Swimming with the dolphins

[steph_goodrum]

"Its gone up by quite a bit $229 for Dolphin swim or $129 without the Dolphin swim."
The price I quoted was the Virgin holidays price Martin so if that is the cuurent website price it works out cheaper to get them direct at 1.5 the virgin price equates to $148.5 and 262.5

Biggus
We certainly all enjoyed the day and if your boys like snorkelling or want to try I'm sure they'd enjoy exploring the various pools, as everybody in the water has to wear a safety vest, even non-swimmers can enjoy it without feeling selfconscious they can't swim and can float round with the rest.

[esprit]

There is public swimming at that place in the keys, Steph. It is at www.dolphinworld.org. They do one, two, three and four day workshops.The one day is $200 but looks like it might be more in depth than Discovery Cove.
I think they all elected to do the dolphin swim at Discovery Cove in that party I mentioned. That was their choice. A couple of them were supposed to be spectators but upgraded on the day so as not to feel left out. One lady could not swim and would not go into the deep water and she said they were very good with her and brought the dolphin to her, but it was really pretty much a waste of money for her. They said they did enjoy it but were not sure whether they would spend that sort of money again for what it was. They were exagerating at £2000 for the ten of them, I have just worked out, but at the rate it was then you are looking at over £1500.

[steph_goodrum]

Thanks Julie might be worth us looking at that one for another time we go.

[blott]

Here's a link to all the swim with dolphins sites in Florida http://www.swimmingwithdolphins.co.uk/florida.htm so anyone interested can check them all out.

[Ruth]

I have swum with dolphins at 3 different places on the Keys, Dolphins Plus (Key largo), Theatre of the Sea (Marathon?) and The Dolphin Research Centre (Key Largo). I have also done Discovery Cove. They all offer totally different dolpjhin experiences and I enjoyed all 4 for totally different reasons. I can get discounted Discovery Cove tickets for UK residents, but have not checked if these still offer value for money with the current exchange rate compared with booking direct.

[Ann]

HI Biggus
my 2 children and myself done the dolphin swim at discovery cove and yes it was very good the swim lasted 30 minutes but we spent nearly all day in the park my 6 year old just loved the stingray pool and was in it for ages there is lots to do and you can make a day of it
we did not have a spectator with us so we bought the pictures they took for us but if you have 1 member not doing the swim they are allowed to take pictures and video the swim (someone i am sure will tell us if this has changed ) hope you all enjoy your day as much as we did

[Patty]

Just want to say that when I visited Sea World in December, you could book Discovery Cove at a discounted rate at their DC info desk. Unfortunately I'm not sure what the discount is.

I know it's not dolphins but a friend of mine swam with the Manatees in Crystal River for around $20 (1/2 day) and said it was fabulous!

[Biggus]

Patty,
Thanks for that - I have to say that swimming with manatees for me would be a stunning (if not a little scary - they do not get their nickname sea cow for nothing - they are huge!) When we last went to Sea World the manatees were one of the most impressive things for me. Being a big guy myself (6'4" and 20+ stone hence the nickname) my brother thought that I should paint myself a light blue/grey, tie my legs together swim round and pretend to be one. Every time I got into the pool at our villa afterwards he would yell "Quick call Sea World one of their manatees has escaped!!" Sometimes he can be evil
Having spoken to everyone in our party of 5 I think that we will ALL do the swim, nobody wants to be left out of a what should be wonderful experience.
I can't wait to go - less than 8 weeks and counting...[^]
Biggus

[esprit]

Ruth, what happened to the shark swimming expedition you were planning as we never heard anything else on it???

[Ruth]

Glad you reminded me, I must email Sea World again as it had not started the last time I enquired. I must say I have been distracted with changes to the day job, schools etc etc