Dolphin Cove, in Ocho Rios, on Jamaica's North Coast, is a tourist destination that offers several programs in which the visitor can interact with bottle-nosed dolphins. The "Touch Encounter" allows you to pet and interact with dolphins while standing in knee-high water. The "Encounter Swim" offers the actual experience of swimming, playing and splashing with dolphins in an enclosed area. Finally, the "Swim With" program allows the visitor to swim with two dolphins in an actual cove. It is recommended that reservations be made far in advance. Reservations can be made online.
Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay offers a range of dolphin encounters in more of a resort setting. Half Moon has a dolphin interaction program, the "Beach Encounter," specifically geared to young children or those with limited swimming ability. The "Deep Water" Encounter allows more swim time with the dolphins. Half Moon also offers "Private Swims" where no more than two to four people swim and interact with the dolphins. Reservations can be made by contacting the concierge at Half Moon.
The owners of Dolphin Cove and Half Moon have applied to open a new dolphin swim facility at Hanover in Jamaica. As of December 2008, their application has not yet been approved. There is some governmental concern that the owners of the two existing dolphin facilities are not properly caring for the dolphins, thus leading to a high dolphin mortality rate at the two facilities. The Humane Society and local environmental group Jamaican Environmental Trust are trying to encourage the owners of Dolphin Cove and Half Moon to improve their care of the dolphins. If the owners are able to improve the dolphin mortality rate, tourists may see a new interactive dolphin facility at Hanover in the future.
