Dolphin Cove, Jamaica: Dolphin Cove, Ocho Rios

Dolphin Cove is Jamaica's # 1 Attraction and was recently voted the Caribbean's Leading Adventure Excursion Operator for 2011 by the World Travel Awards.

Dolphin Cove is a fantastic place to spend the day, whether you are on a romantic vacation or family vacation.

Dolphin Cove's Ocho Rios facility is a unique park surrounded by lush tropical forest. It is conveniently located only 3 minutes away from Dunn's River Falls for those wishing to maximize their day and combine tours. It is home to Bottlenose Dolphins, Nurse Sharks, Stingrays, Tropical Birds, Snakes and Iguanas.

Most Packages are sold with some exciting extras included such as: Mini boat rides, Glass Bottom Kayaking and Swimming with the stingrays (barbs clipped so no danger there).

Mini Boat Rides

Glass Bottom Kayaking

Stingray Encounter at Dolphin Cove, Ocho Rios

The great thing about this park is that all the marine animals, Dolphins, Sharks and Stingrays are in their natural habitat in the Caribbean Sea...no pools!

There are three dolphin interactions to choose from: the touch, the encounter and the swim.

The Touch

This program is recommended for children and pregnant women (the reason for this is that dolphins have a special sense called echolocation which allows them to see the baby, like an ultrasound, and even hear the babies heartbeat, the touch is in knee high water so the dolphins won't be distracted by the fascination of the pregnant woman's belly! - So funny).

As said before the touch is on a platform in knee high water, each program is about 10-15 minutes long and is done in groups of 10. You get to learn about the dolphins and then kiss and have your picture taken with one. It's really so much fun and kids love it!


Litte girl with a Bottlenose Dolphin at Dolphin Cove, Ocho Rios

The Encounter

This takes place in deep water (all guests where life jackets) - 10-12 people in the groups and you are in the water with one dolphin for about 20 minutes. The programs are controlled, so everyone gets equal amount of time with the dolphin. With this program you not ony get to kiss but get to do a belly ride....very thrilling experience!

Belly Ride at Dolphin Cove, Ocho Rios

Swim With the Dolphins

This is the ultimate program and I highly recommend it. You are in deep water with two dolphins for about 20-25 minutes in groups of 8-10 people. You get to kiss the dolphin and do two activities.

Dorsal Pull and Foot push are the two most common activities but sometimes the Dorsal Pull is replaced by the Belly Ride, as the Dolphin, just like people, get very bored of doing the same thing everyday so the trainers change the programs occasionally to keep it fresh and exciting for the Dolphins. There is almost always a foot push activity!


Foot Push at Dolphin Cove, Ocho Rios...Look at the Power!

Dorsal Pull at Dolphin Cove, Ocho Rios

Shark Program

For those that are very brave - there are also shark interaction programs.

Even if you don't want to interact with the sharks you can always just watch....it always begins with a really hilarious introduction by the shark trainers "pirates!" They call the guests "Victims" and take them into the water where they are seated on a bench. There, they put a shark right on the persons lap. The "Victim" pets feed and takes pictures...pretty fascinating! Then after the petting sessions...you get to snorkel with them.