Swim with Dolphins on Your Florida Vacation
Mar 10, 2010
Swim with Dolphins on Your Florida Vacation
The dolphin is a species with very high intelligence. Some
people think that they are even more intelligent than
humans! But let's leave that debate for the scientists. One
thing that is sure is that dolphins enjoy contact with
humans and humans enjoy contact with dolphins. While you
are in Florida you can either swim or wade with dolphins by
taking a special getaway tour to the Florida Keys.
If you are staying in Orlando you can schedule a two day
tour that departs from Orlando. If you are a good swimmer
and comfortable in water that is over your head then you
might want to try the dolphin swim tour organized by
Florida Dolphin Tours. They conduct two day tours in which
your contact with dolphins is guaranteed.
Here is how it works. It is a two day and one night
excursion and transportation to and from the Keys is
included in the tour. Pick up is scheduled at some of the
big hotels and motels in the greater Orlando area.
Your swim with dolphins will take place either on the first
afternoon of the tour or on the next morning. The dolphin
swim takes place in an ocean water lagoon that is 15 feet
deep. A floatation vest must be worn during the swim, no
matter how good a swimmer you are.
The program lasts about two hours and begins with an
educational briefing about the general nature of dolphins
as well as information about the particular dolphins that
you are going to meet.
After the educational briefing two people at a time enter
the water along with two trained dolphins and usually the
dolphins will greet you with kisses, handshakes, water
fights and similar playful behavior.
On the next day you are treated to an Everglades adventure
tour in a swift airboat ride that will bring you in close
contact with alligators. After the boat ride you will see
an alligator and snake handling show. If you are brave you
can hold an alligator or some snakes. The tour ends with a
visit to Miami's Bayside shopping center where you can
visit fashionable shops and restaurants.
If you are a non-swimmer you can still enjoy an encounter
with the friendly dolphins. Florida Dolphin Tours
introduced a dolphin wading encounter program during 2009.
This program is similar to the deeper water dolphin
encounters. Two people enter the water and meet two trained
dolphins, who will greet you with a wide range of playful
greetings. You will also learn how to make signals to the
dolphins which will prompt them to sing and dance! All of
this takes place in waist deep water and no swimming is
required.
The tours, which include transportation and accommodations,
begin at around $200 for adults and $99 for children aged
3-6. The program is offered throughout the year, seven days
a week. It is advisable to book in advance in order to
insure that all participants make contact with the
dolphins. You can get more details or make your
reservations by calling Florida Dolphin tours at (407)
352-5151
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Mark Whichard is an Orlando tourism expert and writes
frequently about attractions in and around Orlando. He is
the proprietor of Quality Villa Rentals and you can get
great deals on Orlando Vacation Homes at this website
http://www.qualityvillarentals.com
