How to Swim With Dolphins in Malta

The Republic of Malta is an archipelago of seven islands, of which three are inhabited, located 60 miles south of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea. While the islands offer stunning scenery, Malta also affords tourists the unique experience of swimming with captive dolphins. The Mediterraneo Marine Park on the island of Malta hosts a special program that allows visitors eight years of age and older to swim with the marine mammals at their facility.

Things You'll Need

• Passport
• Plane ticket to Malta
• Swimsuit
• Ticket to Mediterraneo Marine Park

Instructions

Requirements

1. The Mediterraneo Marine Park requires that those wanting to participate in their Swim with Dolphins program are eight years of age or older, able to swim, and are in good physical condition.

2. For safety reasons, pregnant women, people with severe physical or medical impairments, or people under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not allowed to participate.

3. If you have met the all of the requirements, you are eligible to participate in the Swim with Dolphins program.

Experience Dolphins

1. Purchase your ticket for the Swim with Dolphins program at the Mediterraneo Marine Park. Your ticket also includes a day pass to the park and some refreshments. In 2008, tickets for the program cost €120. Admission for adults who want to watch the swimmers costs €15.50 and children/senior citizens cost €10.50. Reservations are not required to swim with the dolphins but due to the popularity of the program, it's advised that you book ahead.

2. Arrive at the meeting point for the Swim with Dolphins program 10 minutes before the starting time. Late arrivals will not be accommodated.

3. Remove any and all loose items that may interfere swimming with or cause harm to the dolphins. This includes earrings, watches, bracelets, necklaces, hair bands, glasses, contact lenses, and both still and video cameras.

4. Shower before entering the dolphinarium. Be sure to remove any makeup.

5. Put on the wet suit provided to you by the Mediterraneo Marine Park. Wear your swimsuit underneath. T-shirts are optional.

6. Listen to instructions from Mediterraneo Marine Park staff as they prepare you to swim with a trained bottlenose dolphin.

7. Begin your swim with the dolphin. Be sure to smile for the photographer who will be snapping pictures of your unique experience so you can purchase them in the gift shop when you're finished.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to check Mediterraneo Marine Park's hours of operation before your trip as their hours change based on the season. For more information call 011-356-213-722-18 or e-mail [e-mail].

• Cancellations for the Swim with Dolphins program must be made three days in advance in order to receive a full refund. There are no refunds for any cancellations made after three days prior to program or to participants who are late for their scheduled time.

• If the Mediterraneo Marine Park has to cancel the program for technical or climate reasons, they reserve the right to transfer your session to another date. If the participant is unavailable on that date, they will receive a full refund.

Resources

• Mediterraneo Marine Park's website