Curacao: Willemstad, Family Vacation Fun Swimming with the Dolphins. “When a dolphin comes alongside, swim with it and try to make eye contact. They will swim with you,” the trainer seemed insistent as she gave us the instructions. I discovered that was not as easy to do as it sounded.

The Curacao Sea Aquarium conducts a variety of encounters with sea life. I chose the Dolphin Swim. Moving awkwardly to the entry platform, my fins feeling enormous, I listened obediently to the dolphin trainer instruct us on how to interact with the dolphins. Our group was small and we were paired in twos for the adventure. The manmade lagoon looked safe enough with no chance of waves distracting from the experience.

There were two dolphins designated for our group. I listen as the trainer continued however my eyes were locked on the two huge gray shadows moving swiftly and silently through the churning seawater of the lagoon. The trainer instructed us to clasp our hands together in front of our chests while in the water, being careful not to touch the dolphin’s faces. She was adamant that if a runaway dolphin from the other encounter group entered our pool area we were not to encourage it. Above all were not to make eye contact. “Got it?” she repeated and everyone nodded, not really understanding.

At the signal from the trainer I clasped my hands together and stepped off the submerged platform into the chilly water, swimming away as best I could, feeling incredibly clumsy. Even though I am a varsity swimmer and kicking is easy for me this was a stretch (Just try to swim fast without the use of arms, even with flippers, it is not natural.).

Spotting one of the dolphins as it emerged from the water I used a power kick to get closer and lowering my head into the water I tried to make eye contact. The dolphin approached and I turned so that I was directly on its left side. Eye contact, success! The dolphin began to move and I concurrently began to move my flippers as fast as I could. I was doing it, sort of. Slowly I ran my bare hand down the dolphin’s side, which was smooth and silky to the touch. My heart was pounding and my eyes burned from the salt water. All I could think of was “Wow!”

I realized then why so many people want to swim with dolphins. They are very large, especially up close, large to the point of intimidation. They are also magnificent, powerful and so graceful, being human is definitely clumsy by comparison. When the dolphin finally moved off towards my mom who was patiently treading water waiting her turn, I kicked in place for a second, marveling at how close I had been.

While I was stationary in the water the trainer informed us that a runaway dolphin had entered the area where we were swimming. She reminded us not to make any eye contact, or the dolphin would not return to the group that was swimming with it. I stared straight ahead, wondering how to avoid eye contact with a creature that was eight-foot long and moving like liquid silk through the water. Suddenly a huge gray shadow shot out of the water and over my head just about 12 inches from my left eye. I heard gasps wonder from my group on the platform. At the time I wasn’t sure what was going on but I know I didn’t make eye contact.

While I was kicking to the platform one of our dolphins dove down to the bottom of the lagoon and propelled itself up through the water, arcing through the air above my head. The two dolphins were playing and I was the water marker. I was surprised, and extremely pleased to have been the one to experience it, even though at the time I hadn’t a clue what was going on.

During the rest of the swim we were taught how to ask the dolphins to perform simple tricks and even got to experience a dorsal ride, holding onto the fins of the dolphins. Before I knew it our time was up and we swam reluctantly back to the platform and taking off our awkward fins. Everyone was smiling; I knew that they all felt the way I did. Swimming with dolphins was nothing like I imagined it would be. It was a wonderfully unique experience, one that I will never forget.

Curacao Sea Aquarium: Advice to visitors (although they don’t mention it) the Dolphin Swim is for people who are comfortable in the water, and know how to swim. For those who cannot swim, or would rather not be submerged in the water they offer a Dolphin Experience where people can touch the dolphin and receive kisses, without having to leave the platform. Curacao Sea Aquarium, PO Box 3102, Willemstad Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles 0599-9-461-6666 (general) 465-8900, seaquarm@cura.net (general), aquasearch@cura.net (education) or www.Curacao-Sea-Aquarium.com

Dolphin Academy (599 9) 4658900 Fax. 4658300, info@dolphin-academy.com or http://www.dolphin-academy.com

Curaçao, located just two and one half-hours from Miami, is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and is perfectly situated just outside of the hurricane belt. This tropical island is an ideal vacation destination for families. 1-800-3-CURACAO (1-800-328- 7222) or visit www.curacao-tourism.com

Resources for dolphin spotting and swimming.

