Dolphin Swimming

Isla Mujeres: Destination Paradise

// August 5th, 2010 // View Comments // Cancun / Isla Mujeres, Locations

photo courtesy www.isla-mujeres.com.mx

Laid back island life, coral reefs, stunning vistas,and gorgeous beaches, Isla Mujeres is a true paradise in every sense of the word.  This tiny island off the coast of Cancun has a long history, going back to when it was a sacred sanctuary named “Ekab”, a place for the Maya people to honour Ixchel, the goddess of the moon and fertility.  When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, they named the island “Isla Mujeres” or “Island of Women” after discovering numerous clay figures and imagery of the Mayan goddess.  In later years, Isla (as it’s affectionately known) became a refuge for pirates, including Henry Morgan and Jean Lafitte.  The island’s most famous pirate was Fermin Antonio Mundaca, who left Spain and settled on Isla Mujeres in 1858.  Mundaca fell in love with a much younger local woman and tried to woo her with his riches, but the young woman refused his advances.  Legend states that Mundaca slowly went insane and died alone, leaving his large estate on Isla Mujeres to tell his tale for years to come.  Modern day visitors can visit the grounds and ruins of the “Hacienda Mundaca” and walk the gardens of this old pirate land.  For many  years Isla Mujeres was a peaceful fishing village, sparsely inhabited and undeveloped until the tourism industry began to bring more and more travellers seeking relaxation to her shores.

Punta Sur Isla Mujeres

Today Isla Mujeres is a popular destination for travellers and a top day trip for visitors to Cancun and the Riviera Maya.  The island is still a functioning fishing village, making it an ideal place to find some of the freshest, tastiest seafood in the Mexican Caribbean.  While the island has grown to keep up with the demands for hotels and amenities, it still retains its small town charm.  Getting around the island means golf carts, mopeds or taxis, self guided golf cart tours are a great way to see the island.  “Downtown”is a few cozy streets that were built for walking, with intimate restaurants and local artisans selling their wares.  The famous “Playa Norte” (”North Beach”) is by far one of the best beaches in Quintana Roo, soft white sands, palm trees and calm, crystal clear waters that offer the perfect place to float and forget the daily stresses.  Beach bars offer lounge chairs and umbrellas and waiter service on the sand, everything at your fingertips to enjoy a relaxing day (or week or month).  Visit “Punta Sur” (”South Point”) for some of the most spectacular scenery on the island, perch on the rocky cliffs, listening to the waves crashing on shore as you admire the huge iguanas that populate the rocks and the multitude of blues of the Caribbean Sea.  Garrafon Park, on the west side of the island, is an ideal place to spend a day snorkeling, kayaking, zip lining or just hanging out in a hammock under a palm tree.  The turtle sanctuary on Isla Mujeres allows visitors to get up close and personal with sea turtles and learn more about marine animal preservation and conservation.

Dolphin Discovery Isla Mujeres

Dolphin Discovery is thrilled to be a part of this island community.  Getting to Isla is easy on our quick ferry from the hotel zone, our modern boats will bring you to the island in about 15 minutes.  Our Isla Mujeres location has over 10000 square feet of natural ocean area for our family of dolphins, sea lions and manatees to frolic with fish and guests.  Visitors to Dolphin Discovery Isla Mujeres are invited to enjoy our seaside pool, hang out in our hammock garden, have a few drinks at the palapa bar and enjoy a delicious buffet lunch as part of their day.  Guests may also take tours of the island, snorkeling trips to the reef, or a jaunt down the road to Garrafon Park.  Leave your worries behind on your all inclusive day at Dolphin Discovery Isla Mujeres, enjoy the sun and sea and live the experience of a lifetime in paradise!

Sea Lion Facts

// July 19th, 2010 // View Comments // Cancun / Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Riviera Maya, Sea Life, Vallarta

Everyone loves sea lions, aside from being so handsome, they seem to have a great sense of humour, always making us laugh.  So, what do you know about sea lions?  Let’s have a look at some facts….

