8 Cancun Dolphin Swims Tours to Build a Day Around

1.Dolphin Encounter on Isla Mujeres with Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 56 reviews · 8 hours · from $95Our pick

You’ll ferry from Playa Langosta to Isla Mujeres for a guided dolphin encounter on a waist-deep platform. Learn about dolphin behavior and care, then enjoy a buffet, soft drinks, pools, and lounge chairs. The program suits non-swimmers, but photos cost extra and personal cameras are not allowed.

“Very well organised , staff really friendly . On the down side you are tied into their photographers so there is a major upsell of pictures as no cameras are allowed of your own. Overall very good experience”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Interactive Aquarium – Swim with Dolphins Splash

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 49 reviews · 35 min · from $127

At Interactive Aquarium Cancún in Plaza La Isla, you spend about 20 minutes in the water with dolphins in a group of up to 10. Expect a short presentation, 10 guided activities, a dolphin kiss, towels, lockers, and strict no-camera rules.

“We loved this experience, it was something we’ve always wanted to do and it didn’t disappoint. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming and the dolphins were all very calm and you get to see their behaviours beforehand which the guide reassures you of, but with a 5 year old it was definitely something in the back of our heads we were wondering. Worth every penny.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Cancún Interactive Aquarium Admission + Dolphin Presentation

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 33 reviews · 1 day · from $26Best value

Explore Cancún’s Interactive Aquarium inside Plaza La Isla, where you can see more than 140 marine species, use the touch tanks, visit the axolotl exhibit, and watch a 7 pm dolphin presentation. The $26 ticket excludes dolphin swims, photos, transport, and Aquarium Trek.

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Interactive Aquarium Ticket and Swim with Dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 19 reviews · 45 min · from $138

Meet dolphins at Interactive Aquarium Cancun in Plaza La Isla. Your English or Spanish host leads 14 water activities, including a dolphin kiss, gentle touching, and lessons on behavior, anatomy, and physiology. The session lasts 45 minutes, with 30 minutes in the water.

“Loved it but I thought we could actually swim with them not just stand in the water.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Meeting at the Dolphinarium

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 13 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $135

You’ll enter the Plaza la Isla Aquarium in Cancun for a dolphin presentation and scheduled dolphin program. The $135 ticket covers aquarium admission, snorkeling equipment, and a vest, but not food, drinks, transportation, lockers, or the MX$50 government fee.

“This was the second time we’ve been and probably the last. Very expensive for what you get. We did a two tank scuba dive for about the same price as this was and that was a much better experience. Food was pretty good. Expect lots of extra costs (lockers, tubes for lazy river, etc). Also, the intermittently open nature of the attractions is annoying. You have to plan when to go do go-carts and such, as they are only open at certain times of the day. It wasn’t busy, which was nice; but also telling of the places value and popularity. Don’t forget to bring your own towels.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Dolphin Swim Adventure with buffet and soft drinks

★★★★★★★★★★3.1 · 7 reviews · from $109

Meet a trainer, learn how dolphins behave, then enjoy a close water session with kisses, hugs, fin salutes, songs, and a group anatomy lesson. Trainer Marco has worked with Apollo and Mincho. A meal and soft drinks follow, but actual dolphin time and buffet choices may vary.

“Interacting with the dolphins was a very special experience. I would do it again. The trainer Marco with Apollo and Mincho was super friendly. However, the promised buffet was not available. There was one meal, which wasn't very good. Nevertheless, it was still very nice.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Punta Cancun: Swim with dolphins Interax

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4 reviews · 45 min · from $138Top rated

At Delphinus inside Hyatt Ziva Cancun, you get 30 minutes in the water with a dolphin, guided in Spanish or English through 14 activities, from physiology and behavior to petting and a kiss. Bring swimwear and ID, leave phones and jewelry behind, and plan for the MXN 50 animal-activity tax.

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Tulum & Dolphin Connection from Cancun

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 3 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $149

Start with a guided visit to Tulum, then spend about 40 minutes in the water at Dolphin Discovery Tulum in Akumal. Expect air-conditioned transport, a bilingual guide, hotel pickup, and a small group capped at 15 people. Budget extra for Tulum admission, food, towels, lockers, and dolphin photos.

“Unorganized, wasted too much time waiting to board bus and not enough history about Tulum and Coba.”

Check availability →Read our full review