Dolphin Swimming

Grand Cayman- Tortuga Rum Cakes and Stingray City

// February 4th, 2010 // No Comments » // Grand Cayman, Locations

Even if you’ve never been to Grand Cayman, you can probably create an image in your head… beautiful beaches, turquoise waters, palm trees, bikinis and dolphins.  Those in the know will tell you that there are two important treasures that you must add to your Grand Cayman day dreams, Tortuga Rum Cakes and Stingray City.

The history of Tortuga Rum goes back to 1984 when the husband and wife team of Robert and Carlene Harmaty decided to embark on the adventure of creating a rum for the Cayman Islands.  They chose the name “Tortuga” (”turtle”) as it was the orignal name of the Cayman Islands, created two blended rums (Tortuga Gold and Tortuga Light) and were off and running with their new venture.  The couple kept their “day jobs” but nurtured their company as a labour of love.  In 1987, Carlene started making rum cakes from an old family recipe and discovered that she had a hit on her hands.  The cakes were so popular that they built a commercial bakery in 1990 to keep up with demand.  The trademark ingredient is a generous helping of premium five-year old, oak barrel aged Tortuga Gold Rum but the recipe is still a secret!  From a small family business, Tortuga Rum has turned into an international success, with a broad range of rum and rum-based products being enjoyed all over the world.  Today, the Tortuga Rum Cakes are a symbol of Grand Cayman, the essential souvenir (if you can resist eating them on the way home!).  Dolphin Discovery Grand Cayman is proud to offer the Tortuga Rum Cakes in our Dolphinmania Boutique, be sure to have a little taste, buy a few for you, a few for Aunt Lily, a few for your house-sitter (and a few more for you).

After swimming with dolphins and having sated your taste buds, it’s time to head out to the world-famous “Stingray City”.  Located in the shallow waters of Grand Cayman’s North Sound, Stingray City is renowned for the large numbers of stingrays that congregate in the area.  Stingrays love calm, sandy-bottomed areas such as this where they can dig in the sand in search of food.   History suggests that it was the fishermen using the area to clean their catch that attracted such large numbers of rays, looking for the offals that were thrown overboard.  Stingray heaven!  In 1987, Skin Diver magazine discovered  this “secret” spot where divers and snorkelers could feed rays by hand and soon the whole world was abuzz about Stingray City.  These days there are many tour operators offering excursions to Stingray City where you can swim and snorkel with these creatures and feed them by hand.  Tourists are encouraged not to wear footwear, even a simple water shoe can damage the sensitive skin of the rays and please, do not remove the rays from the water, it is essential that they stay submerged in order to breathe.  Many tours will take you to the reef for some snorkeling after your encounter with the rays, a great addition to your day on Grand Cayman.  This is a truly unique place, a Grand Cayman excursion that is not to be missed!

Whether you are cruising the Caribbean looking for a Grand Cayman shore excursion or spending your vacation on the island, be sure to visit Dolphin Discovery Grand Cayman for the experience of a lifetime!  Our friendly staff are not only dolphin experts, they are ambassadors of Grand Cayman and will go out of their way to ensure that our guests have a great island adventure.

Grand Cayman Events January 2010

// January 5th, 2010 // No Comments » // Grand Cayman, Locations

January is a great time for a Caribbean escape and Grand Cayman is an excellent choice for anyone looking for sun, sand and tropical temperatures.  This month the island is proud to be the host for a couple of great events, if you are going to be in Grand Cayman be sure to check these out!

The Taste of Cayman Food and Wine Festival is in its 22nd year and just keeps getting bigger and better.  The event has become so successful that the island has deemed January to be “culinary  month”.  January 9-16th, 2010 more than 30 vendors will participate in the festival and the event promises to please your taste buds with samples from the finest chefs and restaurants and over two dozen wineries.  Children will love the special kid-sized events with face painting and jewelery making.  Grown-ups may sip a mojito or glass of champagne, enjoy the fireworks and live music, indulge in divine dishes and perhaps even win a great prize in the raffles, this event promises to be spectacular!

