Nassau - Blue Lagoon Sea Lion Encounter - have you done it?

[ThisGirlLovesDL]

We can sign up for our Disney Dream Bahamas Port Adventures next week and the Blue Lagoon Sea Lion Encounter sounds like fun! Has anyone done this before? Was it was fun? Worth the money? It's myself, husband, and 15 year old stepson.

Thanks for any info! We're trying to avoid Atlantis and this seems like it might be a good option.

 

[MagicMe]

Loved it!!! I did it with my two adults sons, my DIL and future DIL in 2011. We had so much fun my sister and her family and friends did it last year (ages froM 10 to 45) and they all loved it!!!

 

[KEichman]

Ditto. We've done the dolphin encounter and the sea lion encounter. Both are fabulous experiences....lots of great memories!

 

[imortalcandy]

My husband and I did the sea lion encounter and it was the highlight of our trip !
We were the only ones who signed up for it so we got to play with him all by ourselves.
Our lion was PJ from Slappy and the stinkers and he was so funny!
I highly recommend this excursion

 

[WendyDarling]

We did it and really enjoyed it! Had fun on the beach afterwards. Be prepared for lunch there to be pricey.

 

[tink too]

We did this in December last year and loved it (myself, DH and DD13). The island itself was lovely and the boat ride over was pleasant, too. All the staff we spoke with were friendly and helpful.

We bought a photo/DVD package of our time there, but there were quite a few options available to suit all types of budgets and we didn't feel pressured into buying any photos at all.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Hi OP!

We have done this twice. I was just talking about it yesterday. Odds are VERY GOOD, if I end up on any Nassau cruises, I'll be going straight to Blue Lagoon EVEN if I didn't get an encounter. It's like paradise! Our first sea lion encounter was a bucket list! The second one a year later, they were having problems with one of the sea lions (one was recovering from an injury or illness and the others weren't as well trained) so we didn't get to get INTO the water with them, we just got to shake their flippers, take photos etc. It was slightly a bit of a let down, however, animals obviously take priority. It was a bummer because we had a whole new family with us that we had talked up the event, and they were just eh about it I think as a result. The family DID say they liked it way way way better than Atlantis and would consider another cruise just to back to BL, which I totally get! Its got something for everyone and is exclusive so no riff raff. (Other than the other guests, ahem, chair hog people!)

If anyone has gone this year, I would ask which sea lions they saw. We had Maggie and Bonnie the first year, and it was amazing. I would love to see those sweet girls again. We still loved it, but it wasn't AS good as the first time.

Also, for dolphin lovers, their push excursion is definitely one of the best I've seen. We just sit there and watch them. Judging by their expressions, it is definitely bucket list material for these guests.

LOVE BL! Dont' forget to order the conch fritters whatever you do!

 

[mevans9066]

Following! ! We are on nassau on the wonder in Nov but only have like half a day in port and trying to decide what to do!! Atlantis seems so pricey for everything and soooo busy! Is BL fun and stuff to do even if you're not doing an animal encounter?

 

[ThisGirlLovesDL]

Thank you, everyone!

I think we're going to do it!

 

[ThisGirlLovesDL]

Okay, so I signed us up. One more question. Since we can't bring cameras, does anyone know the cost of pictures? I just want something basic.

I looked on their website and wasn't able to find anything.

Thank you!

 

[WendyDarling]

Okay, so I signed us up. One more question. Since we can't bring cameras, does anyone know the cost of pictures? I just want something basic.

I looked on their website and wasn't able to find anything.

Thank you!

I don't remember exactly, but I think for $70 plus tax we got a 8x10 in a decorated cardboard folder/frame, a CD with 4 pictures on it, and 2 magnets of the 2 sea lions we swam with. It wasn't cheap for sure!

 

[Linden Lady]

I was thinking about doing this in September. Question: after SL encounter, are you free to roam the island until departure time? Also what are the departure times? And the water play area with inflatables: is that free or an extra purchase to use those? TIA

 

[mom4fun]

I was thinking about doing this in September. Question: after SL encounter, are you free to roam the island until departure time? Also what are the departure times? And the water play area with inflatables: is that free or an extra purchase to use those? TIA

Try to get the early excursion time so you can stay on the island at no charge. I don't remember the departure times but they have more than one. The inflatables are around $14, and we'll worth it. We loved the experience and the island. I will say we liked the dolphin swim better than the sea lion encounter but both were great.

 

[Linden Lady]

Just thought of an additional question: I realize they want to sell you pictures and they don't allow cameras in the water area but what's about the "observer tickets". Can those ppl in your party who aren't participating have a camera in the bleachers.

 

[MagicMe]

Just thought of an additional question: I realize they want to sell you pictures and they don't allow cameras in the water area but what's about the "observer tickets". Can those ppl in your party who aren't participating have a camera in the bleachers.

Yes - those that have an observer ticket can take pictures from the bleachers. You may have some difficulty getting good close ups but we did get some decent pictures during the meet and greet part of the excursion (where they take pictures of the sea lion with you out of water). It is more difficult to get any good water pictures as you are not allowed down in that area.

The cameras are not allowed by the participants as the sea lions tend to think they are toys and can often knock them out of your hand to play. They do not want to be responsible for your camera landing in the water and also do not want to have the sea lion hurt in any way.

 

[Amw1064]

Another one to recommend the sea lion excursion. We were with 3 adults and 2 10 year olds at the time. Have also done the dolphin excursion and liked it as well. My husband took pictures at the dolphin one and they came out great. However at the sea lion we were all in the water so I bought 2 different ones of theirs. I think I paid $20 each maybe.