Ive done the Dive Quest and loved it. Ive read theres a Dolphins in Depth program, but theres really not much interaction. The best dolphin program Ive ever done is Discovery Cove (part of Sea World). There is a website, but Im not sure of the address. You do need to rsvp as they only allow around 1000 people in a day. You can make a day of the place since there are other "pools" to swim in with rays and fish, etc. There are locker rooms, showers, shops, food vendors, etc. You will be given a time for the dolphin swim. First you watch a short video. Then you get a life vest thats really a wetsuit top (the water is quite chilly). Then a group of about 5-6 of you get in the water with one dolphin (there will be several groups in the water at once). I believe youre in the water about 30 minutes. The trainer will explain things about the dolphin. You will have 2 opportunities to interact: one you will tell the dolphin to do a trick with a hand signal, and at the end you get a "ride" back to shore by holding the dolphins fin. You also have a chance to kiss it. There will be a photographer there to take pictures which you can purchase later. You cant take your own camera into the dolphin area as the motor will distract the dolphins. Also, if anyone is pregnant you will not be allowed to swim with the dolphins for safety reasons (the dolphins can use their sonar/echo location-sometimes you can feel this) and hone in on the baby. They are very protective of the unborn and Ive seen a swim program where all the dolphins swim up to a woman (she didnt know she was preggo and later found out she was) and hone in on her belly, ignoring the other people in the group. Theyre not sure if the sonar can hurt the baby, or theyre afraid of the mother getting nosed too much??? Anyways, do check out Discovery Cove. Its expensive, but well worth it!
alison
