Water Tours
Swim with Dolphins Explorer
Gallery
Tour overview
After hotel pickup from Punta Cana or Bavaro, you’re taken to the Dolphin Explorer facility where your trainer introduces you to the program and walks you through everything you need to know.
You enter the water and stand on a shallow platform alongside your group and your trainer. The dolphin comes to you. The experience starts with the iconic pec shake — the dolphin extends its fin and greets you like an old friend. From there, the activities build: you learn about dolphin anatomy, how the trainers communicate with them, and what conservation efforts are underway to protect them in the wild.
Then comes the moment everyone waits for. The dolphin kiss. The dolphin swims up, pauses, and presses its snout gently to your cheek. It’s brief, completely unexpected in how it feels, and absolutely unforgettable.
The 40-minute water session also includes the show component — sea lion performances and a bird show that kids absolutely love. The whole experience is as educational as it is entertaining, designed for families, couples and anyone who has ever wanted to get close to these remarkable animals.
What happens on this tour
After hotel pickup from Punta Cana or Bavaro, you’re taken to the Dolphin Explorer facility where your trainer introduces you to the program. The Explorer is designed for intermediate swimmers and above — you’ll be in deeper water and actively swimming alongside the dolphin throughout the session.
The 50-minute water session begins with a personalized introduction to your dolphin. Your trainer explains how communication works between trainers and dolphins, and starts walking you through the activities one by one.
You’ll hold hands with the dolphin as it pulls you through the water — a sensation that’s both gentle and surprisingly powerful. You’ll learn to give cues and watch the dolphin respond, performing jumps and behaviors on your signal. The group is kept small — maximum 12 people — so every participant gets genuine time with the animal.
The highlight of the Explorer program is the foot push. You float face-up in the water, the dolphin places its snout at the soles of your feet and launches you forward. You’re hydroplaning across the surface driven entirely by a bottlenose dolphin. It lasts only seconds but it’s the kind of thing you talk about for years.
The experience also includes the sea lion show and bird show, which make the overall visit a complete half-day of entertainment and education.
Excludes
- Swimsuit, towel, biodegradable sunscreen and a change of dry clothes. Leave regular sunscreen at the hotel. Cash if you want to purchase photos — the foot push moment in particular is worth capturing.
What's included
- Hotel pickup from Punta Cana and Bavaro resort areas
- Round-trip air-conditioned transportation
- 50-minute Explorer dolphin swim program
- Personalized dolphin introduction with your trainer
- Hand swim — dolphin pulls you through the water
- Dolphin jump cuing
- Foot push — dolphin propels you across the water surface
- Sea lion show
- Bird show
- Locker for your belongings
- Return transportation to your hotel
Good to know
Designed for intermediate swimmers and above — you will be in deep water
Pregnancy is not permitted for this program
Maximum 12 participants per group
Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled program time
Use biodegradable sunscreen only — regular sunscreen is harmful to dolphins
Personal cameras are not permitted in the water — professional photos available for purchase
Book 2 or more activities and save 10% with promo code BOOK2SAVE10
FAQs
Do I need to be a strong swimmer? You need to be a confident intermediate swimmer or above. The Explorer program takes place in deeper water and involves active swimming alongside the dolphin. If you’re not comfortable in deep water, the Funtastic program — which uses a shallow platform — is the better choice. What is the foot push? The foot push is the signature moment of the Explorer program. You float face-up in the water and the dolphin places its snout at the soles of your feet and pushes you forward at speed across the surface. It’s an experience previously reserved only for professional trainers and it’s absolutely unlike anything else you’ll do in Punta Cana. What is the difference between Explorer and Funtastic? Funtastic is a 40-minute standing platform encounter — no swimming required, up to 20 people per group, great for all ages and non-swimmers. Explorer is a 50-minute active swim program — you’re in deep water swimming with the dolphin, maximum 12 people, requires intermediate swimming ability. Explorer includes the foot push which Funtastic does not. What is the difference between Explorer and Supremacy? Both programs involve active swimming with dolphins. Explorer is 50 minutes with one dolphin per group of up to 12 people. Supremacy is 60 minutes, involves two dolphins, has a maximum of 10 people and includes additional experiences like the dorsal fin ride and belly ride. Supremacy is the most advanced and immersive program available. Is this good for kids? Children aged 6 and above can participate. Since this program requires intermediate swimming ability and takes place in deep water, it’s best suited for confident young swimmers. For children who are not strong swimmers, the Funtastic program is the recommended option. Can I bring my camera into the water? Personal cameras and phones are not permitted in the water. Professional photographers are on-site throughout the session and photos and videos of your experience are available to purchase after the program.