My Writings. My Thoughts.
Dolphin Discovery Los Cabos
// February 22nd, 2011 // View Comments // Locations, News, cabo, los cabos
Dolphin Discovery Los Cabos
Dolphin Discovery Los Cabos is open for business! February 14th, 2011 was a day to celebrate Valentine’s Day and the inauguration of Dolphin Discovery’s newest location.
“It must be love….this is this motto that best represents our opening on February 14th and that best describes the emotional bond between dolphins and humans” said Eduardo Albor, General Director of the Dolphin Discovery Group in his announcement for the opening of Dolphin Discovery Los Cabos in Puerto Los Cabos. “This project is done in partnership with the Questro Group in the beautiful destination of Puerto Los Cabos in what is the only dolphinarium in a natural environment in the Mexican Pacific”
Dolphin Discovery Los Cabos Opening Day Orientation
This Project is the tenth dolphinarium from the Dolphin Discovery Group, designed in a natural environment in the waters of the Sea of Cortez in Puerto Los Cabos, surrounded by lush greenery and soaring palm trees, a striking contrast to the cactus and nopales of the región. Dolphin Discovery Los Cabos is home to six Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Titan, Triton, Eva, Shelly, Scarlett and Ixchel. The facility has the capacity to receive up to 300 visitors per day, welcoming guests looking to live the extraordinary experience of swimming with dolphins in the most beautiful dolphinarium in the Mexican Pacific.
“Our interactive programs were designed to allow guests to enjoy maximum interaction with these fascinating mammals in a natural environment like that of Los Cabos, learning about their care, their way of life, their anatomy and they come away with the experience of a lifetime, conscious of the importance of taking care of the environment and the species which inhabit our planet” said Edgar Urbina, Corporate Director of Trainers for the Dolphin Discovery Group. “The dolphins could not be in a better place and they have adjusted perfectly to their new home since their arrival on February 5th”.
Dolphin Discovery Los Cabos Opening Day
Dolphin Discovery Los Cabos is now welcoming new friends and sharing the experience of a lifetime in this prestigious destination. With three interactive dolphin swimming programs, we have something for everyone. The Dolphin Encounter program is ideal for families with young children and the Dolphin Royal Swim is perfect for those looking for an adventure in adrenaline. We invite you all to join us in the Mexican Pacific’s only dolphinarium set in a natural environment, enjoy a dolphin kiss and take home memories that will last a lifetime.
For more photos of our beautiful new location, visit Dolphin Discovery Los Cabos.
Swim with Dolphins Cabo
// February 10th, 2011 // View Comments // Locations, cabo
San Jose del Cabo
“Cabo“. One little word packs a powerful punch, its meaning is clear as soon as it is uttered. “Cabo“. Beaches, deep blue sea, luxurious celebrity getaway and now the home of the newest Dolphin Discovery location!
Located on the southern tip of Baja California, Cabo is a popular destination for sun lovers looking for a very special vacation escape. Luxurious hotels and homes line the shore, offering distinguished accommodations for travellers to enjoy the spectacular views. “El Arco de Cabo San Lucas” is perhaps the most recognizable landmark in Cabo, a stunning rock formation where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez and where the sea lions love to congregate. The winter months bring pods of whales to the area, offering travellers an opportunity to witness the majesty of these gigantic sea creatures. There is much to enjoy in Los Cabos, golf, fishing, sailing, water sports, shopping and fine dining, and of course, meeting the Cabo dolphins at Dolphin Discovery!
Dolphin Discovery Cabo invites you to join us as we launch our newest dolphinarium on February 14th, 2011. You’ll find us near the “Marina at Puerto Los Cabos” in San Jose de Cabo, an area rich in pirate history and now famous for the world-class fishing excursions. We look forward to becoming a part of the community and to sharing our love for dolphins and marine animals with a whole new group of friends and visitors. We hope to see you soon in Dolphin Discovery Cabo!
(photo courtesy http://www.adventure-travel.org.uk/)
Taste of Cayman
// February 4th, 2011 // View Comments // Grand Cayman, News
The Taste of Cayman Food and Wine Festival in Grand Cayman gets bigger and better and tastier every year! 2011 marked the 23rd year for this annual event with more than 30 restaurants and chefs presenting their finest dishes to thousands of guests. Jerk pork, Cayman conch chowder and sticky toffee cake were just some of the offerings at hand as visitors sampled and savoured and cast their votes for Cayman’s favourite restaurant. With over 50 different wines to taste, the famous mojito bar and the refreshing mudslides from the Rum Point Club, thirst was quenched and taste buds tingled. At the end of the day, the votes were cast and “Deckers” was selected Cayman’s favourite restaurant, be sure to check them out when you visit the island!
