By Shiromi Nassreen
Swimming with dolphins is an exhilarating, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Florida has plenty of dolphin-swimming operations throughout the state. Whether you prefer to take a boat tour out and snorkel with dolphins in the wild or do a "trainer for a day" type interaction program at an aquarium, you will be sure to find just the right dolphin swim.
Instructions
Difficulty: Easy
Step 1
Decide between a wild dolphin swim and a controlled dolphin swim at an aquarium. There are many different companies in Florida that offer boat tours that take you out to swim with wild dolphins. Other companies have interaction programs at their park or research center. Interaction programs are more controlled and allow you to touch the dolphins, which is illegal to do with wild dolphins. However, if your dream is to actually swim with wild dolphins and watch their natural behavior, you should choose the boat tour.
Step 2
Now that you've settled on a type of dolphin swim, you just need to find a company that's located nearest to where you're staying. Popular controlled-swim companies are Discovery Cove in Orlando, the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys and the Gulfarium in Destin. Many of the boat tours are located in the Florida Keys. Captain Seaweed Charters is one of the most popular.
Step 3
Before you book, make sure you're getting a good deal by checking package information. Some hotels and activities booths offer discounted rates if you book through them. If you live in Florida, you may be able to get a resident rate. Discovery Cove offers the resident discount.
Step 4
If booking an interaction program through an aquarium, decide on the type of package you want. Dolphin World offers both a dolphin encounter (which includes touching dolphins and working on behaviors with the dolphins) and a dolphin swim program that also allows visitors the chance to do a deep-water swim with dolphins.
Step 5
Once you've booked the dolphin swim, read through the information provided thoroughly. For one thing, you will need to know what to bring, such as towels, and what not to bring, such as jewelry. It helps to also get the cancellation information in case you have to cancel or reschedule. Some interaction programs are so popular that rescheduling may not be an option.
About the Author:
Shiromi Nassreen is a British writer. She holds a B.A. in theatre studies from Rose Bruford College of Speech & Drama and has been writing professionally for three years. She writes primarily travel and outdoor articles on Hawaii. Her articles have appeared in Dysfunkshion Magazine as well as Illusion Television and Matador Travel.
