Swim with Dolphins tour....anyone been on it?

[nomy]

We are planning our first visit to Florida in May next year. We are going with First Choice and was going to book their 'Swim with dolphins' tour, but they have no more room apparently I have located the company that runs the tour http://www.swimdolphins.com and it's a two day excursion that includes a swim, overnight stay, Everglades tour and finally a stop over in Miami. It sounds great but was wondering if anyone has any experience or knowledge of this tour before we try and book direct. Cheap it isn't!

I can't swim but my wife can. THe reason we wanted this tour instead of Discovery Cove is that the dolphins were for my swimming wife and I really fancy the Everglades trip.

Many thanks.

 

[carolfoy]

Haven't done it but it looks fantastic! I'd say go for it if you can afford it, I'm sure it will be worth it, and even tho' you're probably thinking this is a once in a lifetime experience, it probably won't be, so next time you'll have saved some £££ by not having to do it

 

[disneyholic family]

wow...that does look great....
how does it work? do they pick you up from orlando and drive down to the keys? that's a very long drive...

 

[JohnnySharp2]

The tour looks good value for money.

It would just be the travelling I would be wary about, it's at least 6 hours possibly from Orlando to the Keys (if that's the way it's going to be).

 

[nomy]

Yeah it does sound great. It certainly covers a lot and that's what attracted us to it! They pick you up from a variety of Hotels around Orlando around 6:30 am, so I guess it is a coach drive, although I'm not sure yet. I'm posting an enquiry to them for more details. In the First Choice brochure it states that the overnight stay includes a steak BBQ with private beach so it gets even better!

I'll let you know what reply I get.

 

[carolfoy]

I'm pretty sure clients of mine did a similair type of tour several years ago with seligo, if it was the same, well they loved it I saw all the photos after and it looked fab!

 

[Amyrlin]

We did a tour in 2003 that sounded the same, we were picked up on international drive at 7am and was actually run by divers international.

The jounrey was quite long and the hotel where we stayed was clean and comfortable, but a bit basic. The food was a barbeque and was good.

The dolphin swim was great, we had it video'ed as well, there was a lot of time and interaction. The everglades air boat ride was als great. Miami is good if you like shopping, there was an options boat tour to see star island and the homes of the famous. The Maiami bit was the most boring for me as I don't like shopping.

However, it was a great trip and the children still remember swimming with the dolphins in a more natural environment as they are in the sea.

If you did want to do just the dolphin swim and do not mind the driving (about 5 hours) then the place is called dolphins plus, you can find it at http://www.dolphinsplus.com/ and you can book on your own if you want to. That gives you some info about the swims they do as there are also different options if you book independantly.

 

[nomy]

Thanks Amyrlin. Yep this is with International Divers inc. So it's the same one. The hotel is the Bayside Resort. Don't know if that's the same one you stayed at. I think we will go for it. Although I am a little upset that I can't swim As a non swimmer, do you know if my daughter and I will still be able to watch my wife swim with the dolphins?

 

[Amyrlin]

Yes, you will be able to watch. I didn't swim and watched my children all swim.

 

[PaulaSB12]

I have just done the tour with this company and it was worth it, much better than discovery cove. I also did the manatee tour with them it was great fun.

 

[nomy]

Many thanks for you comments and advice all. We are going to book! They did get back to me very quicky too, and were very helpful.