addition to swimming with sharks, you can snorkel with them too! At both the Montego Bay and Ocho Rios Dolphin Cove attractions, you can watch the shark show for free with an added cost to pet the sharks.

Snorkel with stingrays

Depending on how adventurous you are, snorkeling with stingrays just might have been on your to-do list for quite some time. Attractions like Dolphin Cove Ocho Rios feature a stingray snorkeling experience where you will be able to get close enough to these marine animals to hold, pet, and even feed them at the Stingray Sandbar. At both the Montego Bay and Ocho Rios Dolphin Cove locations, you’ll gain insight about stingrays from the trained and knowledgeable guides who’re always happy to answer questions.

Interact with Dolphin Cove’s other animals

In addition to dolphins, sharks and stingrays, there are other animals at Dolphin Cove that you can interact with, including camels! That’s right, you can meet, feed, and ride camels while on vacation in Jamaica at an added cost of about $10 USD. Once you’re introduced to these amazing mammals, you can go on a Jungle Trail Walk where you’re likely to come across exotic creatures like snakes, iguanas, and parrots.

What you need to know about Dolphin Cove

There are a few things you probably need to know ahead of planning a trip to Dolphin Cove. Here are some of the most important ones:

How to prepare for your Dolphin Cove experience

Book tours early

As with most attractions in Jamaica and elsewhere, if you want to secure a ticket or tour spot, you should make your reservation as early as possible. This is even more important if you will be traveling during peak season (mid-December to mid-April in Jamaica) when tours seem to fill up much quicker.

Be sure to book and confirm all or at the very least most of your tours before arriving in Jamaica. If something changes and you need a refund, you should be able to get a refund for any cancellation made on a Dolphin Cove program as long as the cancellation is made at least 5 days ahead of your tour date or earlier, but you should confirm the cancellation policy when booking. If your tour is canceled due to bad weather, you will also be entitled to a full refund.

Have entrance fees on hand

You’ll need to travel with enough currency to cover the entrance fees for most tours in Jamaica unless these are already included within your tour package. Entrance fees may vary according to the tour, the program you choose, and even whether or not you want to walk away with photos at the end.

What to bring

When heading on any Dolphin Cove tour in Jamaica, it is important to wear comfortable clothing. When packing your bag for the day include towels, swimsuits, sunscreen, a camera, and some money for souvenirs. Keep in mind though, it is recommended that you don’t apply sunscreen until after your dolphin activity for the safety of the dolphins and the preservation of the environment. Camera-wise, there are some programs that do not allow photography, such as dolphin programs. For these, it is necessary to purchase a photo package that can come with an added price tag between $60-$100 USD. The price in this instance can vary based on the number of photos you purchase.

What to leave at home

If you’re planning on swimming with the marine animals at Dolphin Cove, it is a good idea to leave your jewelry at home. This includes rings, bracelets, and some types of earrings. You can either leave these at home or take them off before your program. Wearing jewelry during these experiences is not advisable because you can lose them while in the water and they can also scratch the dolphins.

How to get to Dolphin Cove

Dolphin Cove Montego Bay is located in Lucea, which is between Montego Bay and Negril. It is about an hour’s drive from Lucea to either Negril or Montego Bay. Dolphin’s Cove Ocho Rios on the other hand is in Ocho Rios, on the northern side of Jamaica.

The easiest way to get to Dolphin Cove Montego Bay is by way of a tour, which can take you directly there and back to your resort once the tour is over. Going with a tour will save you from having to find this location on your own, but if you’re up for exploring, then you can also rent a car to get there. Local buses and taxis are also an option for getting to Dolphin Cove. If you’re interested in taxi services, you can book a taxi from your resort and get information about the costs from the resort staff.

Dolphin Cove isn’t very hard to get to if you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay, an all-inclusive resort in Negril, or an all-inclusive resort in Ocho Rios. Both Dolphin Cove Montego Bay and Dolphin Cove Ocho Rios are ideal for half or full-day trips.

Expert tip: Only use cabs with red license plates when in Jamaica (if you happen to be hiring a taxi yourself instead of going through the resort) as these are the only legally operated cabs on the island. Negotiate upfront (before the cab drives off) if necessary.