dolphin encounter

[cheysdad]

I am considering taking my DD8 on the Anquilla Dolphin & Stingray Encounter.
It is quite expensive and I would appreciate any feedback as to whether it is worth it or not.
Thanking you all in advance.
Mike

 

[sillysmom]

Ok, heres the deal. We went last April when my DD was 8. It is a very, very expensive excursion, but I felt like we had to do it. First, it is a very long ride to get there, going through very, very poor looking towns and people, quite sad. The place is pretty rundown in my opinion and a little on the dirty side. We actually went to the beach first (beautiful and very clean), then we went to lunch, not so great. Let me say, I get grossed out eating in places I don't think are very clean. On a scale from 1-10 the clealiness was a 5. The food was okay, but there was not enough and there was a very long line, and the people were not very nice who worked there. Now the dolphin part was cool, touching them and feeding them, but the pool was FILTHY and I mean FILTHY. I was trying very hard not to get any water near my face and I was very worried about my 8 year old, but we were there and she HAD to do it. Like I said that part was cool. She would not touch the stingrays, you had to go under the murky, poop infested water, I wouldn't do it either. Of course the DH did it, he said it was okay. Then you waste time watching crab races, and then they try to charge you like $80 bucks or so for the pictures on a cd. I do not think this excursion was worth over $500 for the three of us, I would not do it again. Now, we are going on the Western next April, if one of the excursions is like the others I've heard of and seen, where the dolphins push you through the water, that I might do. But in my opinion, I could have used that money much more wisely. Oh well, you live and you learn. Other people have said it was the best excursion ever, unfortunately I don't agree. Everyone must decide for themselves, so think it over carefully, it is a lot of money.

 

[Mom2Belle&PeterPan]

Hi Mike,

This is from my trip report. Others have had much better reviews, but this was our experience.

~~~~~~

Anguilla Dolphin Swim (June 12, 2004 seven day Eastern Magic)

Dh and I did this for our dd who has studied and written many reports on dolphins. Our actual swim was 30 to 40 minutes. The remainder included a ferry ride to the island of Anguilla, a short bus drive through the island, time on the beach (no snorkel gear as promised, everyone on our excursion was reimbursed for this), lunch, then swimming with the stingrays who were already full from eating all day, hermit crab races, and birds in the store on your arms. We were the last of the last to swim, which was just the luck of the draw. Our guide was not the best, but he meant well. They had to retake our photos with the dolphins as they lost them, and this held up everyone!!! (They lost other photos too on their computer.) Long story short, I think we’d do this for dd at our local Sea World and next time see more of the local sites or do the beaches on our own. Too much travel time, not well orchestrated by Fantaseas. The dolphin swim was amazing, and the beach was beautiful though.


Best wishes on your decision!

Barbara (PS This was for dh, myself, ds13, & dd9)

 

[Mom2Belle&PeterPan]

I agree with sillysmom, the water was dirty, especially the stingray pool. I refused to go in the stingray pool. Dh laughed at me and he and the kids went and did have fun, but the stingrays were full from being fed all day long. I tend not to like dirty places to begin with.

Food was OK, and I agree, servers were not that friendly, but not unfriendly. They were doing their work.

My 2 cents!

 

[cheysdad]

Thank you all. I believe my mind is now made up....murky dirty water, no way. I will look for another excursion that we can all enjoy.

 

[Michelle2]

I was also debating about this excursion....But now that I sense that it is dirty, I would be uncomfortable, especially with the kids. DH would not have wanted to spend that much on an excursion anyway. so I will save myself some grief! lol We will start looking at other things to do on St. Maarten, for we have plenty of time! Thanks again

 

[april riddle]

Since my DS (8) really wants to swim with the dolphins I had been tossing this excursion and Discovery Cove around in my heart - Discovery cove is about 40 dollars more ($229 per person plus tax) I have been so worried about the care of the Dolphins. Not that anyone has told me that they are mistreated. I finally decided to go ahead and book Discovery Cove. There is no driving on a bus or going on a ferry and you get a nice meal (from what I have read on the Sea World boards). With paying so much for this experience I don't want to regret a single minute. If you decide to go this way just a reminder get your reservation in early they only allow 1000 people in the park per day. Now after reading some of the reviews about dark and merky water and bad food I am even happier with my decision.

 

[bobsuzla]

I am not sure if I read it correctly, but I know at Dolphin Discovery's site I saw something about a new facility opening soon in Anguilla, maybe they are taking it over from Fantaseas, if they are not already the same company?!? I am not sure... This is truly the only excursion that is a must do for my family, and I have asked and searched these boards obsessively about this, I have seen some good reviews too... maybe by the time my trip rolls around some things will improve.

 

[dtuleya]

I was ready to book this for my family, but now I'm wondering if we shouldn't try for ressies at Discovery Cove instead.

 

[kcashner]

If you have time, I think you'll be much happier at Discovery Cove. This is a sister park to Sea World, and is located across the street from them. There is an "all inclusive" fee for the day that includes a 30 minute dolphin swim (with about 10 minutes with the trainers ahead of time), lunch, parking, and the rest of the day in the coral reef, stingray pool, lazy river, aviary, etc. It includes your wet suit, a take home snorkel, a family picture on entry, etc. It is clean and comfortable. Of course, it assumes that you have a day in Orlando on this trip or another.

For the money, we MUCH preferred Discovery Cove. If there is a downside, it is that FL law limits you to 30 minutes with the dolphins. However, that was enough time for a good experience. The trainer asked DD if she wanted to go fast (she was maybe 10 at the time), and sent her on a "full speed" swim holding to the fin.