Chankanaab Park - Dolphin Encounter; Cozumel

coloradocruisers · July 7, 2008

I was just sorting through pictures from our last cruise today, and realized I had no pictures of my 6 year old daughter from the dolphin encounter. That reminded me to post this word of caution for anyone planning on booking this excursion.

I HIGHLY recommend wearing coral shoes to the dolphin encounter. When you enter the dolphin cage, you will be walking on a metal grate that is very hard on bare feet. To make matters worse, the cage allows sea water to flow in and out, unimpeded. During our visit, my daughter started screaming that she had scraped her foot on the metal. She wouldn't settle down, so my wife took her out of the cage. One of Chankanaab's medics examined her and said that she had been stung by jellyfish, probably loose floating tentacles in the water. She had big welts on the tops of both feet.

I stayed in the cage with my two sons, and we had a blast with the dophins; but unfortunately the event was not as happy for my daughter. I thought later about the pair of coral shoes sitting back in our stateroom, that would probably have prevented her feet from getting stung. If only I had known.

Jellyfish aside, coral shoes or flip flops will make walking on the metal grate much more comfortable. Not all dolphin encounters are designed like this; but for this particular excursion, I would definitely wear some type of footwear next time around.

BTW, I think the waters around Cozumel are absolutely beautiful.

Kevin

hazelson · July 7, 2008

Kevin - sorry your little girl had such a rough time. Poor kid. We have done the encounter and enjoyed it as well but I found the grating to be slippery...some sort of footwear would have helped there too.

Good suggestion.

55ChevyLady · August 13, 2008

I was just sorting through pictures from our last cruise today, and realized I had no pictures of my 6 year old daughter from the dolphin encounter. That reminded me to post this word of caution for anyone planning on booking this excursion.
I HIGHLY recommend wearing coral shoes to the dolphin encounter. When you enter the dolphin cage, you will be walking on a metal grate that is very hard on bare feet. To make matters worse, the cage allows sea water to flow in and out, unimpeded. During our visit, my daughter started screaming that she had scraped her foot on the metal. She wouldn't settle down, so my wife took her out of the cage. One of Chankanaab's medics examined her and said that she had been stung by jellyfish, probably loose floating tentacles in the water. She had big welts on the tops of both feet.

I stayed in the cage with my two sons, and we had a blast with the dophins; but unfortunately the event was not as happy for my daughter. I thought later about the pair of coral shoes sitting back in our stateroom, that would probably have prevented her feet from getting stung. If only I had known.

Jellyfish aside, coral shoes or flip flops will make walking on the metal grate much more comfortable. Not all dolphin encounters are designed like this; but for this particular excursion, I would definitely wear some type of footwear next time around.

BTW, I think the waters around Cozumel are absolutely beautiful.

Kevin

That is awful your little girl got hurt! the people should had warned you...thanks so much for the info...I would have had no idea without it...also what is coral shoes?

I have been looking at the various excursions available here for our next cruise and they all have age and/or height restrictions. My Rose will be 7 in Jan., 8 in April but she is a little short. About 3 ft. 6 in. now. Which dolphin adventure did you participate in? thanks.

coloradocruisers · August 13, 2008

That is awful your little girl got hurt! the people should had warned you...thanks so much for the info...I would have had no idea without it...also what is coral shoes?
I have been looking at the various excursions available here for our next cruise and they all have age and/or height restrictions. My Rose will be 7 in Jan., 8 in April but she is a little short. About 3 ft. 6 in. now. Which dolphin adventure did you participate in? thanks.

Andrea: The shoes I was referring to have a rubber sole, and a neoprene like material. You wear them like slippers. Heather was 6, and also short, but I don't know her height. :wacko:

I believe the excursion was just called the dolphin encounter. It did not involve swimming with the dolphins; just petting them, splashing them, kissing them on the mouth... :biggrin: The Park doesn't allow cameras, but they film the whole thing -- stills and video.

Heather was the only person who got stung. Just her luck, I guess. She went on a Brownie campout this last weekend and got stung on the knee by a bee!

55ChevyLady · August 14, 2008

Andrea: The shoes I was referring to have a rubber sole, and a neoprene like material. You wear them like slippers. Heather was 6, and also short, but I don't know her height.
I believe the excursion was just called the dolphin encounter. It did not involve swimming with the dolphins; just petting them, splashing them, kissing them on the mouth... The Park doesn't allow cameras, but they film the whole thing -- stills and video.

Heather was the only person who got stung. Just her luck, I guess. She went on a Brownie campout this last weekend and got stung on the knee by a bee!

Ok, I know the one you are referring to, it is just for the youngest kids...if we are restricted by age or height that is the one we will have to take Rose to.

I will look for those shoes! They sound wonderful to have just to swim with anywhere.

Poor kid, she is having some bad luck... :sad2:

hazelson · August 17, 2008

Andrea - the dolphin encounter is for all ages. You get to actually kiss a dolphin and shake its fin. It was a hoot. I am not big on swimming so it was perfect. It is in an enclosure so, as long as you hold on to her when you are walking along the underwater "sidewalk", Rose should do great. They also have life vests to put on. The kids I saw were having a great time - so were the bigger kids - like us LOL

Take your camera for the rest of the park. You can stow all your things in lockers while you are in the water. We caught great shots of the lizards, birds and fish in the park. It's a great wander as well - all sorts of strange plants and little huts and statues hidden in the bushes.

There is also a great swimming spot - like a lagoon. Perfect for the little ones. They have lounge chairs set up as well.

Have fun!

coloradocruisers · August 18, 2008

Jenn is right. We took the whole family into the encounter rather than try to split up. Unfortunately, we didn't get to enjoy the lagoon pool and the other things she mentioned, as a thunderstorm came in and we made a bee-line for the taxis. The park was beautiful, though.