Dolphin Swimming

Dolphin Discovery Proudly Certified by AMMPA

// May 10th, 2012 // View Comments // Locations, News

Dolphin Discovery is the world’s largest swim with dolphins company, founded in 1994 in Cancun, Mexico. Our first dolphinarium opened in Isla Mujeres with 3 dolphins and 15 staff. Since those humble beginnings, Grupo Dolphin Discovery has grown to 9 locations, 1000 employees and 120 dolphins in our care, more than 50 of which were born through our successful reproduction program. With the majority of our dolphinariums set in completely natural environments, Dolphin Discovery offers an authentic experience with dolphins, manatees and sea lions.

Dolphin Discovery Isla Mujeres

Dolphin Discovery takes great pride in providing our guests with the ultimate marine mammal interactions. In order to meet this goal, it is essential to maintain strict standards at all our dolphinariums. Dolphin Discovery’s dedication to providing the highest quality animal care, safety standards, and customer experience while continuing education programs and scientific investigations has once again been recognized by AMMPA, the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, for the 7th consecutive year.

“The Alliance administers a stringent accreditation process for its members. Accredited members must uphold Alliance Standards and Guidelines to optimize the psychological and physical health of, and environmental conditions for, individual marine mammals under their care, and to maximize the educational and scientific value of their collections as a whole.”

Dolphin Discovery is the ONLY swim with dolphins company in Mexico to merit this certification. In fact, there are only 41 AMMPA certified parks in the entire world, 7 of those are Dolphin Discovery parks and 2 more certifications are expected for the company in 2013. Other parks around the world that have earned this distinction are Sea World, Alaska Sea Life Center, Discovery Cove, Dolphin Explorer, Zoo Marine, Sea Marine Park and Dolphin Quest in Hawaii, among others.

Top quality veterinary care

The stringent guidelines of AMMPA include 12 standards that must be met in order to receive certification. Parks must provide documentation proving their adherence to these guidelines, including records of the dolphins’ origins showing they were obtained in a humane, legal manner and did not come from conflictive areas (preference is given to parks such as Dolphin Discovery with excellent reproduction programs). Daily records of medical analyses, detailed plans and programs for education of staff, guests and the community outside of the dolphinarium, and evidence of continuing scientific investigation must be provided. Parks must be equipped with adequately sized areas for the animals, security measures for guests, animals and staff and show records of regular analysis of water quality. A long list of criteria must be met if the parks are to pass the intense inspections.

Newborn dolphin & mom Dec. 2011

Thanks to the dedication of each and every member of the Dolphin Discovery team, we are exceptionally proud to have met and exceeded the standards set by AMMPA. In addition to this prestigious recognition, Dolphin Discovery is also certified by IMATA (International Marine Animal Trainers Association) and ESR (Empresa Socialmente Responsable, “Socially Responsible Company” in English). We strive to be not only the largest dolphin company in the world, but to be the best, providing the highest quality care to our animals, our community and of course, to you, our guests. We hope you’ll join us soon for the experience of a lifetime!

Dolphin Discovery Presents “Camel Quest Cabo”!

// April 30th, 2012 // View Comments // News, cabo, los cabos

Camel Quest Cabo….say that ten times fast!

Dolphin Discovery is thrilled to bring you our newest experience in Cabo San Lucas, “Camel Quest”!  We’re getting out of the water and into the desert on this fun-filled adventure. Join us in Wild Canyon Park in Los Cabos for a totally unique Cabo tour. You’ll learn all about camels and take a trek down the old river bed of the canyon. Along the way you’ll be put to the test in “Survivor” style challenges like the “Sure Shot” and “Tossin’ Camels”, collecting stamps at each completed challenge to win a prize at the end of your journey (and claim bragging rights over your friends of course!) You’ll enjoy feeding the camels and of course feeding yourself after your exertions at the “Lion’s Den Restaurant” in the park.

