{"id":431,"date":"2008-04-01T13:27:52","date_gmt":"2008-04-01T18:27:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2008\/04\/swim-with-the-dolphins-at-atlantis-dolphin-cay\/"},"modified":"2016-12-17T21:42:57","modified_gmt":"2016-12-18T03:42:57","slug":"swim-with-the-dolphins-at-atlantis-dolphin-cay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2008\/04\/swim-with-the-dolphins-at-atlantis-dolphin-cay\/","title":{"rendered":"Swim with the dolphins at Atlantis’ Dolphin Cay"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Atldolphincay_3\"<\/a>
\nBy Samantha Chapnick<\/em><\/p>\n

The highlight of my trip to Atlantis<\/strong><\/a><\/strong> in the Bahamas<\/strong> was the chance to interact with the resident dolphins, some of which
\nwere rescued from the Hurricane Katrina tragedy.<\/p>\n

Dolphin Cay<\/strong> is more like a
\nsanctuary than an amusement park or zoo — the handlers have real bonds
\nwith the animals, as I witnessed first hand. They also happen to have a
\ngreat sense of humor and a gentle way with the guests.<\/p>\n

After following
\nmy handler’s lead as to how to feed, kiss, and sign to the dolphin, I
\ndid what came naturally as a dog lover. I started petting the dolphin’s
\nbelly, and the dolphin seemed quite excited. The handler gently started
\nlaughing and tried several times to begin saying something, but each
\ntime was laughing too hard. Finally, he blurted out that perhaps I
\nshould focus on her head instead: apparently I was playing with her in
\na way she would only expect from male dolphins.<\/p>\n

The very youngest
\nchildren can experience a dolphin interaction (accompanied by a
\nparent) at Atlantis<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/strong>. After an orientation and suiting up, the family spends 30
\nminutes waist-high with the dolphins playing. Some people might
\nappreciate getting to spend the rest of the day hanging out at the
\nsmall beach overlooking the enclosure (normally $25\/per person).<\/p>\n

Related Orbitz resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n