Swimming with Dolphins Cost

Typical costs:

• A simple shallow-water interaction[1] costs about $80-$145, depending on the resort location and the dolphins' behavior. Guests wade into waist-high water to enjoy a dolphin song, kiss, hug or handshake[2] without swimming a stroke.
• Painting with Dolphins[3] includes assisting a trainer in helping a dolphin use a paintbrush to create a keepsake for $125. The guest stays on a floating platform and must be at least seven years old.
• Open-water swims cost about $100-$220, depending on location. Guests able to swim may enjoy free play with Bottlenose Dolphins[4] , belly rides, kisses and handshakes while in snorkeling or passive-swimming environments. Deep-water swims may include use of a water scooter for about $190. Pre-swim instruction on how to behave in the water with the mammals varies by location and may last about an hour.
• Royal Dolphin Swims cost about $130-$250 and may include a tow on the dorsal fin and other behaviors like the handshake, hug, kiss and foot push. Participants must be able to swim independently.
• Dolphin Trainer for a Day[5] costs $450-$650 and includes education in dolphin behavior, feeding, cleaning and at some locations a private dolphin swim aside a professional mammal trainer. Trainer experiences are also available inland at animal parks like the Secret Garden[6] at The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas.

• Each package typically offers a dolphin encounter and at least one photo.
• Trainer for a Day programs often include use of a wet suit or a souvenir T-shirt. Bring along a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen.

• Observing the Trainer for a Day experience costs $10-$150 with a paid participant, depending on the location.
• Bring along a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, snorkel gear and waterproof cameras for most experiences, depending on dolphin experience.
• Additional photos of dolphin interactions are available at about $25 for an 8x10 or $16 for a 5x7.

• Discounts for specific events or encounters like a free child's ticket with a paid adult[7] or upgrades and photo credits pop up regularly at each location.

• The Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Recreation maintains a list of member parks and aquariums[8] .

1.  www.dolphinscove.com/dolphin-wade-encounter.htm
2.  www.dolphindiscovery.com/cozumel/cozumel-comparative-dolphins-swim.asp
3.  www.dolphinscove.com/painting-with-dolphins.htm
4.  animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/bottlenose-dolphin/
5.  www.dolphins.org/visit_get_wet.php
6.  www.miragehabitat.com/pages/dolphin_tfad.asp
7.  www.hawaiiactivities.com/en/hawaii/oahu/a/13003
8.  ammpa.org/ourmembers.html

Check Out All Costs for Travel		How Much Does Attending the World Series Cost?		How Much Does an Alaska Cruise Cost?		How Much Does a Passport Cost?

Today's Featured Cost Articles

Make sure your gutters are clean before they start to fill up again this fall. Are you planning a Labor Day picnic? Need a new charcoal grill? Pruning trees before the storm season can help ensure dead branches won't imperil your home. Looking for help to take care of your garden? How much does garden service cost. The late August sun can leave a mark. Check out sunburn treatment options.

About CostHelper

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

UTI urgent care visit Paid: 147.00 Visit was $135. Antibiotics was $12. Waiting for four hours in the waiting room and the visit was quick... [more] -nervouschomper Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Cost Spanish Medical Interpreter Paid: 150.00 I worked with SynShyne Services out of Monroe, NC. They were so worth the price! Professional, friendly, accurate, great attitude and always on time. I recieved an itemized report after every contact and a user friendly invoice weekly... [more] -Gregory Richardson Interpreter Cost Dat Paid: 495.00 This is how much I am paying... [more] -Calista Christian Dental Admission Test Cost Shingrix Paid: 48.00 ... [more] -Not that BB Shingles Vaccine Cost Skin prick allergy test Paid: 573.00 Took my 9 yr. old in after an allergic reaction to eggs. Several panels for nuts, fish & top 8 allergens. Sure enough, egg came up. Got a script for epinephrine and left... [more] -D’s mom Allergy Testing Cost Estimate for Teeth Cleaning Cat Paid: 0.00 13 year old cat …teeth extractions, X-rays, blood work, anesthetic, cleaning estimate 2 to 3 thousand... [more] -Terrimarie Cat Teeth Cleaning Cost