You can pick up towels from the changing rooms, as well as have access to suncream which has been formulated to be safe for the animal habitats at Discovery Cove. They did used to have a sachet of suncream in the bag with your snorkelling gear, but I can’t remember now if we had one or not. Either way, it is available for you to use, so you do not have to worry about bringing your own.
Speaking of what not to bring, here is a handy list:
Tip #3
You will need to bring:
- Photo ID for everyone over 18
- Debit/credit card for optional purchases
- Bathing suit and dry clothes
- Swim shoes – optional – we find them handy
You do not need to bring:
- Towels – they’re provided!
- Sun cream – it’s provided!
- Food & Beverages – all provided!
- Flotation Devices (which include swim fins, noodles) – there are lifevests and noodles that you can use
- Jewellery – you are not allowed to wear it for the safety of the animals. Wedding bands are permitted however. Of course you can leave it in a locker (lockers are free), but I find it safer to leave it in the safe at our accommodation – including our wedding rings.
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Lockers are free at Discovery Cove, so you can safely stow away your valuables (phone, camera etc) when you want to go in the water. However, why not invest in a waterproof camera. Granted my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT5 is a few years old now, but it is still rated as one of the top 3 tough/waterproof cameras in 2018. It has a 4.6x optical zoom lens, a tough shockproof body, and is waterproof to 13 metres. It even has GPS built in which is so handy when travelling. All the photos in this post are taken with that camera – with minimal editing too!
The latest model seems to be the DMC-FT30 which looks very similar, but is only waterproof to 8 metres – more than enough for your needs at a water park!
» 5 Tips For Taking Photos At A Water Park «
There are three locker locations – one near each section of Discovery Cove. We spend a lot of time in and around the Grand Reef, so keep our stuff in lockers closest to that. There are also lockers near the Dolphin Lagoon, and all the way over by Wind-Away River. I say all the way over because it feels like a huge distance when you’re at The Grand Reef and need something from your locker!
The Grand Reef at Discovery Cove is a stunning (faux) coral reef filled with rays and thousands of tropical fish. It is far and away my favourite part of Discovery Cove – even more so than the dolphin swim. I find it so relaxing to snorkel in the reef and just drift along, watching the sea life swim by.
Behind a clear screen you will see a variety of sharks including Blacktip Reef Shark, Zebra Shark, and Nurse Shark. There is an optional extra experience of swimming with the sharks. Another extra experience is feeding the reef’s rays.
There is also the unique SeaVenture Experience – an underwater walking tour where, while wearing a dive helmet. This is something I would love to do – it is said to feel like walking on the moon – but surrounded by fish!
Find up-close excitement around every corner, each step yielding a new discovery. Easily climb down a ladder and set foot on the reef floor where you’ll come eye-to-eye with sharks through an 8-foot-tall, 21-foot long panoramic window. During the journey, you’ll experience one-on-one encounters with unique animals, schools of fish and velvety rays. You’ll even get to touch unique sea life found along the way. The adventure ends with schools of fish feeding around you with the massive open reef as your backdrop. – Discovery Cove
All of these extras can be booked and paid for in advance – space is limited. There are other optional upgrades like cabanas, animal encounters and drinks packages. Find out more here.
There are thousands of fish swimming in The Grand Reef, and you can pick up a species guide nearby. It’s fun trying to spot the different fish – some are definitely a lot more elusive than others, but I did find Dory!! Lots of photos ahead of the fish I saw swimming around!