–Sea lions are found all over the world, from the Arctic to New Zealand, usually found along rocky coasts where there are rich food sources such as sardines, herring, capelin and squid.

–Sea lions can be distinguished from seals by their visible external ear flaps.

–Sea lions are “pinnipeds’, meaning they have “winged feet”.

–Sea lions are amphibious, they live on both land and water.

–Sea lions are “marine mammals”, meaning they do not lay eggs but do in fact carry and give birth to their young.  Males are “bulls”, females are “cows” and babies are called “pups”.

–Sea lions have a lifespan of 10-15 years in the wild, but in a healthy zoological environment can live 25-35 years.

–Sea lion mamas gestate for 10-12 months.  Their pups are born on land and will nurse from their mother from 4-12 months.

–Sea lions are warm blooded, covered in a layer of fat to protect them from cold temperatures.

–Sea lions breathe air, but can remain under water for up to 40 minutes if hunting for food, accomplished by squeezing their nostrils shut tight.

–Sea lions are very communal, usually living in large colonies of up to 1000, with smaller communities appearing within the group.

–Sea lions aren’t lazy, but they sure do love to hang around on the rocks and bask in the sun.

–Sea lions are intelligent and easy to train, the military has been training them for years for rescue operations in the sea.

–The biggest dangers to sea lions are fishermen, pollution and climate change.  Their predators are killer whales and sharks, though they can swim faster than both they can be taken by surprise.

Dolphin Discovery invites you to get up close and personal with these sweet creatures, our sea lion friends can be found in the following destinations:

Sea Lions Isla Mujeres

Sea Lions Cozumel

Sea Lions Riviera Maya

Sea Lions Puerto Vallarta

Get a hug, a fishy kiss and you will most definitely walk away smiling from your Sea Lion Encounter with Dolphin Discovery!

Please remember to keep our oceans and beaches clean, plastic bags, six-pack rings, garbage of all kinds is very damaging to the sea lions and their environment.  Do what you can to protect our precious marine life, go for a walk on the beach and pick up trash, educate your children, spread the word that if we each do our small part, all earth’s creatures will have a brighter future.

“Por la Libre 2010″ a Huge Success

// June 2nd, 2010 // View Comments // Cancun / Isla Mujeres, Locations, News

Por la Libre- The Race Begins

Saturday May 29th, 6:30 am and it is already hot in Cancun.  There is excitement and tension in the air as more than 500 anxious athletes await the start of the 10 km open water race from Cancun to Isla Mujeres.  This is the fifth annual “Por la Libre” and it’s a gorgeous day for it, sunshine, no wind, no waves, just crystal clear turquoise waters and blue skies.  The swimmers hit the water at Punta Cancun and the race begins, with a flotilla of boats, kayaks and jet skis following along to ensure the safety of the athletes and to cheer them on to the finish at Garrafon Park on Isla Mujeres.

Por la Libre 2010 Finish Line at Garrafon Park

As the swimmers make their crossing, supporters head to Garrafon and the organizational teams take their places at the finish line.  The recovery area is set up with refreshments, the massage tables are in place and the offical time keepers are ready to receive the finishers.  The radios start to buzz as the first swimmer is seen approaching the island, the excitement mounts and the cameras start clicking!  First out of the water with an incredible time of 1 hour and 33 minutes is 17 year old Fernando Betanzos, a proud moment for this incredible young athlete.  Finishing first overall for the women’s category is Alejandra Merizalde with a great time of 1 hour and 43 minutes, another young swimmer from the 15-19 year old group.

Fernando Betanzos first to the finish line

It was an exciting day to be at Garrafon, the swimmers were greeted with rounds of applause as they exited the water and crossed the mat.  Racers and their fans enjoyed the shady hammock garden, lounged in the pool and sated their appetites with icy cold drinks and a tasty lunch.  Many took advantage of the calm waters to snorkel the reef and go for a spin in the kayaks on this beautiful day.

