Swim With Tiny, Adorable Otters at This Animal Preserve With Locations in Louisiana and Delaware

Get ready for an animal experience like no otter.

Sure, you can swim with flamingos in Aruba and do yoga with alpacas in England, but at Barn Hill Preserve locations in both Ethel, Louisiana, and Frankford, Delaware, visitors have the opportunity to take a dip with some adorable otters.

This unusual experience allows guests to swim with the preserve's otters, as well as take part in a guided tour around the facility and enjoy up-close encounters with some of the resident "animal ambassadors." The three-hour tour includes approximately 40 minutes of swimming — the same amount of time the otters have to play in the chlorine-free, saltwater pool themselves. But these aren't just any otters — they're Asian small-clawed otters, which is the smallest otter species in the world.

"The number of otter swims are limited, so that this remains a very positive experience for them. While in the pool, you are an observer. We do not allow the otters to be restrained, both for the safety of you and our otters," the Barn Hill Preserve website states.

Both the Delaware and Louisiana locations require participants in the otter swim to be over 16 years old, but there are select days with kid-friendly swimming sessions for children as young as 10 years old to participate. Guests ages 10 to 15 must have a ticketed adult in the pool with them.

Swimmers are also required to sign a waiver before entering the pool. In addition to your bathing suit, you'll want to bring a towel and change of clothes. Barn Hill Preserve warns against wearing any loose-fitting jewelry while in the water. Thankfully, waterproof cameras and GoPros are permitted, so you can capture the magic of your otter swim.

Barn Hill's mission is to educate the community about environmental conservation and animal rescue, so expect your visit to be highly educational. Both preserve locations are home to several other animal species, including kangaroos, sloths, macaws, dromedary camels, Eurasian lynx, and eagle owls, among others. Plus, you can go on an encounter tour to meet these creatures if you're not ready for a swim. Also check out Sippin' with Sloths (yes, there's wine involved), Kangaroo Yoga, and Giraffe Picnics.

To book any animal encounters, including the otter swim, make your reservations on the Barn Hill Preserve website.

Barn Hill Preserve in Ethel, Louisiana is a 30-mile drive north of Baton Rouge and a 115-mile drive northwest of New Orleans. Barn Hill Preserve in Frankford, Delaware, is in the southern part of the state, about six miles southeast of Bethany Beach.