Ocean World Adventure Park
Dolphins, sharks, and sea lions on Puerto Plata's coast
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 the mid-2000s, 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.
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 shark feeding or book a shark encounter and snorkeling session
- 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: A glass-tunnel view into a tiger habitat; confirm current availability with the park
- Marine Shows: Entertaining dolphin and sea lion shows throughout the day
- Private Beach: Dolphin beach lagoon access for park guests
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: The Dolphin Swim is for ages 6 and up at 45 inches or taller; the Dolphin Encounter takes younger children, while Shark and Sea Lion Encounters require age 6 and a minimum height of 45 inches, with one adult required per child under 11
- 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
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
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Ocean World?
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Basic admission starts at US$79. The Dolphin Swim is US$189 for adults 13 and over and US$144 for children 6-12. 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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The Dolphin Swim requires age 6 or over, a minimum height of 45 inches (114.3 cm) and the ability to swim, with one adult for each child under 11. The waist-deep Dolphin Encounter takes younger children, with infants aged 0-3 free.
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
Travel Guides
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First Time VisitorsFirst-Time Visitor's Guide to the Dominican Republic
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