Is Swimming With Dolphins Worth It? What to Expect From a Bahamas Dolphin Encounter
- Amberly McKee
- Feb 18, 2019
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
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Swimming with dolphins is a one-of-a-kind experience. However, it can be expensive, leading many to wonder if it's worth it or not. Personally, I booked an UNEXSO dolphin encounter via cruise excursion in Freeport, Bahamas. Whether you go the same route or stay on an island, there are several reasons you should swim with dolphins.
Reasons you Should Try it
These programs are headed by dolphin trainers, so they're a great way to learn about the species. Before your experience, your trainer will cover care routines, biology, and general facts about dolphins. Depending on your excursion, trainers will also instruct the dolphins to perform tricks.
There are plenty of dolphin encounter experience tiers to choose from. Speaking specifically of UNEXSO, the Bahamas dolphin encounter allows you access to an underwater platform where you'll pet and snap photos with dolphins. The next step up is the dolphin swim experience, where you'll be set free with dolphins in a designated space. Other encounters include an open ocean swim with dolphins and, for the most experienced, a dolphin dive.
Swimming with dolphins is actually therapeutic. Not only are these creatures super friendly, but they release ultrasonic waves that increase endorphins in humans. Endorphins help to elevate mood and reduce stress.
If you're pregnant, swimming with dolphins can benefit your unborn baby. Because dolphins can detect pregnancy, they're known to hover near the stomach and squeal, stimulating the baby's brain.
Things you Need to Know
Dolphins are sensitive to perfumes, lotions, and sunblocks. We didn't know this until the night before, so we didn't have proper reef-safe sunscreen. Between the instructional period and your time in the water, it's easy to burn if you fail to wear sunscreen. I recommend Hawaiian Tropical Everyday Active Clear Spray Sunscreen.
Any photo taken with dolphins must be purchased separately, so make sure to factor that into your budget.
Besides your actual bathing suit, most booked dolphin encounter tours provide all needed equipment, whether that be lifejackets or snorkels. I advise only bringing the basics - sunscreen, towels, phone, money, and a change of clothes.
Things you Shouldn't do
Though these captive dolphins are used to attention, trainers will advise you not to touch too low. For lack of better terms, dolphins get aroused easily, and they're known to hump anything, including humans.
Don't wave or point at the dolphins. Because they are trained to do tricks, they could mistake our hand signals for instructions and expect a treat. This will simply tease them.
You should always listen to guidelines provided by your trainer. Don't touch the dolphins unless you're sure you're permitted to.
Swimming with dolphins is a unique experience, and if you get the opportunity, you shouldn't pass on it. By following these tips as well as tips from your trainer, you'll get the most out of your dolphin swim encounter.
