where is the best program in the world to swim with dolphins?

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Request for Question Clarification by palitoy-ga on 03 Jun 2004 04:10 PDT

Hello Birkett7

Can you clarify what you mean by best?  Do you mean the largest number
of dolphins?  The cheapest place?  Or something else?

Also which continent are you looking to swim with dolphins on?

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Clarification of Question by birkett7-ga on 03 Jun 2004 10:34 PDT

Hi there!  It doesn't geographically matter where.  I'm looking for
the best in 1) time spent with dolphins, 2) aesthetics of the place,
3) training given, 4) quality time w/ dolphins...for example, I don't
want a typical place in Seaworld that gives you only 30 minutes of
petting the animal. I want the works - swimmign on the fin in a huge
area of water, not a little circle.  Does this help?

cost of the program is not an issue!  Thank you!

And how not to be sexually assaulted, please!

http://www.discoverycove.com

They charge more, limit the numbers of people who can attend, and give
you better access...

Florida.

You may also want to consider the different experiences of swimming
with wild vs. captive dolphins.

A.

Interesting transcript of a chat with a dolphin expert. Dolphin swims
are mentioned at the end of transcript; a specific mention is made
that swimming with wild dolphins is probably harmful to the animals.
Swimming with captive dolphins is described as safe.

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/science/DailyNews/dolphinbehavior070799_chat.html

When researching for a trip to New Zealand, I read (I believe in
Lonely Planet) very positive information about dolphin swimming in
Kaikoura.  I'm fairly sure that this was the program:

Dolphin Encounter
http://www.dolphin.co.nz/

Alas, I did not have the opportunity to try it.

Hello. A person talked abour New Zealand.
I am from New Zealand and there are alot of places around that let you
swim with dolphins. As our shores have lots of whales and dolphins. I
dont think there is swimming in Kaikoura as the shore line drops 100's
of meters. And there are mainly just whales. So Kaikoura is for hel
and boat watching.

How ever there is a place just out of Christchurch were you could go
simming.As the dolphins fellow the boats. Used to be a town for whale
huntters.

According to the Dolphin Encounter web site, the tours include both
watchers and swimmers.

Hi Birkett7,

Have I got the best answer for you???? Of course I have !!

Please come and visit us in Australia. I presume that you reside
outside of Australia, else you would not have had the need to ask your
question.

Please check out www.monkeymia.com.au

Monkey Mia is located near Perth on our west coast. It is famous for
precisely what you ask. I cannot vouch for the "training" you refer
to, but for time, aesthetics and quality .. Australia is your trump
card, I promise you.

No, I don't work there. I just love my lucky country and all she has
to offer. You won't be disappointed.

All the best, Phil

Birkett7,

When I said near Perth, I meant to say .. about 4 beers drive.

Phil

Hawaii offers incredible opportunites to swim with the wild Hawaiian
Spinner Dolphins. The most ethical charters we have found are offered
by the marine biologist crew of Wild Side Specialty Tours
http://SailHawaii.com . They also donate a portion of charter proceeds
to the Wild Dolphin Foundation http://WildDolphin.org . It is
important to go with a company that has the dolphin's welfare in mind
as well as in providing a quality experience o the visitors they
bring. The dolphin's resting areas are being comprised by operators
just wishing to exploit the unique resource.