Dolphin Paradise Tours out of Cocoa Beach

[VanellopeVonSchweetz]

Hey all, think this is an appropriate place for this thread. Has anyone done one of these Dolphin Paradise Boat Tours? There's a groupon for it right now, half price. They take you out on a boat near the animal's natural habitat and let you swim with the possibility of a dolphin or manatee being nearby. For $30 for 2 people I'm interested, but can't find many reviews! Anyone have a first hand experience? Thanks!!

 

[wanna]

Hey all, think this is an appropriate place for this thread. Has anyone done one of these Dolphin Paradise Boat Tours? There's a groupon for it right now, half price. They take you out on a boat near the animal's natural habitat and let you swim with the possibility of a dolphin or manatee being nearby. For $30 for 2 people I'm interested, but can't find many reviews! Anyone have a first hand experience? Thanks!!

We have booked this tour too but haven't taken it yet. I have to say that when we called about some confusion with our tickets the lady was EXTREMELY rude. I would have cancelled on her but my daughter really wants to do this. She acted like she was doing us a big favor. My sister also called on a different occasion and said she ran into the same thing. This tour better be excellent because I don't usually put up with anyone talking to me like that. Mr recommendation would be to steer clear of this place. They're not nice.

 

[VanellopeVonSchweetz]

Oh no!! How disappointing! I don't take rude well either. We are already doing Seaworld, but figured for $30 it's be worth a try. It's well over an hour away though, don't want to take the time out if they're just rude. Thanks for the input! The only reviews I can find have been on their website or Facebook, so you know they all have to say something good.

 

[wanna]

I know I looked for reviews too and didn't find any. Maybe they haven't been in business that long? I'll post a review when I get back. But already I'm not expecting much.

 

[VanellopeVonSchweetz]

Good luck!! Hope it's a nice time!

 

[jackeyld]

I recently booked this. Now I'm worried. They seemed very unprofessional when I called but thought I'd give it a try. If anyone does this post ypur experience. We plan on using in May. (Hopefully)

 

[blueskyeblue]

We just took this tour and it was a racket, in my opinion. The lady on the phone was rude, and that was a sign of how customers aren't appreciated. Their ads are totally misleading. The "remote" island is more like an overgrown sandbar about 200 yards off the highway about 10'wide and maybe 50' long with some bushes and small trees on the ends. The captain of the boat was friendly and personable but that doesn't make it worth spending that kind of cash for being stuck looking at nothing for 2 hours. While the ads claim the waters are teeming with dolphins and manatees, we didn't even see a fish swim by. It was a total tourist trap as far as I'm concerned. If you buy tickets, just know what you are in for.

 

[spiceycat]

not sure but don't think you can touch wild dolphins under florida law.

tame ones like at Discovery Cove you can.

though the only ones that can get that close to wild dolphins had to be in research.

like all wild animals - dolphins are unpredictable. so it might be hard to know where they will be.

here the thing saying this is illegal
http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/pr95/aug95/noaa95-r142.html

look at it this way - wild bears, panthers, buffalo will attack and kill people - dolphins can too - go with the tamer ones - yes they are alot more money - but that is for a reason - it is safer

 

[slivovic]

Hi all,

I also purchased this deal through Groupon. I am not going to Florida until May, but I am worried about this trip. I also had looked for reviews and could not find any. Thanks for the one review I found here.

I contacted Groupon to see if I could get refunded for my unused Groupon. They said no, however, they said if you are dissatisfied with your Groupon or receive poor service to contact them. They will try to make up for the bad experience. They will probably credit you the amount for a future Groupon.

I told them to investigate this company. I told them that I bought this because I figured Groupon would only back a legit company. So I am planning on using this Groupon and then complaining enough to get a refund.

 

[knj25]

Ok, I was slightly skeptical before but now I am really worried! We purchased the groupon after lookin gat thier site because our daughter really wanted to do this. I have tried multiple times to call them to ask questions and maybe make a reservation (we dont go to Florida until July) but no one has ever answered the phone! I did a messgae through their site and messaged them on their FB page and still NOTHING. If I can't ever get ahold of anyone Groupon better refund my money!!! I am hoping soon someone will be able to give some first hand feedback.