UNITED STATES

Florida: Keys Adventure Tours. This company provides passengers with a chance to see wild bottled-nosed dolphins and enjoy an opportunity to learn about the social behavior, physiology, and social aspects of the dolphins. Their six-passenger boats take participants out to the dolphin habitat and provide time to snorkel and swim in the waters of the dolphin playground, and enjoy the majestic beauty of dolphins in the wild. Key West and Key Largo. 1 (954) 525-4441 or www.dolphinworld.org, info@dolphinworld.org

Florida: Dolphins Plus. An education and research facility located in sunny Key Largo, Florida, which houses 10 Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins and 2 California Sea Lions. Their focus is to educate the public about dolphins and their environment, and to give their guests the opportunity to join the world of the dolphins. Swimmers can go in the water and interact with the dolphins “up close and personal.” Key Largo. 1 (305) 451-1993, 1-866-860-7946 or www.dolphinsplus.com, info@dolphinsplus.com

Florida: Theater of the Sea. This park offers shows and interactive programs! Programs are conducted 7 days a week. Swims typically include thirty minutes of water time and take place in a 10 to 15 feet deep natural salt-water lagoon. Participants take turns interacting with the animals. There is also a “Trainer for the Day” program, which allows participants to assist with feeding, training and caring for the dolphin and sea lion. Islamorada. 1 (305) 664-2431 or www.theaterofthesea.com

Florida: Discovery Cove. Whether it’s an in-water training experience with dolphins, pampering a pygmy falcon, feeding tropical fish or playing with an anteater, guests to Discovery Cove now have the hands-on opportunity to train and care for a variety of unique animals at Orlando’s newest vacation paradise. "Trainer for a Day" participants work side-by-side with Discovery Cove animal experts as they interact with dolphins, birds, sloths, anteaters, sharks, stingrays and tropical fish. For younger children Discovery Cove offers other adventures, and the only activity with an age requirement, other than the “Trainer for a Day” program, is the dolphin-swim experience, which requires guests to be at least 6. Because of the exclusive, limited-attendance nature of Discovery Cove, advance reservations are required. Orlando. 1-877-4-DISCOVERY or www.discovercove.com

Hawaii: Kahala Mandarin Oriental Resort. Located in Honolulu this exotic resort provides many specials for traveling families. Specials for families include: 50% off a second room for kids; introductory scuba and surfing lessons; boogie boards and bicycles; a lending library that includes CD players and movies; board games and books; and a Hawaiian Cultural Arts Program with lei making, ukulele lessons, weaving and hula dancing, all complimentary. Keiki Club for kids 5-12 is offered daily with different activities scheduled each day Babysitters are also available on the premises. There is a 2-hour Dolphin Kids Quest for Knowledge program where children interact with the dolphins and turtles in the resort’s own private dolphin lagoon. Honolulu, Oahu. 1-800-367-2525, 1 (808) 739-8888 or www.mandarinoriental.com/kahala

Hawaii: Sea Life Park. This program offers an in-depth interaction with the animals. Participants will enter the dolphin's environment during a deep-water encounter and learn about dolphin anatomy, physiology, training and conservation. Experience a personal training lesson with Sea Life Park trainers and have a chance to view the dolphins underwater and up close with dive masks. Participants must be 13 years or older. Check-in is 1 hour prior to the scheduled session time. Participants should wear a bathing suit and bring a towel. Photos with a dolphin are available for purchase. Waikiki, Oahu or www.sealifeparkhawaii.com

Bahamas: The Dolphin Experience. Situated in the pristine waters of the south shore of Grand Bahama Island, UNEXSO operates and maintains a dolphin education and interaction facility called The Dolphin Experience. The Dolphin Experience is located on a nine and a half-acre lagoon where people of all ages have the opportunity to learn about and interact with dolphins through a variety of very special and unique programs. Grand Bahama Island. 1-800-992-DIVE, 1 (954) 351-9889, www.unexso.com, info@unexso.com

Bahamas: Sea Fever Diving Cruises. Dolphin encounters with wild spotted dolphins in Bahamian waters aboard a 90-ft. boat. Sea Fever Diving Cruises has been operating exotic diving trips and Interactive Dolphin Cruises in the Bahamas since 1974. These cruises offer the opportunity to snorkel with wild dolphins, and go scuba diving up to twice a day. 1 (757) 481-9116, 1-800-443-3837 or www.seafever.com, seafever@seafever.com

Content created by Travel Communications Inc. Images on file. Copyright 2009.