Best dolphin experience in Grand Cayman, Costa Maya or Cozumel???

[Illini1]

We are going on our first Disney cruise in March and my DD wants to do a dolphin experience. I'm reading reviews and unable to decide which suits us best. Any recommendations on locations and whether to purchase through DCL or direct?

Thanks

 

[jodical]

I will admit to not having any experience with Dolphin encounters in Grand Cayman or Cozumel but when we visited Costa Maya in November, my family did the Dolphin Encounter in Costa Maya.

The venue is located at the end of the cruise pier - no transportation necessary - just go to the end and turn to your left - you can't miss it! The prices were the best of any of the ports by miles (maybe partially due to the lack of having to transport?). We had 6 people in the encounter and 2 more taking video and pictures from nearby for free, which saved us a fortune! It was the only way we could have swung it for that many people. As I recall from booking through DCL, the other places charged a participant fee for observers that Costa Maya did not. And we were more than close enough to capture as good of shots as you would have to pay for on most dolphin encounter excursions. That saved a bunch of money as well! Just make sure to have your participants look at YOU also - and not just the venue's photographer. It worked out brilliantly and for under $100/pp.

Anyway, just my $.02! Have fun whatever you decide to do!!

 

[STLEdge]

How old is your DD? Do you want to just get in the water and touch the dolphins or do you want to do a swimming excursion?

We did the "touching" excursion with Dolphin Discovery in Cozumel last fall and thought it was great - in part because it comes with admission to Chankanaab Park and everything there (a sea lion show, beach, etc.). We were also able to get an (overpriced) CD of pictures of our two kids (5 and 7) interacting with a dolphin. The folks who did the swimming excursion there (I think it's called "push/pull") also looked like they had a great time. It's about a 10-15 minute cab ride from the port, and if you book through DCL, they arrange for the cab rides as well (so the price is included in the booking, though any tip would be out of your pocket).

As far as booking, some of the outlets will not let you book directly if you're coming in on DCL. There are diverse opinions on the subject, but I think it's worth the peace of mind to book with DCL; that way if anything goes awry, getting a refund is a piece of cake, as is changing your plans.

 

[Kimosabe]

We did the Dolphin Swim at Dolphinaris in Cozumel as a bucket list item for DW, and we all had a ball, including DD10 and DD8. Pretty sure there are a few different options at Dolphinaris, but the "Swim" option included the most interaction -- a kiss on the cheek from dolphin, a lip-to-snout kiss, a "hug", a dance (envision playing patty-cake with dolphin) and a belly ride (i.e., you and dolphin are basically belly to belly with you holding on to its fins as it pulls you). There is also time for just petting and watching. Then several dolphins get together and put on a jumping show. Naturally, they are taking pictures of each of the above interactions for each person and are all too happy to sell you photos or videos at the end (you are not allowed to take your own camera into the pool/lagoon area).

Excursion prices for the dolphin encounters tend to be on the high end, and obviously you'll probably want some pictures to remember it (if only because you won't want to pay that much for an excursion again - ha!), but as long as you're prepared for that, it's a really great experience.

 

[Gracedis1]

We did the dolphin encounter at Chankanaab in Cozumel: http://www.dolphindiscovery.com/cozumel/cozumel-activities-dolphin-encounter.asp
We got our own taxi and it worked out really well. They were having a special at the time and my daughter got to do it for free. They did a great job. I brought an underwater camera and got some great pics. The park is nice and you can swim and snorkel before or after your encounter.

