Cayman Island Dolphin Swim Excursion

[rja151]

My daughter really wants to do this excursion, and I was just wondering what others’ experiences and opinions of this specific excursion have been. I love marine life, and I just have some misgivings about experiences like this as they kind of feel (for lack of a better term) wrong? Maybe I’m being too critical though. Anyway, not trying to start a debate, but I was hoping to hear about your experience and how you felt if you went on this excursion. Thank you, and seriously, not trying to open a debate or judge - honestly just interested in your experience and thoughts.

 

[Flip flops in winter]

I won't go into personal feelings on it but will try to provide my observations. The dolphins look well cared for. The staff seemed kind and not punitive. The dolphins perform precisely on command. They are rewarded with food when they get it right. If I recall correctly one dolphin was close to 20 years old. They are not rescues; my daughter asked. Some were born there. The tanks/pools are small and filthy. The water mixes with sea water but it's not fresh and clean looking because of the food bits and detritus in the water. I imagine for someone not familiar with marine life might not think the pools are small or might not think about any of it very deeply. We live in FL and see dolphins regularly and my kids get a lot of marine education through our public school system. I'm glad we could discuss as a family afterward the way my kids felt and facts they've learned vs. what the trainers at the excursion teach. It was an interesting experience to be able to touch the dolphins, appreciate their speed, and look in their eyes close up.

 

[Flcruising]

Depending on how you get to the port you could extend your vacation by visiting Marineland a little south of St Augustine. They have swim with the dolphins programs. They actually do research, education, etc. So that may alleviate some of your concerns. Plus with various specials/,discounts they were significantly less than cruise excursions, the last time I checked anyway.
Plus it's always good the have something to look forward to after a cruise to help with those post cruise blues.

 

[NileNellie]

We did the dolphin discovery years ago in Cozumel, and I wouldn't do it again. We had fun, but immediately afterward I felt bad for the dolphins and their quality of life.

 

[msmama]

Maybe it was me trying to make myself feel better, but the one in the Cayman Islands seemed slightly better than others I've seen. Like someone else said, there is sea water getting in, and fish as well, so it's not a completely fake concrete environment.

The workers seemed to enjoy their jobs and care for the animals and have a good rapport with them. They were playful with the dolphins and the dolphins seemed healthy and happy and playful. One of the ones in another tank was trying to get the attention of the photographer who was trying to take pics of our group.

Speaking of pics, though it doesn't have anything to do with your question, be prepared to be upsold.

We actually booked just the interaction experience and then on the day they offered an upgrade to swimming with the dolphins (I don't remember how much more). That's what we did and it ended up being better because we did the "interaction" first (standing in water up to our waists) and then everyone else left and we got a good 15-20 mins by ourselves.

Side note - I was shocked by how badly the whole interaction went with the rest of our group. There was, I think, 4 families in our group, a family of 5, family of 4 (with 2 toddlers) and a family of 3, plus my son and I. The kids in the family of 5 were HORRENDOUSLY behaved and pouted and threw tantrums (like, teenager age so old enough to not) and wanted to go back to the ship so they could hang out in the teen club. They gave up early. The mom of the family of 3 freaked out when she realized there were fish in the water and refused to get in the water, which then freaked the child out. The toddlers were the best behaved but they were toddlers so got bored eventually, though the parents were impressed they lasted as long as they did. The whole thing was just really strange. But I feel like it made the interaction better for us because the handler just ignored the crazy and talked to us and answered our questions and would bring the dolphin over to show us things and do behaviors that weren't necessarily part of the normal script.

 

[Jasper&Bowie]

I did the one on the Cayman Islands in March 2022. I couldn't see my knees due to the dark, dirty water. I almost slide off the platform from the slim. All of the dolphins noses looked like they were rubbed raw. Hubby and I did talk to the excursion desk when we returned.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Dolphins are smarter than people. Most dolphins born in captivity die. So it's problematic.