SWIMMING WITH WILD DOLPHINS IN PANAMA CITY
March - October

How to Book
Contact 'Wild and Free' by Email and the organiser will contact you.
 
Together with swim with the dolphins programs in the wild, Water Planet offers therapeutic programs for special needs children. To swim with dolphins in the wild, in conjunction with aquatic bodyworks, physical therapy, speech therapy and expressive arts can help children with disabilities.

The programs combine the natural beauty of a dolphin encounter with education for an experience rated by some as the most moving encounter of their life. All programs are geared towards a low impact eco-tourism management as an educational medium to marine wildlife conservation and protection.

About the Programs

The purpose of our educational dolphin swim program is to stimulate awareness about the delicate balance of the marine environment. We do not sell a thrilling experience using trained animals, we show you the real thing by giving you the opportunity to encounter wild dolphins on their territory in their own terms. It is illegal to harass, feed, chase and touch marine mammals in the wild and also detrimental to them. We will brief you on guidelines of interaction with dolphins in the wild and then take you out in the Gulf of Mexico, where the in-water encounters usually take place.

It is essential to organize, before any dolphin encounter. We will help the participants prepare for the complexity of the dolphin's world. The ocean is their home and their environment. Basic education about dolphin physiology, social habits and environment is important in order to protect their lifestyle. While we observe them, dolphins could be hunting, courting, nursing or teaching their young. These behaviors must be understood and respected. A strict code of conduct, accompanied by clear guidelines is established and followed during all trips.

We observe and interact with the wild bottlenosed dolphins around Shell Island, a nature preserve, which is part of the Florida State Park network. Too often, swimmers are unprepared, anxious to get what they came for. They are overconfident, impatient and aggressive. We teach patience and respect, which are the ingredients for this intense and beautiful experience.

The same educational efforts and respect policies are applied during our therapeutic programs with disabled children. We try to share with the children and their families our enthusiasm for the beauty and for the balance of the marine environment. It reflects on the way we conduct our therapy sessions and on the content of our expressive art and music sessions.

See Video: Educational Swim Programs

See Video: Internship

1-Week Dolphin Swim Program

Day 1 Morning 9:00 a.m. - Presentation on the topics of the environment, principals of Ecology, dolphin physiology, eco-tourism, children and dolphins, animal therapy. Legal aspect of swimming with dolphins. How to interact with wild dolphins. Guidelines of interaction. Some information on bottlenosed dolphin social behavior. Safety on board.

10:00: a.m. - Snorkeling class - safety rules and guidelines on boats
12:00 Noon: - Break

Afternoon 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Dolphin swim cruise - dolphin encounter Exploration of Shell Island and marine ecology "wet lab" optional. 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.

Day 2 Morning 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Dolphin swim cruise - dolphin encounter Exploration of Shell Island and marine ecology "wet lab" optional.

Afternoon Free time

5:30 to 7:30 p.m - Sharing about your dolphin swim experience, questions-answers session and feedback on your dolphin swim experience. Evening cruise, dolphin watch at sunset and snacks

Day 3 Morning 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.- Dolphin swim cruise - dolphin encounter Exploration of Shell Island and marine ecology "wet lab" optional.

Day 4 Morning 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Dolphin swim cruise - dolphin encounter Exploration of Shell Island and marine ecology "wet lab" optional.

Evening 8:00 to 9:00 p.m - Presentation about the wild dolphins of Panama City. Slide show, video show of the footage shot during the week.

Day 5 Morning 10:00 a.m.: Departure for Morrison Springs. Picnic by the spring

Afternoon Swimming and snorkeling in the beautiful crystal clear cool springs bordered by majestic cypress trees. Abundant wildlife - a memorable visit to another Florida. BBQ by the springs

Day 6: Replacement day

Equipment: Bring your own snorkeling gear or rent it with us for $5.00 (tax included).

The Price of a 1 day wild dolphin swim is $98.00 (US) + 6.5% tax.
3 days: $430.00 (US) + 6.5% tax.
7 days: $750.00 (US) + 6.5% tax.

The price includes all dolphin swim excursions, snacks and drinks, visual presentations, lectures and dolphin educational package. The price is based on minimum attendance of 6 people.

Notice: Water Planet cannot guarantee interaction with wild dolphins nor ideal weather conditions. Trip fees cannot be refunded due to adverse weather or absence of dolphins.

We will replace the dolphin swim boat trips where dolphins do not show.

Children are welcome to participate in our dolphin swim programs. Our staff has years of experience with facilitating children and dolphins programs both on board the boat and in the water. Your children will love the contact with dolphins and will probably remember for the rest of their lives.

How to Book
Contact 'Wild and Free' by Email and the organiser will contact you.

BOOK FLIGHTS HERE

TRAVEL INSURANCE: You must have comprehensive travel insurance