| on vacation in Cancun, there are hundreds of fun | | | | Dolphins breathe air. They use a blowhole on top of |
| activities in which you can participate. Water sports | | | | their heads to breathe. The average dolphin stays |
| are especially fun, such as fishing, jet skiing, snorkeling, | | | | underwater for about five minutes before it needs to |
| diving, and boating. However, one of the most special | | | | come up for air. However, they can stay under water |
| memories you can make while in Cancun is swimming | | | | for about ten minutes if they need to. |
| with the dolphins. A number of places in Cancun offer | | | | Echolocation is used by groups of dolphins to find one |
| you the chance to swim with dolphins, and this tropical | | | | another and to find other things in the water. This is a |
| experience is unlike any other. | | | | clicking sound made by the dolphin to help it understand |
| Every dolphin experience offered is unique. At some | | | | where other members of its species are, or where to |
| places, you can take part in an educational program | | | | find items critical to its survival. It is the same principle |
| that helps you learn about these amazing creatures | | | | that bats use above water. |
| and the environment in which they live. In other places, | | | | When swimming with the dolphins, your safety is a key |
| you'll participate in a number of water games with the | | | | concern. In most cases, children must be accompanied |
| dolphins. Some programs take groups of twenty or | | | | by an adult if they are under the age of seven. Some |
| thirty people in the water at one time, while others | | | | programs require children to be even older before |
| allow you to book private swim sessions with the | | | | swimming with the dolphins alone. Regardless of age, it |
| dolphins. Before you pay for a particular experience, | | | | is important that everyone wear a life vest for |
| check out what there is to offer at all of the parks | | | | protection in the water. No matter how well you swim, |
| that have dolphin-swimming programs. | | | | dolphins are still unpredictable animals at times. Their |
| Prices for swimming with the dolphins vary. For some | | | | quick and playful movements can cause problems for |
| programs, the cost to swim is under $75.00 (USD). | | | | even the best swimmers. Wear a life jacket and |
| Other programs are upwards of $200.00 (USD), | | | | make sure that it is fastened securely. |
| depending on what is featured with the program. | | | | The safety of the dolphins while you are swimming is |
| Usually, the less expensive programs are more | | | | also important. Dolphin handlers will talk to you about |
| structured group experiences where you may or may | | | | how to interact, and what you are allowed and not |
| not get to privately interact with the dolphins. You could | | | | allowed to do. For example, some programs ask that |
| be in the water for anywhere from twenty minutes to | | | | you not grab onto a dolphin's dorsal fin during certain |
| two hours. Again, this depends on the specific program | | | | swimming sessions. Others require you to wait for |
| in which you are participating. Longer sessions with the | | | | your trainer's commands before you swim and |
| dolphins are usually more expensive. | | | | interact. Listen to the trainers carefully lest you put |
| There are thirty seven different species of dolphins | | | | yourself or the animals at risk. |
| and six different species of porpoises. The dolphins | | | | Finally, make sure that you are protecting the |
| with which you'll most likely swim are bottle-nosed | | | | environment. Although the dolphins in the program are |
| dolphins. This species makes its natural habitat in | | | | held in captivity, those waters are still where they live. |
| tropical waters like those around Cancun, but you can | | | | Never throw your trash anywhere other than a waste |
| also spot them off the coast of colder waters in more | | | | can, and if you are wearing sunscreen, look for a |
| temperate climates. | | | | product that is listed as safe for the environment. |
| While on your Cancun dolphin adventure, you will | | | | Swimming with the dolphins is an adventure that you'll |
| hopefully have the chance to learn a lot about these | | | | never forget. For many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime |
| fascinating creatures. Here are a few facts about | | | | experience. Cancun has a number of dolphin programs |
| dolphins that may or may not be explained to you: | | | | available to meet anyone's needs, so whether you're |
| Dolphins typically eat a variety of fish according to | | | | looking for an educational day with your family or a |
| where they live. In captivity, most dolphins are fed | | | | more free-style swim with the sea life, you can find |
| different fish throughout the day. The best programs | | | | exactly what you want in Cancun. |
| also allow you to watch the dolphins being fed. | | | | |