liberaci22

Looking for a 4-5 star all inclusive- kids ages 9 and 7- where we can swim w/ dolphins one day. Caribbean vs. Fla?

doug_stallings

One of the better programs is at Half Moon resort in Jamaica. Although not an all-inclusive, it's a great family resort. The dolphin swim program is limited solely to resort guests, so it's not a huge mass-market thing. Don't get too stuck on the AI thing.

FYI: You are going to get some negative feedback as well since there are many people on this board who are strenuously against dolphin swim programs.

liberaci22

YES- thank you for the FYI. After I submitted, I read some previous responses to a request a few years back. Feel like I need to do a disclaimer that WE LOVE DOLPHins and so don't want to harm them...go dolphins. Have also heard that AI may NOT be the way to go. Thanks for the info. Will check it out.

markrosy

"We love dolphins"

Great so you will not support organisation that lock them up for financial gain.

If you want to do this, do it the way we did - Land and Sea Reserve, Pelican Cay, Abacos. With an aweful lot of patient waiting we spent half in hour floating in the water with them. Didn't provoke just left them to do what they wanted. That was the experience of a lifetime. No guide, no crowds.

God knows how that compares to the experience of being thrown into a "tank" with a mammal that is half insane with boredom.

Bimini is the best place to see them in the wild but they seem to hang out on the same bank as 20 foot Tiger sharks - a thrill for everyone then.

bellaboo

Wonderful. Since you love dolphins...and are now more well informed, I'm certain you will do the correct thing. BTW...one of our most memorable expeirences was a boat tour off some islands where dolphins played in the wake of our boat and swam beside us, incredible!!! (dolphins happy & in the wild of course)

zeus123

Please do some research before swimming with dolphins. www.savejapandolphins.org/ is a great website to understand why dolphins should not be held in captivity. "The Cove" is also a great new documentary regarding this topic. I understand your love of dolphins and the desire to swim with them. However, I promise once you research how truly HORRIFIC this practice is you will be ashamed to participate. These dolphins are tragically captured from their families only to lead miserable lives in captivity, swimming and doing tricks for people who claim to "love" dolphins. Please do your research, not only for the dolphins sake but also for your children. They should not be raised to believe that sacrificing the lives of dolphins is OK for their own enjoyment. By swimming with dolphins you are supporting all of the horrific practices that allow these magnificent creatures to be held in captivity.

zeus123

I would also like to say that it is amazing that a Fodors editor would not only reccomend swimming with dolphins but also in Jamaica? I would take your advice from those that frequent the forums and unfortunatly not the editor.

blamona

zeus123, would it not be for the editors, there wouldn't even be a forum, plus, the editors of Fodors do travel to these places, so I definately wouldn't be putting them down! He seemed informed enough to know that there are people on this post that would come out and give negative feedback. Sounds like he know's what he's talking about to me. ;-)

Liberaci22: I swam with dolphins at Unexo in Grand Bahama-it was amazing!

I've also done it at the little Cay off of Atlantis in Paradise Island--they actually used this place to film numerous movies. Atlantis also has an afternoon with dolphins.

Of course, research the topic, and then you can make a decision. some places do abuse animals, some don't. There's always Sea World in Orlando.

blamona

PS: these forums offer opinions in travel, of all kinds.

One's opinion does not give the right to cut down an editor.

bellaboo

blamona...it's the simple fact of dolphins in captivity that is the abuse.

blamona

bellaboo, I've always respected your opinions, even before you were bellaboo, so what do you think about zoos? Are they different because there's no interaction with visitors? Or is it the dolphins themselves that are different? Please help me understand!

bellaboo

Zoos are the same(to me), I deplore them & find it depressing & very sad
.
All just my opinion of course...I meant no disrespect to you.

I fail to understand finding pleasure in wild animals in cages and enclosures.....

virginia

i'd like to stay out of this buuuut - majority of zoo animals are zoo born. all dolphins are taken from their pods/families for exhibits.

that said - liberaci22 - you might look at an occidental resort on the maya riviera coast of mexico. it's attached to a very entertaining eco marine park called xcaret. down the way maybe 20 mins in quieter sister park xel-ha which has a dolphin interaction exhibit.
resort is ai but local restaurants will not break the bank should you go out to eat a few times. also resorts in this area encourage you to take excursions and will arrange them for you if you wish. you can tour ruins, see cenotes/caves, dive/snorkel, golf/tennis, jungle tours by atv, jeep or on horseback, zip-line & more.
http://www.xcaret.com/
http://www.xelha.com/
http://www.occidentalhotels.com/grand/Xcaret.asp

blamona

bellaboo--I've read your posts for years, and you've always been respectful! That's why I was comfortable asking!

Makes sense about zoo animals born at the zoos.

Beauty of forums, is anyone can have an opinion, and sometimes you learn something.

My biggest beef on these posts were cutting down an editor (and was not directed at bellaboo-a long time respectful contributor), because he was answering a question. Seems like links could have been posted, by why bash a person?

zeus123

Blamona--I did not in anyway mean to disrespect an editor. I am just extremely sensitive to dolphins being held in captivity and again these are my opinions. I was simply shocked that someone so knowledgeable and experienced in travel would promote swimming with dolphins in captivity and also a little surprised by recommending an all inclusive in Jamaica. I respect all opinions from those that travel but with that said, editor or not I still have a right to my opinion. I don't feel that disagreeing, and being a little surprised by an editors response is being disrespectful. After all, is that not what these forums are for?

Dianebridles

I also suggest that you see the documentary, "The Cove" before making your dolphin swim decision. This secretly filmed documentary, shows a cove in Japan where dolphins are herded, select unblemished females are captured snd sold for about $100,000 each, the rest are slaughtered for food and the water turns crimson red from their blood. As long as there exists a market for entertainment, it will continue.

The movie was nominated this year for an Academy Award.

markrosy

I spent two weeks in The Abacos last month. We went out for long trips (an hour or more) on The Sea of Abaco around 10 times. We saw between 2 and 10 dolphins on 6 of the ten trips.

ie with patience you will see them there and be able to swim with them in 20 feet of very very clear water.

doug_stallings

Dianebridles, I recognize that many people on these forums don't like dolphin-swim programs, but equating what happens in The Cove (the killing of dolphins for their meat) with a dolphin-swim program is one reason why I give pretty short shrift to people who oppose the programs.

Interaction programs are an activity that a lot of tourists like, and it's certainly debatable as to whether or not they're a good thing for dolphins. But they are not murder.

markrosy

"Interaction programs are an activity that a lot of tourists like"

Not sure how that justifies the use of dolphin swim programs.

It has to be clear that there is a huge difference between placing a monkey, with a natural terratorial range of half a mile, in a zoo and placing a dolphin which will roam for 1000s miles in a small pool.

Dianebridles

Doug Stallings,

I did not equate 'swimming with the dolphins' with murder! I suggested that the reader see the movie and decide if their brutal capture is worth it. Being informed, it is up to each individual to follow their own conscience