Dolphin Discovery Anguilla
Swim, kiss, and belly-ride with bottlenose dolphins in a Caribbean lagoon at Blowing Point.
Why Go
Just steps from the Blowing Point ferry terminal, this open-water marine park is the only place in Anguilla ΓÇö and one of the few in the Eastern Caribbean ΓÇö where you can slip into a saltwater lagoon and interact one-on-one with bottlenose dolphins. It's the island's easiest big-ticket adventure: a short cab ride from any villa, a quick hop from St. Maarten day-trippers, and a guaranteed highlight-reel afternoon.
The Experience
Dolphin Discovery sits on a calm, protected cove on Anguilla's southern coast, so the water is clear and glassy even when the Atlantic side is choppy. After a short briefing from the marine mammal specialists ΓÇö who genuinely love talking about behavior, diet, and conservation ΓÇö you wade in from a submerged platform and meet the dolphins at eye level. Groups are kept small (max 20 for Encounter, 10 for Royal Swim) so you actually get hands-on time rather than watching from the back of a crowd. Expect kisses, handshakes, a dorsal-fin tow or a foot-push depending on the program, and a lot of downtime to just float alongside the animals. The staff photographers are hovering the whole time, which is either a blessing (no waterlogged phone) or an upsell to prepare for.
What to Try
The **Dolphin Encounter** (~30 min in-water, from a platform) is the family-friendly pick ΓÇö kids as young as toddlers can join with a parent, and non-swimmers stay chest-deep. The **Dolphin Swim Adventure** adds a belly ride and a boogie push. Go for the **Royal Swim** if you want the full experience: the foot-push rocket ride and the dorsal-tow across the lagoon are the shots everyone wants. If you're squeamish about captivity, ask to spend time at the observation deck instead ΓÇö you'll still see feeding and training sessions up close.
Insider Tip
Book the first slot of the morning. The water is calmest, the dolphins are freshest and most playful, the sun hasn't cooked the deck yet, and ΓÇö critically ΓÇö you'll beat the St. Maarten day-tripper ferries that arrive mid-morning and fill the later sessions. Anguilla residents and returning guests occasionally get walk-up rates, but availability is thin in high season, so pre-book online. Bring reef-safe sunscreen only (applied at least 30 minutes before) ΓÇö regular sunscreen isn't allowed in the lagoon.
The Practical Stuff
Location: Blowing Point, Anguilla ΓÇö right beside the ferry terminal on the south coast, about 10 minutes from The Valley and 20 minutes by ferry from Marigot, St. Maarten. Sessions typically run mid-morning through mid-afternoon; confirm operating status when booking as schedules shift seasonally. Programs are priced per person and vary by package (Encounter is the entry point, Royal Swim the premium tier). Wear a swimsuit under your clothes, bring a towel and a change of clothes, and leave phones/cameras in the free lockers ΓÇö the on-site photo/video package is the only way to bring images home. Cash and cards accepted; tipping the trainers is appreciated.
Pair It With
- Blowing Point Ferry Terminal — Literally next door ΓÇö perfect if you're doing a day trip from St. Maarten or heading over for lunch and want to bolt on the dolphin swim before catching the ferry back.
- Rendezvous Bay — A five-minute drive west lands you on one of Anguilla's longest, softest-sand beaches ΓÇö ideal for a rinse-off swim and a beach-bar lunch after your session.
- Sandy Ground — Ten minutes north for sunset drinks and live music at Elvis' or Roy's Bayside Grill ΓÇö a natural wind-down after a morning in the lagoon.
- Shoal Bay East — If you've got a full day, drive over to Shoal Bay East in the afternoon for snorkeling on the reef ΓÇö a nice contrast to the structured lagoon experience.