Swim with dolphins question

[Jaylie]

We are gong on the Dream in July for the 4-night Bahamas cruise (double dip to CC). My grandson (14) wants to do an excursion where he could swim with dolphins. Could someone who has done this give me info on it ... cost, length of time, what it is like to be in the water with the Dolphins, etc.? Any information would be appreciated! Thanks.

 

[Mushu's Twin]

If you're going on the Dream, the port to swim with the dolphins would be in Nassau. Castaway Cay has stingrays, but no dolphins. The dolphins are located at Dolphin Cay at Atlantis. You have the option of a Shallow or Deep Water interaction. The shallow water attraction you're only in about waist deep water the entire time, while the deep water you're in as it sounds deep water where you have to swim. The shallow interaction you'll do things like kisses, petting, handshakes, and watching the dolphin do tricks. The deep water you actually swim with them and they push you by your feet across the water while you're riding a boogie board. The dolphins themself are very smooth and their skin feels like rubber. You are required to wear one of their wetsuits while interacting with the dolphins. With the price you also get access to the entire Atlantis waterpark for the day which is the best part in my opinion. You also get vouchers for lunch, 1 per person, which is like a burger/sandwich/chicken strips, fries, and a drink.

Shallow Water Interaction
$289 Ages 10+
$259 Ages 3-9
You have access to the waterpark all day, but the dolphin interaction is about 90 minutes with check in and orientation.

Deep Water Interaction
$329 Ages 10+
$299 Ages 3-9
You have access to the waterpark all day, but the dolphin interaction is about 120 minutes with check in and orientation.

 

[Dug720]

There are also dolphins at Blue Lagoon, so you don't HAVE to go to Atlantis.

 

[closetmickey]

We swam with the dolphins at Blue Lagoon. Loved it!!

 

[ladyofthetramp]

We did the Blue Lagoon -love it there

 

[quickcat]

Another vote for Blue Lagoon. As for price, you can look it up on Disney's port adventure section. We went last year so the cost may have changed. Just remember to have extra money for pictures, they are not included in the price.

 

[wjs3]

Another vote for Blue Lagoon. As for price, you can look it up on Disney's port adventure section. We went last year so the cost may have changed. Just remember to have extra money for pictures, they are not included in the price.

This point is critical and caused a great deal of consternation when we went. They ask you to leave cameras and phones "in a safe place" so that the only photos are the ones they (the facility staff) take. You want a picture, you pay the man...we thought that at least SOMETHING would be included for the $$$$ of the excursion, but nope...all photos are extra, and sometimes quite a bit extra.

Enjoy!

 

[FigmentSpark]

Are they e-photos or prints?

 

[wjs3]

I think both were available.

 

[SlickWilly]

When we went Blue Lagoon let you bring your own camera in, but Atlantis did not. Consequently, we went with BL. Blue Lagoon also take their own photos which they sell for a standard price both prints and a flash/thumb drive.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

When we went Blue Lagoon let you bring your own camera in, but Atlantis did not. Consequently, we went with BL. Blue Lagoon also take their own photos which they sell for a standard price both prints and a flash/thumb drive.

Are you sure that the Blue Lagoon encounter participants were allowed to bring cameras? Because it says that they're not allowed on the Blue Lagoon website. I was under the impression both places had the same policy: people in the water with the dolphins cant't carry *anything* with them, including cameras.

There's a way to do your own pictures at Atlantis, and that's to have someone come along who is *not* participating in a swim/interaction buy a Dolphin Cay beach pass ($33). They can take pictures from the beach, while the participants are in the water with the dolphins. I'm guessing the same goes for Blue Lagoon: if an observer comes along they can take pictures.

 

[WDWJDS]

We were on the Magic last month and my daughter did the BL Dolphin Swim. DH and I paid to be "observers" while DD was with the dolphins. We both had cameras and took pictures and videos.

The entire swim time was about an hour or so (from checking in, getting life jacket, orientation, interacting and doing the Dolphin "push". Then we had the BBQ lunch which was quite tasty. We could have stayed to enjoy the beach activities but it was too cold so we headed back to Nassau.

 

[SlickWilly]

Are you sure that the Blue Lagoon encounter participants were allowed to bring cameras? Because it says that they're not allowed on the Blue Lagoon website. I was under the impression both places had the same policy: people in the water with the dolphins cant't carry *anything* with them, including cameras.

There's a way to do your own pictures at Atlantis, and that's to have someone come along who is *not* participating in a swim/interaction buy a Dolphin Cay beach pass ($33). They can take pictures from the beach, while the participants are in the water with the dolphins. I'm guessing the same goes for Blue Lagoon: if an observer comes along they can take pictures.

Just to be clear, we did the Dolphin Experience, not Swimming, at Blue Lagoon but definitely were able to take our own cameras. At the time (2014), you could not take your own photos at Atlantis but you could at BL. This was the main reason we selected BL. In fact the BL staff would use your camera if you asked.

Can't speak to current practice though.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Just to be clear, we did the Dolphin Experience, not Swimming, at Blue Lagoon but definitely were able to take our own cameras.

That type of activity doesn't look like its listed anymore. From Blue Lagoon's website, it looks like you're either in the water to one degree or another, with the dolphins, or you're an observer who can take pictures. So the rules look to be aligned now. I wonder if they now call the 'experience' you did an 'observer'....

 

[SlickWilly]

That type of activity doesn't look like its listed anymore. From Blue Lagoon's website, it looks like you're either in the water to one degree or another, with the dolphins, or you're an observer who can take pictures. So the rules look to be aligned now. I wonder if they now call the 'experience' you did an 'observer'....

They still have it. Might not be available through DCL anymore (not sure), but it is on the BL website as an available activity - look on their site under Programs. The Dolphin Encounter is where you stand in the water on a platform and the dolphin comes into the same pool as you. You get to pet it, touch its teeth, get a kiss, and so forth. You do not actually swim with the dolphin, but you are not just an observer.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

They still have it. Might not be available through DCL anymore (not sure), but it is on the BL website as an available activity - look on their site under Programs. The Dolphin Encounter is where you stand in the water on a platform and the dolphin comes into the same pool as you. You get to pet it, touch its teeth, get a kiss, and so forth. You do not actually swim with the dolphin, but you are not just an observer.

OK, but the fourth bullet now says 'no cameras'. Maybe things have changed since your experience.

 

[SlickWilly]

OK, but the fourth bullet now says 'no cameras'. Maybe things have changed since your experience.

View attachment 220129

Must have changed. We definitely were allowed (we didn't sneak cameras in). Thanks for seeing that.

 

[ktgrace317]

How much are pictures? Curious how much cash to bring with us.