Dolphins Encounters experience Dolphins Encounters experience Dolphins Encounters experience Dolphins Encounters experience
When originally asked about the “MUST SEE” places in The Bahamas, the first subject of suggested included swimming with the Dolphins of Blue Lagoon Island. As a matter of fact, it was mentioned “You can’t visit The Bahamas without checking out Dolphin Encounters! It just wouldn’t be right!” Lucky for me, a once in a lifetime experience was on the way as I made plans to visit Dolphin Encounters located on Blue Lagoon Island.
Dolphin Encounters is one of the top tourist attractions in the Bahamas and is owned and operated by a local family. It began in 1989 when two Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins were rescued from an aquarium that closed in Nassau, Bahamas. Soon after, six more dolphins joined the marine mammal family which created the foundation of what is today known as Dolphin Encounters on Blue Lagoon Island.
Chances are you’ve seen the dolphins of Blue Lagoon Island. They have been featured on CBS, NBC, E!, CNN, ESPN, MTV, QVC, Nickelodeon, Oxygen, many local ABC, NBC, and CBS affiliates, the BBC, SKY News, VOX TV and many other international television and radio shows and networks, magazines and newspapers.
The Dolphin Encounter program takes place in shallow water where you will stand on a platform. The dolphins will swim up and over the platform where you can meet them one-on-one. The staff at Dolphin Encounters want you to feel comfortable and to enjoy the program as well.
During my experience, I was a little nervous about meeting the dolphins in person but the friendly staff made the experience enjoyable fun and an unforgettable experience. As the instructor summoned me into the water, I immediately stepped into the chilled water and began to feel like I stepped inside of a fish tank. (The slimy steps and small fish beneath swimming throughout the lagoon solidified that thought in its’ entirety.)
As the dolphin began to swim my way, my anxiety reached an all time high. But after realizing that I was the only person in the water having an attack of the nerves, I had to pull it together and quickly because at that moment I was standing nose to nose with a Bottlenose dolphin.
After a quick smooch on the cheek, the instructor blew his whistle and the dolphin rolled over for a quick belly rub and squeaked as if to say goodbye. It joined the rest of dolphins for a few laps around the lagoon, leaping in and out of the water and posing for a few photo ops.
As I left the Dolphin Encounters experience, I immediately felt like I accomplished a goal or acquired control over over a small fear (you try meeting an animal for the first time face-to-face on their territory…it’s a bit nerve-racking…). Overall, the friendly and knowledgable staff coupled with the well trained dolphins made this an experience unlike any other. I am already looking forward to new opportunities to explore the animal kingdom during my next travel adventure.
Dolphin Encounters is one of the top attractions in the Bahamas. More than 2.5 million people have visited since its’ opened the all-natural facility in 1989. As one of the most memorable experiences in recent travels, I highly suggest that you add swimming with the dolphins to your bucket list and make plans to make your way to Dolphin Encounters in the Bahamas this summer.
