Swimming with Dolphins in Cancun - Everything You Need to Know

While on vacation in Cancun, there are hundreds of fun activities in which you can participate. Water sports are especially fun, such as fishing, jet skiing, snorkeling, diving, and boating. However, one of the most special memories you can make while in Cancun is swimming with the dolphins. A number of places in Cancun offer you the chance to swim with dolphins, and this tropical experience is unlike any other.

Every dolphin experience offered is unique. At some places, you can take part in an educational program that helps you learn about these amazing creatures and the environment in which they live. In other places, you'll participate in a number of water games with the dolphins. Some programs take groups of twenty or thirty people in the water at one time, while others allow you to book private swim sessions with the dolphins. Before you pay for a particular experience, check out what there is to offer at all of the parks that have dolphin-swimming programs.

Prices for swimming with the dolphins vary. For some programs, the cost to swim is under $75.00 (USD). Other programs are upwards of $200.00 (USD), depending on what is featured with the program. Usually, the less expensive programs are more structured group experiences where you may or may not get to privately interact with the dolphins. You could be in the water for anywhere from twenty minutes to two hours. Again, this depends on the specific program in which you are participating. Longer sessions with the dolphins are usually more expensive.

There are thirty seven different species of dolphins and six different species of porpoises. The dolphins with which you'll most likely swim are bottle-nosed dolphins. This species makes its natural habitat in tropical waters like those around Cancun, but you can also spot them off the coast of colder waters in more temperate climates.

While on your Cancun dolphin adventure, you will hopefully have the chance to learn a lot about these fascinating creatures. Here are a few facts about dolphins that may or may not be explained to you:

• Dolphins typically eat a variety of fish according to where they live. In captivity, most dolphins are fed different fish throughout the day. The best programs also allow you to watch the dolphins being fed.
  
• Dolphins breathe air. They use a blowhole on top of their heads to breathe. The average dolphin stays underwater for about five minutes before it needs to come up for air. However, they can stay under water for about ten minutes if they need to.
  
• Echolocation is used by groups of dolphins to find one another and to find other things in the water. This is a clicking sound made by the dolphin to help it understand where other members of its species are, or where to find items critical to its survival. It is the same principle that bats use above water.

When swimming with the dolphins, your safety is a key concern. In most cases, children must be accompanied by an adult if they are under the age of seven. Some programs require children to be even older before swimming with the dolphins alone. Regardless of age, it is important that everyone wear a life vest for protection in the water. No matter how well you swim, dolphins are still unpredictable animals at times. Their quick and playful movements can cause problems for even the best swimmers. Wear a life jacket and make sure that it is fastened securely.

The safety of the dolphins while you are swimming is also important. Dolphin handlers will talk to you about how to interact, and what you are allowed and not allowed to do. For example, some programs ask that you not grab onto a dolphin's dorsal fin during certain swimming sessions. Others require you to wait for your trainer's commands before you swim and interact. Listen to the trainers carefully lest you put yourself or the animals at risk.

Finally, make sure that you are protecting the environment. Although the dolphins in the program are held in captivity, those waters are still where they live. Never throw your trash anywhere other than a waste can, and if you are wearing sunscreen, look for a product that is listed as safe for the environment.

Swimming with the dolphins is an adventure that you'll never forget. For many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Cancun has a number of dolphin programs available to meet anyone's needs, so whether you're looking for an educational day with your family or a more free-style swim with the sea life, you can find exactly what you want in Cancun.

About the author:
Stephanie Larkin is a freelance writer who writes about topics pertaining to vacations and the travel industry such as Cancun Vacation Packages

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