Dolphin Research Center

[SidB]

Has anybody been there and swam with the dolphins ? I'd really like to know how it compares with Discovery Cove if anybodies done both. I'm thinking of making a dolphin encounter an early birthday present for my daughters.

 

[Shuttle Fan]

I'd be interested to hear if anyone's been here too.

Or the Theatre of the Sea which is in the same sort of area.

They both do dolphin encounters without swimming (my DD isn't that confident for swimming with them yet), just wading and playing. Has anyone done this?

 

[HeidSFost]

Hiyas

I haven't been to the DRC, but my parents were frequent visitors for a number of years when they visited the Keys and the rest of Florida twice a year or so. They always remarked that it was a lovely, informal and friendly place - very peaceful.

They adopted a dolphin for me from there, and I know quite a bit about how the place works.

The dolphins that they have there are not captive as such, they choose to stay there, the barriers they have on their dolphin pools are very low, so the dolphins know that they can leap the barrier and leave whenever they want, and frequently do when bad weather approaches, to return when it is safe.

They do a lot of work with autistic and other severely disabled children, and have had some amazing results. The dolphins really enjoy working with these children and the reports I have read of the sessions have actually made me cry!

From what I can remember, they offer a whole day of dolphin interaction, that includes learning about the dolphins, working with the trainers, and spending time in the water with the dolphins. I don't know the prices, but I expect they have a website, but remember thinking it was quite pricey.

A number of their dolphins are descendants of the original star of the Flipper TV show.

The DRC is very much about ecology and preservation and learning, and they do a lot of rescue work as well.

I know that I would love to be able to spend a day there with their dolphins.

I am booked to go to Discovery Cove this June, but I would swap it for a day at DRC if I could get there instead<g>.

Hope that helps!

Heidi
PS I should say this is my first post, but I have been lurking for a while, and as an Orlando (but not Florida) Virgin, I found a subject I could help with and thought I should offer my 2p's worth!

 

[richard3330]

Thank-You for the information Heidi, The Dolphin Research Centre sounds great.

Does anybody know if there is a website. DW was worried about visiting DC at first, because of the whole captivity and 'are they happy?' thing. This sounds like a great alternative.

Richard.

 

[Shuttle Fan]

Richard,

The website is www.dolphins.org

 

[richard3330]

We have decided (depending on the cost) to book one of the swims here for our trip next year, rather than Discovery Cove.

I read that you can't book until a month before your planned visit, so we have a while to wait. We have thought that a night before and maybe after, at a hotel near where it is situated will probably be required.

Does anybody know what sort of prices they charge? I have looked thoroughly at their website but there doesn't seem to be any prices - I guess I need to telephone them.

Thanks if you can help.

Richard.

 

[Shuttle Fan]

Richard,

If you follow "Get Wet With A Dolphin" it gives some of the prices. Hope it gives what you are looking for.

 

[HeidSFost]

Hiyas Richard

I am so pleased you are going to do this!

I had a look at the website, and it looks like it is $155 for the swim and you have to get in quick to book as well - looks like yoy have to phone.. you might want to look at www.just-dial.com, as they are a UK firm that allows you to ring an 0870 (national call rate UK number) and that will allow you to then ring to the US for the price of a national call, I have used it before, and it's so much cheaper than ringing directly to the US!

I had a quick chat with my mum about the DRC, and she told me that the palce doesn't look like much from the outside, certainly nothing glitzy, but absolutely the dolphins come first, and the place is a joy to be in.

I hope you do get to do it, and if you do, please say hello to Tursi, she is the dolphin I adopted for a few years a while back!

heid
xx

 

[SidB]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I may well be going to the DRC.

I also had reservations about keeping dolphins in captivity and this seems far more humane than DC. I know some people will disagree, but heck it's just my opinion.

Does anybody know how long it takes to drive down to the keys from Orlando or Tampa.

 

[richard3330]

Hi,

We have recieved an E-Mail from the DRC and the prices are $155 per person as previously stated.

You can't book until one month before your planned visit, but we have donated over the internet as a sponsor member via their website which will allow us to book one day before the general public. The lady said that this is a massive bonus, as we are going Easter time (their busiest time of the year) they are garunteed to fill up exactly one month before.

It looks absolutley wonderful on their website. We have such a long time to wait though!

Thanks for your help everyone.

Richard.