Dolphin encounter

[marynjason]

Hi I was wondering if anyone has done this?

What is your suggestions regarding this excursion?

[cinnam0n]

My daughter did this when we were in Tortola a few weeks ago and loved it! We had contacted Dolphin Discovery privately and the only time they could give us was 11AM. Our ship was leaving at 1PM and not having been to Tortola before, we didn't know how far it was from the port to Paradise Point where they are located and if we would be cutting it too close.

So we opted to pay the extra money for the ship excursion (which met at 8:45AM) and she really enjoyed herself. The woman I contacted at Dolphin Discovery had told me it was a 20 minute cab ride, but it was really only about a 5 minute ride (we actually could have walked if we had needed to).

The ship charged $25 for you go with the excursion group and watch the encounter, but we just took a cab ourselves and saved the money. The facility said we were very welcome to sit and watch and take pictures. They do take their own pictures and video that they offer to you to buy.

[POOHISME2]

Photos of dolphin swim and encounter in my webshots link under my signature. It's a great time :D

[Surfgirl]

You might want to read up on them before you decide to spend your money.

 

http://www.wdcs.org/dan/publishing.n...2570B900510DB6

 

http://www.wildlifepimps.com/feat-SwimWithDolphins.htm

[Pyrate13]

This facility is not well liked by many of the locals or visitors. It has a poor reputation as to the care of the animals. I have heard that a couple have died due to lack of proper care and conditions. I can't state this for sure as I was not there at the time.

 

Although a number of folks have posted positive experiences about their visit, I ask you to consider the dolphins. Perhaps their experience is not so pleasant.

[marynjason]

OH please don't do this on your visit to Tortola!!

I was there May 3rd I asked one of the trainers "how do the dolphins go free swimming in the Ocean? I don't see a way to for them to exit the facility." he said Oh no if we let them out you wouldn't be coming to play with them... ***** I was mortified!! these poor dolphins were in a pins..the smallest pin I would say is 750 sq ft and the largest pin maybe 2000 sq ft, sorry don't know the depth I would think no more than 15 feet. Can you believe that?

I swam with dolphins in Roatan, I specifically asked them about when or if they free swam they said 3 times a day they open the gates to let 2 at a time free and they come back when their ready, he said they can't let them all at once in the event they have too much fun out and they need them for a tour. He said that they usually are gone no more than 2 hours that they know where their home is. They took us in a boat back to the main land after the tour and the dolphins came along. They just followed the boat like dogs:D I guess that what the difference is from happy dolphins and not so happy ones.

OK back to Tortola's- Dolphin Discovery....There was a group of us with toddlers {ages 2-4} doing the encounter. They had us all floating with our life jackets and water shoes on asking us repeatedly to keep a straight line. +VERY hard to do with little ones!!

Finally a manger came and escorted us to a platform not realizing the entire group was toddlers and parents. We parents were soo pleased! Finally we could stand and have the kids enjoy.

The only problem was that the dolphin they had us with was a Swim excursion dolphin and was very playful and splashing. My 3 year old was splashed right in the face that was not good. He was crying because of the salt water in his eyes. After a couple of minutes it passed and we were the first ones to get and give kisses to the dolphin. Then the 3 of us were done with the pictures and the trainer told us scoot all the way to the fence because he wants each person the kiss at the end of a 2 FT wide platform. So my husband and I started to walk close to the fence to allow the toddlers and there parents to move forward. On the way were stung by God only knows what. There was a green algae on the fence. I immediately got out with my son and addressed what had happened and that my arm was burning. They said oh it doesn't happen to us..:eek: I said OK well it happened to me and my husband. So she tells me to wait...So I waited for 15 minutes!!! I went to her and told her that my arm was burning and I needed something immediately to relieve it.

She came back with an attitude like it was my fault, and gave me vinegar to put on it. No I'm sorry nothing~~

I then went to the manager and addressed what had happened and that I was only in the water for 10 minutes and that NO ONE warned us about the algae. He said oh sorry...:confused: He said you can have a free picture..LMAO a picture I told him NO I want my $90.00 that I paid, I didn't do the full 45 minutes and I wanted a refund for myself. My husband stayed in the excursion, so I wasn't asking for his refund, just mine.

Let me say I live in Florida and I live at the Beach all Summer and I have never been stung by any algae in the Ocean or Gulf. Yes jelly fish but this was no jelly fish.