Tortola Dolphin Swim Adventure Questions.....

[christygarlin]

As a family, we are thinking of doing the Tortola dolphin swim adventure. Has anyone been on this excursion and how was it? Also, if just I do the observer package...am I close enough to take pretty good pictures of my kiddos with the dolphins? Thanks for any input!!

 

[Nanaree]

Just got back last week and did this excursion but booked on my own. You are close enough to the water to take pictures. They use different areas for the swim but there is a "bleacher" area where you can sit and take pictures of most of the action. I seem to remember they had dolphins to the left too but you could observe from another vantage point. My DD, DGD4, and DVD9 did this and loved it. The guide was very helpful in the water. A vet spoke to group prior to getting in water about Dolphins and was interesting.

 

[jtba]

we're looking into this too. will the kids need to know how to swim, or can they wear life vests and simply hold on to the dolphin?

 

[Nanaree]

They have life vests for everyone to use. To do the swim where you hold onto the dolphin's fins they will need to be able to swim out away from their group that is standing on underwater ledge with the guide. The dolphins then swim away from group/guide and circle around the swimmer. The swimmer is told to hold out their hands so they can grab onto the fins. Once holding onto the dolphin then they "swim" back with dolphins toward the group. Our guide had two people swim out at a time. Then everybody takes their turns, etc. My DGD4 is approx. 48" and was able to stand on the underwater ledge and participate just fine. Sorry I can't seem to upload a picture.

 

[christygarlin]

Thank you so much for the response!! Would love to see your pics if you can. Also, who did you contact to book on your own and how long did the excursion take? Did you have enough time to see anything else at Tortola? Thanks!!

 

[christygarlin]

Also, do they have photos that they take and you can purchase?

 

[Nanaree]

You're welcome. They do have a photo pkg u can purchase but seem to remember it was pricey. I didn't see any photographer now that u mention it. It's at dolphin discovery. It took approx. 2 1/2 hours but the girls had lunch tickets with Royal swim so some of us ate lunch. Then we bought tees. They were late starting the group but still got done around 1 pm. Taxi ride was 20 mins maybe. So u would definitely have time for other activities. We went back to ship.

 

[Tam & Jeff Van Dyke]

We were debating doing this too. So glad everyone seemed to enjoy it, since it will be our most expensive adventure. Any more advice for us, just 2 adults