While the focus of the festival is food (of course!), guests were also treated to entertainment throughout the day. Live music, fireworks, games and contests, including the Dolphin Discovery ring toss game. Kids lined up to try their hand at tossing a ring over a (toy) dolphin’s nose, winning smiles and prizes.
Dolphin Discovery Grand Cayman was delighted to participate in this great community event. We’d like to congratulate the “Taste of Cayman” organization for a wonderful day, may we have many more together in the years to come!
Dolphin Discovery 2010 Year in Review
// December 17th, 2010 // View Comments // About Dolphins, Cancun / Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Dolphins for kids, Grand Cayman, Locations, News, Riviera Maya, Sea Life, Tortola, Vallarta, costa maya
It’s that time of year again, the season to join with family and friends and celebrate the holidays, reflect on the year past and look forward to what the new year will bring. 2010 was a busy year for Dolphin Discovery, new ventures, new friends and a whole lot of smiling faces. Let’s have a look at some of the highlights of 2010…
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Dolphin Discovery Cozumel was thrilled to welcome sea lions into the family this year, with their feisty characters and silly antics, the sea lion program is a delightful addition to Chankanaab Park. Pingo and Karla make us laugh every day, and little baby Taco has a huge personality!
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Miss Caribbean World Pageant Tortola
Dolphin Discovery Tortola is a truly beautiful place, but the participants in the Miss Caribbean World Pageant made it gorgeous! These lovely ladies from all over the Caribbean took time out of their busy schedule to join us for a swim with dolphins in Tortola, we thank them for their visit and offer congratulations once again to winner Marcia Baptiste of Dominica!
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“Por la Libre” Open Water Race
Dolphin Discovery was pleased to be a sponsor of the 10 km open water swim race from Cancun to Isla Mujeres. More than 500 international athletes hit the water in Cancun and made the ocean crossing to the finish line at Garrafon Park. Seventeen year old Fernando Betanzos finished first, with an incredible time of 1 hour and 33 minutes! Televisa Verde made this event extra special by donating 6000 mangrove plants to revitalize the Nichupte Lagoon.
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Manatee Madness in Riviera Maya
Our little family of manatees in Puerto Aventuras had a fantastic 2010. In June we had a big first birthday celebration for our rescued manatee “Robert”, with a fruit and vegetable birthday cake and a visit from local school children. In September we welcomed the newest member of the manatee family as Julieta gave birth to a bouncing baby boy, another success for our reproduction program!
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One of the biggest news stories of the year was the release of the iPad and our smart-as-a-whip dolphin Merlin was one of the first to give the tablet a whirl and make his own headlines. Researchers from “Speak Dolphin” introduced the touch-screen device to Merlin in an effort to bridge communications with our dolphin friends and learn more about these incredible creatures. The fame has not gone to Merlin’s head, he is as down to earth (down to sea?) as he has always been, a vital part of our Riviera Maya crew.
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Dolphin Discovery Cozumel introduced a unique new program this year, “Dive with Dolphins” invites our guests to join dolphins under the sea and discover a whole new way to play. Chankanaab Park and Cozumel are paradise to scuba divers all over the world, what better way to explore the underwater home of the dolphins? This was one of my personal highlights of the year, donning the mask and tank and playing with Titan near the ocean floor was a truly phenomenal experience.
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Cruisers Delight, Dolphin Discovery Costa Maya
November 2010 we celebrated the grand opening of our newest dolphinarium in the cruise ship port of Costa Maya near the town of Mahahual. Located about 400 kms south of Cancun, Costa Maya is a HOT destination for cruise ships! Dolphin Discovery is excited about our new venture and we look forward to welcoming new friends from the cruising community in 2011 and the years to come.
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This is just a taste of some of the great experiences we’ve had at Dolphin Discovery this year, I could write all day about new births and visiting celebrities and the numerous charity and community events that we were honored to be a part of. I would like to thank every member of the Dolphin Discovery team for all their hard work and smiles, let’s do it again next year!
To all of you, our guests, we thank you for making 2010 a special year and we wish you a happy and safe holiday season and a new year full of love, life, happiness and success. Dolphin hugs and kisses to everyone, see you in 2011!
Costa Maya Tours- Swim with Dolphins
// November 23rd, 2010 // View Comments // Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Locations, News, costa maya
Cruise ship travel is one of today’s hottest tickets, with millions of lucky people sailing the high seas every year. Visiting tropical ports of call, sampling the culture, food and natural delights of paradise and discovering new experiences along the way, cruising opens up a world of adventure in the lap of luxury.
