Dolphin Discovery Cancun

Negative experience: It is now ILLEGAL to keep aquatic mammals in these parks in Mexico. Do not visit these places. Don't be part of this cruel abuse, don’t be a bad person

Negative experience: Great experience with the dolphins but horrible costumer service rude personal and over cost photo we had a group of 8 people and wanted to charge 320 for digital photos because they charge 40 per person on each photo ridiculous they had the nerve to say that's why you come on vacation to spend money not knowing we work hard for a whole year to travel for a week to their country and contribute to their economic. But not like that 320 for pictures was a little to much specially when they were digital. And very rude staff I wold not travel to cancun again and would not recommend.

Positive experience: The instructor was very nice and welcoming. As everyone mentioned the photo prices ($175) are abnormally high and if you want the videos you must pay extra. Just be aware that fanily of 4 with photo package and transportation can cost you $1000 Tha last thing, the water was absolutely dirty and full of insects, bathrooms specifically women was extremely dirty. I was surprised to see the male staffs were keep going to the women bathroom while the bathrooms was occupied.

Negative experience: Very very terrible customer service. Overpriced photos, and the service doesn’t match the price. Most of the workers here seem like they hate their job. If I could give zero stars I would. If you want a good swimming with dolphins experience go to Xel-ha.

Negative experience: Unethical. Dolphins should not be kept in captivity.

Fantastic experience: Swift access and friendly staff.

Negative experience: If I could give 0 star, I would have ! The worst kind of customer service you could get from the ppl who work there. (Refer to picture of those two ladies) They must be trained by the most dishonest system! We came here to be able to swim with two dolphins and paid extra for this. “They call it pushed by dolphins”. The new law prohibits people from being pushed or swam with dolphins. We accept the new law but we would like the company to inform of the changes and compensate in a more professional and acceptable way. Instead, one of the women said the package doesn’t use the word “push by dophins” and all the nonsense to avoid our discussion to be compensated. We decided to leave and would never swim in those waters even if we wont get that cancellation back! The worst kind of service and attitude!

Negative experience: It’s pretty neat but also a bait and switch. My 6 year old son was allowed on the boat but he wasn’t allowed to snorkel. So they didn’t technically lie about kids being welcome but having your kids watch while others swim is pretty cruel. Also be prepared to pay an additional $15 USA dollars per dock fee. If you’re just looking to get to Isla Mujeres my suggestion is to take the Xcaret ferry. It really is a beautiful place. (Parking isn’t available onsite)

Negative experience: Giving this place1 star because it won’t allow me to give no stars. SCAM. Do not got there! They have a partnership with our hotel and although I believe the hotel is majorly at fault here, they did hold up to what was promised us. The swim experience is non existent since a new law was passed but their website hasn’t yet been updated. Therefore, you show up there expecting one thing and what you get is average as average can be. Plus they charge almost $300 for photos. We got a “special” deal and paid “80” for a family picture. That’s a rip off!!!!!! Daphne, our guide was wonderful though and helped accommodate my son’s needs. Thank you, Daphne. You were the only positive in our experience.

Negative experience: Don’t go! We spent more time waiting to see the dolphins than we did w them. You don’t even get to hang out with the dolphins, it’s just a bunch of photo ops! One individual photo is $35, and we just wanted to get one image, but they wanted to charge us the full $140 because there was 4 of us! That’s not a package, that’s just a single photo! It was $35 per person in the photo!!! What a joke. Horrible service. Apparently, the night before we went, they passed a law that you couldn’t ride the dolphins, but didn’t call any of the customers to let them know. So when we showed up at 3 PM for our 4 o’clock reservation, the lobby was an absolute madhouse! They wouldn’t refund any of the money. They knew this was happening but didn’t let any customer know. The experience was lame and just felt like you were there so they could take pics and make more money vs actually interacting w the dolphins. Do. Not. Book!! Scammers.

Negative experience: We arrived at this place and immediately left after looking at the dolphins and their enclosures. We could not, in good conscience participate. The place was small, dirty, and the dolphins looked lethargic and were very dark in color given their shallow tanks. It was very sad. Please do not support this establishment. We booked through our hotel and have asked them to stop offering this excursion.

Negative experience: I’m giving this place 1 star only because they rip you off for photos. All I wanted was 1 family photo of us and we would have to pay $140 to get all the photos just for that 1 family photo. I’m a travel agent and really want to recommend this place to my clients but I won’t be because it’s not worth my clients spending a crazy along of money for an experience and then another crazy amount for photos.

