USA: Swimming with Sharks at Discovery Cove

Discovery Cove, an Orlando-based all-inclusive day resort operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, is known for its dolphin interactions – now, guests can also enjoy hands-on encounters with sharks in a new immersive program. In deeper water, they swim freely among five species: Pacific blacktip, reef whitetip, nurse shark, zebra shark and a spotted wobbegong. During an introduction, guests learn more about the endangered species before they get into the water, always accompanied by the park’s shark team. According to SeaWorld, the sharks are used to human beings and are thus not dangerous. Also, swimmers wear a wetsuit as well as swimming shoes and gloves. Children aged ten years and older can participate in the program, the fee is 85 US Dollars (approx. 73 Euros) in addition to a day ticket.

The park will donate five percent of the program’s revenues to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, which is dedicated to the sharks’ protection and leads several research programs in this field. (eap)