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Scuba Forum / General / January 2005

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Dolphin Research Center - Marathon.FL

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David Gintz - 29 Dec 2004 01:07 GMT
Hi folks:

I'm making a trip to WPB and the keys at the end of February and this time,
the wife is coming along. She doesn't dive (although we'll snorkel some) and
I'm thinking of taking her to the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon to
swim with the dolphins. Anyone have any up-to-date information on this
facility (or others)?

I'd ask for opinions but in this group, that would be superfluous!

TIA.

- David
Jim Wyatt - 29 Dec 2004 12:13 GMT
I'm thinking of taking her to the Dolphin Research
> Center in Marathon to swim with the dolphins. Anyone have any
> up-to-date information on this facility (or others)?



Hey David---Its a good place--a bit expensive though.

Signature

Jim Wyatt
PADI Master Instructor #4612/IANTD Instructor
Florida Keys Reef-Divers, Inc.
www.reef-divers.com

Lee Bell - 29 Dec 2004 14:35 GMT
> I'm thinking of taking her to the Dolphin Research
> Center in Marathon to swim with the dolphins. Anyone have any
> up-to-date information on this facility (or others)?

I don't know about up to date, but I took my wife there a year or so ago.
She had a great time.  The event starts with an orientation class,
instructions on how to, and how not to, interact with the Dolphins.  Those
that will participate have to attend.  I paid to attend even though I had no
plans to swim with the Dolphins.  I should have saved my money.  The
orientation contained nothing particularly useful outside of the planned
encounter.

The swim with the Dolphins was pretty cool.  It included much of what you
would see in a regular Dolphin show, Dolphins pushing you around by your
feet, waving, petting, splashing, pretty much standard stuff . . . if you're
a Dolphin trainer.  It was pretty exciting stuff for those in the water.
The encounter is a bit pricey, but so are a lot of things that are somewhat
unique.  The cost for my wife was shared by some of her friends who knew she
wanted to do the encounter.  It was a birthday present.  She was pleased and
they and I were pleased that she was pleased.

Lee
Michael Samsen - 29 Dec 2004 13:37 GMT
I haven't been to the Dolphin Research Center.  But, I did meet one of their
staff recently and was asking about the facility as comared to Dolphin Plus
which is on Key Largo.  A few years ago my family and I went to Dolphin
Plus.   They (at least then) offered an "unstructured swim" with the
dolphins during which you get in the water and snorkel with them and the
dolphins do what they want; and a "structured" swim, during which there is
an instructor and the dophins do behaviors (like jumping through a hoop,
"kissing" guests, etc.    We chose the unstructured and it was a lot of fun.
Though, in hindsight, we would opt for the structured to be able to interact
more with the animals.

The woman from Dolphin Research Center said that all their swims are
structured.

Long story short....I think it's a worthwhile experience and fun, though
expensive as someone else pointed out.

Have fun!
Spear Chucky - 29 Dec 2004 18:38 GMT
> Hi folks:
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> - David

I worked for http://www.swimdolphins.com/dolphingetaway.htm last summer as a
tour guide. They offer a trip to Key Largo from Orlando which goes to
www.dolphinsplus.com

I was forced to choose between taking another tour down or secure my home
and family prior to Hurricane Frances. The Owner of International Diver's
put more value in satisfying his greed than in the well-being of his
employees.

The owner also owns http://www.skyylimousine.com/index.html

I made the wiser choice.
Marcus Sgro - 02 Jan 2005 19:42 GMT
I was there like the day before yesterday.

Updated information can be found at http://www.dolphins.org/

Basically, what we did was pay the $20 admission fee and watched the
dolphin programs they have every half hour or so (different ones each
time).  Go early in the morning if you can.  If you like dolphins it's
definitely worth the view.

They also have additional programs (see their brochure on the site),
ranging from $15 to $650 (to be a dolphin trainer for a day).   I
haven't used any of them and can't comment on them.
 
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