Cancun: Interactive Aquarium – Swim with Dolphins Splash

If you’re considering adding a splash of marine magic to your Cancun trip, the Interactive Aquarium’s Swim with Dolphins offers a memorable opportunity. It’s a chance to get up close and personal with these intelligent, playful creatures in a setting designed for fun and learning. While it’s not an all-day adventure, it’s a neat experience that many travelers find charming and engaging.

What we particularly like about this tour is how it emphasizes interaction—not just watching from a distance. Plus, the aquarium setting makes it accessible for a wide range of visitors, whether you’re traveling with kids or just want to enjoy a quick aquatic encounter. That said, one thing to keep in mind is the relatively short duration—at only 35 minutes, some might feel it’s a bit pricey when you factor in the limited time and optional photo packages.

This experience works best for those who value personal interaction with dolphins and are comfortable with water-based activities. If you’re seeking a brief but heartfelt connection with marine life, and you’re okay with the costs of extra photos or souvenirs, this could be a worthwhile addition to your Cancun itinerary.

Key Points

• Personal Interaction: You get to meet and swim with dolphins, engaging in various activities.
• Duration: The experience lasts around 35 minutes, with about 20 minutes in the water.
• Cost & Value: At $119 per person, it’s on the pricier side, especially considering optional photo packages.
• Family-Friendly: Suitable for most ages, especially those who enjoy marine life and hands-on experiences.
• Limited Time: The short duration means you’ll want to manage expectations around how much you can do.
• Photos & Souvenirs: Photos are available for purchase but are quite expensive; consider whether you want to budget for these.

You can check availability for your dates here:

What You Can Expect at the Aquarium

When you arrive at the Interactive Aquarium Cancún, located inside Plaza La Isla Shopping Center, you’ll find a clean, modern space filled with marine exhibits. The main event is the swimming experience with dolphins, which includes up to 10 different activities like a dolphin kiss, learning about their physiology, behavior, and anatomy, and playing with these friendly creatures.

The tour is designed to be interactive, meaning you’ll be involved in most activities rather than just observing. You’ll spend about 20 minutes in the water, which is enough time to feel connected without overstaying your welcome. The whole process begins with a brief orientation, then moves quickly into the actual swim and interaction.

It’s worth noting that cameras, phones, and audiovisual devices are not allowed during the dolphin encounter itself for safety reasons. This means you won’t be able to take your own photos during the actual interactions, leading some to feel a bit disappointed if they were expecting this to be a photo-heavy experience.

How the Experience is Structured

The experience kicks off with check-in at the aquarium inside Plaza La Isla. You’ll be given some instructions, lockers, and towels to use during your time. The activities are designed to be both fun and educational, making it suitable for those who want to learn more about dolphins while having fun.

Once in the water, you’ll participate in activities like a warm welcome, learning about the dolphin’s physiology and behavior, and engaging in a dolphin kiss. The guide will lead you through each activity, making the session informative and friendly. If you’re feeling brave, you might even upgrade your experience to include a ride with the dolphin, which some reviewers say is a fabulous extra.

Because the group size is limited to 10 participants, the experience is fairly intimate, allowing for more interaction and personalized attention. This small group setting is appreciated by many, as it avoids feeling overwhelmed or rushed.

The Cost and What You’re Paying For

At $119 per person, the price covers admission to the aquarium, the dolphin presentation, and the 20-minute water interaction. You also get access to lockers and towels, which is helpful to keep your belongings dry and secure.

However, some reviews point out that the experience might feel short for the price. One traveler from the UK mentioned that by the time they checked in, received a briefing, and took some photos, their time with the dolphins was quite limited, around 15 minutes. Plus, photos taken during the experience are sold separately and can be quite expensive—around $53 per photo—which could add up if you want multiple shots.

Given these details, it’s important to weigh whether the short duration and photo costs align with your expectations and budget. If you’re mainly interested in the interaction itself and don’t mind spending extra on photos, this can still be worthwhile.

The Pros and Cons

Pros:
– Interactive experience that goes beyond just watching dolphins.
– Small group size enhances the personal feel.
– Educational component about dolphin physiology and behavior.
– Suitable for all ages, especially families seeking a fun activity.

Cons:
– The short duration might leave some feeling it’s not enough for the price.
– Photos and videos are not included and can be very expensive.
– Cameras and phones are not allowed during the actual interaction, which might be frustrating for those wanting to capture memories.
– The experience is water-based, so it’s not suitable for those uncomfortable in the water or with mobility issues.

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Who Will Love This Experience?

This tour is well-suited for travelers who want a hands-on encounter with dolphins and are okay with a quick, lively session. It’s ideal for families with children, or anyone who appreciates marine life and prefers a more interactive approach rather than just observing from afar. If you’re on a tight budget or seeking a longer experience, you might find this a bit pricey for the time you get.

It’s also perfect for those who don’t mind splashing a little and engaging physically with animals, but remember that cameras are not allowed during the water activity, so plan accordingly if photos are important to you. For travelers who enjoy educational tours, the inclusion of information about dolphin physiology and behavior adds some depth.

Practical Tips Before You Go

• Bring swimwear because you’ll be in the water.
• ID or passport is required for check-in.
• Plan for extra costs if you want photos or videos—these are sold separately.
• Arrive early to maximize your time and avoid feeling rushed.
• Lockers are provided but remember to leave valuables at your hotel or in your room.
• Consider your comfort level with water; this activity is water-based and may not be suitable for everyone.

The Sum Up

For those craving a close-up encounter with dolphins in Cancun, this experience offers a fair balance of education and fun. While it’s a short, fast-paced visit, the small group size and interactive nature make it a memorable activity, especially if you’re traveling with kids or marine life enthusiasts. Just be mindful of the costs for photos and the brief time in the water, which some might find limiting.

If you value personal interaction and learning over length, and you’re fine with the additional expense for photos, this could be a worthwhile addition to your trip. However, if you’re after a longer or more relaxed experience, or if photos are a priority, you might want to explore other options or plan for extra time and budget accordingly.

This tour offers a genuine chance to connect with dolphins in a lively, friendly environment—definitely worth considering if it checks the boxes for your Cancun adventure.

FAQ

Is this experience suitable for children?
Yes, it’s designed to be fun and educational for all ages, especially families. Just keep in mind the water-based nature of the activity.

How long do I spend with the dolphins?
About 20 minutes in the water, with the total experience lasting around 35 minutes including check-in and briefing.

Can I take my own photos during the encounter?
No, cameras and audiovisual devices are not allowed during the water activities for safety reasons. Photos can be bought separately afterward.

What’s included in the price?
Your ticket covers aquarium admission, the dolphin presentation, lockers, towels, and the water activities.

Are the activities suitable for older adults or less mobile people?
Since the experience involves being in the water, it may not be ideal for those with mobility issues or who are uncomfortable in water.

How much do photos cost?
Photos are sold separately and cost about $53 per image. Packages may offer some savings but still represent an extra expense.

What should I bring?
Bring beachwear, ID, and possibly a change of clothes. Remember, cameras and jewelry should be left behind during the water activity.

Is transportation included?
No, transportation is not included, so plan to arrive at the Aquarium inside Plaza La Isla Shopping Center on your own.

This experience is a fun, compact way to enjoy marine life close-up, provided you’re aware of the short duration and extra costs. If it sounds like your kind of adventure, it’s likely to leave you with a smile—and some great stories about swimming with dolphins in Cancun.

You can check availability for your dates here: