Dolphin Encounter-Cozumel

[Kimber1963]

I need feedback on the dolphin encounter in Cozumel. Is it worth the money????

 

[Tiiiigergirl]

We are hoping to do either the encounter or the swim in Sept. I can let you know after that.

You may want to check out their web site at www.dolphindiscovery.com

I was pleased with how professional it looked. It made my family very excited.

 

[Fawn]

FYI...when you look at the site and compare it to Disney's brochure, it is clear that Disney is only offering the encounter, not the full swim.

Disney charges $109 for the encounter which includes your transportation over there, I suppose. You can book it yourself for $65 for adults and $60 for kids. Transportation can't be THAT much!!

Anyone have any suggestions/know-how about how to get to the park when we dock? I think I may try this one by ourselves...we may even upgrade to the swim!!

 

[Kimber1963]

My DS is only 5, so the swim is out. We will have to stay with the encounter.

 

[Tiiiigergirl]

We are definitely doing this on our own. I've emailed the company to ask about transportation and am waiting for a reply. I do know you have to fax the company directly in Mexico but even given these two expenses it looks like Disney is making a bit of a profit.

 

[BeanoC]

It seems easy enough to do on your own. You can book it directly through their website, then just catch a cab to the park once you get off the ship.

My question is this, for those that have done it:

We went to Discovery Cove 2 years ago. It was a great day, but the dolphin experience itself was disappointing. There was very little interaction with the dolphins - only enough so the photographer could snap a pic of you, which they then sell you for big bucks! There was NO actual swimming with them. Just a very short (20 feet, maybe) dorsal tow which lasted 15 seconds. Then they make you get out of the water immediately. There's your $150.00 dolphin 'interaction'.

So getting to my question: Does this dolphin swim in Cozumel actually let you SWIM with them?? I am not ready to pay that kind of money again if I can't have some time in the water actually experiencing a somewhat more free interaction with these beautiful creatures.

Has anyone done both? I would love to have a comparison of DC to Cozumel, or at least a thorough trip report on the Cozumel experience.

THANKS !!!!!


'Beano'

 

[Kimber1963]

Tiiiigergirl--

Please let me know what you find out about the transportation. It does seem like we should be able to do this on our own.

Kimber

 

[Kimber1963]

Tiigergirl-

I just read in my Frommer's book that a cab to the park should cost between $5-8. That's much more reasonable than Disney. I'm going to book it on my own. I can't wait to meet you in September.

Kimber

 

[Kimber1963]

Tiigergirl-

The encounter is only offered at 10:15am and since we are not scheduled to get into port until 10:30, that might be a little difficult!! Good luck with the swim--my DS is not old enough for that yet.

Kimber

 

[rytayntigger2]

We spent a day at Cozumel’s Chankanaab Marine Park 4 years ago as part of a Carnival cruise…we walked out along the pier to catch the ‘dolphin swim’ and after watching and speaking with the participates immediately tried to sign up, but unfortunately were told that they sell out weeks ahead…yes you do swim with the dolphins (checkout the link to their site – see post above) and it looked like an experience of a lifetime (if you’ve swam with the stingrays in the caymans – multiply times 100)….definitely on my ‘to do list’….go for it!!!! (Also, the day that we spent swimming at the beach directly to the right of the dolphin area was fantastic….standing in 4 feet of the clearest water you’ve ever seen with the tropical fish swimming right between your legs was something my children still enjoy recalling years later)

 

[VondaP]

Just tried to book with them directly. No luck. I started another thread with the info.

Vonda