Today SeaWorld Orlando announced the opening date of Discovery Cove‘s expansion Grand Reef to be June 10, 2011. The new area will feature the ability to swim and dive underwater with sharks, rays, and other sea life.
The most unique feature of Grand Reef will be the underwater walking tour, called SeaVenture, enabling guests to explore under the water’s surface while wearing special diving/breathing helmets. Like Discovery Cove’s dolphin encounters, the SeaVenture experience will cost extra, at $59 per person. But exploration of the rest of Grand Reef will be included in regular Discovery Cove admission.
UPDATE (6/7/11): A Discovery Cove rep has told me that SeaVenture will not be open to the public when the Grand Reef debuts on Friday. It will open later in the summer.
Last year, we explored Discovery Cove (minus Grand Reef) with an underwater video camera:
More information about Grand Reef can be found at discoverycove.com.