Your adventure takes place in the spectacular “El Tule Canyon”, situated in the Baja desert with a lush oasis at the bottom to keep the vegetation green and gorgeous views of the Sea of Cortez. If you are staying in Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo or along the Tourist Corridor, it’s a quick 20 minute drive in our air conditioned van, enjoying the sites of the region. Space on this tour is very limited, we highly recommend booking in advance. This is a fantastic family adventure, kids as young as 4 will enjoy “Camel Quest”!

Camel Fun Facts!

1. Camels can survive up to 2 months without water

2. Camels have straight spines, despite the appearance of their humps.

3. A camel’s thin legs can carry not only its body weight, but up to 1000 lbs of cargo!

4. Average life expectancy of a camel is 40 to 50 years.

5. There are 17 million camels worldwide.

6. Camels can weigh between 250 and 680 kgs and can be up to 2 meters tall.

7. The hump of a camel is full of fat, not water. If a camel doesn’t eat, its hump will shrink. Baby camels are not born with humps, they only grow after they begin to eat solid food.

8. Camels have a double row of long, curly eyelashes to keep out the blowing sand of the desert.

Join Dolphin Discovery in Los Cabos for Camel Quest and learn so much more about these amazing desert creatures!

Dolphin Swim Adventure: Love at First Belly Ride

// March 15th, 2012 // View Comments // Cancun / Isla Mujeres, Dolphins for kids

From the moment we arrived at Marina Aquatours in Cancun for our day of adventure at Dolphin Discovery Isla Mujeres, my guys were simply quite giddy. Full of energy and bouncing around the docks, pointing out fishies and eager to board the ferry. I was pretty excited myself, swimming with dolphins with my beau the first-timer and sharing the swim adventure with my now “big boy” son. My job has given me the good fortune to swim with dolphins many times, but it never loses the thrill and it’s always a joy to watch the faces of those meeting dolphin friends for the first time.

The ferry ride through the lagoon was spent teaching my son about conservation of the mangroves and enjoying a light breakfast and lots of coffee. I could feel the sense of excitement from the tourists, listening to the buzz of their conversations in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian, a very international group of visitors all about to live a dream. When the ferry went under the bridge and past the pirate ships, there was a collective gasp as we entered the crystal turquoise-coloured waters that still take my breath away even after almost a decade of living in Cancun.

We arrived on Isla Mujeres and there they were, the gorgeous dolphins greeting guests with high-flying leaps and casual swim-bys. For once I wasn’t looking at them, I was watching the face of my guy as he saw them for the very first time. Eyes wide, jaw dropped, a look of pure awe, his adult face lit up like a kid at Christmas. My son was leaping almost as high as the dolphins, this was not his first time at Dolphin Discovery and he considers himself an expert, but it sure didn’t curb his excitement.

We got our lockers, donned our life-jackets, listened attentively to the orientation and then it was time for the main event. We walked past the funny sea lions, alongside the manatee area, waved to the newborn dolphin and her mama Olimpia and on to our spot on the dock. Our fabulously friendly and knowledgeable trainer introduced us to our dolphins, handsome Jupiter and the beautiful Madonna who was 5 months pregnant! We said hello, stroked their smooth skin as they swam by, danced with them, played a little ball and shared a fishy kiss. For my beau who was doing this first for the first time, it was a phenomenal occasion, his face lit up, eyes aglow and a gigantic smile on his face. My son was giggling, speaking to the dolphins in baby-talk and asking a million questions to the trainer.

Then came the adrenaline, the big moves, the ACTION! My little guy had done the dolphin encounter many times, but he was finally ready to do the “big kid” swim adventure with the belly ride and the boogie push. We helped him swim out, gave him clear instructions on what to do and then watched him fly through the water on the boogie board being propelled by the dolphins, smile so wide he could have swallowed half the ocean! The guests in our group laughed and applauded for him, such a little guy and such a big adventure. My beau was simply over the moon, watching him do the belly ride was my favourite moment of the day, flying through the water and laughing all the way.

