| Product: |
Dolphin Discovery (Riviera Maya, Mexico) |
| Date: |
14/12/07 (221 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Absolutely amazing expreience
Disadvantages: Cost
BACKGROUND TO OUR SWIM
In 2006 my boyfriend and I went on our first Carribean holiday. On my list of things to do was a dolphin swim - I was really really excited about it as it was something I'd always wanted to do.
We booked our swim through Grey Line Tours in Playacar and they were faultless.
A DOLPHIN SWIM, ISN'T THAT CRUEL?
Now I know there is a lot of split opinions on Dolphin swims/encounters and if you disagree with them as a whole then you may aswell stop reading now as this review is based on the experience and not the morality. What I will say in Dolphin Discovery's defence is the Dolphins were not kept nor performed in pools, simlpy a huge (but obviously encolsed) area of natural water. It is a controlled area where the dolphins are safe from predators but in as natural an environment as possible. The dolphins have time to do as they please they are not playing with people all day and they have vets onsite to examine them when showing any signs of anything being wrong - they really are looked after well.
Now, I am no animal rights activist but I can tell when something is cruel or not. We held a shark in Isla Mujeres and it was a horrible experience that I wouldn't recommend to anyone. The shark hated every minute of it, was enclosed in a tiny pen, and was thrashing to get away from people and trying to swim under the peir to hide. It was awful. The dolphin swim is the polar opposite - they are kept in brilliant conditions and most importantly of all they seem to really enjoy the interaction with people.
Not all dolphin places are the same, I understand that some are kept in bad conditions etc, but this is just based on the one I have been too at Puerto Aventuras.
Also the staff, who treat the dolphins excellently, spend time raising awareness of things the public can do to help save the dolphins and I'm sure there was a mention of some of the proceeds going to help the dolphins - although my swim was in 2006 so my memory may be slightly hazy so do not take that for fact.
THE EXPERIENCE
Well, we opted to do the Royal Swim, which is the best one.
We were in a group of 9 people ranging from a young boy (although you do have to be over 8 to do this particular swim), teenagers, parents, us (who were 21 at the time) right up to grandparents.
We had two adult dolphins and one 6 month old baby in with us, aswell as two members of staff in the water and further members on the dock taking photos and recording a video (more about that later).
We were stood on a little ledge in water up to about waist high. First the dolphins came along and as we all waved at them they waved back.
Next was the dolphin kiss, which was done with the little 6 month old baby dolphin. She was really so cute!! They kiss you on the cheek and then you give them a kiss back. The dolphin goes along the line and everyone has their kiss.
You then go out two at a time, although I think you can go out solo if you are on your own, and cradle the baby dolphin. You put your arms out and it comes and lies in your arms.
One person is sent out to the other side of the enclosure. It's quite a swim away, bear in mind these are huge enclosed areas. You are wearing a life jacket but some swimming skills would be needed. You put your hands out to either side of you and 'stand' (you are in deep water so you are not really standing but in that position) with your arms and hands stretched out to either side of you. With a blow of the whistle and a quick hand signal the dolphins amazingly know exactly what to do and they come from behind you to either side, you hold onto their fins and they pull you along through the water.
The other main experience is the dolphin foot push. This is possibly one of the most amazing things you will ever do. You swim out, it's quite a swim again. Then you lie flat, face down to the water - although obviously not in the water, drowning might slightly spoil your experience :) Again all it takes is a blow of the whistle and a hand signal and the dolphins know exactly what they are doing. It honestly is amazing to see them in action. They swim behind you and then push the sole of your feet with their nose (probably not the right word to describe it as their mouth is their too but you know what I mean!). They push you up and out of the water and believe me it really is fast!!
Finally the group forms a large circle and the dolphins come and swim in the middle of the circle so you can all stroke the as they go past. You are taught a hand signal to make them sing and they swim around singing. Then they do a few jumps and tricks and that is the end of the experience.
All in all it probably lasted about 45 minutes to an hour, but our actual experience (when edited down to just our parts) only lasted 2 minutes for the two of us but you do enjoy watching them do the things with the other people too it's all part of the experience.
OTHER EXPERIENCES
Aswell as the Royal Dolphin swim there are various other experiences available at Dolphin Discovery.
There is the dolphin encounter which is ideal for non swimmers or younger guests. Any age can do it, including babies! Children under 2 can do it free so long as they are accomponied by a paying adult. You can kiss and cuddle the dolphins aswell as watching them sing and race.
There are some diving experiences with the dolphins for any scuba divers out there.
There is also another dolphin swim where you get to do the kiss etc and move off the platform and interact with the dolphins but you don't get to do the 'tricks'.
There is the option to combine your Royal Dolphin Swim with a sealion encounter and a swim with the manatees.
A full list of other activities is avaliable on the website.
EXTRAS
Your whole experience is recorded and while you are there they make a dvd complete with soundtrack for you. It is of your whole group so if you are a couple, like we were, then there will be other people on your dvd. If you are going in a large group it would probably work in your advantage as you could buy one between the whole group and copy it when you get home. At the end of the DVD it says that copying it will ruin it, which technically I'm not quite sure how that could happen and when I captured mine onto my computer for uploading to youtube it didn't affect it whatsoever. There are lots of videos on youtube so I presume lots of people have done this with no damage. The DVD lasts about 10 minutes and is an amazing thing to bring home to re live your experience again and again and also to show all your friends and family.
Photos are also avaialble to purchase. Think Alton Towers style, in a little cardboard frame/wallet thing. There were lots taken to choose from.
We purchased the DVD and one photo.
THE COST
We paid around £80 for our dolphin swim, £30 for our DVD and £6 for the photo. This may seem really expensive but it is a once in a lifetime experience and we belived that it was worth every penny.
The cost varies depending on what programme you do. I believe for a similar price we could have done a swim with the dolphins, a sea lion encounter and a swim with the manatees which would have been better value.
A full price listing can be found on the dolphin discovery website.
DOLPHIN DISCOVERY
Dolphin Discovery was a well run organization that really seemed to care about the Dolphins and treat them well.
It is a beautiful setting and has a few reseteruants, bars and shops to keep you occupied while you are waiting for your swim.
VERDICT
We absolutely loved our experience at Dolphin Discovery. I wouldn't have wanted to do it anywhere else, especially not where the dolphins are in pools as I feel this is cruel.
It was expensive, especially if you look at it as over £100 (including dvd and photos) for essentially a 1 minute experience! However if you do it you will really not see it like that, you will just see it as one of the most amazing things you have ever done.
Would I reccomend it? Yes!!!! To absolutely anyone! I think this is really one of those things that you have to do before you die!
I don't know whether we would do it again, as I really think it's a once in a lifetime experience and couldn't possibly be as good the second time round. If we did do it it wouldn't be for many years yet. That's not a reflection on the expereince just that for the price it's one of those things that would be worth it the first time you experience it but not necessarily mutliple times.
Summary: One of the best experiences of my life
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