 

[DavidCidra]

Hi, I went to Cozumel and I did the Dolphin with Dolphinarius, i think this is how to spell their name. It was pretty good there. They also have Dolphin Discovery at Cozumel but I heard some bad and also good reviews about them and so I booked with Dolphinarius.
My wife loves Dolphins and I gues she did swim with them over 30 if not 40 times....we used to rescue wild dolphins in Florida and when she can get in the water with them, she will.
We did a tour on board of Disney Magic and we stopped in Cayman as well. There are two parks there, on is Dolphin Discovery, in front of turtle farm ( just crossing the street...literally 5 seconds walk. But they are in a swimming poll/concret tank.
And the other I found out through trip advisor is called Dolphins Cove that offer a Stingray City trip on their package for the same price as Discovery. The main difference is Dolphins Cove is Natural, no concrete or pumps and it seems the dolphins can go out if they want.
I asked the shore excursion about Dolphins Cove and they just said they don't work with this company.
As per trip advisor, they are rated #3 in Cayman and so I email them and made my reservation.
They work at the pier as well with the other cruise lines. Very easy to find.
I don't remember their email or phone.
All I remember is the guys at the pier, a Brazilian and Cuban guy and the trainner called MJ dont know if its his real name, very funny and entertainer jamaican guy.
It's up to you to decide....either one works. With the cruise ship pick or the other one.
What makes me pick Dolphins Cove, was the natural part.

 

[sunshinelauren]

My family and I just returned yesterday from a Disney cruise to Grand Cayman. We did the dolphin encounter in Grand Cayman. It was great! I would highly recommend going through Dolphin Cove. We booked it outside of our cruise line and got a great deal. They have transportation to and from the Cove. They also offered a deal for visiting the turtle farm or sting ray city for no additional fee. We did stingray city. They had a boat that took us out, let us pet the stingrays, and get picures with them. Everything went great. The Dophin Cove was so pretty and clean. The dolphins were happy and healthy. We would definitely do it again!

 

[tictoc]

We did the Dolphin Swim at Dolphinaris in Cozumel as a bucket list item for DW, and we all had a ball, including DD10 and DD8. Pretty sure there are a few different options at Dolphinaris, but the "Swim" option included the most interaction -- a kiss on the cheek from dolphin, a lip-to-snout kiss, a "hug", a dance (envision playing patty-cake with dolphin) and a belly ride (i.e., you and dolphin are basically belly to belly with you holding on to its fins as it pulls you). There is also time for just petting and watching. Then several dolphins get together and put on a jumping show. Naturally, they are taking pictures of each of the above interactions for each person and are all too happy to sell you photos or videos at the end (you are not allowed to take your own camera into the pool/lagoon area).

Excursion prices for the dolphin encounters tend to be on the high end, and obviously you'll probably want some pictures to remember it (if only because you won't want to pay that much for an excursion again - ha!), but as long as you're prepared for that, it's a really great experience.

I booked my daughter (11) and son (17) for the dolphin swim in March. I booked myself for the observation with the hope of geting pictures. Is that realsitic?

 

[jodical]

I booked my daughter (11) and son (17) for the dolphin swim in March. I booked myself for the observation with the hope of geting pictures. Is that realsitic?

Do you have to pay to be an observer for the tour you booked? Just curious, I know several of them charge for that.

If so, let me once again suggest Costa Maya as they do not charge for an observer rate and we got some excellent pictures - FREE!

 

[DavidCidra]

My family and I just returned yesterday from a Disney cruise to Grand Cayman. We did the dolphin encounter in Grand Cayman. It was great! I would highly recommend going through Dolphin Cove. We booked it outside of our cruise line and got a great deal. They have transportation to and from the Cove. They also offered a deal for visiting the turtle farm or sting ray city for no additional fee. We did stingray city. They had a boat that took us out, let us pet the stingrays, and get picures with them. Everything went great. The Dophin Cove was so pretty and clean. The dolphins were happy and healthy. We would definitely do it again!

Do you know if Dolphin Cove is selling on board of the Cruise ship?
When I went, they weren't.
How great was the deal? If don't want to say to everyone, send me in a private message. I have some friends going to Cayman in April. Would be nice to get a real deal

 

[r1ckster]

I just got back from a great visit to Dolphin Cove on the Cayman Islands. We were on the 6-night Magic and stopped in Cayman and Cozumel. I booked independent of the cruise line and it was an excellent price. Of note, combining it with Stingray City makes for an unforgettable experience, which they will do often for free. I would check their website because they frequently have posted specials with fantastic pricing.