Positive experience: The actual experience was wonderful. Kids 5 and under are free so it was a cute activity to do with my kiddo. They also take PayPal pay in 4. Theresa our tour guide was professional and fun and she paid attention to the dolphins. One dolphin wasn't so active and did want to engage and she didn't force her. I like that she respected the dolphins wishes. The other dolphin was very friendly and engaged enough for both. The meal that was included was one chicken fajita and a 1/3 cup of rice bean paste and crystal lite But we didn't come for the food. Also it does smell like the zoo, but the pool it self was a clean as you would expect a dolphin pool to be. The photography was $35 per picture USD. They're are also packages per person $175. Now the family pictures can not be purchased by itself. It has to be purchased in addition to a package or it $35 per person in the picture

Positive experience: This place is average and it is as average as they come. You get everything that is advertised. Dolphins were super friendly. Food was good. There was very little communication by staff about what to do and all of the instructions were given in both English and Spanish but they did not distinguish between the two so it made it difficult to figure things out. We had to go ask where we got the food and how we got it since it was included and then had to go ask when our transportation back to the resort was scheduled. The man who was driving us for transportation was VERY VERY VERY reckless. He go into a road rage fight with someone on the way back and brake checked and continued to swerve into them almost crashing. He even rolled down the winder and yelled at the person even telling them what resort we were going to do they could have a physical altercation. If you’ve been in the area you know this is common. All in all it was average and affordable but nothing over the top.

Fantastic experience: We booked this through our hotel. From other reviews I was cautious and took time to see how the dolphins were treated. This seems like a place they really love on and care for these animals given the circumstances. It was a positive experience for our family and a good reminder we can all be better about reducing use of plastics, which is a great harm to our oceans (and other recycling/water saving measures).

Negative experience: This is an absolute rip off. $149 USD for a bad lunch and meeting a dolphin. No pictures with the dolphin unless you pay for it. It’s offensive to the dolphins.

Negative experience: Worst Experience. I booked Swim Adventure for 5 of us (2 kids and 3 adults). Our appointment was at 10AM in the morning. We were there in the facility at 9 25 AM. The front desk person mentioned that our time slot is showing as 12:40 PM at their system but i showed them the confirmation for 10AM but she is not getting convinced. I had to literally fight for it even though we booked for 10AM. They did not help us with the belly ride, as myself and my wife are not an expert in swimming. The dolphin trainer is not courteous enough to say that they can help us float in the mid pool, so that we can do the belly ride. Instead they started scaring us that we will drown and not wanted us to get in. Even after paying the full money for Swim Adventure, it was a complete waste. This is ridiculous and completely a scam. This place is very expensive that too, $50 per person for photos or if we need a group photo alone, they are charging $35 per person, only for 1 photo. I will never ever recommend anyone to this place. Everyone was very rude and not courteous. They literally wanted to make money. Please visit Cenote and Lagoons instead of this. you will have better fun.

Negative experience: bad organization, staff is rude and dolphins are getting trapped in a really small pool that doesn't even look clean.

Fantastic experience: Wanted to swim with dolphins but in the best sustainable way possible, and found this place we're they are in their natural ocean. Went for the personal 121 package and was brilliant. Our dolphin was called April.

Positive experience: My boyfriend and i booked the dinner cruise through Amstar - it was 98$ USD each plus 20$USD for docking + transportation. We chose the steak dinner. Our driver picked us up at the hotel and was 46 mins late so that was annoying . But the cruise was amazing. the live music was beautiful and it wasn’t too crowded. Sergio was the host and he was very well at entertaining. We got to eat right on the lagoon looking at the sunset. We danced underneath the stars. It was very romantic and the highlight of our trip. Definitely worth the 98$

Fantastic experience: Amazing fun and educational experience with Fernando and Natalie making the activities personal and interactive. You can see the care and effort everyone put in to making our time there so memorable. I learned so much about the all the animals (gives me perspective on my impact on the ocean) and was grateful that I got to be with them, up and close. Big shoutout to Natalie, Fernando, and all the other staff for making today so special and showing us what it means to take care of these animals. To our Dolphin friends Aqua, Cyrus, Manatee Dorothy, and Sea lion Julio, we hope to see you again and thank you for being with us.

Fantastic experience: This place was amazing. The boat ride over was super fun. We drank listen to music. The view when you first pulled up to the docks was beautiful. We paid for the vip lunge. I'd definitely do that. All u can drink bar all u can eat buffet. The view from the vip lunge was unreal. Then the swimming with dolphins. It was the most incredible thing I think I've ever done. Amazing vibes, delicious food, and friendly staff. This place is a must-see for everyone. You will love this place.