We said our goodbyes to Jupiter and Madonna (wishing her well with her upcoming baby) and made our way out of the water. It was a spectacular day for all of us, my beau lived a dream, my son became a “big kid” and I had the joy of sharing my love for dolphins with them both.

Dolphin Discovery Welcomes a Newborn Dolphin

// February 10th, 2012 // View Comments // About Dolphins, Cancun / Isla Mujeres, News, Sea Life

Newborn baby dolphin at Dolphin Discovery Isla Mujeres

Dolphin Discovery Isla Mujeres is pleased to welcome a newborn dolphin to the family! On December 10, 2011, 19 year old mother Olympia gave birth to her second child, a beautiful baby girl who entered the world swimming like a champ! Baby and mom are doing great, Olympia is normally a shy lady but since giving birth she has gained confidence and loves showing off her little girl.

Our veterinarians and biologists have been with the baby girl 24 hours a day, monitoring her breathing, frequency of feeding and her swimming. She is in perfect health, learning from her mother and enjoying interactions with our team. She will stay close by her mother’s side for at least a year and a half, the bond between mother and daughter is tight! The highly successful and renowned reproduction program of Dolphin Discovery continues, with this latest addition to the family, we celebrate 54 dolphin births, congratulations team and welcome to the world little girl!

Please enjoy this incredible video of the birth of a newborn dolphin, it is a joy to watch the miracle of a new life coming in to this world!

Three Kings Day Dolphin Discovery

// January 6th, 2012 // View Comments // News

“Dia de Reyes” or “Three Kings Day” is celebrated in many countries of the world on January 6th, the 12th day of Christmas also known as “Epiphany”. On this day, children anxiously await the arrival of “Los Reyes Magos”, Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltazar, who come bearing gifts (much like Santa). The traditional “rosca” cake is shared and the person that bites into the cake and finds a small baby doll must host a party on February 2nd and provide tamales for all.

Cutting the Rosca at Dolphin Discovery

Dolphin Discovery is pleased to continue one of our own traditions. Many children of limited means may not receive a visit from the Three Kings this year and we aim to make a difference in the lives of these kids. Each year Dolphin Discovery delivers toys to orphanages and underprivileged regions to bring smiles to children on this special day. This year our own “Three Kings” in Cancun are bringing toys to the Casa Hogar San Jose, Casa Hogar de la Esperanza and various underprivileged neighbourhoods.

Toys for all the girls and boys for "Dia de Reyes"

Dolphin Discovery Staff Ready to Share Smiles

Happy Three Kings Day to all, spread the smiles, do something kind for a child today!

Whale Watching Tours in Los Cabos

// December 1st, 2011 // View Comments // News, Sea Life, Vallarta, cabo

Whale watching with Dolphin Discovery

Weighing up to 73,000 pounds and measuring up to 50 feet, the gray whale in the Pacific Ocean is a spectacle to see. Every fall, the gray whale makes the longest migration of any mammal—a 6,000 mile journey from cold waters of Alaska and Siberia to the warm ocean of Baja California. The whales leave their home and arrive in late December to escape the chilly winter and take refuge to birth their young. They make the Pacific Ocean their home from January to March, offering us the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see them up close in their habitat. Watching these awe-inspiring creatures is a sight not to be missed.

Breaching, whale watching in Los Cabos

During the tour, you might be a spectator to a number of behaviors. While you’re on the boat, keep an eye out for spouting, the visible exhaling of air by the whale. This is the first indication of the proximity of whales. Another whale behavior is breaching: when the whale leaps out of the water and falls back with a splash. Whales are constantly moving and can remain underwater from two to five minutes, meaning you have to keep your eyes open and anticipate their direction so you will be ready for the next breach and sprout. Your guides will also be able to tell you where to look as they have become experts in reading whale behavior. While on the tour, you might also see the whales showing their flukes, and hear them sounding their whale song. The most exciting and thrilling behavior is spy-hopping. The whale pushes itself up to the surface of the water until he can see his surroundings. The curious creature comes face-to-face with its observers as you look at him.

