Swim With Dolphins in Jamaica: Tips for Cruise Travelers
Visiting the Dolphin Cove Locations of Jamaica
By Taylor Fuller | Published on December 4, 2025
Jamaica is the land of sun, clear sea, good music and dolphins. Relaxing on the soft white sand beaches is made all the better by looking out on the horizon, spotting groups of dolphins dancing among the waves and soaring through the air. You may dream about being out there with these gentle mammals, gliding gracefully through the water. Lucky for you, you can do just that.
One of the best experiences you can have is swimming with dolphins in Jamaica. They may give you a hug, do a little dance, splash you or even swim with you. Whatever they do, you'll have a smile stuck on your face and memories to last a lifetime.
Key Takeaways: Swimming With Dolphins in Jamaica
- ● There are several places in Jamaica where you can swim with dolphins in a safe, friendly setting.
- ● The full dolphin adventure experience is for ages six and up, but younger kids can interact with dolphins if supervised.
- ● After a dolphin encounter, you can spend a full day exploring the adventure parks, beaches and other attractions in Montego Bay or Ocho Rios.
- ● Swimming with the dolphins is available as an excursion while on a Royal Caribbean Jamaica cruise.
What To Know Before You Swim With Dolphins
Before you go swimming with dolphins in Jamaica, you need to do some research. First, it's important to ensure that the dolphins are treated humanely, aren't forced to perform and aren't kept in cages. Tourism often negatively impacts wildlife, so you should ensure the company offering dolphin excursions is responsible.
If you're unsure about what to look for, reading reviews is a good place to start. You can usually get a good idea if a facility is up to par and if the animals are properly cared for. When you arrive at a facility, don't be afraid to ask questions so you're fully comfortable with the experience. Are the animals given regular healthcare? Are they kept in cages? Are they given ample space to roam? These are all questions a trainer should be happy to answer for you.
And if you don't want to get wet, you don't have to swim with the dolphins. You can stay out of the water and let the dolphins swim up to you, ready for a pet on the head. In this situation, you'll get a glimpse of how they act in their natural habitat. This is also an option for families with young kids or anyone who may be pregnant. It's a great way to still interact with the dolphins without making them or yourself uncomfortable.
Whether you're in the water playing with the dolphins or onshore tossing them fish, you need to respect these animals. Remember, you're in their habitat. Always follow the trainer's lead, for your safety and the safety of the dolphins. Dolphins are incredibly intelligent, so let them call the shots and don't force them to come up to you. If a dolphin is feeling shy, always let them approach you first.
When you're going on an excursion, it's always important to pack some necessities. Pack a waterproof bag of only the essentials, like a camera (but don't use the flash around the animals, as this can really disturb them), some cash and a change of clothes and a towel — you're going to get wet! Bring sunscreen, but don't put it on directly before you swim with or touch the dolphins for their safety. Opt for biodegradable, reef-safe sunscreen.
Where Is The Best Place To Swim With Dolphins In Jamaica?
Things To Do Near Dolphin Cove in Ocho Rios, Jamaica
If you're in Ocho Rios, Dolphin Cove Ocho Rios is actually located just across the road from Dunn's River Falls & Park. Make a day of it by swimming with the dolphins in the morning and then climbing the cascading falls in the afternoon. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even zipline over the falls. And if that doesn't get your adrenaline pumping, then head to Mystic Mountain, where you can go down the Rainforest Bobsled ride. For a more laid-back afternoon, you can head to Reggae Beach instead.
Things To Do Near Dolphin Cove in Montego Bay, Jamaica
If you want to spend a full day after swimming with the dolphins in Montego Bay, you can head to Doctor's Cave Beach. This is a top-rated spot for snorkeling, or for simply lying back and sunbathing on the sand. You can also spend your afternoon strolling the Hip Strip, a.k.a. Gloucester Avenue, for shopping and dining. A dinner of dry-rubbed jerk chicken or pork will complete your Montego Bay day.
How To Book Your Dolphin Experience in Jamaica
If you're seeing Jamaica as part of a cruise, you don't have to look far to book your experience with dolphins at one of the Dolphin Cove locations. It's available as a shore excursion, so you can book a trip to visit with the dolphins directly through your travel planner.
The type of dolphin encounter available is based on age. For example, kids from ages 1-5 can only participate in the less strenuous "Dolphin Experience" at Dolphin Cove, and only when accompanied by multiple adults.
The best time for swimming in Jamaica, and therefore visiting with dolphins, tends to be between December and April. This is when the temperature is just right and the weather is at its most forgiving. Swimming in the rainy season, which lasts from May through October, can mean dealing with reduced visibility. This means if your Jamaica cruise falls during the dry season, a dolphin experience is an especially good idea.
When you first arrive at Dolphin Cove, you'll meet the trainers. Usually, after a brief presentation about interacting with the dolphins safely, the trainers may call the dolphins and let them show off a few tricks and flips. Then, it's time to head for the water. This is when your adventure really begins.
What's It Like Swimming With Dolphins?
Dolphins are some of the only animals in the world that may actually approach you in the wild. They're friendly, curious and very smart. In fact, dolphins have the second-largest brains after humans. Because of this, it's important to remember that these animals are cognizant of what is happening around them. So if you're going to be swimming with dolphins in Jamaica, make sure you're following their lead. If you do that, you're bound to have an amazing experience. They'll play, come up for kisses and even talk to you.
Swimming alongside dolphins is an awe-inspiring experience, and it'll make you feel like a kid as you twist and turn under the water, trying to keep up with these quick mammals. Some dolphins will let you kiss them on the nose, give them a hug and hold on to their fins while you fly through the water, all while a professional photographer captures the pure joy on your face.
Splash around with your new friend and then spend the rest of the day exploring the other parts of the park. The attractions include other animals to meet, like nurse sharks, stingrays, lizards and many bird species. At Dolphin Cove, you can visit the aviary where you'll be greeted by the birdsong of colorful parrots and other tropical birds. You can spend a day here, taking a glass-bottom boat ride or having a swim in the lagoon. Then, it's time to cap an amazing day with a delicious meal of jerk chicken, hamburgers or hot dogs before hitting the gift shop for some souvenirs.
Get Ready To Dive In
Swimming with dolphins in Ocho Rios or Montego Bay will be fun for the whole family. As long as you do your research before you go, you'll end up having an epic day out splashing around with these kind and friendly mammals. You'll learn so much about dolphins and other marine mammals, their ecosystem and yourself with this once-in-a-lifetime experience. And the best part? You'll take home some of the best memories of your life.
