Jamaica > Swimming with dolphins

At half past nine, I am picked up from my hotel to go swimming with dolphins. The Dolphins Cove is about a forty-five-minute drive near Montego Bay. At another hotel, passengers are also to be picked up. The taxi driver sees no one. He calls and waits, but no one shows up. After fifteen minutes, it turns out three people are waiting practically next to the driver. Because one of them uses a mobility scooter, he hadn’t expected them for the swim. Fortunately, everything works out. He quickly drives me toward Lucea. It is cloudy today. A few drops fall on the windshield. The ocean waves are also rough. At the entrance to The Dolphins Cove, I receive an orange wristband.

Jamaica - Old colonialstyle church in Jamaica

This means I am doing the Royal Swim, the most extensive—but also the most expensive—program. Many people are waiting during the briefing, far more than I expected or perhaps hoped. I estimate at least eighty people. Fortunately, most visitors are there just to touch the dolphins or do a standard swim. Only eight people have an orange wristband. I follow Marlon, my guide, to the bay. The dolphins swim in a fenced-off area. Within the bay, several large pools are separated. According to Marlon, the dolphins could easily jump over the barriers, but they don’t. I jump into the pool where the dolphins Alex and Pepe are already waiting. Curiously, the male and female swim past me. It feels very special to touch a dolphin. On command, these intelligent animals perform tricks. I am first for the foot-push. While lying in the water, the dolphins swim up from behind. They push against my feet just hard enough to lift me out of the water—a triumphant feeling. I also hold their fins while they pull me through the water. Marlon shows how dolphins communicate, how they can hear, and how to tell the male from the female. The dolphins swim under me, flap their fins, and dance right in front of my eyes. They also make impressive leaps. Finally, I receive a kiss from one of the dolphins. I can touch its snout and hold its flippers. What an amazing experience! Photos are also taken during the swim. I had expected they would be expensive, but the cost exceeds my expectations. One photo is $35, and from two photos onward, it’s cheaper to take the full set.

Jamaica - A unique experience swimming with dolphins

I quickly pay and don’t think about the amount—these photos are a must-have. Due to the rough sea, the shark show is canceled. The water is murky, making it impossible to see the sharks. In the adjacent pool, nine stingrays swim. The guide tries to show me one. He taps with sticks underwater. No matter how he searches, he can’t find any; the water is too murky to see them clearly. I leave the stingrays alone and order a beer at the bar. Just as my bottle is empty, the taxi driver is already at the terrace. It is half past one—time to return. In the taxi, I think back on the amazing experience. Back in Negril, I order a pattie at the local bakery. I walk back to the Coral Seas Beach Hotel along the beach. Everyone on the beach wants to know how I experienced the dolphins. I show them the photos. At the start of the evening, I walk along the beach one last time in the twilight to go eat. It is the last night, and the entire tour group has reserved a table at restaurant Kuyaba. There is uncertainty about the return flight. My flight was scheduled for 17:20. On the TUIfly website, another time, 13:00, is also mentioned. This would mean the flight comes from Amsterdam to Jamaica first, and I would have an extra stop in the Dominican Republic. I am being picked up at 08:30 tomorrow. The plan to take it easy in the morning is therefore canceled. Feeling annoyed about this, and especially about the poor communication, I go to bed.