Dolphin Discovery has had the pleasure of welcoming thousands of cruisers to our Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Tortola dolphinariums and we’re thrilled to announce the opening of our newest location in the Mexican Caribbean port of Costa Maya. Less than ten years ago, the tiny town of Mahahual was a simple fishing village, now it’s a thriving port of call with a world class pier and tourism complex. The town has kept its charm and its beautiful beaches and views, working diligently towards sustainable tourism to allow people to enjoy the beauty of this remote village for years to come. Dolphin Discovery is excited to be a part of the Costa Maya community and we look forward to meeting cruisers and travellers from around the world and introducing them to their new dolphin friends.
Dolphin Discovery Costa Maya is located directly to the left of the cruise ship docks, our frolicking dolphins will be your first sight as you disembark. We invite you to pull up a hammock or lounge chair, enjoy a cold drink and enjoy watching the dolphins play while you await your turn for the experience of a lifetime. Our friendly staff will guide you through a short orientation before joining the dolphins in the water. Get ready to fall in love! In the Dolphin Swim Adventure, you’ll shake hands, sing a song, stroke the dolphin and go for an exciting belly ride! The Dolphin Encounter is the ideal Costa Maya tour for the whole family, with a hug, handshake, a sing-along with dolphins and a great big kiss, it’s something the kids (and grandma and you) will remember forever. After your swim with dolphins experience, you can enjoy all that the Costa Maya port has to offer, great restaurants, shopping and some glorious pools under the palm trees.
Big congratulations to our team on the grand opening, thanks for all your hard work in creating Dolphin Discovery Mahahual. To cruisers and adventurists everywhere, we hope you’ll join us and make Dolphin Discovery your number one choice for your Costa Maya tour!
For more pictures, check out our Dolphin Discovery Costa Maya photos set on Flickr.
Dive with dolphins in Cozumel
// October 5th, 2010 // View Comments // Cozumel, Locations
Cozumel has long been known as one of the best diving destinations in the world and for good reason. The warm, crystal clear waters of the Caribbean set on the world’s second largest reef make it an ideal place for beginner and veteran divers to experience life under the sea. Colorful tropical fish, incredible coral formations and a plethora of sea life, you’ll find yourself in another world at the bottom of the ocean!
My first dive experience in Cozumel
Dolphin Discovery Cozumel is now offering a unique opportunity, a swim with dolphins program like no other. The “Dive with Dolphins” program brings you to the undersea world to experience dolphins in a whole new way. I visited Cozumel last week and am thrilled to report that the program is truly out of this world!
Our group arrived in Cozumel’s Chankanaab Park bright and early, all of us excited and nervous. With eight in the group only two had ever been scuba diving before, the rest of us were restless with anticipation. We were just in time to catch the sea lion show, the silly antics of these funny creatures calmed our nerves and allowed us to relax a bit before our big adventure. Still laughing after the show, we made our way down the beach to the dive shop and got right to work learning the basics of scuba. The dive master was extremely knowledgeable and patient, explaining the ins and outs of the equipment and rules of scuba and answering all of our first-timer questions. The class lasted about an hour and then we were ready to get in our gear. Masks and flippers, weight belt, tanks and regulators in place, we made it down to the shore and into the sea. The dive master gave us a little test to see if we were able to clear our masks under water and take our regulator in and out. Passing the test at 3 meters, we started out for a little swim, descending further down to about 8 meters. We saw a huge barracuda right off the bat, some schools of tropical fish, conch and some rays, a great start! For my first time diving, I was ecstatic, I frequently snorkel but this was something completely different! We flippered towards the Dolphin Discovery piers, got out of the water and went for our final orientation. We were shown a brief video of what to expect in the dive with dolphins program and how to interact with the dolphins under the water. And then it was time for the big event, off we went to the docks, donned our gear once again and descended 10 meters down.
Diving with dolphins in Cozumel
Our trainer Daniel introduced us to Titan, the alpha male dolphin in Cozumel. We knelt on the ocean floor while he greeted us all with a “swim by”, allowing us to stroke his smooth skin and say hello. He gave us a little show, doing some barrel rolls as he swam along, racing towards the surface and back down again. I’ve swum with dolphins many times, but this was a completely different way to see them, I couldn’t help but smile and laugh through my regulator. We heard Titan “singing” under the water in his unique signature whistle, I wished I could communicate with him in return. The dive master and Daniel guided us through the encounter, showing us the hand signals that would bring Titan to us for a kiss on the lips and one on the cheek. I was in love! Titan ended our time together by performing some spectacular leaps out of the water then crashing back down again, a sight I will never forget. We said good bye to our dolphin friend, leaving him to his own underwater world and made our way back to land.
Getting a kiss from Titan
The “Dive with Dolphins” program is perfect for anyone looking for a unique marine life encounter. No diving experience is needed, you will be given expert dive instruction and training. The minimum age for this program is 16 and it is not recommended for anyone with asthma, hypertension, epilepsy, respiratory problems or pregnant women. We recommend that you sleep well the night before, avoid alcohol before the program and eat a light breakfast. Get ready to fall in love under the sea, enjoy a real experience of a lifetime with “Dive with Dolphins” at Dolphin Discovery Cozumel!
