World Traveling Military Family

Swimming With Dolphins in Mexico!

When we stopped in Cozumel, Mexico during a port for our cruise we swam with dolphins at Chankanaab National Park.

When you check-in for the dolphin swim make sure you have your reservation paper in your hand, EVEN if you've already previously talked with someone, trust me we learned the hard way.  We got really lucky because I had purchased the Dolphin Royal Swim for all of us even though Bea was only 7 1/2 years old, but she met the heights requirement.  So when I got the confirmation email you had to email back the names of the kids with ages and heights.  I did so for Bea explaining that she was only 7 1/2 years old but met the height requirements AND that Mr. B & I both would be participating and they did not give us any problems about it!  I was so excited as I wanted to go the one that you got interact with the dolphins the most.  I mean it's a once in a lifetime thing, so might as well, right?!  (Yes, this part was in my previous Cozumel post, the rest is new info)

After we got checked in we headed to the seating area and they took us outside to explain the hand moves for the dolphin commands.  We learned the commands for handshake, hug, kiss, hand touch, belly ride, and boogie board.  They then broke us up into groups of about 10 people per trainer.  Our dolphin was name Triton.

We had a great time with the dolphin!  It was tons of fun!  At first Bubby was not wanting to swim out for the belly ride and boogie board because he couldn't see the bottom of the water and even though we all had life jackets on.  The trainer let Mr. B swim out with him and he did great!  I was a bit worried that Bea might not be able to hold on for the belly ride (where you lay on the dolphins belly and hold on to the fins while it pulls you) and the boogie board (where you hold onto a boogie board and the dolphin pushes your foot as you fly through the water because you were going fast, but she did amazing!  All that took about an hour.

After that we got a surprise and got to swim with a Manatee name Angel.  We were able to feed him fruit and pet him, it was a great extra treat!

We then headed to the viewing room where we watched the DVD and then out to look at the photos.  The costs were outrageous!  $50 for the DVD and $20 for each photo!  So we each chose 1 photo that we liked and we figured the $100 was worth the lifelong memory.

Overall it was a great experience!  It did rain while we were swimming with the dolphins but it didn't bother anyone as we were already wet and it didn't last long.  The worst part was that the life vests had rubbed under our arms, which were already sore from the life vest rubs from the previous day at Calica and the underground river.  I've always wanted to swim with dolphins and now I can say that not only has it been checked of my "List of Things To Do" but off the kids as well ;)

Photos below, sorry scanner stopped working and we can't figure it out....ugh!

posted by Mrs. B @ 1:21 PM