Positive experience: Visited last time when we came at Cancun. I wish I would have we would have knows of photo plan upfront.

Negative experience: Storing animals is cruelty a video posted and circulating on the horrible conditions these mamals are left in. Don’t support this establishment

Fantastic experience: There’s a video going around tiktok rn playing on peoples emotions telling them to leave bad reviews. The video is not factually accurate. Please don’t listen to all these new 1 star reviews. This is an accredited place that cares about their animals dearly. Please do your research, but I promise this place is a good place to support.

Negative experience: Shame on you if you pay to go here. The dophins are abused and in filthy tiny tanks. This place is unacceptable! It should be shut down immediately!!!

Negative experience: I recently visited Dolphin Discovery at Cozumel and had a disappointing experience. The $98 ticket for the dolphin encounter allowed just one interaction session, where you touch, kiss, and hug the dolphin. However, we were not allowed to bring phones, and photos came at an extra cost of $70, the angles weren't great, as photographer is behind us , also they are NOT professional . The total activity cost $170 per person. The 30-minute activity ended up taking 1 hour 30 minutes due to them combining our group with others, significantly impacting our time. Additionally, the food area closed at 3:30 pm, and despite arriving at 3:28 pm, we were denied service. Overall, not worth the money, and caution is advised before booking.

Fantastic experience: Took the Catameran and they did not have food or alchoholic drinks on way there. But on way back we left on first trip out due to other plans and they played good music and served free beers. But the whole experience when you get there is absolutely amazing. Highly recommend getting VIP like me and my fiancé did. You get in early with dolphins instead of waiting. You get to hangout on upper deck above stores afterwards where they have a skylight pool and restaurant with good quality food. The service there in VIP was exceptional. Below service was mediocre. Was an amazing day we won’t ever forget.

Negative experience: Total scam- these clowns wanted $470 for pictures. They also cancelled our catamaran ride and would not give a refund. Save your time and money, you’re better off spending the day at the beach or cenote.

Negative experience: This was the last full day of my trip with 7 other people. We got the package on the beach at our hotel. Sounded like a good deal. We had the snorkeling/lunch/island hopping to Isla Mujeres package. Snorkeling was great, super cool, and all gear provided. Where the issue began is heading to their “island” for buffet lunch. The crew on our boat were rude adding in the language barrier. Lunch was meh but filling, free juice and soda provided. We get back on the boat and head to isla MUJERES, they seperate us by English/Spanish speakers which is odd, until we realize they had English speakers wait at a seperate pickup location, only to be lead to a full dock of Spanish speakers. Luckily we were able to all sit together however the crew was purposely getting folks drunk and dancing with young women while people smoked cigarettes (even though not allowed) Cherry on top: they docked next to a boat and not on the actual dock making us climb down a weird way to get off resulting in a young girl slipping, busting her knee and dropping phone in the water. This crew lacked professionalism and my entire party insisted that we could have had a better experience elsewhere - save your funds and the potential headache

Negative experience: Horrible experience. Will never come back! From start to finish the entire thing was horrible. Laura guest service manager was incredibly rude and condescending. Staff - unfriendly Event- short and sweet, nobody even tried to entertain you Location- pretty Price- okay

Fantastic experience: I had heat stroke and they treated me like royalty, very accommodating. Very understanding as I’m from Canada and not used to Cancun heat

Fantastic experience: Stayed at the Riu Palace Las Americanas and booked travel through Amstar, picked us up from the hotel, brought us there and explained the whole procedure very well to us. Felt very safe and secure for my first time doing anything in a foreign country. Great experience, would highly recommend for anyone looking to swim with dolphins. Tips are not included for your driver, just a heads up. Bring some cash for tips and photos of your adventure with the dolphins if you would like some photos.

Fantastic experience: Fun. The instructors were clear and kept us safe. I truly enjoyed myself

Negative experience: How does the price of photograph package cost more than the actual experience itself? Revisit your prices for the photos and perhaps maybe y'all could get some sales without being so pushy. Ain't noone paying $200~$400 for some half baked photographs. Your photographers are not professional to warrant such an insane amount of money. The images shown to us were mediocre at best. And why is bottled water $8? If this isn't madness I don't know what else this is. The experience with swimming with the dolphins was the only thing that was enjoyable here

Negative experience: Terrible for these beautiful animals. Needs to stop!

