dolphins

We're staying at Bavaro beach. Is there any swimming with dolphins in the Dominican Republic? If yes, is it close to where we will be? And one more question, any idea of how much money? Thanks

I think it costs US$60 to swim with the dolphins at Manatee Park, nearby Bavaro, and with free transportation from most Bavaro-Punta Cana area hotels. You need to reserve from day one. Once a school of dolphins swam beside our boats on our way back from a day excursion to Catalina Island. We were two boats with about 15 children and 10 adults and they frolicked besides us for about half an hour. It is possible also to see them on the excursion to Saona Island. Of course, that is sheer luck.

We swam with the dolphins at Manatee Park two years ago and were very disappointed. The park was fairly new, and the dolphins were fine when being commanded by the trainer. This part of the experience includes one person at a time doing three poses with the dolphins, each pose being photographed and sold to those who want them. The dolphins are commanded by the trainer who is feeding them after each pose. The final part of the experience involves three swimmers at a time swimming with the dolphins for approx. five minutes. The dolphins were not interested in us at all during this time period, and many times had to be coaxed by the trainers to even swim near us at all.

The experience was disappointing as a whole, but we did swim with the dolphins, and purchased the three pictures that were good pictures of good quality. If you go, don't expect too much unless it has changed tremendously since we were there. As I said, the park was only about 6 months old at the time, so the change is possible.

You'll love Bavaro, Enjoy.

Fred Parker.

We just came back from Bavaro Beach March 4 & had the opportunity to swim with dolphins at Manati Park. The cost was $65 which included all day at the park. Besides the swim, we enjoyed a parrot show, sea lion & dolphin show, dancing horse show and walking around the park. The entrance fee to park is $21 so it ends up costing only $44 extra to swim with dolphins. It is much like FParker described (the picture taking portion) but now 4 people are in the pool with 2 dolphins for about 8 - 10 minutes. There were about 24 people swimming with them that day which amounted to 6 groups of 4 in the pool. There was a lot of interaction with dolphins but on 2 occasions (a group that included a young Chinese woman and the group that incl. me) there was too much aggressiveness shown toward her and me. They would not leave either one of us alone. They pushed me to the side twice and I was praying that they didn't slam me into the pool side. They would come from beneath me and lift me out of the water. They kept banging at me and I felt teeth. I was terrified and so was the Chinese woman. They are incredibly huge and powerful and as fast as lightening. I felt like my life was in danger and they were out of control. As I said there were about 24 people that day and the dolphins only reacted that way to two of us. If you're not one of them, then it is a wonderful experience. My husband, sister & her husband enjoyed it immensely and after I was safely out of the pool, I was happy I had done it but I think the trainers need to better control the aggressiveness of the dolphins. They have 3 times during the day that appointments can be made: 9 AM, 2PM & 5 PM. We made them the first day that we arrived at Bavaro Beach. The Manati bus picks you up at the resort and it is free. The ride to park is about 15 minutes. By the way, the Bavaro Beach and the other 4 resorts that make up the Bavaro complex are incredible. I couldn't tell you anything negative about it and nobody got sick. Enjoy!

24 people in a confined area with wild animals, maybe the Dolphins were trying to make a point. Thats cruel to ask them to have so many people there.

In Key Largo, there are usually 2-3 Dolphins and a maximum of 4 people in an area the Dolphins can leave if they so choose.

No offense to you, but it doesn't sound like the most "Dolphin friendly" situation

Tom

Tom, there were not 24 people in the pool at the same time. Please read my message again. About 6 separate groups with 4 people to each with 2 dolphins. Thank you.

>>>There were about 24 people swimming with them that day which amounted to 6 groups of 4 in the pool. >>>>>>

I guess I'm a "little" dumb, but that sure adds up to 24 with my calculator. I am glad to hear that what happened was different from your post

Tom

Trudy,

thank you for the interesting review.

It makes me wonder how other people experienced the swimming with dolphins at Manatee Park. Anybody else who has been there reading this? What where your impressions?

Thanks

Ronald

In Key Largo Fl, it's actually a research facility. Some times, they will let people swim as an aid to helping the Dolphins acclimate to humans.

they use them in work with Autistic Children. They put 4-5 "normal" children along with one or two Autistic kids in the pool, the Dolphins circel around and will only go to the Autistic kids, they both interact in a way that they can't with people (Kids and Dolphins). It's trul amazing and one of the leading facilities for understand Autism

Tom

Hola DR One,

Is there any place close to Puerto Plata/Sousa Beach that you can swim with and/or watch Dolphins or Whales?

Thanks!