 

[just try someone els]

Hey all, think this is an appropriate place for this thread. Has anyone done one of these Dolphin Paradise Boat Tours? There's a groupon for it right now, half price. They take you out on a boat near the animal's natural habitat and let you swim with the possibility of a dolphin or manatee being nearby. For $30 for 2 people I'm interested, but can't find many reviews! Anyone have a first hand experience? Thanks!!

RESPONSE : The company was called Fish Tales Tours ( same owner ) They changed their name because of all thebad reviws on Trip Advisor .

 

[funntheson]

Why is everybody holding this against Groupon? What do you expect for $30 for 2 people for two hours? It is your responsibility to research the offers, like I was doing when I came across this page. I'm sure there are some people that would find this to be worth $30, but for the rest of us that haven't made the purchase, let's just wait for the next bargain : )

 

[kamanda]

I was going to purchase a similar offer from Living social and found this review:

http://www.yelp.ca/biz/dolphin-paradise-tours-merritt-island

I think I will pass.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Why is everybody holding this against Groupon? What do you expect for $30 for 2 people for two hours? It is your responsibility to research the offers, like I was doing when I came across this page. I'm sure there are some people that would find this to be worth $30, but for the rest of us that haven't made the purchase, let's just wait for the next bargain : )

People expect this company (and quite rightly, ANY company) to honour the terms of an advertised promotion exactly as the offer is stated. They expect to redeem their voucher for the item, tour, or experience that the voucher is for.....nothing less. The fact that the tour or attraction is discounted should make no difference. If I buy a name brand laundry detergent on a half-off sale from the local grocery store, I don't expect that it will clean any differently than the same brand purchased at full price. Sure, it is a consumer's responsibility to research an offer, but its the businesses responsibility to deliver the true product that's purchased.....not a waterered down or inferior version, unless that's stipulated up front.

Otherwise, its false advertising.

I was going to purchase a similar offer from Living social and found this review:

http://www.yelp.ca/biz/dolphin-paradise-tours-merritt-island

I think I will pass.

I am wondering why, with so many negative reports, that either Groupon or Living Social continue to support this vendor?

 

[spiceycat]

I am wondering why, with so many negative reports, that either Groupon or Living Social continue to support this vendor?

maybe because it is against the law. Florida has laws to protect the dolphin - now you might find someone to break these laws - but don't count on it.

you might ask Groupon or Living Social - why they are advertising something that they know is against the law.

you can't touch a wild dolphin or even bother one in Florida.

 

[RnbwSktles]

This has nothing to do with the dolphin tour, but I wanted to chime in anyway since I've had similar experiences.

I've had some great experiences through Groupon/LivingSocial and some bad ones. The one thing that continues to boggle my mind is that the businesses using these services seem annoyed when a customer comes in with a groupon!

I bought a Groupon for a local restaurant that worked out to something like $20 off the meal. When I presented it to the waiter before ordering, he came back with the manager who was completely irate. He said he can't possibly accept that, there's no way they can make money if he gives everyone $20 off, he told Groupon to take it down, blah blah blah. I wanted to leave and not give this guy a cent of my money, but DH wanted to stay so we ended up paying full price for the meal. I should mention that we were the only people in the restaurant and it closed not that long after. Groupon did give me a credit for what I paid for the voucher.

I had a similar, but less extreme situation with Living Social. Every summer a kayak rental place offers 2-for-1 rental offer through LS. The first year 6 of us did it and had a blast, so I bought the voucher again last summer. When I called to make a reservation, I mentioned to the owner that I had done the same thing the year before and he got mad at me for not buying directly through him and paying full price! I'm sorry, but as much fun as it was, I wouldn't do it for an extra $50.

I wonder if these business think Groupon will be a great way to get new customers in, but then they end up in a contract they can't get out of and quickly realize they just lose money. They all seem so bitter!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

This has nothing to do with the dolphin tour, but I wanted to chime in anyway since I've had similar experiences.

I've had some great experiences through Groupon/LivingSocial and some bad ones. The one thing that continues to boggle my mind is that the businesses using these services seem annoyed when a customer comes in with a groupon!

