My local take
Dolphin Cove is the big name for dolphin swims in Jamaica, and the Ocho Rios park is the one most people mean. It sits on the coast right beside Dunn’s River Falls. The company has had several parks over the years. Since Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, only two are taking online bookings: Ocho Rios and the park it calls Montego Bay, which is actually on the coast near Lucea in Hanover. The habitat inside Moon Palace Jamaica was still closed at the company’s last annual report, and the Puerto Seco Beach habitat at Discovery Bay is not offered on the booking system. Yaaman, the company’s adventure park inland from Ocho Rios, is open and sold as a combo with a dolphin encounter.
It suits families with children who want one big animal experience, and cruise passengers in Ocho Rios, since the park is a short drive from the pier. It is not cheap. Some travelers also object to keeping dolphins in captivity; if that is you, a catamaran or snorkel trip is the better choice. My take: if you are going to do it, do the Ocho Rios park. It has more to do around the program, and it puts you next door to Dunn’s River.
Nearby guides: Dunn’s River Falls, right next door, and Yaaman Adventure Park. For the wider area, see our Ocho Rios guide.
How to get there
Dolphin Cove Ocho Rios is on the main coast road west of town, beside Dunn’s River Falls. The company puts it about 4 km (2.5 miles) from the Ocho Rios cruise pier. From the Ocho Rios resort strip, including Sandals Dunn’s River and Hotel Riu Ocho Rios, it is a short taxi ride. Dolphin Cove says Ocho Rios is about 97 km (60 miles) from Montego Bay, so from there it is a long day.
If you are staying around Montego Bay, Dolphin Cove points you to its Montego Bay park instead. It is on the A1 coast road in Hanover, west of Montego Bay, and the company’s annual report places it in Lucea. Allow roughly an hour from the Montego Bay hotel strip, more in traffic.
Without a car: From Ocho Rios, take a licensed taxi or a route taxi heading west toward St Ann's Bay and get off at Dunn's River. Dolphin Cove also sells round-trip transport with its programs.
What to expect
There are three main dolphin programs. The Dolphin Encounter is about 20 minutes with a dolphin while you stand on a platform in knee-high water, after a 10-minute orientation. You don’t need to swim, and Dolphin Cove recommends it for non-swimmers and pregnant women. The Dolphin Swim Adventure is about 40 minutes in Ocho Rios and adds the belly ride. The Royal Swim adds the foot push and dorsal tow. For both swims you must know how to swim, and life jackets are compulsory in every water program.
In Ocho Rios, dolphin programs include a Jamaican lunch (jerk chicken, rice and peas and vegetables) and the jungle trail. The Admission Plus ticket, for people who just want the park, covers kayaks, the jungle trail, the water slide, the pool and beach, watching the dolphins and lunch. A shark encounter and a Yaaman plus dolphin combo are also sold. Programs at the Montego Bay park include a buffet lunch.
Cameras and phones are not allowed on the dolphin platforms. Dolphin Cove sells photo packages instead. Dolphin Cove says both parks are wheelchair accessible.
Local tips
Book the Encounter for small children or non-swimmers. Swimmers who want the belly ride need the Swim Adventure or Royal Swim.
In Ocho Rios, book the morning program and walk over to Dunn’s River Falls after lunch, or do the falls first and come here to rest.
Check the booking calendar before you plan. The Montego Bay park does not run every day, and Dolphin Cove says schedules can change when a cruise ship is in port.
Bring biodegradable sunscreen, a towel, a change of clothes and some cash for taxis, tips and snacks, as Dolphin Cove recommends.
Book on Dolphin Cove’s own site or call center. The company says prices are the same across channels, and online prices often show a discount.
Before you go
- It adds up: photos, transport, snacks, alcohol and admission for companions who don’t swim are all extra.
- Children’s rules go by height, not age. Children under 1.20 m (about 3 ft 11 in) do encounter behaviors only and must be with paying adults.
- Cruise days are busier in Ocho Rios, and the Dunn’s River area traffic builds up when ships are in.
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Questions people ask
Which Dolphin Cove locations are open?
Dolphin Cove Ocho Rios and Dolphin Cove Montego Bay (in Hanover) are taking bookings on the official site. The Moon Palace Jamaica habitat was still closed at the company’s last annual report, and Puerto Seco Beach is not offered on the booking system. Yaaman Adventure Park is open.
How much does it cost to swim with dolphins in Jamaica?
At Dolphin Cove Ocho Rios, list prices are US$119 for the Dolphin Encounter, US$149 for the Dolphin Swim Adventure and US$189 for the Royal Swim, and the official site often shows an online discount. Prices change, so check the official site when you book.
Do you need to know how to swim at Dolphin Cove?
Not for the Dolphin Encounter, which happens on a platform in knee-high water. You must know how to swim for the Swim Adventure and Royal Swim, and life jackets are required in all water programs.
Is Dolphin Cove Montego Bay actually in Montego Bay?
No. Dolphin Cove calls it Montego Bay for branding, but it is on the A1 coast road in Hanover, west of Montego Bay, and the company’s annual report places it in Lucea. Allow roughly an hour from the Montego Bay hotel strip.
Can you take photos at Dolphin Cove?
Not on the dolphin platforms. Cameras and phones aren’t allowed there for safety reasons, and Dolphin Cove sells photo packages instead, either when you book or after the program.
Sources & updates
- Dolphin Cove (official): Dolphin Cove Ocho Rios (prices, inclusions, distance from cruise port, location list on booking form) · checked
- Dolphin Cove: Ocho Rios Admission Plus (inclusions, schedule, accessibility, time needed) · checked
- Dolphin Cove: Ocho Rios Dolphin Encounter (length, schedule, height rules) · checked
- Dolphin Cove: Ocho Rios Dolphin Swim Adventure (length, swimming requirement) · checked
- Dolphin Cove: Dolphin Cove Montego Bay (prices, location on the A1) · checked
- Dolphin Cove: Montego Bay Dolphin Swim Adventure (days, times, cruise-day changes) · checked
- Dolphin Cove: FAQ (photo rules, price parity, what costs extra) · checked
- Jamaica Observer: Dolphin Cove weathers Hurricane Melissa (Dec 2025; Ocho Rios and Yaaman reopened Nov 10, 2025) · checked
- Jamaica Observer: Dolphin Cove reports net loss after twin shocks (Jun 2026; Lucea park closed until Jan 2026, Moon Palace still closed) · checked
- Jamaica Tourist Board: tours and attractions reopenings list (record updated Feb 9, 2026) · checked
Update log
- — Written as a researched guide covering all Dolphin Cove parks; status of each park checked against the official booking site and 2026 company reports.
- — Link refresh: Swapped Moon Palace Jamaica link for Sandals Dunn's River at Mammee Bay, nearer the park.
- — Removed repeated advice
- — Trimmed hurricane references to where they change the advice
Spotted something out of date? Tell me and I’ll check it.