Televisa Verde presenting mangrove plants

“Por la Libre 2010″ is pleased to announce that for the first time the race was done to benefit a great cause.  Televisa Verde donated 6000 mangrove plants in the names of the first 200 registered swimmers, with the goal of revitalizing the Nichupte Lagoon which suffered serious damage during Hurricane Wilma in 2005.  Dolphin Discovery and Garrafon Park are proud to be sponsors and we would like to congratulate all the athletes and give thanks to Televisa Verde for their contribution to the ecology of Cancun. Thanks and special congratulations to Rafa and Carmen from Starc Producciones for organizing this great event, let’s do it again soon!

Por la Libre Official Results

More Por la Libre 2010 photos on Flickr

Interview with a Dolphin Trainer

// May 31st, 2010 // View Comments // About Dolphins, Cancun / Isla Mujeres, News, Riviera Maya

Dolphin Discovery’s trainers are used to hearing “You’ve got the best job in the world!” from guests and this week I had the pleasure of sitting down with one of our trainers to find out if indeed that is the case.  Alex Mata invited me to experience life as a trainer for a morning and was gracious enough to sit down with me and tell me about himself and his life as a marine animal trainer.

Alex Mata is the Corporate Educative Trainer for Dolphin Discovery.  He’s originally from Spain and began his career in Europe before coming to Dolphin Discovery in Mexico six years ago.  He chose Dolphin Discovery for its outstanding corporate training department with over 100 educational courses, an ideal place to develop and grow in his career. He now works alongside expert veterinarians and biologists who push everyone to be better trainers and better people, something that sets Dolphin Discovery apart from other organizations in the world. With his expertise, knowledge and true passion for the animals and the organization, he is now in a position to train the trainers and realize his dream of devoting his life to marine animals.

We asked our fans and followers on Facebook and Twitter to post their questions for Alex, here’s what we discovered.

1.  How do you become a dolphin trainer?  What makes a good dolphin trainer?

First and foremost, being a dolphin trainer is not a job, it is a career and a calling.  It is not necessary to have a degree, though it is beneficial to have studied marine biology, veterinary medicine or psychology.  Trainers must have excellent swimming skills, a love for dolphins, the ability to speak English, a great personality for customer service and most importantly, passion.  It takes about three years to obtain the title of “Trainer”, with hours spent in educational courses, 1 1/2 years as an apprentice and 1 1/2 years as an assistant.  Dolphin Discovery has approximately 100 different educational courses and trainers are required to constantly be expanding their knowledge and improving their skills.  Long days, hard work, sleepless nights, hot sun and pouring rain, the work isn’t always easy but for those who truly love what they do, it’s always a pleasure.

2.  Do you love the dolphins?  What’s the best experience you’ve had at Dolphin Discovery?

Alex smiled when I asked these questions and replied quickly to the first with an “Of course, absolutely!”.  For the second question he pondered for a moment and then replied “Swimming with ten baby dolphins at the same time in Puerto Aventuras”.  He described the ten babies as super playful, swimming circles around him, vocalizing loudly and teasing him into joining in their games.

3.  How do you communicate with the dolphins?  Can you tell if a dolphin is happy/sad/angry?

Since humans have yet to be able to translate the language of dolphins, the trainers communicate with them through body language, hand gestures and whistles.  The dolphins regard the whistle as a “reward”, for them it means “Good job!” and they love to hear it.  Dolphins express their emotions through their own body language and vocalizations, each in their own way.  Once a trainer gets to know a particular dolphin, they can see when they are feeling excited or are getting frustrated, if they are eager to play or if they prefer to be left alone.

4.  What’s the worst part of the job?

Being in Cancun during hurricane season adds extra pressure to the staff to work together, think quickly and stay calm as they move the animals to a safe environment.  The dolphins come first, as a dolphin trainer at Dolphin Discovery you are commited to the animals and in an emergency they are the number one priority.

5.  After feeding fish to the dolphins all day, do you still enjoy eating fish?

“Ummmm, no, I don’t eat fish anymore.”

6.  What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

It seems Alex’s home life is not that much different from his work life.  He lives in Cancun with his girlfriend (also an animal trainer, specializing in birds) and their 2 dogs, a chameleon, an iguana, a cockatoo, a macaw and 3 toucans and spends his days off hanging at home with the animals.

