Dolphin Encounters - Can someone recommend a good one?
 

Title says it all. Want to take the kids to one, but it's a growth industry right now. Scared of blowing money on something that isn't very good.

Do you have a geographic constraint? (ie within US or North America)

A good question. There are some good operators in NZ for example, but hardly worthwhile travelling from US to NZ just for this.

I've heard good second hand reports on Anthony's Key Resort in Honduras.

www.anthonyskey.com

I can't vouch for it but you should check it out.

Umm...I swam with dolphins (in the open sea, not a pool) with my family in Kaikoura New Zealand. It was a lot of fun.

I'm not sure if that is what you are looking for.

Ditto, did this with a study group from school. Highly recommended +++

Marineland, Florida. Small very professionally run operation.

http://www.marineland.net/

Please mention as many as you can that you know about.

I've experienced several dolphin encounters. Discovery Cove in Orlando is by far the best. I recently did a blog posting on it http://www.elliott.org/archives/2007...vering_dis.php

Hawaii.
Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island.
Pricey.
But at least theres other sightseeing to do here.:D

I did the encounter at the Hilton Waikoloa last April and loved it. It was me and a bunch of eight year olds, but we had a blast. And yes, pricey--maybe around $200, I don't remember exactly.

Me and my g/f did the one on Grand Bahama Island and we are taking my 8 year old son there in a couple of months to do it too. They have a pretty good set up there and we got to spend about 30-40 minutes of actual swim time with the dolphins.

http://www.unexso.com/

We did this one on Tortola, BVI, http://www.dolphindiscovery.com/tortola/ last December with our sons 9 and 12 and it was awesome.

Though I'm sure its a thrill - Greenpeace and other environmental organizations want this practice banned. If you do decide to go ahead with it I would find a facility that follows "best practices" and also serves the research community.

The wife and I interacted several years ago with the Dolphins at the Hilton Waikoloa.

The program is managed by a group called "Dolphin Quest."

What I liked about it was their consistent respect for the animals which permeated the operation..

Told us we'd have the opportunity to interact if the Dolphins chose to do so - they weren't going to be forced.

Also, they laid out the rules -- don't touch their blowholes under any circumstances and there'd be no grabbing for fof flippers with expectations of being pulled through the water.

We were cautioned that although there'd never been an incident that we'd be in the midst of very powerful animals who could cause injury even without the intention of doing so.

They also outlined their policies in terms of maintaining the animals' health.

Very informative and the actual experience was great -- we swam with them, on the surface and under water. You'd look into their eyes and you felt you were making "contact" with another intelligent entity.

A truly memorable experience.

It appeared that all those participating with us enjoyed intereacting with them and that the Dolphins enjoyed it as well.

(If you have the opportunity to participate in a responsibly-run program, by all means do so.

You'll come away with an appreciation of these animals and as we did; become enraged when you learn of them being killed or injured by commerical fishing interests even though it can be avoided.