Dolphins-Dive or Snorkel

[get10wet]

We actually interacted with the smaller dolphins for free when we were at AKR. You can lie on the pier and the little ones bring sea grass for you to throw. They bring them back to you much like a dog fetches a tennis ball.

This sounds like fun! Does this happen all year, or only during certain seasons?

 

[Paco]

I don't know. It was just something we discovered when we were there. There is a free taxi boat that takes you to the caye where they keep the dolphins (Bailey's?). Lie down at shake your hand in the water and see if they come to you.

 

[CODMAN]

I was there last october and did the dolphin snorkel. I now regret doing it...:shakehead Not because of the high price or the activity in itself (snorkeling with the dolphins was amazing), but because shortly after returning, I found out about the "dolphin tourist industry" controversy that goes on in many countries such as Mexico, Cuba, etc... Had I known about it, I don't think I would have gone to do it since I don,t agree with the general practice.

The AKR operation seems quite well organised and the dolphins seemed te be well taken care of. But nonetheless, it is one of those penned/captive dolphin operations. They claim they do research... When I asked the people from AKR what kind of research they do, they told me "behavioral" such as teaching them tricks... And then to justify, they said they were actually protecting the dolphins from their predators by keeping them penned.:shakehead :shakehead Very very lame excuses... They should just tell it as it is: it's a dolphin encounter program/business, not a research center.

I'm not trying to flame them or anybody who chooses to go there for the encounters. As I said, it seemed to be a pretty well run operation. But knowing now what goes on in some countries, I would avoid these places out of principle so as to not encourage this industry. Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll meet some wild dolphins diving some day which would be an incredible experience!

This is just my oppinion, and to each his/her own! Have fun in Roatan!

 

[hopefulist]

We did the dolphin snorkel last summer, though I was a little uncomfortable about it for the reasons Codman names. My husband isn't a diver and it was something he really wanted to try. The dolphins mate and bear young there and come and go with the dive boats, so must not be unhappy, at least.

The dolphin encounter and snorkel experience was really unforgettable - such incredibly beautiful animals so perfectly suited to their environment.