Best Dolphin Encounter?

[Texas Momma]

Hi! We're cruising in August, and our kids are 5 and 8 (they both swim). We're traveling to Cozumel, Cayman Islands, and Jamaica. What's the best dolphin encounter for our kiddos? Thanks so much!

 

[summerskye]

I hope it is the one that I have planned. lol. We are doing the one on Grand Cayman. The Disney excursion, with the belly swim. It is a surprise for my wife and kids.

 

[michellekcm]

We did the Grand Cayman one and it was awesome. I'm pretty sure it's the same company that does it in Cozumel though - I saw the ad in the terminal there.

 

[rosaciri]

Grand Cayman was great - we did it there on our Western Carribean cruise - my daughter was 3 and she was even able to do it. A little scared to start off with but she luved the dolphins once in the water with my husband. They are very good at GC and very accommodating. We have some great pics and videos of our dolphine swim and encounter there. Enjoy your trip.

 

[summerskye]

Grand Cayman was great - we did it there on our Western Carribean cruise - my daughter was 3 and she was even able to do it. A little scared to start off with but she luved the dolphins once in the water with my husband. They are very good at GC and very accommodating. We have some great pics and videos of our dolphine swim and encounter there. Enjoy your trip.

The only negative I have read is the cost of pics / videos. Can you share your experience. TIA

 

[rosaciri]

The only negative I have read is the cost of pics / videos. Can you share your experience. TIA

Yes it is a little pricey for them - I think back in 2014 we paid all up for pics and video US$140 but we thought we will never be back to do it again so for us the memories were worth it. Traveling again in April 2017 - Eastern Carribean on The Fantasy and we will try other exercusions as we have done dolphine swims/encounter already.

 

[summerskye]

Yes it is a little pricey for them - I think back in 2014 we paid all up for pics and video US$140 but we thought we will never be back to do it again so for us the memories were worth it. Traveling again in April 2017 - Eastern Carribean on The Fantasy and we will try other exercusions as we have done dolphine swims/encounter already.

That's not too bad. I hope the costs are somewhere near there. As probably a once in a lifetime experience for us, I will end up paying the price. Just don't want it to take a lifetime to pay off...

 

[Texas Momma]

Thanks to all! Quick question though - looks like there's 2 places on Grand Cayman that do dolphins - one with a turtle farm, and one with stingrays. Which one would you recommend?

 

[ajo]

That's not too bad. I hope the costs are somewhere near there. As probably a once in a lifetime experience for us, I will end up paying the price. Just don't want it to take a lifetime to pay off...

We did the extreme dolphin encounter this past January on Grand Cayman and bought the CD with every picture they took of our family (it was more than 100). I think the total was around $240. I went in planning not to buy the pictures, but after doing the excursion and seeing the photos, I changed my mind. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our family and the pictures were fantastic. Haven't regretted the purchase at all.

 

[nancyjo1998]

We are planning on doing the dolphinaris in Cozumel. Anyone have reviews on that one? Also cost of pics?

 

[Bear3412]

..... What's the best dolphin encounter for our kiddos? .....

Cozumel, weather permitting IMO. In open waters. It adds a lot. Lol
http://www.dolphindiscovery.com/cozumel/cozumel-location-overview.asp

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Locatio...Adventure_Park-Cozumel_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

I recommend the Royal Swim. It can be tweaked on site depending on kids, and conditions and sea state.
They will work with you.

With a 5 y/o you will have to book private IRRC.

=================

In Cozumel there is another Dolphin experience which is in a couple of pools by the sea.
http://www.dolphinaris.com/locations/cozumel/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attract...inaris_Cozumel-Cozumel_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

Perhaps that may be more appropriate for your young ones?

Both get great reviews.

Your call.

Best of luck.

ETA; Cayman has to be saved for sting rays. .... if you can tender at all to shore.
IOW you may not make it depending on sea state and winds.
Don't rely on GC for Dolphins. Therefore do it in Cozumel. lol.

GC is often a missed port depending on weather, and sea state.

7% of sailing fail to make Grand Cayman.
Keep that in mind during your planing.

98.20% on vessels make Cozumel port fwiw.

Go figure. Actually not.
Cozumel is protected from the seas and winds by the island itself.

Make sure you check out this site ; http://www.cozumelinsider.com/DDSEALION

HTH and Enjoy

 

[summerskye]

Bear3412 - Thanks for all the information.

 

[Iamaplanner]

If you do the one in GC, they will quote you a ridiculous amount for all of your pics on CD. We didn't even buy the pictures because it was just too pricey. Others on my excursion told me that they were able to negotiate the price. I wouldn't have thought I could do that but it was great for them!

 

[summerskye]

If you do the one in GC, they will quote you a ridiculous amount for all of your pics on CD. We didn't even buy the pictures because it was just too pricey. Others on my excursion told me that they were able to negotiate the price. I wouldn't have thought I could do that but it was great for them!

That's what I have heard and plan to do. Everything is up for negotiating. The way I look at is they would rather get something rather than a no sale. I do want the pics and video, but there is a limit...

 

[Kimberly9701]

We are planning on doing the dolphinaris in Cozumel. Anyone have reviews on that one? Also cost of pics?

This is the one I'm leaning towards as well! I had no plans on a dolphin encounter during the cruise, but every other option (that I wanted to do) in Cozumel has ridiculous travel times.

I was thinking about making a half day at Dolphinaris...hoping to get some first hand reviews here!

 

[Texas Momma]

Thanks for all the advice! I booked Dolphinaris on Cozumel! So excited - can't wait to tell the kids what they'll be doing!