If spending a day with dolphins is your idea of paradise, there’s no place on earth like Dolphin Cay at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas. This multi-million dollar state-of-the art habitat is one of the newest and largest in the world, with exciting interactions that let you swim and play alongside dolphins in a lagoon fed by the warm waters of the Caribbean. Home to a playful pod of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins rescued from Hurricane Katrina, Dolphin Cay welcomes anyone visiting the islands to join in on their fun. You can choose from a shallow water interaction, a deep water swim or you can even be a trainer for a day! If you’d rather meet a sea lion, they have sea lion programs as well.
Our family at Dolphin Cay Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas
We choose the Shallow Water Dolphin Interaction as our son just turned 8 years old and is still perfecting his swimming. The shallow interaction is open to guests of all ages and swimming abilities. We started out by checking in and getting into wet suits they provided for us. You will be asked to remove your jewelry. I wish I’d known that up front and I would have left my rings in the hotel safe. I placed them in a small zip compartment of my camera bag which we placed in the locker that was provided to us. We were offered our choice of non-alcoholic beverages (take advantage of this because it’s the only place we encountered at Atlantis Resort Paradise Island Bahamas where we did not have to pay for a drink). Then we attended a brief orientation where we learned a bit about the dolphins and what we would be doing.
Ready for our dolphin interaction at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas
Our group of ten then headed into the cay for our dolphin interaction the Atlantis Resort in Paradise Island Bahamas. We waded out to waist-high water to meet our trainer and dolphin. Our trainer’s name was Delano and he was very good – especially with the kids in the group. Our dolphin’s name was Tracy. We each got to hug and kiss her. Delano pointed out some of her features and had her show off some of her skills. The kids even got to feed her a fish. The whole thing was rather quick – just 30 minutes in the water . Towels are also provided if you need them - we didn’t even get our hair wet! If you want, you have all-day access to Dolphin Cay’s private beach…however you can’t swim or get into the water. It was a little pricey at $140 each, but worth it. I don’t know of anywhere else that offers a shallow water encounter which is great for kids (or adults) who aren’t the strongest of swimmers. I also like that it was not in the ocean but in a protected man-made lagoon where you don’t have to worry about other possibly not-so-friendly sea critters.
Feeding the dolphin at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas
Please note we were not allowed to take our own cameras into the water. They have photographers who take great close-up pictures you have the opportunity to purchase at the end. These photos are very, very pricey I will warn you. We just wanted a CD of all the pics, but you can’t just buy the CD. You have to get it as part of a package. We ended up paying about $160…I think for one CD, one 8×10, 4 3x8s and a Dolphin Cay frame. In order to buy things a la carte, they require you to first buy a package. Of course, there’s a gift shop on site and if your kids are like our son, plan on picking up a souvenir. We bought him a cool t-shirt and a small stuffed dolphin…it was his birthday after all.
The Dolphin Cay at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas
For those who are stronger swimmers, they have a Deep Water Swim in the depths at Dolphin Cay at Atlantis Hotel in Paradise Island Bahamas. This one-of-a-kind dolphin experience is limited to just six guests. Participants must be at least 10 years of age and be able to swim in deep water without support vests or assistance. Snorkel and glide alongside dolphins with hand-held water scooters. Then get ready for the highlight of your encounter, our signature “foot push,” where dolphins propel you across the lagoon for a rush unlike any you’ve experienced. This unforgettable interaction begins with an orientation and includes 30 minutes in the deep water lagoon. Snorkels and masks are also provided—and yours to take with you. Wetsuit, personal lockers, beach towels, and non-alcoholic refreshments are also provided, along with all-day access to Dolphin Cay’s private beach.
Getting close and personal with dolphins at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas
For the ultimate, hands-on dolphin experience, Dolphin Cay is now offering the exclusive Trainer for a Day program. Participants must be at least 10-years-old and in good physical condition. Spend an unforgettable day with a Marine Mammal Specialist feeding, training and caring for dolphins and sea lions at Atlantis Hotel Paradise Island Bahamas. Interact with these amazing animals in a unique six-hour adventure where you’ll have the opportunity to experience a customized dolphin interaction exclusively for Trainer for a Day guests in addition to your deep water swim. You will participate in a sea lion training session and enjoy a backstage tour of the world-class facilities to learn the basics of animal care, including food preparation, water testing and behavioral observation. You will work side-by-side with the Laboratory Team in the state-of-the-art Veterinary Hospital. Snorkel gear, wetsuit, non-alcoholic refreshments and lunch with a Marine Mammal Specialist are included.
Dolphin Cay Beach at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas
If you’d rather, you can meet sea lions at Dolphin Cay. There are two programs featuring these cute and noisy mammals. The Behind the Scenes Tour features an exciting backstage tour of the state-of-the-art marine habitat at Dolphin Cay. This experience includes a unique and entertaining photo opportunity with a sea lion, as well as an educational look at how they feed and care for fish, turtles and other sea animals. Plus, you’ll visit our animal hospital and rescue center— the largest in the Caribbean! The Shallow Water Sea Lion Interaction includes all the fun of the behind the scenes tour, plus a hands-on, shallow water Sea Lion Interaction. Wade into waist-deep waters and come face-to-face with a playful California Sea Lion for the incredible chance to hug, play with and even kiss one of the world’s most captivating and graceful marine animals. Perhaps maybe the coolest program offered by The Dolphin Cay at Atlantis Paradise Island Nassau Bahamas doesn’t even take place at the Dolphin Cay and doesn’t even involve the dolphins! It’s the Sea Keepers Adventure which consists of two programs. The first is Snorkel With the Mantas. This thrilling 60 minute adventure includes a 30 minute snorkel through the exquisite Ruins Lagoon — amid the sunken ruins of the lost city of Atlantis. Swim alongside giant mantas, sleek sharks and brilliantly colored tropical fish in this unbelievable setting. It’s a closeup look at some of the world’s most awesome creatures in the world’s largest open-air marine habitat. The second option is Aquarist for a Day. Discover the dynamic, underwater world of Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas as you snorkel alongside manta rays, exotic tropical fish, and even sharks, through the mythic ruins of Atlantis. Explore the amazing marine facilities, hand feed cownose rays, and learn first-hand from marine aquarium experts how they keep 50,000 sea animals thriving and healthy. These two programs are offered on select days and times. For prices and more information about the fantastic Dolphin Cay at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas, visit the Dolphin Cay website or call 800-Atlantis.