Spy-hopping Whale Watching Tour

Although the gray whale is the most popular species, Los Cabos whale watching tours are rich because there might be the chance of seeing an even greater variety of animals. The tour is also available in Vallarta.

Dolphin Discovery takes you on this exciting whale watching tour in Los Cabos and Vallarta on a small boat, zodiac, giving us the ability to move in closer and faster to get an eye-to-eye close up with these stunning and beautiful animals.

Celebrating 10 Years of Manatee Rescue Programs at Dolphin Discovery

// November 16th, 2011 // View Comments // Cancun / Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, News, Riviera Maya, Sea Life

Manatee Family Dolphin Discovery Riviera Maya

Dolphin Discovery is celebrating another incredible milestone in our continuing efforts to protect and conserve endangered  marine animals. It was ten years ago that our team of biologists first participated in the rescue of manatees in Mexico. In 2001, Dolphin Discovery was invited to the state of Tabasco where a group of manatees were living in very poor conditions in a polluted lake. The animals were suffering horribly, extremely malnourished and in desperate need of assistance. Manatees are an endangered species and it was with a sense of urgency that the Dolphin Discovery team joined authorities from the federal government in the rescue operation. The delicate mission was successful, the biologists rescued “Romeo and Juliet”, and brought them back to the Dolphin Discovery facilities in Puerto Aventuras, Riviera Maya for rehabilitation and medical care.

“The Story of Tuuch” a moving video of the rescue of a baby manatee
(”Tuuch” has since been renamed Roberto & is enjoying a fine life in the Riviera Maya)

Since then, Romeo and Juliet have not only survived, but have thrived in their new home. The couple has created a beautiful family through the Dolphin Discovery breeding program, becoming parents to three offspring (as well as fostering the rescued baby “Roberto” and taking him in as their own). The manatee family at Dolphin Discovery has grown over the years through other rescue operations, a testament to the skill and care of our team of biologists and scientists, led by Dr. Roberto Sanchez and their dedication to the preservation of this endangered species.

If you are in Cancun this week, join us in Parque las Palapas downtown for a celebration of our ten years of caring for these noble creatures. November 17, 18 and 19th from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm you can meet members of our team and enjoy activities for the whole family.

We invite you to meet our manatee friends in the Riviera Maya, Cozumel and Isla Mujeres in our unique manatee encounter programs, learn about these gentle giants and even give them a little kiss, it is an experience you will never forget.

Dolphin Discovery Sweepstakes Benefits APAFHDEM

// October 19th, 2011 // View Comments // News, Uncategorized

Dolphin Discovery would like to thank everyone who entered our online sweepstakes, the winner of the $200 USD Amazon gift card and two Dolphin Royal Swims has been selected, congratulations Alice!

Katty Rosado of Dolphin Discovery presenting a cheque to the fine ladies of APAFHDEM

Dolphin Discovery made a commitment to contribute one peso to APAFDHEM for each sweepstakes entry , and over 1000 entries were received. We feel so strongly about this wonderful organization that we delivered a cheque for 5000 pesos to this worthwhile Cancun charity.

APAFHDEM Piñata Workshop

APAFHDEM is a non-profit organization that provides occupational opportunities to intellectually disabled adults. They have created a vibrant atmosphere where each individual is able to contribute to making beautiful piñatas, helping in the kitchen or working in the onsite bakery. Their mission statement is ¨Contributing to a decent quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities, promoting their full development and integration as productive members of society¨.

Once again, we thank you all for participating in the Dolphin Discovery Sweepstakes, please take a moment to ¨like¨ the APAFHDEM Facebook page and spread the word about this tremendous organization.