Nestled along the picturesque Dominican Republic coastline, the Puerto Plata Ocean World Dolphin Swim offers an unforgettable opportunity to interact with these magnificent marine creatures. For just $189 per person, this 8.5-hour excursion provides a 30-minute swim with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, a captivating lecture on their behavior, a delectable lunch, and round-trip transportation. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a first-time visitor, this experience caters to all mobility levels, ensuring a safe and responsible encounter that will leave you in awe. But there’s more to discover about this unique dolphin-swimming adventure.
Key Points
- Experience a 30-minute guided dolphin swim in a large man-made habitat at Puerto Plata’s Ocean World Adventure Park.
- Dive into the activity with round-trip bus transfers, a lecture on dolphin behavior, and a complimentary lunch.
- Ensure accessibility with the experience catering to guests of all mobility levels, except pregnant women.
- Adhere to strict hygiene protocols, including mandatory showers and removal of jewelry, to protect the dolphins.
- Benefit from flexible booking options, free cancellation, and positive customer reviews highlighting the excursion’s value and organization.
Overview and Pricing
The overview of the Puerto Plata Dolphin Swim experience reveals that visitors can swim with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in the largest man-made dolphin habitat.
The 8.5-hour excursion is priced from $189 per person, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. Guests can also take advantage of the reserve now and pay later option to book their spot without an upfront payment.
The experience includes a 30-minute dolphin swim, a lecture on dolphin behavior, a provided lunch, and round-trip bus transfer from nearby hotels.
Participants will also receive a day pass to the Ocean World Adventure Park, granting access to various attractions and activities.
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Inclusions and Activities
Aside from the overview and pricing details, the Puerto Plata Dolphin Swim experience offers a range of inclusions and activities for visitors.
The highlight is the 30-minute dolphin swim, accompanied by a lecture on dolphin behavior. Guests also enjoy a complimentary lunch and round-trip bus transfer from nearby hotels.
The package includes a Day Pass to the Ocean World Adventure Park, granting access to:
- Snorkeling in the Tropical Reef Aquarium
- Observation of various shows: Sea Lion, Dolphin, Shark, Tropical Bird
- Dolphin Beach, rainforest, bird exhibit, and iguana habitat
- Waterslides and drinks
This comprehensive experience offers a unique opportunity to interact with marine life and explore the park’s diverse attractions.
Accessibility and Restrictions
The Puerto Plata Dolphin Swim experience is wheelchair accessible, allowing guests of all mobility levels to participate.
However, it’s not suitable for pregnant women due to the physical nature of the activity.
Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older, and unaccompanied minors aren’t allowed.
All participants must be able to swim, though life jackets are provided.
Removing jewelry is required to prevent harm to the dolphins, and cameras and glasses aren’t permitted in the water.
A shower is mandatory before entering the pool.
Plus, there’s a transportation surcharge for hotels in Sosua and Cabarete, costing $15 per person.
What to Bring
Guests should bring a bathing suit, towel, sunblock, and comfortable shoes to the Puerto Plata Dolphin Swim experience.
Additional items to consider include:
- Extra money for photos and souvenirs
- A small backpack or bag to store personal belongings
- A change of clothes for after the swim
- Any necessary medications or personal care items
It’s important to remove all jewelry before entering the pool to prevent harm to the dolphins.
Guests will also be required to shower before the swim to ensure the water remains clean and safe for the marine life.
More Great Thing To Do NearbySwimming Pool and Hygiene
A pre-swim shower is mandatory for all participants to maintain the cleanliness and safety of the dolphin habitat. This ensures there are no contaminants or chemicals that could harm the dolphins.
Once showered, visitors are guided to the pool area where the 30-minute dolphin swim takes place. Life jackets are provided, and guests must remove any jewelry or accessories that could potentially injure the dolphins.
Cameras and glasses are also prohibited in the water to protect both the equipment and the dolphins. These precautions help create a safe and enjoyable experience for both the swimmers and the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.
Protecting Dolphins
To protect the health and well-being of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, the organizers of the Puerto Plata Dolphin Swim have implemented several key measures.
Visitors are required to remove all jewelry before entering the pool to prevent harm to the dolphins. Plus, no cameras or glasses are allowed in the water, ensuring the dolphins’ safety.
Shower facilities are provided, and guests must rinse off before interacting with the dolphins. The organizers also restrict participation for pregnant women and unaccompanied minors, prioritizing the dolphins’ and guests’ welfare.
These precautions demonstrate the program’s commitment to responsible and ethical dolphin encounters.
- No jewelry allowed in the water
- No cameras or glasses permitted
- Mandatory shower before pool entry
- Restrictions for pregnant women and minors
Transportation and Surcharge
Although the Puerto Plata Dolphin Swim experience includes round-trip bus transfers from nearby hotels, guests staying at accommodations in Sosua and Cabarete will incur an additional $15 per person transportation surcharge.
This surcharge is necessary to cover the extra distance and costs associated with picking up and dropping off participants from these more remote locations.
Regardless of where visitors are staying, the dolphin swim package provides a convenient and hassle-free transportation solution, allowing guests to focus on the incredible experience of interacting with these magnificent marine mammals.
Travelers should keep this surcharge in mind when planning their Puerto Plata adventure to ensure a smooth and enjoyable visit.
Customer Feedback
The Puerto Plata Dolphin Swim experience has garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers, with an impressive overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars based on 25 reviews.
Customers have particularly praised:
- The excellent treatment and care of the dolphins by the enthusiastic trainers
- The overall value for money, with a rating of 4.1 out of 5
- The seamless organization of the activity, rated 4.8 out of 5
- The high-quality transportation services, which received a 4 out of 5 rating
The combination of these positive attributes has made the Puerto Plata Dolphin Swim a popular and well-received experience among visitors, leaving them with lasting memories of swimming alongside these majestic marine mammals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Photos and Videos Allowed During the Dolphin Swim?
No, cameras and glasses are not allowed in the water during the dolphin swim. Guests must remove jewelry to prevent harm to the dolphins. Photos and videos can be taken before and after the swim.
What Is the Minimum Height Requirement for the Dolphin Swim?
There is no minimum height requirement stated for the dolphin swim experience. However, children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed to participate.
Can Visitors Feed the Dolphins During the Experience?
Visitors cannot feed the dolphins during the experience. The attraction prioritizes the dolphins’ wellbeing, and feeding them is not permitted to ensure their safety and proper care by the trained staff.
Are There Any Medical Conditions That Disqualify Participants?
Participants with certain medical conditions, like pregnancy, may not be allowed to take part in the dolphin swim experience. It’s best for interested individuals to check the activity’s restrictions and requirements before booking to ensure their eligibility.
Is There a Locker Room or Storage Facility Available?
Yes, there’s a locker room where participants can store their belongings during the dolphin swim experience. Lockers are available to securely store items you don’t want to bring into the water.
Recap
The Puerto Plata Ocean World Dolphin Swim provides a unique and memorable experience, allowing visitors to interact with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in a safe and responsible manner. With a range of activities, accessibility for all mobility levels, and a focus on dolphin welfare, this excursion offers a chance to connect with these magnificent creatures while supporting conservation efforts. The comprehensive package and positive customer feedback make this a must-try attraction for those visiting the Puerto Plata area.
You can check if your dates are available here:More Dolphin Watching Tours in Puerto Plata
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