#70873 - 03/06/08 02:45 AM
Swimming with Dolphins?
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Big Bear
Junior Member
Registered: 03/06/08
Posts: 6
Loc: UK
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Hi there
Very excited newbie here.
I'm going on honeymoon in September (1 day in Tahiti, 5 days in Moorea 4 days in Bora Bora)...and was wondering if there is any oportunity to swim with Dolphins in Moorea?
From what I've read, it seems that Moorea is the island where there will be more activities to choose from (inclding a whale/dolphin spotting trip which sounds superb) - I was just wondering if they're highly recommended and how close you can actually get to the dolphins - it's always been something I've dreamed of doing.
Also, we're going in September - have we missed the humpback whale spotting season? I read that August is the best time for whale spotting in the South Pacific, so hopefully we'll catch the tail end.
We're soing Bora Bora at the end of our trip and I imagine it will be more relaxed than Moorea with more time spent taking spas than going on excusions but I'm interested to know what are the best activities both Moorea and Bora Bora have to offer.
Thanks in advance.
Dan
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#70876 - 03/06/08 06:14 AM
Re: Swimming with Dolphins?
[Re: Big Bear]
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Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2369
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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You can do a dolphin swim at the Intercontinental (they have 'contained' dolphins). We watched several people do that and they seemed to really enjoy it. Dr. Poole's whale/dolphin excursion is also available. We haven't been on it, but I hear it's educational. You'll likely see dolphins, but seeing whales is hit or miss.
We saw humpbacks near Raiatea in November this year so I don't think September would be too late.
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#70877 - 03/06/08 06:20 AM
Re: Swimming with Dolphins?
[Re: Old Wife]
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Big Bear
Junior Member
Registered: 03/06/08
Posts: 6
Loc: UK
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that's great news because we're staying in the intercontinental in both moorea and bora bora. what does 'contained' dolphins actually mean? is it in a big pool or something? can you swim with dolphins do in the sea in their natural habitat?
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#70881 - 03/06/08 07:24 AM
Re: Swimming with Dolphins?
[Re: Big Bear]
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Patti.
Expert Advisor
Registered: 03/28/04
Posts: 2460
Loc: Las Vegas, NV
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Yes, the dolphins are captive in a enclosure at the hotel. They are not swimming free in their natural habitat. And your time spent with them will be structured by the staff. I know you can go swimming with them in their natural habitat in New Zealand. You may have to plan a trip there sometime. :-)
With Dr Poole's trip, I have heard of some people being allowed to go into the water to see the whales or dolphins from an underwater vantage. But I don't think he allows you to get up close and personal with them.
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#70884 - 03/06/08 08:32 AM
Re: Swimming with Dolphins?
[Re: Patti.]
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BarbiJKM
Supreme Advisor
Registered: 02/14/07
Posts: 6150
Loc: Mesa, AZ
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Big Bear,
Here is a link to more information on the Dolphin Quest on Moorea:
http://www.mooreadolphincenter.com/index_en.php
You should also check out Dr. Michael Poole's dolphin & whale watching tours, at this link:
http://www.drmichaelpoole.com/
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#70885 - 03/06/08 08:33 AM
Re: Swimming with Dolphins?
[Re: Patti.]
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Big Bear
Junior Member
Registered: 03/06/08
Posts: 6
Loc: UK
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[quote=Patti.]Yes, the dolphins are captive in a enclosure at the hotel. They are not swimming free in their natural habitat. And your time spent with them will be structured by the staff. I know you can go swimming with them in their natural habitat in New Zealand. You may have to plan a trip there sometime. :-)
With Dr Poole's trip, I have heard of some people being allowed to go into the water to see the whales or dolphins from an underwater vantage. But I don't think he allows you to get up close and personal with them. [/quote]
thanks for the reply :-)
how big is the encolsure? does it feel like a pool/zoo or do the dolphins have a nice enough life? have you tried it out? would you recommend it?
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#70886 - 03/06/08 08:35 AM
Re: Swimming with Dolphins?
