Swimming Dolphins Bali: Complete Beginner’s Guide to Your First Visit in 2026
According to many tourists, swimming Dolphins Bali are a moment that is awaited along the way to the Island of the Gods. Imagine being in the water, feeling the gentle touch of a dolphin’s fin, while looking directly into the eyes of the intelligent creature from a very close distance. Sounds amazing, right?
The good news: this experience doesn’t require advanced swimming skills. This article is a complete guide for those of you who want to try swimming with dolphins in Bali for the first time.
Why Swimming Dolphins Bali Is Perfect Even for First-Timers
One of the biggest concerns of potential visitors is: “Am I brave enough and capable enough to do this?” The answer: yes.
Design the entire program with the comfort of visitors from various backgrounds in mind. You don’t have to worry about ocean currents and uncontrolled water depths. Because, all sessions are conducted in a well-maintained seawater pool and under the supervision of certified instructors.
BEMP’s dolphin pond holds 2.5 million liters of marine and is the largest in Indonesia. The pond is designed like a home for dolphin welfare with the convenience of interaction from visitors. This infrastructure is what makes Balinese swimming dolphins at BEMP feel much safer and more controlled than swimming with wild dolphins in the open sea.
What Exactly Is “Swimming Dolphins Bali”? (A Quick Overview)
Before discussing preparation, it’s important to understand what actually happens in the program.
Swimming with dolphins at BEMP is a direct interaction program between visitors and bottlenose dolphins. This type of dolphin is preserved under the supervision of a professional conservation team. Unlike Lovina which offers “a view from a boat at sunrise,” the BEMP program allows you to enter the pool and come into direct contact with these animals.
BEMP operates under an official license of the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia and is a legally registered conservation institution. This means that every interaction that occurs at BEMP has gone through strict standards related to animal welfare and visitor safety.
Read More: Complete Guide to Swim with Bali Dolphins 2026
Before You Go: Complete Preparation Checklist
Good preparation is the key to making your Bali swimming with dolphins experience go smoothly. Here’s what to note:
- What to Wear for Your Session
Use a swimsuit that is comfortable and fits the body. Avoid using swimsuits that are too loose as they can interfere with movement in the water. Swimming shoes are optional but are still recommended for comfort.
- What NOT to Bring Into the Water
The most important thing is that it is often overlooked. BEMP has strict rules for meeting dolphins in Bali. Participants are prohibited from using sunscreen and body lotion. The chemical content in these products can damage the sensitive skin of dolphins.
The use of jewelry is also prohibited. Sharp objects can injure dolphin skin if there is physical contact.
- Age and Health Requirements
The Discovery program (swimming directly with dolphins in Bali) is recommended for children over 8 years old who can already swim. For children under 4 years old, parents are required to sign a special statement letter related to insurance. Pregnant women and guests with certain medical conditions are advised to consult a physician before applying.
- What to Eat Before the Session
Avoid heavy meals at least 1.5 hours before the session. An overly full stomach can make you uncomfortable in the water. Ideally, eating snacks such as fruit or bread is enough to maintain energy.
Choosing the Right Program for a First-Timer
BEMP offers four program options that can be tailored to your swimming ability, age, and budget. Here are the recommendations for beginners:
The Discovery program is most sought after because participants will enter the pool and interact with the Bali dolphins for 40 minutes. Her activities include touching, feeding, playing, and taking pictures with dolphins.
Choose the Encounter program if you are bringing young children or are not confident enough to be in the water. In this program, interaction will be done from the edge of the pool. Participants can still touch, feed, and take pictures with dolphins.
The explorer program is suitable for participants who have a busy schedule, as the meeting with dolphins is quite short. It is perfect for tourists who want a dolphin experience in Bali without spending too much time.
Timeline for Swimming with Bali Dolphins Experience
Knowing the flow of the visit from start to finish will make you much calmer on the day of the visit.
- At 10.30 WITA: Arrive at BEMP
BEMP opens from 10.30 WITA. Arrive early, especially if you haven’t booked online. Lockers, changing rooms and shower facilities are available on site. Parking is available and BEMP is easily accessible from Sanur (15 minutes), Kuta (30 minutes), and Nusa Dua (40 minutes).
- 00 a.m.: First Session Begins
The first session of the day starts at 11.00 WITA. BEMP runs 4 sessions per day, with the last session starting at around 16.20 WITA. Each session begins with a welcome drink, registration, and security briefing session for about 20 minutes.
- Inside the Pool: Do’s and Don’ts
Allowed: touching the part of the body that the instructor allows, feeding dolphins in Bali, performing movements directed by the trainer, and taking pictures during the session.
Not to do: pull the fins or tail of a dolphin, swim too aggressively near an animal, or put the face in the water suddenly without the instructor’s instructions.
- After the Session: Photos, Shower, and Souvenirs
After the session is over, you will have about 15 to 30 minutes to select photos of the session documentation, take a shower, and visit the souvenir area. These photos are available for purchase as a precious souvenir of your Bali swimming dolphins experience.
Swimming with Bali Dolphins: Honest Pros and Cons
As with any travel experience, it’s important to have realistic expectations.
- Pros: hands-on interaction that can’t be obtained from regular boat tours, an easy-to-reach location in the middle of the city, flexible programs for all ages, official institutions with conservation status, and complete on-site facilities.
- Cons: prices are relatively higher than regular dolphin tours, limited session times (40 minutes for Discovery), and full quick slots especially in the holiday season.
How to Book Swimming Dolphins Bali (Step-by-Step)
The ordering process is very easy and can be done online or directly on site.
- Online Booking vs. Walk-In
Online booking through the official website balidolphinmarinepark.com highly recommended because you can choose sessions and programs according to the schedule. Walk-ins are available, but there is a risk of running out of slots especially on weekends and school holiday seasons.
- Why Booking 1 Week Ahead Is Strongly Recommended
Due to the limited number of dolphins and each session only accommodates small groups, BEMP itself recommends booking at least one week before the visit date. This is not just a suggestion, but a real need considering the high demand from domestic and foreign tourists throughout 2026.
Make the Most of Your Swimming with Bali Dolphins Experience
Before we conclude this guide, here are a few final tips to make your visit truly memorable:
Come in a state of sufficient rest so that you can enjoy every moment in the water with full energy. Feel free to ask the instructor before the session starts, as they are trained to help guests who are trying it out for the first time. And most importantly, enjoy every second because the Bali dolphins swimming experience at Bali Exotic Marine Park is something you won’t easily forget.
Ready to feel the sensation of swimming with dolphins? Visit the official website of BEMP in balidolphinmarinepark.com and secure your slots now before they run out.
Bali Exotic Marine Park is located on Jalan Bali Exotik No. 8, Pedungan, Denpasar. Open every day from 10.30 to 18.00 WITA.