Getting to know an animal in its natural habitat is a fantasy many parents share with their children. But short of becoming a Jane Goodall or Diane Fossey, swimming with a dolphin is as close as most of us will get. 

My first adventure with dolphins was 10 years ago at Theater of the Sea (305/664-2431) in Isla Morada, Florida Keys, a time before animal rights activists began to decry the commercialization of these ventures. Our group of four listened to a 45-minute lecture on dolphin habits and biology, then spent 45 minutes in life vests and snorkels romping with two of them in a 300 sq.ft. lagoon. Of course, the dolphins were much better and faster swimmers, and teased us incessantly by swimming underneath and tickling us with their dorsal fins. The excellent trainer then signaled them to "tow" us each around the lagoon by letting us hold onto their fins. They also performed their amazing feats, including walking backwards on their hind legs, and jumping and twirling à la Flipper. It was, and remains, an unforgettable experience. 

Dolphin Encounters 

More recently, on Nassau Paradise Island, I had the good fortune to share a non-swimming dolphin splash program with my 5-year-old son and about a dozen adults and children (ages 4 and up). Our trainer explained that 12 Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins (many of whom had shared the lead in Universal Studios' recent "Flipper") had been trained by The Blue Lagoon Institute. In keeping with current animal rights guidelines, the male dolphins each held four 30-minute "encounters" a day and the females "swam" four 30-minute sessions with customers. He assured us the dolphins only came within the confines of their pier structure when they chose to, swimming freely in the lagoon otherwise. He then led us in small groups onto an underwater platform so we could meet the dolphin. Our 22-year-old Jake swam over to be petted on his smooth, leathery back, then on his bluish pink tummy, before swimming over to his next client. The persuasive trainer convinced all the adults to hold a "fish reward" between their teeth, so Jake could stretch up and remove it while brushing our chins with poky whiskers. He played some more, stood upright and applauded all of us, then proceeded to swim in circles slapping his tail against the water until all of us were drenched. Needless to say, kids and adults were delighted, and even Jake seemed to have a good time, judging by the way he wistfully hung around the pier as we left.

How and Where

Dolphin swims have come full circle in PC terms. What was once a primitive, if exploitive, vacation adventure is now sold as a "spiritual healing" technique that is also supposed to promote life-long interest in environmental conservation. Any way you look at it, it is great fun. Although 10-13 years of age and strong swimming skills are prerequisite for all 'swim with a dolphin' programs, even small children will love a 'dolphin encounter' held in shallow water or on a pier.

Rates range from about $60-$90/session for an encounter to $125-$165 for a swim. All programs include a more-or-less educational introduction to the animals, plus how-to information about marine conservation, environmental awareness, and follow-up action.

Swim With The Dolphins Programs: What You Can Do to Ensure Safety -from The Humane Society of the United States   -         Insist that only captive-born bottlenose dolphins be used to limit an increase in captures of wild dolphins to stock present and future programs -         Demand adequate care and conditions for dolphins, like requiring large pool size and feeding them restaurant-quality fish -         Insist on the provision of refuge areas, where dolphins can go at will if they do not want to interact with people -         Insist on limited working hours for the dolphins -         Demand low swimmer-to-dolphin ratios (no more than two persons per dolphin)