[Re: Big Bear]
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BarbiJKM
Supreme Advisor
Registered: 02/14/07
Posts: 6150
Loc: Mesa, AZ
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Big Bear, Looks like we were posting at the same time!
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#70888 - 03/06/08 08:41 AM
Re: Swimming with Dolphins?
[Re: BarbiJKM]
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Big Bear
Junior Member
Registered: 03/06/08
Posts: 6
Loc: UK
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i just looked at the Dolphin Quest on Moorea website. it looks amazing
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#70899 - 03/06/08 11:49 AM
Re: Swimming with Dolphins?
[Re: Big Bear]
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ryo-oh-ki
Member
Registered: 01/27/08
Posts: 109
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
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I can give you the lowdown on the "Moorea Dolphin Center".
The center is more like a retirement home for dolphins. All the dolphins have been trained and gained work experience elsewhere. Because these dolphins have been in captivity all their lives, they cannot survive in the wild. The two holding pens are pretty big and somewhat "zoo like". With a little bit of patience and luck, you can get some pretty good photos just from the public observations areas.
Since you've found the website, there's a list of available programs to choose from. You will obviously not be doing the "Dolphin experience for kids". The "special romance" is essential the same as the "dolphin experience" with the addition of some extra frills. We were not interested in the extras so we just went with the basic "Dolphin experience". So here's our synopsis.
When you arrive, you are fitted with snorkel gear, dive booties, and possibly a live vest. More on this later.
The session is split into two segments. The first segment, about 15-20 minutes, is educational lecture by atrainer. General oceanography topics, what do dolphins eat, life of a dolphin, background of the individual dolphins, etc. They even have a binder of visual aids. This is done in the holding pens/outdoor exam room area.
The second segment is in the water. The demonstration areas are shallow enough so that you can stand in the water, but deep enough for the dolphin to swim. Put on the dive booties and snorkel gear. This is when hotel guest congregate and watch from the observation area. Time to get up-close and personal with a dolphin. The dolphin also does a few tricks that demonstrate their physical prowess. Before you realize it, the session is over. A photographer takes a few portrait photos. The dolphin waves bye and thus concludes the program. Prints are available for preview and purchase at the gift shop with the typical tourist mark-up.
Overall, the program seems a bit generic. Doing this in French Polynesia did not seem to provide any sort additional bonus. I was glad to have done this once. But if given another opportunity, even in a different location such as Hawaii, I would pass. The major advantage of this program is that you are guaranteed the opportunity to see and touch a dolphin.
Since you are staying at the Intercontinental you can check out the dolphins from the observational area at your leisure. Plus you can observe other people doing the program before making a decision on which of the two (captive, or in the wild) programs you would want to participate in.
Since we did not partake in the "Dr. Michael Poole's dolphin & whale watching" tour. I can only throw out a few assumptions. One, there is no guarantee you will see any dolphins, let alone get the chance swim with the dolphins in the wild. Two, this sounds like a very unique opportunity as you also get to tour Moorea by sea. Note: Guided tours are good. As seen in all the post about guided 4x4 trips.
Hope this helps.
_________________________
Tahiti Check List
x Manihi (12/2006)
x Moorea (1/2007)
_ Tahaa
_ Rangiroa
_ Tikehau
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#71836 - 04/06/08 05:11 PM
Re: Swimming with Dolphins?
[Re: ryo-oh-ki]
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Carol S
Member
Registered: 02/03/04
Posts: 458
Loc: La Cañada, CA USA
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On the tour with Dr. Poole--we go every year, you are never guaranteed seeing either the whales or the dolphins. The dolphins are spinner dolphins(the ones at the Intercontinental are bottle nose dolphins) and you are NOT allowed to be in the water with them. If you are lucky enough to get close enough to a whale, Dr. Poole will get in the water with about 10-12 people on the boat--come ready with mask and snorkel-no fins, and get within 50 feet of the whale (no closer by law). I can tell you, this is quite an incredible moment!! We have twice gone in the water, once with a single whale, once with a mother and baby playing around her--we were incredibly fortunate and grateful for such an experience.
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