How to Swim with Dolphins in Playa del Carmen

Swimming with dolphins is one of the most common activities we’re asked about by tourists from around the world. If you want to swim with dolphins in Playa del Carmen and the surrounding area, there are a few options for you. Here we’ve listed a few ways you can take this unique adventure. But first…

Although this activity may have people worried about the safety and comfort of the animals, places like Xel-Ha Park actually have received Gold certifications from EarthCheck. Contrary to the care in many other countries, the animals at the parks in the Riviera Maya are well cared-for, allowed more space to roam, and generally considered much happier.

Dolphin Discovery

Dolphin Discovery is one of the biggest and most popular ways to swim with dolphins in the Riviera Maya. They have multiple locations across the Riviera Maya, and are generally known as one of the best ways to swim with these amazing creatures. For their closest location, you can check out their Playa del Carmen location, but they also have dolphin adventures nearby in Cozumel and Puerto Aventuras.

Dolphin Discovery is a professional oprtation, and you will not be disappointed. You will get the opportunity to swim with dolphins in the crystal clear waters, touch the animals, and get photos to go home with. You can take a look at reviews of Dolphin Discovery Playa del Carmen on TripAdvisor, where they have 4.5 stars out of 5.

Xcaret and Xel-Ha

Although we love Dolphin Discovery, we thing the best place to swim with dolphins in Playa del Carmen is at Xcaret or Xel-Ha. One of the reasons we think they are the best places to swim with dolphins in the Riviera Maya really has to do with what else is in the parks. Unlike Dolphin Discovery, the eco parks offer opportunities to engage in other activities like snorkeling, zip-lining, visiting local animals, and more.

In addition, their opportunities to swim with dolphins are phenomenal. The park is beautiful, the staff is wonderful, and the dolphins are playful. You can get a ticket to swim with dolphins at Xcaret or Xel-Há package with transportation and meals included directly from their website!

To learn a little bit about the difference between the two parks, you can read our post Xel Ha vs. Xcaret – Choosing Your Adventure Park.

Other Swimming Adventures

In addition to swimming with dolphins, there are many other aquatic activities in the Riviera Maya. We realize these aren’t the same as swimming with dolphins, but they are great ways to sea other sea animals in their natural habitats.

First, you can swim with whale sharks up in Cancun. This is an awesome, eco-friendly tour you can take that won’t be too crowded or hectic. You can see these huge, beautiful animals in their natural habitat, and get pretty close to them!

For something a little bit more thrilling, you may try swimming with bull sharks. Although these sharks may look scary, you’ll be perfectly safe with the guidance of a dive master.

Another fun thing to do is to swim with sailfish. These beautiful fish can grow to almost 10 feet in length, and sure are incredible to see up close.

Finally, the Riviera Maya offers unparalleled opportunities to swim with sea turtles. It’s what Akumal is known for, and definitely something worth doing while you’re visiting Playa del Carmen.