Dominican Republic 365
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Theme ParkPuerto Plata
Ocean World Adventure Park
Dolphins, sharks, and sea lions on Puerto Plata's coast
Hours9:00 AM - 6:00 PM daily
Entrance$79-159 USD depending on package
Best timeYear-round; mornings are less crowded
Type
Theme Park
Location
Cofresí Beach
Entrance fee
$79-159 USD depending on package
Hours
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM daily
Duration
4-6 hours
Best time
Year-round; mornings are less crowded
Difficulty
Easy
Guided tours
Available
The overview
Overview
Ocean World Adventure Park is the largest marine interactive park in the Caribbean, located on the beautiful Cofresí coast just west of Puerto Plata on the Dominican Republic's north shore. Since opening in 2003, it has become one of the country's premier family attractions.
The park offers an impressive range of marine encounters and activities — from swimming with dolphins and interacting with sea lions to snorkeling in a tropical reef habitat and watching entertaining marine shows. With its own private beach, restaurants, and even a casino, Ocean World provides a full day of entertainment.
What to see
Attractions & Experiences
Ocean World offers a wide variety of interactive programs and shows:
- Dolphin Swim: The park's signature experience — swim and interact with bottlenose dolphins in a large lagoon. Options range from shallow encounters to deep-water swims.
- Sea Lion Encounter: Get up close with playful sea lions for a memorable interaction
- Shark Encounter: Observe nurse sharks from a safe viewing area or dive with them (certified divers)
- Tropical Reef Aquarium: Snorkel through a recreated reef habitat with tropical fish
- Bird Sanctuary: Walk through an aviary featuring tropical parrots, macaws, and cockatoos
- Tiger Grotto: View Bengal tigers in a naturalistic habitat
- Marine Shows: Entertaining dolphin and sea lion shows throughout the day
- Private Beach: A beautiful stretch of Cofresí beach exclusively for park guests
Before you go
Practical Information
Planning your visit to Ocean World:
- Ticket options: Choose from basic admission, dolphin swim packages, or all-inclusive day passes that include food and drinks
- Age requirements: Children must be at least 3 years old for some encounters, 8+ for dolphin swims
- Safety: All animal interactions are supervised by trained staff
- Photography: Professional photographers capture your encounters (photos available for purchase)
- Food & drink: Several dining options on site, or upgrade to the all-inclusive package
Important: Book dolphin encounters in advance, especially during peak season (December-April), as they frequently sell out.
Getting there
Getting There
Ocean World is located at Cofresí Beach, approximately 5 km west of Puerto Plata city center.
- From Puerto Plata: A short 10-minute drive west along the coast road
- From Cabarete/Sosúa: About 30-40 minutes west along the coastal highway
- From Santiago: Approximately 1.5 hours north via the highway to Puerto Plata
- Hotel transfers: Most north coast resorts offer shuttle service to the park
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Ocean World?
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Basic admission starts around $79 USD. Dolphin swim packages range from $119-159 USD. All-inclusive day passes (food, drinks, beach, shows) are also available. Children often receive discounted rates.
Can children swim with dolphins at Ocean World?
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Children must be at least 8 years old to participate in the dolphin swim program. Younger children (3+) can participate in shallower dolphin encounter programs where they interact from the platform.
Is Ocean World ethical in its treatment of animals?
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Ocean World states it follows international standards for marine animal care. They have veterinary staff on site and participate in conservation education programs. Visitors should research and make their own informed decisions about marine parks.
How long should I plan to spend at Ocean World?
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Plan for at least 4-6 hours to enjoy the shows, encounters, and beach. If you book a dolphin swim plus other encounters, a full day is ideal.
Keep reading
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Make the most of Ocean World Adventure Park
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