Questions about Dolphin Excursion in Nassau

[Mdavison]

Has anyone been to the dolphin excursion in Nassau? Just wondering if it is worthwhile to do, I have two girls (4 and 7). I don't know if they are to young to go or not. Also, who does the tour? Is it Disney Staff or the locals of the Bahamas? Any information would be great.

 

[Diehl2229]

Give you a BUMP

 

[PirateCutie05]

Here's another thread about the same thing.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1180668

Hope it answers your questions! I did the same type thing on St. Maarten and it was the greatest experience of my life. I would highly recommend it...and your girls should love it! As long as your 4 year old is okay with water, she should be fine.

 

[tam012864]

We did this in June 2005---ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!! I highly recommend it!! My son was just turning 6..he wasnt afraid or anything. Of course I told him beforehand about the dolphins and I think that helped alot. We took a ferry over to Blue Lagoon--and the water was just breathtaking--so blue..I have a picture here on my desk of my son hugging the dolphin--ours was Stormy. I would do this again--so I definately rate it an A+...Go and have a great time!!!

 

[Mdavison]

tam01284

Did you do this dolphin excurscion in Nassau? Were the tour guides from the Disney ship or were they locals of bahammas? And how long was the tour, and trip over there? Any information you have would be great , Thanks!
I also just read a thread that there was a show on 48hrs about how these dolphins were mistreated while in captivity. Anyone have any insight on this?

 

[ReggieB]

The Tour guides are not from Disney, but The Dolphin Encounter place itself.

 

[kitchenfairy]

HI Mdavison, I did this with my DS(8 at the time) and my DD(11 at the time) on our trip in April of 05. We loved it! But my son did tell me after we got home that he was a little "freaked out" by the dolphin. The boat ride there was about 45mins I think.It was a nice ride I thought, great scenery! They also had a calypso band playing. Once on the island the employees of the company take over. We had a little introduction if you will about dolphins and saw a short film. After that we were broken off into groups of 6 or 8 I think. There were wetsuits available if you wanted them. We decided against it but to our surprise the water was quite chilly!!! Our dolphin was "Abico".
The 3 of us got into the water together standing on a platform. The trainer then had abico come up to us and we got to rub her head and belly, we touched her teeth and then she gave each of us a hug and a kiss and that was about it. I think we were in the water maybe 15 mins. Alot of money but we really enjoyed it, something I always wanted to do. And I figured I've come all this way whats a few more dollars!!! Have a great trip! Wish I was leaving again soon. I should also mention that the trainer was very clear with his instructions on how and where to touch the dolphin and I thought the dolphin was very gentle, if that helps in deciding for your son at all.

Have Fun

 

[kitchenfairy]

Sorry I wasn't paying attention and I was talking to my beautiful son. I see you have 2 little girls. Sorry about that

 

[Mdavison]

Thanks for the information.

 

[MB MinnieGirl]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1101894

This is a thread I started several months ago about it. I had nothing but rave reviews about it. I booked it for DD6 and I for NEXT MONDAY I'll be sure to fill you in when we return (sniff sniff).

Now all I need to do is some sort of sunshine happy weather dance to get rid of TS Chris out there so we can have smooooth sailing!

 

[Mdavison]

MB MINNIE GIRL

I looked at the thread you posted, sounds like everyone had a great time. Is it still at the Blue Lagoon? Some were saying it was not now. Also I did see one of the threads that posted they saw a special on 48hrs that the dolphins were mistreated in captivity over there. Have you heard anything? Have a great time, and let us know how it went!

 

[MB MinnieGirl]

It is still at BL. I also looked into the treatment of the dolphins and didn't find anything negative about BL relating to that at all. Others may have differnt opinions but I never saw the show they were referring to and from looking into excursion itself and the company I felt very comforatable.

I am SO excited about this for DD6!!!

I will be sure to post a report about it when we return.

Happy plannning!!!
Kelly

 

[Mdavison]

Bump!

 

[Mdavison]

Bump!

 

[Mdavison]

Bump!

 

[njmom23grls]

I did the swim with dolphins program with my mother for her 60th birthday in Nov. 2005 in Nassau. It was also my 2 dd - ages 11 & 7. It was truly an amazing experience. Expensive - but worth every penny. (Imho)
The program (http://www.dolphinencounters.com/) is a whole area - you take a boat from the ferry landing near Atlantis (after it picks up cruise ships passengers LOL). There were actually disney passengers onboard the day we went. You take a nice ride out to blue lagoon when everyone is split up depending on the program they paid for. There is the "Swim with dolphins" which has about 10-12 people per dolphin and about an hour with the trainer in the water. Everyone suits up in life jackets and shortie suits and sits on the dock. You get a basic lesson on how dolphins respond, how to pet, etc. Then each person gets to be pushed ala titanic stlye by their feet out of the water across the harbor pen. They even used 2 dolphins if you were larger (or in my case - my dd was too scared to go by herself and was piggybacked on me). The whole thing was very safe, I felt like the trainers really cared for the dolphins, and it was an amazing day. The dolphin encounter is where about 15-20 people sit and the dolphins swims by to be petted or fed and does some leaps and squirts water etc. I don't know how long it was - but that encounter was in the area right next to our swim with program.
I think the 48 hr special was for the dolphins elsewhere in the caribbean maybe? If I can find any digital photos I'll send then in another reply. Hope that helps

 

[njmom23grls]

 

[Mdavison]

Thanks for the info, looks like you guys had a great time! We are probably going to do the dolphin encounter with our girls, maybe the swim when they are older. The pictures are great, looking forward to it.

 

[Amlee]

I did this with my mother and sil in 2001. My mother still gets giddy when talking about it. It was the highlight of the cruise for her. I have to say the water was FREEZING, but this was in Jan.

Take a bag with extra clothes to change into. While the trip over is nice, the ride back wasn't so great coming back in wet clothes. We had the evening time slot and by the time we left it was dark and the wind was cold.

 

[Mdavison]

Thanks for the information, pics are great!