Dolphin Experiences

[oceandreamer]

I just returned from a visit to Cozumel. I loved the island and especially enjoyed Chakanaub National Park. It's well worth the visit. Even though I'm not an advocate of captive dolphin programs, their program seemed to treat the dolphins well...they were in open ocean and had no pool walls that would disrupt their sonar.

If you must swim with dolphins please do NOT visit Dolphinaris, near downtown San Miguel. They have tiny swimming pools that house the dolphins and the water is nasty.

I observed both programs and facilities for over an hour each and feel strongly that people visiting the beautiful island of Cozumel should avoid Dolphinaris and any dolphin swim-with facility where the animals are kept in sub-standard conditions.

[Carib Mark]

I agree. The people who pay less for these experiences are supporting poor conditions that should be stopped. However, the corruption (yeah, sorry to say it, but there's corruption in Mexico and some other 3rd world places and islands) of the government officials who might monitor and prevent poorly treated animal facilities ineffective. The only way to stop things like that is if people pay a bit extra for a place that treats the animals well and avoid the poorly operated ones. Can it work? Not sure, but it's worth the mention here.