Swimming with Dolphins in Cancun, Mexico (9/04)

DOLPHIN DISCOVERY–MY FAVORITE EXPERIENCE OF CANCUN

    I just got back from an absolutely incredible vacation of 8 days in
Cancun, but the highlight of my trip without a doubt had to be my time at
The Dolphin Discovery Park is located on the
charming Isla Mujeres (translated into "Island of the Women" for our English
speaking friends), just a short boat ride away from Cancun (about 3 miles). 
There are 3 dolphin experiences to chose from: The   Dolphin Encounter
(which costs $65/person), The Dolphin Adventure ($100/person), and The Royal
Swim ($125/person, which is the one that I was lucky enough to do).  The
Encounter involves simply being about waist to neck deep in the water with
the dolphins and being able to pet and feed them.  The Adventure involves
swimming and snorkling with the dolphins.  Finally, the Royal Swim involves
petting and feeding, swimming, holding a bar for the dolphins to jump over,
and actually having these incredible creatures push you by your feet into a
standing position as well as towing you by their back (dorsal) fins each for
about 50 feet.  With the exception of small children, I highly recommend
doing The Royal Swim considering the minimal price difference between it and
The Adventure (I did not ask if there was an age or size requirement to do
The Royal Swim, but I think that even a child as young as 5 or 6 would enjoy
it).
    Before even beginning the dolphin interaction, we were shown an
informative video highlighting the basic dolphin anatomy, and giving a brief
instruction of how to position yourself for the tricks the dolphins would do
wiht you (including how to safely pet them).  Then it was off to the actual
dolphin pool, which was ocean water fenced off from the actual ocean.  You
wear a life vest, so even a non-swimmer could take part in the experience,
and have 2 very helpful trainers per each group of about 8 guests and 2
dolphins.  The trainers were very fluent in English, besides their native
tongue of Spanish, so communication was in no way ever a problem.  While in
the water (which lasted a good 30 minutes), you also pose for pictues with
the dolphins (check out the one of me kissing my new freind–I hope my wife
didn’t get jealous!) and get pictures taken of you doing your tricks, all of
which can be purchased for a reasonable fee at the gift shop.  In addition,
the park also has a videographer filming the entire time with the dolphins,
which is then viewed by your group and can be purchased on DVD.  Don’t worry
about where to store your belongings, either, as lockers and towels are
provided for a fully refundable deposit.
    Besides the dolphins, Dolphin Discovery also includes a cage of many
exotic birds (one of which a trainer places on you for a picture you can
purchase), a couple of very cute tree sloths, and an enclosed pool of tiger
and bull sharks!  If you take a boat tour to Isla Mujeres, as I did, your
hotel will most likely include ground transportation to and from Dolphin
Discovery.  Otherwise, it costs about $4.00 each way to take a taxi from
where the boat drops you off and back.  I did notice that booking the park
online offered a discount as opposed to booking it through the hotel, in my
case.
    All in all, my favorite activity in Cancun was the time spent playing
with the dolphins at Dolphin Discovery, and I could not recommend it more to
anybody!  It truly was, as the brochure claimed, "the experience of a
lifetime."  For more information, please visit their website at   (www.dolphindiscovery.com)