Need Help On Booking Dolphin Excursion In Nassau!

[MrsPete]

If you book directly through Dolphin Encounters, their FAQ states that you can't stay and enjoy their beach afterward, you must return on the boat. (I haven't got a clue if they've got a way to stop you, or tell who's paid, or what.) If that's the case, then booking through Disney might be a better deal than it appears at first glance!

Having been there, I assure you, this is not something they can enforce. Here's how it works:

Onboard the ship, they get everyone together in various places onboard. Everyone going on the Blue Lagoon Beach day AND everyone going on the Dolphin Excursion met in the Comedy Club. Maybe a sting-ray city excursion was there too -- I'm not sure. The crew member in charge had us all sign our waivers, and she gave out Disney character stickers for us to wear on our shirts; different characters identified the excursions for which we were scheduled. We also had tickets to give to the dolphin people so they'd know we'd paid. Finally, she gave everyone a towel and a ticket for lunch.

En mass, we left the ship and walked (through a cheesy marketplace) to a double-decker ferry boat. I'd guess 150+ guests were on these two excursions.

When we reached Blue Lagoon Island, someone directed the dolphin people to the right and the beach people to the left. They told us that the ferry boat would return twice in the afternoon, and we were free to leave on either trip. I think the estimates were something like 1:30 and 3:30.

We went to the dolphin area on the far right of the island for our program, then we exited through their gift shop. No one escorted us out or even paid attention to what we did after the excursion. We had about two hours before the ferry returned, so we couldn't have left the island if we'd wanted to do so! We had lunch and spent a little time on the beach.

Blue Lagoon really is a wonderful little island. The middle is very shady with plenty of hamocks. The beach on the dock side is small but nice, and the beach on the back side is picturesque but very rocky.

Just for the record, we did book through Disney (only because the dolphin people said they didn't have spaces left for our time slot -- Disney had bought them all). If you book on your own, I don't know how you can get to Blue Lagoon Island; it's a good 45 minute boat ride. But keeping you off the beach just isn't possible.

 

[churchlady]

We booked directly through the company for our 4/8 Dolphin Encounter. Yes, the Encounter is all Disney offers through their excursions, but you can upgrade to the swim when you get there. When you book directly, you take a taxi to the Ferry Terminal. This is where you check in and get the ticket at the booth for Dolphin Encounters. Their ferry boat to Blue Lagoon is included in the price. The afternoon return boat takes you directly to the port, so no return taxi needed. I have seen on previous threads where the "beach day" policy has been enforced. I was glad we did not pay for the beach day, because it was overcast and starting to rain after our encounter. To recap- the Encounter booked through the company included ferry transportation, wet suites, and lockers. We had to bring our own towels from the ship, which we brought back of course.

Either way it's fun! You may want to search those previous threads for more info.

 

[Blackunicorn]

So here's another question--if we booked through the Dolphin Encounters company, and weren't able to make our reservation through some unforeseen circumstance, would that be something that trip insurance would reimburse us for?