dolphin encounter and dolphin swim in Nassau

[cepmom]

Has anyone ever done the dolphin swim? (not the dolphin encounter available through DCL excursions) My oldest DD (15) is interested in the dolphin swim that is not available through DCL. Has anyone ever done this before? The dolphin encounter doesn't sound like it is anything special and I think the swim sounds a little more fun. Also, my DH and 2 younger DD are not interested in either the swim or the encounter. Do you think they would be able to do the Blue Lagoon beach day while DD and I do the swim and then meet up together at the beach? How does that all work? I know you need to take a ferry over to Blue Lagoon area...is the dolphin swim in the same area? Also, how do you get to the ferry to Blue Lagoon? Would we be able to take the same ferry to Blue Lagoon even though DD and I would be doing the dolphin swim excursion on our own and DH and younger DD will be doing the Blue Lagoon beach day through DCL? HELP!!!

 

[mbaker]

My husband and I did the dolphin encounter in Nassau 3 years ago. It was great fun, but pricey. You 'work' with the dolphin from a dock/pen in the water. The swim, you do in open water. The ferry goes to Blue Lagon, drops off first at the Dolphin pen then sails over to the beach. They share the same ride, but from what I remember, the areas are not connected by land that you're allowed on and you can't swim it. The ferry to Blue Lagoon was at the end of the dock where the ship comes into port.

 

[Cuzisayso2]

My Dh and dd are doing the dolphin swim in Nassau next week. I will let you know how it turns out!

Gina

 

[Lobstergal]

Just back from the 4/22 wonder--we did the dolphin swim in nassau.
My kids are 15 and 11 (both boys) and without hesitation said the dolphin swim was the best part of their vacation. Its pricey but we all loved it. Be sure to do the foot push at the end--I was scared to death but loved it!!

 

[cepmom]

Lobstergal...
did you book this excursion on your own? I don't think this is part of DCL excursions, right? My DD15 went to Discovery Cove a few years ago and loved it. I don't think the dolphin encounter will be what she wants. I definately think the swim is a better choice. I'm just confused on the best way to combine our dolphin swim with DH and younger DD's trip to Blue Lagoon beach day.
Did you take the same boat over to Blue Lagoon as the DCL people doing to dolphin encounter and beach day? Or did you find your own transportation over there?

 

[videogal1]

Originally posted by cepmom
Lobstergal...
did you book this excursion on your own? I don't think this is part of DCL excursions, right? I'm just confused on the best way to combine our dolphin swim with DH and younger DD's trip to Blue Lagoon beach day.
Did you take the same boat over to Blue Lagoon as the DCL people doing to dolphin encounter and beach day? Or did you find your own transportation over there?

After reading a thread that discussed this very issue I booked the Dolphin Encounter through the company that runs it and booked the Blue Lagoon Beach Day in order to take advantage of the transport provided by Disney instead of having to make my way to a taxi stand or the water taxi on my own. I understand that the two excursions are very close to each other and you can leave the Beach Day activities at any time and do the encounter, then return and catch the water taxi back to the ship...
I'll be there in about two weeks...sure hopes it works like I've planned...

 

[Lobstergal]

We booked the dolphin swim directly from Dolphin Encounters, be forewarned though that I got a call and an e-mail from them about 3 weeks out that stated they weren't taking additional reservations for April as the dolphins were being 'vet-checked'. I'm not sure what the booking situation is now--but there were plenty of people doing the swim when we were there.
We took a taxi from the cruise terminal to the dolphin encounter ticket office--$4.00 per person (in a van). From there, you take a boat provided by them. The dolphin swim takes place on the blue lagoon island. The dolphin swim operation lands at their own dock. 5 years ago, we did the blue lagoon beach day, they have those water tricycles to rent, a snorkeling place, and a nice beach. It looked to me like you could walk to the dolphin swim place from the beach--we didn't do that as the transport was included in the price of the dolphin encounter. I'm guessing that it will just cost you a bit more to do the other transportation, or you might even have to pay for the blue lagoon day AND the dolphin encounter. If you use the dolphin encounter transportation, you have to leave on a boat at a scheduled time. (I think that we had about 3 hours there from start to finish) We had to show a ticket to get on the dolphin swim boat. I would suggest calling the dolphin encounter place and telling them what you are planning--see what they recommend, they were very helpful.
Hope you have a great time.