So, is it the best job in the world?  It sure seems that way!  Alex spoke enthusiastically about his “family” at Dolphin Discovery, he eagerly answered even my most basic questions and he patiently walked me through the routines of the day.  It was an honor for me to spend time with someone so knowledgeable and so obviously in love with dolphins (and manatees and sea lions and stingrays and sharks and animals in general!)  I learned so much and am inspired by his passion, thank you so very much Alex, can we do it again soon?

Stingray Facts

// May 13th, 2010 // View Comments // Cancun / Isla Mujeres, Grand Cayman, Locations, Sea Life

Stingrays are fascinating creatures, as they float and fly through the oceans they appear almost bird-like in their motions.  We at Dolphin Discovery love all marine animals and would like to share a few fun stingray facts with you…..

- Stingrays are found in shallow waters in warm climates

- There are about 70 species of stingrays in the world

- There is no evidence of evolution in stingrays, ancient fossilized remains appear to be identical to the stingray of today

- Stingrays can live in salt water or brackish waters (where salt water and fresh water meet)

- Stingrays are related to sharks (some folks call them “flattened sharks”), unfortunately while sharks may be family, they are also the biggest predators of stingrays

-Stingrays often take on the colour of their environment for defense

- Stingrays spend a lot of time motionless, partially buried under sand

- Stingrays are usually docile and harmless, though they will use their barbed tails in defense (usually if they are stepped on)

- Stingray venom was used as an anaesthetic in ancient Greece

- Stingrays may be as small as a few inches or up to 5 to 7 feet long

- Stingrays have no bones, they are primarily made of cartilage

- Stingrays are carnivores, hunting their prey (small fish, crabs, shrimp) at night

- Stingrays use their sense of smell and special electro-receptors to hunt their prey

- Stingray mamas give birth to two to ten stingray “pups” per year

- Stingrays have a lifespan of 15 to 25 years

Dolphin Discovery is thrilled to offer our guests the opportunity to interact with these beautiful marine creatures.  Participants in the Grand Cayman Royal Swim receive a bonus swim with stingray experience, where you’ll be invited to stroke and hold the stingrays and our trainers will teach you everything you want to know about them.  Guests in our Cancun-Isla Mujeres dolphinarium have the chance to snorkel in the sea with stingrays, a phenomenal experience!  We hope you learn to love stingrays as much as we do, join us at Dolphin Discovery!

–Stingray photo courtesy Barry Peters

Dolphin Discovery- Mother’s Day Specials

// May 4th, 2010 // View Comments // Cancun / Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Discounts, Grand Cayman, Locations, Riviera Maya, Tortola, Vallarta

Mexico is a country known for its devotion to the family, and no family member is more revered than “Mama”.  Every year on May 10th the entire country pays homage to matriarchs with the annual “Dia de las Madres” or “Mother’s Day” celebrations.  Young children create cards and gifts and adult children bring flowers and treat their mothers to very special dinners and parties.  The traditional song “Las Mananitas” is sung, often as a serenade outside of mother’s house with mariachis for accompaniment.   “Mama” is the center of attention and the whole family shows her their appreciation on this very special day.  Mothers have been honoured throughout the ages around the world, but the first official “Dia de las Madres” in Mexico wasn’t celebrated until May 10th, 1922 as a result of the petitions by  Rafael Alducin Bedolla, founder of the newspaper “Excelsior”.  We thank him for bringing us such a special day and we thank moms everywhere for all that they do!

Dolphin Discovery would like to show moms just how special they are by offering a 20% discount to mothers on all our swim with dolphins programs in all our locations for the entire month of May!  Guests swimming with their mom get an additional 10% off their own swims too!  Treat your mom to an experience she’ll never forget, book now!  Lots of love to moms everywhere from all our dolphins!