Fantastic experience: This experience was amazing from start to finish. We got picked up in Cancun and got the ferry here. On the boat they had fresh juices and pastries. We first went in with the Manatee's, The trainer explained where they were from, an average weight and then we got to feed them some greens and stroke them. We then went on to the seals, the 1 we seen was just a pup, this was a different handler but you could tell they had a bond. Next the dolphins, these were amazing. They felt rubbery which I wasn't expecting. We were with them for about 45 minutes. They did various tricks and then the handlers got people involved to do things such as a dolphin kiss, hand holding and where they dolphins dragged you in the water. After all of this we were able to go get food included in the price and all inclusive drinks. This was a nice time to relax. They also have lovely hammocks if you want some time away from all the excitement.

Positive experience: It is amazing to stand with the dolphins, for 30min you stand at the edge of the pool for the $63 package, beautiful creatures,but be warned, the staff will scam you if you let them, another group paid $60 dollars for 1 photo of there daughter with the dolphin, our group was quoted 450$ for all 8 of us for the digital photos, not even printed, we laughed, then they tried, 350$, then offered the Mexican price of 4000 pesos(200$), I must stress, we weren't haggling, we were in shock/ laughing at the price, they wouldn't let us buy single photos, was everything or nothing, so yeah, you'll be charged any where from 60-25 usd per person for photos, ps, there's nothing else to do here, you swim, you leave..... :-(

Negative experience: It's completely inappropriate to keep dolphins in such restricted places, they need at least 10 times the area they are provided with.

Fantastic experience: Swimming with dolphins was a fantastic experience - a: I'm epileptic, b: a poor swimmer but they still let me do it. "Lie on top of water, relax and wait" I was told, next thing I was flying through the air after dolphins pushed me by feet, after that relax and catch dolphins fins, they then took me through air with them. Lovely experience for adults or kids and well worth doing! If you're disabled in any way don't take it for granted they won't let you do it!

Negative experience: Never do this! This is harmful to dolphins!

Fantastic experience: My family had an amazing time. The service was amazing!!!!!! We had a gentleman by the name of William helping us. He had non stop drinks and food served to us. The dolphin and manatee experience was out of this world. We couldn't really hug up on the sea lion but that was understandable. I didn't really like the price of the photo packages. Besides that the whole experience was amazing. The staff was great the food was really good. We are already planning a trip back.

Negative experience: If you don’t speak fluent Spanish you’re gonna have a bad time. Nobody tells you where to go, they push you off from person to person, continue to forget about you and what excursion you are doing, they steal your money with photos and you will never get them, currently filing a dispute with my credit card. Don’t bother at all.

Fantastic experience: We enjoyed our time there. Friendly helpful staff!!

Negative experience: Not a review yet...tried contacting the company to find out if they will still be open with the covid cancellations, i had a trip planned for this coming week but the event was cancelled and i wasnt able to get a refund on my hotel so i will still be making the trip...hoping they will still be open thru january 26th? If anyone has that information they can give me an update on it would be appreciated! Thanks!

Fantastic experience: We came here as part of the Cancun City pass and so glad we did. The sail over to the island is easy and quick (max half an hour) and really nice when it's sunny, you can see the land at all times which puts me at ease. The resort itself is big with two pools two snack bars, drinks and food are all inclusive within the price. There are dolphins jumping around as you walk in which is lovely. We did a manatee experience and the two ladies (Sabina and Africa) were just lovely, so were the human instructors! Really though, they were great in telling us all about the lovely manatees and showing us what they could do. It was just me and my partner too with the manatees which was lovely. I couldn't have asked for anything better. The excursion itself to swim with the manatees was pretty decent in price. The photography was VERY expensive but it's one of those once in a lifetime experiences so you just end up going for it! I think we paid about $80 for the photos, but what can you do eh. Would definitely recommend to anybody visiting the area, we stayed in Playa Del Carmen and this was about an hour and a half drive away, and then half an hour boat. After the manatee swimming, we got a taxi to one end of the island, hired a golf buggy then rode to the other end. It was really fun and I'd definitely say to spend an afternoon doing that! Try to support the locals where you can ☺️

Fantastic experience: Fabian was our photographer he went above and beyond to make my sons birthday special. Thank you again.

Negative experience: Trip was fine but mostly for spanish speakers. I could hardly hear any instructions in english. Trip organizing and punctuality was good.

