Discovery Cove

Discovery Cove gets its own post because, well, I just took so many pictures and it was such a fun day.  Of all the things we had planned for our Florida week, this was the thing I was most looking forward to.  I knew the girls were anticipating it for months, so I was hoping it would live up to the hype, and I certainly think it did.  Our day started early.  They ask that you arrive around 7:30 am to check in, then you’re given a full breakfast.  After breakfast, we had our Dolphin Experience booked.  As you can be over 12 and do the Dolphin Experience without a parent, we wanted to let Nina and Lyla do it together, and Mark and I were able to watch it all from the beach.  After a debrief and some instruction time from the trainers, their group got in the water with the dolphins.  They learned about dolphin behavior, got to help with some dolphin tricks, then they got a ride from the dolphin!  Mark and I loved watching their faces from the beach.  Their faces throughout their time with the dolphin experience just seemed to convey so much joy, and I know Mark and I enjoyed just watching them take it all in.  It was definitely an experience like none other they’ve had before!

  

  

  

 

   

 

 

 

  

Discovery Cove is big on dolphins, but it also had a lot of other interesting wildlife.  We saw a parade of flamingos walking along the beach, we saw marmosets, otters, exotic birds, and tons of marine life in their great reef area.

 

 

   

   

The reef was so cool.  You’re given snorkeling gear when you arrive, and at the great reef, you are free to snorkel amongst all the fish and rays.  It was such a highlight of our day, and we spent a lot of time there.  The rays in particular were amazing!  Mark and I had interacted with rays before when we were in Grand Cayman (before the girls were born), but this was the first time Nina and Lyla have come in direct contact with them.  They both loved getting to touch them and swim with them.  They are beautiful creatures!

  

  

  

 

 

 

  

 

I had brought my Nikon camera for taking pictures of the Dolphin Experience, but I put it in the lockers afterwards as it’s not fit for water and lots of sand.  I did, however, bring a smaller camera that I used for the bird photos and the underwater photos.  Sadly, the battery died after our first swim in the Great Reef.  Either I took too many pictures or the cold water caused the battery to lose power quickly, so I don’t have any more pictures after this, but we had an amazing time.  Everything is included in your visit to Discovery Cove from wetsuits, to snorke gear, to marine safe sunscreen, to unlimited food and drinks. Suffice to say, we also did a pretty good job of eating our way through Discovery Cove!  We decided it would be the perfect summer job for the girls.  Nina, with ambitions of being a marine biologist, would love to work with the animals.  Lyla, with her love of snacks, woud be perfect for working in the snack huts that are open all over the cove throughout the day.  If only Discovery Cove was closer… It certainly was a day to remember!