Momliz

If you are considering this activity, check these links first:

http://205.212.181.235/connect/whale....php?select=60

http://www.hsus.org/marine_mammals/w...ity/index.html

http://dolphinproject.org/homepage.html

It is a cruel and unnatural activity, many of the animals die within 60 - 90 days of their violent capture. They are now captured in the South Pacific, and transported to the Caribbean. They are mistreated in captivity - because of how they live in the wild ranging over hundreds if not thousands of square miles, they cannot be accommodated in pens. They get sick because of the unnatural environment, and their very strong family groups, called pods, are broken up on capture and cannot be maintained.

If you want to see some, or swim with them in the wild, one person on TA recommends the best place to see them is on the North side by The Coral Princess on North in Cozumel during the evenings.

Momliz

some more research turned up that you can hire boats that will take you out for wild dolphin encounters. Don't know anything about that, tho.

suze

Thank you for posting this. I believe it is very important for people to understand what this is all about (and hopefully not support it by participating on vacation).

Yes, I know in Puerto Vallarta there are boats that specialize in getting out to see whales or dolphins in a way that does no harm.

Momliz

one thing we had planned on doing (but I forgot to reconfirm, so there wasn't room left, Aaargh!) is diving with the whale sharks off Holbox Island, or Isla Mujeres, where the water is supposed to be clearer. It's done only in June, July and August, when they are there.

Here is one guy recommended over in Trip Advisor:

http://www.islawhalesharks.com/

Momliz

I should qualify (I always forget half my post...) this is snorkeling with them out in the open water - they are in no way caged.