Negative experience: Frankly, NOT WORTH IT and its actually disturbing to see aquatic animals bound in a swimming pool (some sea lions were kept in water bodies that were size of a hotel room, or even smaller). I was told by an associate (messenger chat on their site) and even their website mentions that zipline is included in Encounter+ garraffon park, but once you check-in with them they mention that its paid, which is absolutely ridiculous. People were riding over dolphins, absolute shame! I would suggest, rent a boat, go snorkel or scuba in the middle of the ocean and see animals in their natural habitat. Its much more worth!. the best part was not either of the things but the ferry ride.. Also, they ask $60 for close to 20-24 photos that are not even amazing.. so in total, don't waste your money and see them in their natural habitat!..

Positive experience: I had a lot of fun here and the dolphins are amazinf

Positive experience: It was wonderful swimming with the dolphins! Beautiful place and lots of activities. Just know they don't let you take your own pictures. The charge $60 for pictures. I guess the positive side is you don't have to worry about your phone. Also the transportation going to and from the resort was approximately 30 min late each way. Don't expect anything timely. Make sure you use the bathroom every chance you get because you never know when you'll get another chance. It really upset me when I got off the ferry on the way back (after a 30 min ride) just to discover there was NO public restrooms I could use. I thought I'd just quick run back to the ferry and use there bathroom, just to be told I can't because...something about the hydraulics. The associate even said to me "well this is not America"! Thank God Saul insisted to his coworkers that I'd just be quick and let me on an incoming ferry to let me use the bathroom. Just sharing my experience. Hope you have a great time!

Negative experience: we were picked up on time and our driver was great. However upon arrival the lady at he front desk of Discovery Dolphin said I'm sorry that your hotel trip agent didnt tell you that this trip can be cancelled because the waters ar rough and you wont be able to complete all of you trip today. I told her, no I heard nothing from the hotel or received an email from the booking agent about that. I explained how we just road 2 hours to get to them today and it would be mindblowing to get back in the van and travel 2 hours back especially on a day we are suppose to be enjoying our day trip. So, she said to make sure to speak with our booking agent for further assistance. NO ONE CAN HELP YOU WITH ANY EXCURSIONS if you booked in advance!!! So on our excursion, the we were excited to know that it was a small group of boats. Just 3 all together with the instructor because this was our first time driving a speed boat. So he give me 3 instructions and we are on the open the water. The other boat drivers were very experienced. We get 2 minutes into the trip and the other boat and the instructor take off. He circles back around and says to me you can either speed up or go back to the deck?! I explained to him I'm new at this and have sone patience. So I eventually go the hang of it and it was beautiful and fun for the first 25 minutes. Then the experienced boat starts to do zig zag everytime after the instructor would look back. He started making out ride choppy, unsafe and terrifying. It also slowed us down and they left us behind and we just tried to our best to get back to them as much and as fast as we could on the open water.When we went through the logon it was getting worse and the guys thought I te was funny and didnt even more when we asked them to stop. So when we were close enough to the instructor I told him what was happening and he told us to move to the middle. Everything was nice again for the first 5 minutes and the boat behind is starts trying to ride upside us. Then eventually he passes us causing a wave that drifts us off the path of the Instructor. Then our boat cuts off!!!! And the boat behind us and the instructor are so far away from us and didnt realize we were stranded. We waved our hands with the signal of distress and he was like its ok..come on..I tried telling him we couldnt and the engine wont start. He had to tied our boats together get out push us out to sea and his boat then also stops from being in the shallow waters. On our way back..our instructor was in a rush to get back that he road against current and we were popping up and crashing into waves where I was fear our safety. This was happening with following his path. This is to say. I have used discovery dolphin before for the catermerman and was one of the best excursions and the staff were were always amazing. I was highly disappointed, fearful, angry about this whole excursion trip from the lack of communication from my booking agent about the cancellation and weather conditions to the excursion experience with lack of leadership driving instructor.

Negative experience: Wanna charge for every lil thing like you didn’t already pay for this expensive excursion. Ppl at the door were rude and go get mad because you don’t understand them. If they can’t speak both languages they shouldn’t work here. Our appt was for 1 o’clock had us waiting a long time in the heat. I will never go here again.

Negative experience: A place where animals are in captivity and poorly treated just so the Dolphin Company can make millions off miseducated tourists. If you like dolphins, go see them in the wild, their place is not in a tank for tourists to come and pet them. These animals swim hundreds of miles each day. They are miserable at this place, kept starving and then fed dead fish. This is torture not entertainment. #emptythetanks

Negative experience: Very poor service avoid at all cost!!! They will try and charge you more then you owe and take advantage or people. This was the second time this has happen. Please find another company to help you.

Fantastic experience: Very helpful, and fast service!

Fantastic experience: It's just an amazing experience, swimming with dolphins in Cancun is probably one of the best activities I've done!