“Por la Libre”- 10 km Open Water Race from Cancun to Isla Mujeres

// April 26th, 2010 // View Comments // Cancun / Isla Mujeres, Locations, News

Dolphin Discovery is proud to be a sponsor of the 5th annual “Por la Libre” event, a 10 km open water swim race across the Bahia de Mujeres (Bay of Women).  Saturday May 29th, 2010, athletes from Mexico and around the world will make the crossing from Punta Cancun to Garrafon Park on Isla Mujeres, swimming through turquoise waters and over the reefs, demonstrating incredible feats of strength and endurance.

This year the event is for for the benefit of a fantastic cause!  Dolphin Discovery and co-sponsor Televisa Verde will be contributing thousands of trees and mangroves to be planted in the Nichupte Lagoon and the Sian Kaan biosphere.   For each participant, 24 plants will be donated for each kilometer they swim, with the goal of reaching 60 000 new plants overall!  As an environmentally conscious company, Dolphin Discovery is thrilled to not only participate directly in the “re-greening” but to assist in the continuuing education of the public about our precious natural resources.

Athletes will start the race at Punta Cancun, swimming ten kilometers in open water to the finish line at Garrafon Park on Isla Mujeres.  Families, friends and observers will be waiting and cheering them on from shore.  If you would like to join the observers and offer support to the participants while enjoying a great day at Garrafon, purchase Por la Libre spectator tickets!.  The  price for the day is 390 pesos for adults and 250 pesos for kids 6-11, children 5 and under are free.  Your ticket includes ferry transportation from Cancun to Isla Mujeres, entrance to Garrafon Park, breakfast, lunch buffet and open bar, the use of lockers, lounge chairs, hammocks, snorkeling gear, kayaks, the infinity pool, all the incredible installations available in the park are yours to enjoy while the atheletes make their crossing!  Participating swimmers will be able to relax and enjoy Garrafon after the race, a great reward for their tremendous efforts.

Dolphin Discovery wishes all the participants good luck, have a safe race, we’ll see you at the finish line!  We invited everyone to  join the Cancun-Isla Mujeres “Por la Libre” 10kms Aguas Abiertas Facebook group, a great community of participants and supporters and of course, the Garrafon Park Facebook page which celebrates all things Isla Mujeres!

Memorial Day Weekend Cancun- Jumpoff 2010!

// April 7th, 2010 // View Comments // Cancun / Isla Mujeres, Discounts, Locations, News

Every year Cancun is THE hottest place to be on Memorial Day Weekend and this year it’s going to be bigger than ever!  May 27-31, 2010 thousands of people will converge in Cancun for the annual Cancun Jumpoff Festival, soaking up some sun, meeting new people and partying all night.  Memorial Day Weekend in Cancun is jam-packed with beach parties, the famous “White Party”, booze cruises and contests, take advantage of the planned events or make your own adventure and explore our tropical paradise on your own.

Dolphin Discovery Isla Mujeres would like to extend a warm invitation to all Jumpoff 2010 participants, come swim with our dolphins, play with sea lions and manatees, snorkel with stingrays and sharks, all on the beautiful island of Isla Mujeres!  Our all-inclusive package let’s you hang out in our beach club by the incredible Caribbean Sea, eat, drink and be merry, a totally stress-free day.  Your day includes a ferry ride from Cancun’s hotel zone to Isla Mujeres, continental breakfast, open bar and lunch buffet.  You can choose from a variety of swim with dolphins programs from the Dolphin Encounter to the adrenaline-filled Dolphin Royal Swim!  Before or after your swim with dolphins, you can enjoy the use of a bicycle to tour the island of Isla Mujeres, hit the main streets of this small fishing town for some shopping or cruise the sea in a kayak.  For those looking for relaxation, you can simply lay by the pool with a an icy cold drink in hand.  We also offer the option to visit nearby Garrafon Park, a truly spectacular setting for snorkeling, zip-lining, kayaking and chilling in the hammock garden.

Join Dolphin Discovery for the experience of a lifetime for Cancun Jumpoff 2010, a Memorial Day activity that you will never forget!  Book now for great discounts, 20% off for early bookings!  Spaces are limited in the swim with dolphin programs, don’t miss out, reserve your spot today!