Make Dolphins Part of Your Family Vacation

Tips to Make Your Family’s Encounter Memorable, Enjoyable and Safe

By Marilee Menard

During this year’s vacation season, families are making it a priority to spend time together and share an unforgettable activity. Getting in touch with a dolphin, beluga whale, false killer whale or sea lion in special interactive programs at marine parks is an exciting alternative for family fun. And children aren’t the only ones who rave about these programs; the adults are just as awestruck when they come face to face with a dolphin.

Meeting these animals one on one is a once-in-a-lifetime dream for many people, and we see more and more families making it a reality as part of their vacation together. They know it's going to be fun, and they also come away from the experience with incredible respect for the animals, a new appreciation for the necessity of conservation, and a glimpse at the special rapport between the animals and the professionals who care for them.

Dolphin encounters and other marine mammal interactive programs are increasingly popular, and are offered at parks and aquariums all over the world. And it’s no wonder; these programs can be a wonderfully educational, memorable and moving experience for all ages.

The Alliance offers tips for choosing a controlled, quality program that’s safe for visitors and animals:

1. Most parks and aquariums with interactive programs have a minimum age and height requirement. Check the facility’s Web site or call them in advance to determine whether your children are eligible to participate.
2. Facilities vary widely on whether they require advance reservations, so familiarize yourself with a park’s or aquarium’s reservations policy. Some require reservations for interactive programs months in advance, while others allow on-site reservations the day you plan to do the program. Keep in mind that group size is limited, so advance planning can be helpful.
3. Since a variety of programs are available, make sure you know what you can expect. How many participants are in each session? How much and what kind of contact with the animals is possible? Some programs require you to be a comfortable swimmer; others provide a platform on which you stand, so swimming is not part of the program; and still others take place from a dock so there's no need to enter the water. For those who wonder how the animals are cared for, there are even “trainer for a day” programs where you can go behind the scenes with the professional animal care staff.
4. Make sure ahead of time that a professional animal trainer will be present and actively involved in all interactive programs. This protects both the human and animal participants.
5. A thorough orientation session should be provided before beginning the interactive program. This session usually covers the basics of dolphin anatomy, information about how to protect the animals and their habitat in the wild, specific instructions for things you should and should not do while you’re in contact with the animals during the program, and what kind of behavior to expect from the animals.
6. Ask whether the park or aquarium is a member of the Alliance for Marine Mammal Parks and  Aquariums. Alliance members are dedicated to the highest standards of care for marine mammals in public display facilities. Membership in the Alliance demonstrates that the facility is committed to maintaining the optimum health and environmental conditions for all marine mammals in its care, and is dedicated to maximizing its educational and scientific efforts.            

Eco-wise vacationers should note the important difference between getting to know trained dolphins at a marine mammal park and attempting to feed or swim with wild dolphins in the ocean, which is illegal and can be harmful for the animals. Government wildlife agencies around the world join in the plea: “For the dolphins’ sake, and for your safety, please don’t feed, swim with or harass wild dolphins.” Feeding wild dolphins disrupts their social groups and threatens their ability to survive in the wild. The U.S. National Marine Fisheries distributes a brochure called “Protect Dolphins: Admire Them from a Distance,” which states that “if you want to get up close and personal with dolphins,” visit zoos and aquariums.

Different parks and aquariums offer different types of programs featuring varied kinds of contact and involving different animals. Experiences can include touching the animal without swimming, serving as "trainer for a day," or being immersed in the water and swimming with the animals. Interactive programs may involve bottlenose dolphins, beluga whales, seals or sea lions.  

Looking a dolphin in the eye, feeling its pulse or smelling the breath of a beluga whale can be truly inspiring. Marine mammal interactive programs are designed to help people connect with nature in a meaningful way. The ultimate goal at responsible parks and aquariums is to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for families while increasing their understanding and appreciation of these magnificent animals and the need to protect them in the wild.

Marilee Menard is Executive Director of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums in Alexandria, Va. The Alliance is an international association of marine life parks, aquariums, zoos, research facilities, and professional organizations dedicated to the highest standards of care for marine mammals and to their conservation in the wild through public education, scientific study, and wildlife presentations. The membership represents the greatest body of expertise and knowledge of marine mammal husbandry. www.ammpa.org