Garrafon Park Isla Mujeres
// September 16th, 2010 // View Comments // Cancun / Isla Mujeres, Locations
Standing atop a rocky cliff, feeling the ocean breeze on my face, I leap…..a scream, then a laugh as I speed down the zipline over the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Isla Mujeres at Garrafon Park. I leap again, flying over the snorkelers flippering their way across the reef, the water so clear that even from the height of the zipline I can see the schools of fish darting in and out of the coral. I land on the shore with a huge smile, take off my helmet and harness and get ready for the next part of my adventure.
Garrafon Park is located on the small island of Isla Mujeres, a short ferry ride from the mainland city of Cancun. With lush green areas, a reef teeming with tropical fish and incredible views, it’s a beautiful place to spend a day. Guests may choose to pass the hours swinging in a hammock with a cold drink in hand or they can fill the day with action… snorkeling, kayaking, biking, ziplining, exploring the sculpture garden and Mayan ruins at Punta Sur and swimming with dolphins.
I’m definitely a woman of action, so after my zipline ride I don my mask and fins and hit the water. The reef is home to a plethora of sea life, big beautiful angel fish, schools of sergeant majors and French grunts, needlefish, parrot fish and even a friendly barracuda. The shallow waters close to shore make this an ideal spot, whether you are a first time snorkeler or a veteran, it’s a great way to discover the underwater world.
Ready for more excitement after snorkeling, I took a little spin in a kayak, went for a walk on the seaside path and had a swim in the infinity pool. I’d worked up quite an appetite so I made my way to the restaurant to refuel. I’m pleasantly surprised by just how good the food is! Lots of choices, salads, fish, pasta, chicken, Mexican specialties and of course, hot dogs and hamburgers. I try to keep myself away from the dessert table, but end up devouring a piece of tres leches cake (the diet can restart tomorrow, right?). I sip my special “Garrafon Lemonade”, gaze at the view and realize that I am truly in paradise and the day is not over yet!
I gather my belongings, grab a taxi and make my way to Dolphin Discovery full of anticipation. It’s time to swim with dolphins! Our guide gives us an orientation session, teaching us about bottlenose dolphins and how to interact with them. We’re a small group, only ten people, and we’re all eager to get in the water. The friendly trainer brings us to the dock, we carefully climb down the stairs and we meet our dolphins and fall in love! We shake their hands, kiss them and they take us for a ride with their dorsal fins. Then the highlight of the day, the foot push! The adrenaline flows as the two dolphins propel us through the water by pushing the bottoms of our feet, I get right up out of the water and can’t help but laugh out loud. Truly the experience of a lifetime!
I had a most amazing day, and you can too with the Royal Garrafon and Dolphin Royal Swim package. This is an all inclusive trip, no worries, no stress, all your activities, food, drinks and equipment are included so you can enjoy your day to the fullest. Contact our bilingual Dolphin Discovery customer service representatives and book your best vacation day ever!
Baby Manatee Born at Dolphin Discovery Riviera Maya
// September 13th, 2010 // View Comments // Locations, Riviera Maya, Sea Life
Baby Manatee Born September 9, 2010 at Dolphin Discovery
Dolphin Discovery is pleased to announce the newest addition to our Riviera Maya family, a beautiful bouncing baby boy manatee! On Thursday September 9th at 1:00 pm, Julieta gave birth to a male measuring 1.2 meters long, the third calf born to our lovely matriarch. Immediately after giving birth, Julieta helped the little one to reach the surface to take his first breath and introduced herself as “mom” with physical, visual and auditory contact with the calf. He is feeding well and adjusting to his new life in Puerto Aventuras. Julieta is a great mama, keeping a close eye on her newborn, with her experience as a mother we are sure that this lovely new creature will continue to grow and thrive.
Baby Manatee with Mom Julieta at Dolphin Discovery
The reproductive rate of manatees is generally very low. Females do not reach sexual maturity until the age of 5, males at the age of 9. Gestation lasts for one year and calves nurse from their moms for about a year and will be reliant on them for up to two years. Females give birth to one pup at a time and may wait 2-5 years before reproducing again. Male manatees do not get involved in raising their young, it is the sole responsibility of the mothers.
This is an exciting event for Dolphin Discovery, another success in our breeding program and it’s extra special as manatees are an endangered species. This new baby gives us an opportunity to continue to learn and gather information and allows our team to explore alternatives and solutions to the problems facing manatees in the wild. We would like to offer our congratulations not only to Julieta, but to our dedicated team of veterinarians, biologists and trainers. Welcome to the world little boy!
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