January in Grand Cayman is a scuba diver’s delight!  Each year the International Scuba Diver’s Hall of Fame hosts a dinner and induction ceremony for new honorees in the field of scuba.  People inducted into the hall of fame are the movers and shakers in the dive world, educators, photographers, researchers, explorers and more.  The event kicks off on Friday January 29th with the International Underwater Film Festival, featuring some of the finest underwater photography from around the world.  Saturday January 30th the newest hall of fame members will be inducted and honored with a dinner and ceremony.  This year’s inductees include Dr. Eugenie Clark (also known as “the shark lady”), Wyland, Nick Icorn and Francis Toribiong, each having dedicated their lives to the field of scuba and marine life.   We at Dolphin Discovery congratulate the inductees and thank them for their continuing efforts in the scuba industry and the underwater world.

Dolphin Discovery is proud to be a part of a great community in Grand Cayman and we wish the best of luck and much success to the organizers of these fine events and thank them for their contributions to the island.

Dolphin Discovery Proud Sponsor of the Cayman Islands Marathon

// November 27th, 2009 // No Comments » // Grand Cayman, Locations, News

Dolphin Discovery Grand Cayman is proud to be participating in this year’s Cayman Island Marathon on December 6, 2009.  The marathon is an annual event supporting local charities and includes a full marathon, half marathon and a kids’ fun run.  Each year 13 groups compete for the “Best Water Station” prize,  chosen by the runners based on the enthusiasm, creativity and efficiency of each stop.  The winners this year will receive Royal Swim packages donated by Dolphin Discovery.  Winners of the races will also receive swim with dolphins packages as part of their prize packages.  Members of the Dolphin Discovery Grand Cayman staff have volunteered to work the race, ready to place medals around winners necks, serve refreshments and help with the registration process.

“We were so excited when Dolphin Discovery approached us about coming on board as a sponsor,” said Race Director Rhonda Kelly.

“As a relatively new member to our community, we were heartened to see the enthusiasm with which the management embraced the opportunity to support the Cayman Islands Marathon. We commend them on their corporate citizenship and look forward to a mutually beneficial, long term partnership.”

“Dolphin Discovery is absolutely thrilled to be a part of this great charity event which promotes a lifestyle of exercise and good health,” said Montserrat Maristany, Sales Supervisor at Dolphin Discovery.

The Cayman Island Marathon is a charitable race, supporting the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps and the Cayman Islands Cancer Society.  Dolphin Discovery is thrilled to be able to contribute to this important event and we wish all the competitors the best of luck.  See you at the finish line!

(thanks to CayCompass.com for their report from the islands)

Dolphin Discovery Grand Cayman Celebrates Newborn Calf

// November 23rd, 2009 // No Comments » // Grand Cayman, News, Riviera Maya

Dolphin Discovery Grand Cayman is thrilled to announce the recent birth of a bouncing baby girl dolphin.  The new calf, born to mother Allegria, is the first baby dolphin to be born in the Grand Cayman dolphinarium.  The birth took place under the care of veternarian Juan Franco and the Department of Agriculture was present at this exciting event.

Juan Franco reported, “The dolphin calf is healthy and very playful, and visitors really enjoy the site of the newborn frolicking with her mother.”

Dolphin Discovery is proud of our successful breeding program, bringing healthy dolphins into the world under the care of experienced professionals.  The program is recognized around the world for the expertise in caring for the newborn calves and their mothers.  The level of care is state of the art, exceeding the standards of the US Department of Agriculture.  All Dolphin Discovery parks adhere to the much higher standards set by the AMMPA (Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums).  Dolphin Discovery is dedicated to education and respect for marine mammals, continually striving to build an ecological awareness in the guests of the parks and the employees of the company.

Welcome to the world baby girl, may you frolic happily in the paradise of Grand Cayman for many years to come!

NAGE AVEC LES DAUPHINS À DOLPHIN DISCOVERY!

// October 6th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Cancun / Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Locations, Riviera Maya, Tortola, Vallarta

Si tu souhaites nager avec les dauphins, mais la meilleure option pour vivre cette expérience est à Dolphin Discovery. Situé dans Mexique: Puerto Aventuras-Riviera Maya, Cancún-Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Sea Life Park Vallarta et dans des Caraibes: Gran Caïman et Tortola.

À Dolphin Discovery, tu pourras caresser la peau des dauphins. Tu pourras jouer avec eux dans l’eau et écouter leurs sons. Tu pourras donner et recevoir des bisous et voir les dauphins dans leur environnement. Ton nouvel ami te salueront, te chanteront et tu pourras danser avec lui.

