Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
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Swimsuit
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Camera
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Transportation to Curaçao from Aruba
Step1
The Dolphin Aquarium on Curaçao gives visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with these majestic creatures.
Because there are no dolphin swimming academies on the island of Aruba, many tourists are drawn to the nearby Dolphin Academy on Curaçao (see Resources below). You can email them for more information at info@dolphin-academy.com.
Step2
Make your reservation at least a week in advance. The Academy is able to recommend a tour company from Aruba to provide transportation to Curaçao, depending on the time of year and the duration of your visit. The Curaçao Dolphin Academy is located at the Curaçao Sea Aquarium marine animal park in Curaçao. Curaçao is located between the island of Aruba and Bonaire. The Dolphin Academy is located on the south coast of Curaçao, in the neighbourhood of Mambo Beach. If you visit by catching a boat or flight to the island for the day, any taxi, bus or public transport can take you in the direction of the Sea Aquarium.
Step3
Choose your program. The dolphin encounter is $79 per person and is recommended for all ages. You will be standing in waist-deep water as the dolphin approaches you. You will be able to gently pet the dolphin who will give you a kiss. The academy trainers will teach you all about the dolphin, and will show you his body parts and behavior patterns. For the full swim experience, do the dolphin swim for $159 a person. You will swim in the academy's natural dolphin lagoon. The dolphins will allow you to gently pet and interact with them. Trainers will show you how to give different signals on which they will sing, spin and wave to you. For a spectacular finish, you will be given a dorsal ride by 2 dolphins.
Step4
For an even more in depth experience--and if you have more time and money--you can participate in an open water dolphin dive. You must be 12 years of age and have a PADI diving certification. This program offers a unique opportunity for divers to observe and learn about these animals in their natural habitat. The Dolphin Academy is only the third dolphin facility in the entire world which offers an Open Water Dolphin Dive program. That truly is swimming with the dolphins!
Step5
Private dives are also available and can be tailored to your needs by contacting the Dolphin Academy.
Novice
Swim with the dolphins in nearby Curacao if you are staying on the island of Aruba!
The Dolphin Aquarium on Curaçao gives visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with these majestic creatures.
Because there are no dolphin swimming academies on the island of Aruba, many tourists are drawn to the nearby Dolphin Academy on Curaçao (see Resources below). You can email them for more information at info@dolphin-academy.com.
