Practical Facts
The purpose of this page is to answer most of the practical questions you will have about our educational wild dolphin swim program.
Where will we be for the dolphin encounters ?
How deep is the water ?
Can children participate?
We encourage parents to bring their children because respectfully experiencing wild dolphins in their own environment can influence your children's future attitude and choices toward wildlife and natural resources. They will certainly be able to make the difference between this incredible adventure and a petting pool or a dolphin show. For many, it is also a once-in-a-life-time experience.
Are wild dolphins dangerous?
All wild animals can be dangerous if by ignorance, people put themselves in situations where they can become a victim. We have been with the wild dolphins of Panama City for 8 years. We have taken out with us probably over two thousand guests and we have not had a single accident. None of our guests or us have ever been aggressed and/or hurt by a wild dolphin. It is because we make sure that you understand what you can and what you cannot do during our trips. We will let you decide whether or not you want to believe or listen to what we teach you during the briefing, but we will make sure that you do follow our guidelines because they are there for your own safety and enjoyment.
Can we pet and feed the dolphins?
Even though you probably will be within arm reach of the animals, we will ask you not to touch them. If petting dolphins is what you need to do, you should visit a captive facility (amusement park) where you will be lead to believe that dolphins have chosen to be there to please you, that dolphins like you, that they enjoy being petted being fed dead fish, that they like do all kinds of neat tricks.
It is also illegal to feed dolphins in the wild. Feeding is at the core of most of the problems and accidents arising during recreational human dolphin interactions. It is a very complex issue and enforcement of the law is very difficult because of the variety of sources and locations the dolphins are used to getting their handouts from (commercial and sports fishing, tourism).
If you are looking for the opportunity for you and your children to get to know a wild dolphin in it's own environment, we would be more then pleased to help you realize that plan. But you need to understand that wild dolphins are not there to entertain you or to please you. They do not necessarily like to be touched either unless they feel like it. They have an agenda with certain needs just like us humans. You will need to adapt to their agenda since you are the ones, who want to meet them.
There is no place in the US where you may touch wild dolphins. It is illegal and considered as harassment. Not only is it illegal, but also totally inappropriate and presumptuous.
Will I be swimming with dolphins?
Dolphins are known for their curiosity and playfulness. They will approach boats and swimmers. You will never be able to swim like a dolphin no matter how hard you try or how good you are. It is common that some of the dolphins will swim around you, behind you or ahead of you. They may even be interested in swimming with you, but as far as the statement "I swam with a wild dolphin" goes, it is a very subjective one. Dolphins are tremendously powerful and fast in the water. When you see them around you, it means that THEY want to be there. They are interested in you or they tolerate your presence until they decide to swim on. Typical encounter time is usually short (under one minute) and depends on the level of interest and on the mood of the animals. Though we have had many encounters that lasted over 30 minutes. Typically, there will be repeated opportunities of in-water encounters throughout the morning/afternoon.
We will not chase the dolphins or interrupt their activities (feeding, courtship, nursing, etc.) because you want to swim with them. We understand that you have invested resources to encounter wild dolphins, but even if the dolphin's reputation is to be friendly, we are not going to assume that we are always welcome to approach them. The encounter has to take place on the dolphins terms.
Wouldn't you want to know as much as possible about wild animals behavior before venturing out into their territory? Of course you would. You will then be able to safely experience their presence because you know the limits of their comfort zone. It is kind of sad to realize that a real and genuine interest in a wild animal is rare and that very often, humans seek interaction with wildlife for their own pleasure, looking for instant gratification without introduction or preparation. This behavior may lead to accidents and injuries. We will give you the information you need about wild dolphins to allow for a respectful and safe encounter. Even if you do not get in the situation where one or more of the animals show interest for you in particular and try to interact with you, you will still be close to them.
In my opinion, we have the rare opportunity to approach and to be approached by these fabulous marine mammals. Let us enjoy and keep this privilege while it is still there by showing interest and concern for their communities and for their environment.
What about sharks?
Did you drive to the dock? Do you drive to go to work? Do you know what the odds are of you getting injured in a car crash versus the odds of you getting injured in a shark attack? You probably are taking over 400 more chances of getting hurt in an automobile. Though you still enjoy driving down the highway!
I need to be a good swimmer?
Do
You do not need to be an Olympic swimmer to participate to our programs. As a matter of fact, we have taken out to the dolphins numerous children with serious motor disabilities with their parents. Several of them did not know how to swim. We have flotation that you can wear on the boat and in the water.
Wild dolphin encounters is not done in scuba gear, just snorkeling gear. If you are not comfortable with fins, you can just wear the mask. If you are not comfortable with a mask, you can wear goggles. Your experience will be so much better if you can see underwater.
What is this "wet lab" you mention on your schedules?
A "wet lab" is an activity taking place in shallow water where Water Planet staff dives for different forms of sea life: crustaceans, mollusks, fish, etc. and brings it back on board for viewing and identification.
What kind of boat will we be on?
For groups of up to 6 passengers, we use 24-foot pontoon boats, which are the most practical for this type of activity. For larger groups (we can accommodate up to 30) we use a 40-foot dive boat with a large and low on the water dive platform and ladders for easier entries and exits.
You may of course bring your own camera equipment and take pictures or video top side and underwater.
Our staff is trained in water safety, rescue, First Aid and CPR. It is multilingual (English, French, Japanese, Spanish) and highly skilled with children. We have been implementing these kinds of programs since 1995.
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