Dolphin Academy, Willemstad > Reviews (1)

It was my boyfriend's dream as a kid to swim with Dolphins. So to make his dream come true I've been doing research and found this site www.dolphin-academy.com. It is located at Sea AquariumCuracao (Southern Caribbean), which was great!

There are different programs, depending on your age, budget and what you prefer. Pregnant women can only participate in the Dolphin Encounter Program.

Before all the activities, you will receive instructions from the trainers. Customers must fill in an assumption of risk waiver before the activity of: Dolphin Swim and Dolphin Snorkel. You must get there before hand to pay for your activity and they will hand you the color coded wrist band for your activity and different color coded wrist band for the spectators.
You must bring along bathing suit, towel and suntan lotion. If you’ve forgotten your towel, you can always purchase it from the academy; it’s about USD20-30.

During the all activities there will be a photographer taking pictures of you! Don’t forget to look at the camera and smile! You can purchase the photos when you finish, you can choose the photos from the computer. You can choose to have it on cds or as printed photo in a cardboard frame. It’s about USD60, for 5 photos and 1 cardboard frame photo. For some activities the spectators (your family and friends) can take photos for you, but of course it’s not as nice as the photographers’.
You must book the program in advance because each programs have maximum of 6 people, it will give you the maximum opportunities to interact with the dolphins. And don’t forget to bring along the print out from the website!

1. Dolphin Encounter: this program is suitable for all ages. It is to give you the opportunity to touch, hug, and kiss a Dolphin while learning all about them. This program last about 15-20 minutes.
Price is USD69 per person, but price will go up 1st Jul to USD79 per person. Children under 8 must accompanied by a paying adult. Children ages between 1-4 go for half the price. The timings for the program are: 08:30, 11:30, and 14.30.

2. Dolphin Swim: this program allows you to enjoy the unique experience of real interaction while swimming with Dolphins. This is the program I’ve chosen for my boyfriend. It is a once in a life time experience for him. He loved it very much! This program gives you the opportunity to touch, interact, swim and enjoy your time with the dolphins. There were 2 adult dolphins and 1 6months old baby dolphin. They were adorable! But during the activity you must keep kicking you stay up in the water coz you cannot use you hands at all incase you scratch the dolphins. My boyfriend said it was very tiring! The program last about 30 minutes so be prepared!
Price is USD149 per person, but price will go up 1st Jul to USD159 per person. Minimum age is 8, minimum length 1.30m. Children under 14 must wear a life jacket which will be provide by the academy. You must wear fins. The timings are: 08:30, 11:30, and 14:30.

3. Dolphin Snorkel: this program allows to dive in the Dolphin world.

All the interaction takes place under the surface. You must be an experienced snorkeler and should be able to hold your breath at least 30 seconds. This program last for about 30 minutes.
Price is USD159 per person, but price will go up to USD169 per person. Minimum age is 8, minimum length 1.30m. Scuba fins, snorkel, mask must be worn and will be provided. The snorkel program is only available on Mon-Fri at 4pm.

4. Open Water Dive: This program gives you the opportunity for divers to observe and learn about dolphins in their natural habitat. The Dolphin Academy is the third dolphin facility in the world which provides an Open Water Dolphin Dive program. The Dolphins are trained to go outside in the open ocean. Minimum age of 12, must have dive certification and the gear will be available but at extra cost.

There are 2 options: Option 1, Group dive cost USD200 per person (gear cost not included). Group of 6 will dive with 1 dolphin and group of 7-10 will dive with 2 dolphins. The Dolphin Academy cooperates with www.oceanencounters.com a 5 star PADI dive school. You must make the reservation with them directly.
Option 2, a private Open Water Dolphin Dive cost USD1800; cost includes tank and lead, maximum 6 divers with 2 dolphins.

The overall experience was fun, enjoyable and extraordinary! Once in a life time chance!