Les entraîneurs sont des professionnels, ils se consacrent à vous offrir la meilleure expérience avec les dauphins. Nager avec les dauphins à Dolphin Discovery, c’est plonger dans un monde d’émotions dans un environnement naturel.

Nager avec les dauphins est une expérience unique et merveilleuse que tu ne peux pas rater! Une expérience nouvelle que tu n’oublieras jamais.

Nous t’invitons à savoir plus des nos merveilleux programmes de nage avec dauphins:

-Dolphin Royal Swim
-Dolphin Swim Adventure
-Dolphin Encounter
-Sea Life Discovery Plus
-Dolphin Discovery Swim
-Dolphin´s Lovers Swim

L´Expérience de ta Vie à Dolphin Discovery!

 

Before Office Hours in Dolphin Discovery Cayman

// April 3rd, 2009 // No Comments » // Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Locations, News, Riviera Maya

March 20, 2009, Grand Cayman – Over 380 people enjoyed what one guest dubbed, “one of the best BOH events I’ve ever been to at a really remarkable facility,” while mingling with other Chamber of Commerce members at the Thursday evening event held at Dolphin Discovery Cayman. The record number of attendees were welcomed by Chamber President, Stuart Bostock who commented how, “pleased the Council and I are that the owners have decided to join the Chamber of Commerce and to host this popular networking and business development event to showcase their multi-million dollar investment to the membership.”

The journey to open the facility started over 12 years ago until formally opened on December 15, 2008. Since that time the business has shown growth and potential and the facility has welcomed local residents, hotel/condo guests, cruise ship passengers, physically and mentally handicapped persons and many school children have already enjoyed the wonderful educational experience provided by swimming with the dolphins through special programmes created by DDC.

The park itself features a lagoon that is 210’ feet long by 115’ and 12’‘ deep at its deepest point, and holds 2.5 million gallons of water. Over 12 million gallons of water are pumped per day equating to some 4 and a half transfers of the lagoon each day. It houses one of the most advanced life support systems in the world that has total redundancy. DDC is the most advanced facility of the Dolphin Discovery Family featuring everything from full hurricane design and awareness to a full IP digital based photo lab.

Guests were delighted with the full tour provided to Chamber members enabling them to tour the building which is over 14,000 square feet and features a state of the art fish house, marine lab for the dolphins, trainer’s suite, photo and video lab, gift shop, offices and various other services need to run the operation. The crowd was additionally wowed by the trainers who provided a short dolphin show with a wonderful narrative provided for the guests. The entertainment concluded to resounding applause that was perfectly timed was as the sun set to the west.

Gene Thompson, co-owner of the DDC noted that, ”at a cost of some US $9 million we have invested for the long term future of the Cayman Islands with a view to work, contribute, and grow with our beautiful islands. We have partnered with CTF to provide a joint marketing programme and are working with various other organizations in the tourism industry to do our part to improve the quality of our tourism product. We are faced with many challenges from other locations in the Caribbean and our remit is to be the best facility of its kind in the Caribbean and we strive to do this every day with Customer Service first, value and physical appearance of the facility.”

In closing Mr. Thompson thanked, “a few people that have been very supportive through this project. Firstly I would like to thank Almightly God for strength to continue to fulfill this dream, The Government of the Cayman Islands, the department of Agriculture, the Cayman Turtle Farm and Joey Ebanks, Clan Construction, Mr. Ken Hydes of Midas Consulting and last but by no means least, the Chamber of Commerce for allowing us to host the event.”

Dolphin Discovery school education programme

// April 3rd, 2009 // No Comments » // Grand Cayman, Locations

George Town, Grand Cayman, February 3, 2009 – This past week students and faculty from Cayman Prep visited the new Dolphin Discovery and were thrilled to participate in the interactive dolphin facility’s highly acclaimed school education programme.

Dolphin Discovery, located in West Bay across from the world famous turtle farm, Boatswains Beach, opened its doors in December 2008, making it the first such attraction in the islands. While swimming with the dolphins is something never before offered in Cayman, the Mexico based Grupo Dolphin Discovery has 14 years of experience operating seven such parks in Mexico and the Caribbean. Altogether, the facilities house 120 dolphins making it the largest company of its kind in the world.