I bought a Groupon for a local restaurant that worked out to something like $20 off the meal. When I presented it to the waiter before ordering, he came back with the manager who was completely irate. He said he can't possibly accept that, there's no way they can make money if he gives everyone $20 off, he told Groupon to take it down, blah blah blah. I wanted to leave and not give this guy a cent of my money, but DH wanted to stay so we ended up paying full price for the meal. I should mention that we were the only people in the restaurant and it closed not that long after. Groupon did give me a credit for what I paid for the voucher.

I had a similar, but less extreme situation with Living Social. Every summer a kayak rental place offers 2-for-1 rental offer through LS. The first year 6 of us did it and had a blast, so I bought the voucher again last summer. When I called to make a reservation, I mentioned to the owner that I had done the same thing the year before and he got mad at me for not buying directly through him and paying full price! I'm sorry, but as much fun as it was, I wouldn't do it for an extra $50.

I wonder if these business think Groupon will be a great way to get new customers in, but then they end up in a contract they can't get out of and quickly realize they just lose money. They all seem so bitter!

We must have been lucky so far, because we've never had an issue with Groupon, Livingsocial or Wagjag vouchers. We've used them for food purchases, mini golf, hotel stays, bowling, airboat rides, family portraits, you name it.....accepted with a smile each and every time. And so far, not a "dud" among them: each item purchased or experience purchased has been as advertised and well worth the money .

I have a couple of more vouchers purchased for our Orlando getaway this summer. Hopefully we have the same positive experience with each!

 

[fisheyes]

they have changed their name. they used to be"fish tales tours". they had to change their name because of all the bad reviews on trip advisor.
when you try to take your trip they will show that they are all booked up for that month.
there are NO valid dolphin/manatee tours in cocoa beach listed on group on or living social. check trip advisor, yelp or call the cocoa beach chamber of commerce.

 

[kmb584]

maybe because it is against the law. Florida has laws to protect the dolphin - now you might find someone to break these laws - but don't count on it.

you might ask Groupon or Living Social - why they are advertising something that they know is against the law.

you can't touch a wild dolphin or even bother one in Florida.

I'm a bit lost with your response to the question that was asked. It isn't illegal for Groupon, LS, or any other discounted service website to kick a company to the curb for not providing the services advertised. In this case, the company at hand (Dolphin Paradise Boat Tours aka Fish Tales Tours) is offering a deal that is not only against federal (and state) law but they're also not answering phone calls, not showing up for scheduled tours, etc.

Dolphins and especially manatees have both federal and state laws blanketing them for their protection and conservation. After Googling the company's Groupon deal, it's quite disturbing to see that they are in fact offering up a swim with dolphins and manatees but insert the following, "Although participants maintain a safe, but close, distance from manatees and dolphins in order to preserve their natural habitat, the animals are naturally curious and may swim closer." which is a total contradiction.

I think e-mails should be sent to these websites about deals such as this one. The last thing most people want to do is break federal laws while on vacation and it seems that a bit of education is required so that future offers like this aren't shown the light of day.

 

[wdwmickeyguy]

Previous posters hit the nail on the head! It is illegal to touch, feed, harass, molest or interfere with the normal habits of Dolphins, Manatees, Birds, Alligators etc,, In Florida. Being in the business (Sightseeing and Fishing Charters) I tell all of my guests If you want to swim with Dolphins GO to Discovery Cove. Dolphins can be very aggressive and hurt or kill you unintentionally. They like the manatees are large powerful WILD animals. Dolphins have been known to severely injure people under certain conditions. I recommend if dolphins or manatees come near while you are swimming that you get out of the water and stay clear just as you would if there was an alligator coming near. It could end in a horrible accident while on vacation. ask anyone at seaworld they will tell you the same thing. Also you could be fined up to a year in jail and or large monetary fines. As far as the business practices of the company in question like others have said you can look at tripadvisor and learn all you want to on this guy. Sometimes you get what you pay for. It costs a lot of money to insure these boats and operate them so when someone is offering unbelievably low prices you have to ask yourself why? And how can they afford to do this. I think the comments made by others on this business may answer those questions.