Dolphins Plus Bayside — Attraction in Key Largo

We booked the event in the morning, and l booked for myself and my two children and my friend booked for herself and her two children, I paid for the photography package, and was going to actually pay for hers when we got there. We went to the facility which we had a little trouble finding but no worries we ended up getting there. The introduction and instruction were spot on, everybody was very nice! When it was our turn to do the dolphin experience we did the connect to protect, which was supposed to be somewhat customized, we didn’t really get to customize but we did have a wonderful time and experience with the dolphins and the dolphin trainers! Towards the end of it, which I didn’t actually realize it was towards the end of it, I noticed that the photographers were both taking pictures of the other people in our group, we started off together and then they separated us. So I asked the trainer are they taking pictures of us also? And she said yes I think so, and then she turned around and saw that the photographers were both at the other group. She asked the girl did you take pictures of them also and she said oh yes, I did. At the end of it, as we were leaving, they informed me that the memory card that the photographer had taken our pictures with had gotten erased by accident! I being thoroughly disappointed was on the verge of tears as This wonderful experience we had just had was not recorded. It ruined the entire experience because I know the pictures were never taken. Also the girls who informed me of this unfortunate deletion of the pictures, did not try to make good on it, other than to refund my money. We were still there we could have gone back out and gotten back in with the dolphins for a couple of pictures, or they could’ve offered to let us come back and do it again, but there was no such offer. We actually requested that they do something like that and they told us they could not because we had already run over our time. Even though it was their mistake, regardless of whether it was by never taking the pictures, or by deleting the pictures it was still on them. Not to mention that I was the person who paid for the pictures in the first place and I am the one who ended up with no pictures. What I think is not understood is that while the experience was wonderful, I fully expected that I would have pictures of this event and as it being our first time, it was important to me and that is why I paid for the photography session ahead of time. I feel that they did not own up to their own mistake and they should have made good on it by giving us some thing because the only thing you have left after the experience...

My wife and I did the structured dolphin swim at the Key Largo Bayside facility. The staff was friendly and helpful from the moment we checked in. The trainers were nice, patient, and encouraging. We were paired with Nica and her daughter Nyla, and were amazed by their playful personalities! They were so much fun to be around.

Once you check in you sit in a nice outdoor space until one of the trainer/educators comes to get you. You then head down to a covered seating area where they take roll and find out who the participants are, where they are from, and what language they speak. The staff seemed to be able to handle most languages pretty well. After check in we were all fitted with new, and well cared for, zippered flotation vests. They then begin a discussion about dolphins and their habitat, as well as a good informative piece on sustainable seafood consumption at the end. It wasn't preachy in nature, they just provide a good source of information. After that they introduce you to the trainer that you will be working with and you are off to start the swim.

The structured swim takes place in an large natural open space where they had four different trainers each working with two dolphins and the guest swimmers. The dolphins were very attentive to their individual trainer and swimmers, but you could see the dolphins natural curiosity come out at times when they find something interesting and go check it out. For example, Nyla being a mom to little Nyla, loves being around little girls, and went to check out a girl who was just entering the pool. Everyone has a chance to perform tricks with, touch, and fully interact with the dolphins. I never felt rushed or like I didn't have enough time interacting with the dolphins.

After the swim we were encouraged to check out their sea lions, which like the dolphins, guests could pay for an interactive educational session with. My wife and I went to check it out and it was just as amazing to watch, although it did not appear to have a swimming component.

After dropping off the vests (please zip them up before dropping them off!) we were able to rinse off at the outdoor showers (changing rooms were also available) and headed in to pick up the flash drive with the pictures they took of us. The pictures are extra but it was worth every penny. The USB drive even looks like a dolphin!

The experience was fantastic, and I couldn't recommend Dolphins Plus enough to anyone who is interested in swimming...

Sadly disappointing!

After waiting a good 57 years to finally experience the smile of a dolphin up close and in a very personal manner, I can’t think of no other words to express myself but to use a very common one: disappointing.

I went to Key Largo a few days ago and I could not resist but to book an experience that I have been waiting for since I was about five years old.

With several options to select from, I opted for the shallow water experience rather than the more popular one, which is “billed” as “swimming with the dolphins.”

I don’t know what I was expecting all these years. Perhaps, a much closer and natural encounter... an encounter that would have stayed with me for the rest of my life.

But it was not like that. After a lengthy class and introduction to these beautiful mammals, we went into the shallow water with the trainer who introduced us to Nica.

After about ten minutes of experiencing the different behaviors Nica was trained to do, we abruptly had to stop because Nica had gone to a different group and touched someone.

So, the small lagoon where we were at had to be emptied out to show Nica her behavior was not allowed.

The truth is, we watched Nica swim to the other group and we didn’t notice anything unusual. I don’t even think, the teen at the receiving end of her touch noticed anything either. We were all puzzled by the sudden “dolphin time-out,” and so we waited for Nica’s time out to be lifted.

So how did it feel to be so close to these beautiful creatures? It felt very far... it felt very staged. It did not feel like they were even there... and perhaps that’s the key word to use for this review.

I wish I had opted for the deep water experience. Maybe if I had, I would have felt “closer” in a more spiritual way, and not so far away in the “physical” sense.

So at 62 yrs old, I guess I still have enough time to keep looking for that beautiful dolphin smile, and perhaps I will have a second chance to truly experience the dream...