Carlos Moreno, General Manager of the facility has worked in that capacity with the company for eight years and says, “We’re very passionate about what we do.” Moreno and his staff ensure that the dolphins are cared for to the highest standards on a daily basis. In fact, the level of care is even higher than that required by the US Department of Agriculture. All Dolphin Discovery parks adhere to the much more rigorous standards of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. According to its website AMMPA, “is an international association representing marine life parks, aquariums, zoos, research facilities and professional organizations that is dedicated to the highest standards of care for marine mammals and their conservation in the wild through public education, scientific study and wildlife presentations.”

This emphasis on education both internally and externally, is an essential part of the group’s philosophy. As clearly stated in all corporate literature, “one of the main purposes of Grupo Dolphin Discovery is to build an ecological conscience in our guests through the interaction with marine mammals.” The respect for the dolphins and their natural habitat has been a priority for the company since its foundation.

For the students, Carlos believes that, “coming in close contact with dolphins affords the students the opportunity to reflect upon the importance of respecting our planet through an environmental education message transmitted through our trainers.”

While education is stressed through all the activities offered, Dolphin Discovery also creates special programmes for local students. The first part of the programme involves a lecture in the school classroom that covers information about the ocean and dolphins. Then the students attend a second lecture at the facility to get specific information about the programme followed by a chance to swim with the dolphins.

Moreno further adds, “We are really here to support activities on the island and to support tourism. We have something different for people to do and to help them learn more about these wonderful creatures.”

Grand Cayman, a british territory touched by the Caribbean Sea

// January 26th, 2009 // No Comments » // Grand Cayman, Locations

The Cayman Islands were first sighted by Christopher Columbus on 10 May, 1503, and named them Las Tortugas after the numerous sea turtles there. But it was only about three hundred years ago that people began to settle permanently on these islands.

photo credit: Fevi in Cayman

A 1523 map of the islands referred to them as Lagartos, meaning alligators or large lizards, but by 1530 the name Caymanas was being used. It is derived from the Carib Indian word for the marine crocodile, which is now known to have lived in the Islands. This name, or a variant, has been retained ever since. It is believed that the first people to actually land here were sailors from Sir Francis Drake’s 1585 expedition to the West Indies.

The first recorded permanent inhabitant of the Cayman Islands, Isaac Bodden, was born on Grand Cayman around 1700. He was the grandson of the original settler named Bodden who was likely one of Oliver Cromwell’s soldiers at the taking of Jamaica in 1655.

Spain recognized British possession of the Islands in the 1670 Treaty of Madrid. A variety of people settled on the islands: pirates, refugees from the Spanish Inquisition, shipwrecked sailors, and slaves. The majority of Caymanians are of African and British descent, with considerable interracial mixing. Following several unsuccessful attempts, permanent settlement of the islands began in the 1730s. The first settlers brought with them the scourge of slavery that was to last until emancipation in 1835. However, life was not easy for these pioneers, even for freemen, who made a living from subsistence farming and fishing, turtling and woodcutting. At that time, mahogany, in particular, was in great demand for the furniture industry in Europe.

Though Cayman was always regarded as a dependency of Jamaica, the reins of government by that colony were loosely held in the early years, and a tradition grew up of self-government, with matters of public concern decided at meetings of all free males. In 1831 a legislative assembly was established comprising two houses: the eight magistrates appointed by the Governor of Jamaica and ten elected representatives or vestrymen.

In 1953 the first airfield in the Cayman Islands was opened as well as the George Town Public Hospital. Barclays ushered in the age of formalised commerce by opening the first commercial bank. In 1959 Cayman received its first written constitution which, for the first time, allowed women to vote. Cayman ceased to be a dependency of Jamaica. The Islands opted to retain its links with Britain, a decision that continues to lend it political stability and has aided the growth of the financial sector. Following the lead of Bermuda and the Bahamas, the Cayman Legislative Assembly passed the Banks and Trust Companies Law of 1966, which laid the basis for offshore finance services.

In the late 1960s, the first cruise ships called into at George Town, but these visits were rare and in the first half of the 1970s, no more than eight arrived in one year. However, in the 1990s, cruise ship tourism exploded, and in 2007 more than 1,700,000 passengers entered Cayman waters.