They also have a cool shallow water petting area with anenomes, starfish, jellyfish, etc. And their macaws were great too.

If you do not order photos through them, yours will likely not turn out. I took some from the photo area and they were no good. You will probably have to get them through the company, though we did that and they were excellent.

 

[DavidCidra]

I just got back from a great visit to Dolphin Cove on the Cayman Islands. We were on the 6-night Magic and stopped in Cayman and Cozumel. I booked independent of the cruise line and it was an excellent price. Of note, combining it with Stingray City makes for an unforgettable experience, which they will do often for free. I would check their website because they frequently have posted specials with fantastic pricing.

They also have a cool shallow water petting area with anenomes, starfish, jellyfish, etc. And their macaws were great too.

If you do not order photos through them, yours will likely not turn out. I took some from the photo area and they were no good. You will probably have to get them through the company, though we did that and they were excellent.

When you say about the pictures, you mean to buy from the company is the best way?
I bought my pictures with them as well. I brought my own camera and they turned out to be as great as the ones they sell. Also, I asked to take shots with my own camera and the boat photographer took without a problem.

 

[Majordis]

I just got back from a great visit to Dolphin Cove on the Cayman Islands. We were on the 6-night Magic and stopped in Cayman and Cozumel. I booked independent of the cruise line and it was an excellent price.

Did they pick you up at the Port or did you take a taxi? How far from the port is Dolphin Cove? Thanks

 

[enguyen]

Our family loves the ocean and reveres the wonderful creatures that live in it. I have many reservations about seeing beautiful dolphins in captivity, but know there is an irresistible market for this type of tourism, often in the name of education and conservation... I researched and read hundreds of positive reviews about Dolphin Cove (also check out tripadvisor.com) before booking this excursion for our Disney cruise. My children (10 and 7) were so excited and, yes, so was I. Our encounter with Luna and Sally was shared with two other family groups and lasted 30 minutes. Everyone had thrilling opportunities to touch, kiss and dance with the dolphins. A sense of awe is inevitable. Later, I spoke with our trainer who reassured me the dolphins were not captured from the wild. They were bred in Jamaica and would not be able to hunt enough food to survive without humans. Sally was a rescue dolphin who washed up after a shark attack at age one and a half. The six dolphins formed a tight family unit. The staff at Dolphin Cove were very pleasant and helpful, from our driver Ashton, to our booking agent Neisha, to the trainers especially Riana. Dolphin Cove impressed me as a well-kept natural setting sheltered from the open seas, a special haven for us humans to share a brief moment with these majestic creatures.

 

[Illini_Fan]

I just got back from a great visit to Dolphin Cove on the Cayman Islands. We were on the 6-night Magic and stopped in Cayman and Cozumel. I booked independent of the cruise line and it was an excellent price. Of note, combining it with Stingray City makes for an unforgettable experience, which they will do often for free. I would check their website because they frequently have posted specials with fantastic pricing.
.

At Dolphin Cove, did you do the Dolphin Swim or the Ultimate Dolphin Swim? Do you remember roughly what you paid per person? Also, how long was the excursion, my wife is concerned that we won't make it back to the boat if we book a non-Disney excursion.

thanks

 

[wolfcallbritt]

Dolphin Cove has their special posted on their website, just google Dolphin Cove grand cayman and it should come up.

 

[wolfcallbritt]

Also you don't have to worry about a taxi Dolphin Cove takes care of all of it for you, they are very good about knowing tender times and getting you back on time. Right now Disney doesn't sell Dolphin Cove, but it's a much better park if you ask me. Also how can you beat children under 8 get in free.

 

[DavidCidra]

Does anybody knows why Disney Cruise Lines doesn't sell their tours?