Do you want to find out where in Singapore you can interact with a beautiful dolphin such as this one? This article has the answer!
Dolphins are the second most intelligent species of mammals on the planet, with intelligence quotient (IQ) levels of a seven- to nine-year-old child. We love them for their cheeky, curious nature and gently curved mouths that make them look like they’re smiling all the time.
Wouldn’t it be a dream come true for your whole family to swim with these beautiful mammals, learn about them, and perhaps even give them a kiss and a cuddle?
Your dream may just turn to reality because there is a place right here in Singapore that gives you and your kids the privilege of experiencing an up-close and unforgettable experience with dolphins and enjoying great family bonding in the process.
The entrance to Dolphin Island, situated in Adventure Cove Waterpark.
Dolphin Island, Resorts World Sentosa
Starting from just $68, your whole family will get to create some amazing memories and find out more about dolphins through engagement learning at Dolphin Island.
They also recently welcomed a dolphin calf to their family. This playful little girl needs a name, and you can find out how you and your kids can help give her a name later on in this article.
This world-class attraction offers six dolphin interaction programmes that are fun, and most importantly, educational, especially for your little ones.
Would you like to get a smooch from a dolphin?
Dolphin Discovery
If you or your kids don’t swim, then this programme is ideal for you. All you need to do is stand in waist-deep water in the lagoon for an astonishing experience.
You will be paired up with one of the trainers who will take you to meet your dolphin “date.” You and your kids will be taught a few basic hand signals by the trainer, and learn about dolphin behaviours as well as how the trainers provide enrichment for the friendly dolphin, from fish treats to rub-downs!
Our writer enjoys a moment with Raja the dolphin in the Dolphin Discovery programme.
Parents, you can be sure your kids will enjoy learning these hand commands and feel a sense of pride when they are able to get the dolphins to follow their hand signals.
You’ll also get to give your dolphin friend gentle pats. The dolphins here love being rubbed in a circular motion on their body.
Your kids will just love getting a kiss from their mischievous dolphin buddy and being able to give him or her a gentle hug in return. Rest assured that the trainer will tell you exactly what to do and how to behave around the dolphin.
Keep in mind: Parents will need to accompany kids below 12 years old and the maximum accompanying ratio is three kids to one adult. Your kids will have to be at least 115cm tall to participate in this programme.
Suitable for: Families with kids aged four to twelve years old
Price: Adult S$98, Child/Senior S$88
Go on an adventure of a lifetime with beautiful dolphins in the Dolphin Adventure programme!
Dolphin Adventure
This programme will give your family the chance to actually swim with dolphins, and is perfect for good swimmers who enjoy a bit of adventure and action. You can expect to be taken on an exciting journey into the depths of a lagoon and even experience the thrill of being propelled through the water by dolphins!
This is a really unique way of interacting with these amazing creatures and is a not-to-be missed programme if you want to create incredible memories.
Keep in mind: Parents will need to accompany kids below 12 years old and the maximum accompanying ratio is three kids to one adult. Your kids will have to be at least 115cm tall to participate in this programme.
Suitable for: Families with kids aged four to 12 years old
Price: Adult S$128, Child/Senior S$118
Find out how you could take a walk with the dolphins on the lagoon floor… next page please!
Dolphin Trek offers you an incredible underwater encounter with dolphins.
Dolphin Trek
In this incredible underwater programme, you will have the chance to see the world of dolphins from a fish’s eye view.
Interact with the dolphins while walking around on the lagoon floor four metres deep underwater, breathing freely through a fascinating underwater helmet.
No need to be a certified scuba diver — or know how to swim — to do this. And don’t worry, the friendly trainers will be with you at all times, guiding you through what you need to do and how you should interact with the dolphins.
Keep in mind: If you take part in this particular programme, you must not be due to fly within the next 12 hours.
Suitable for: Families with older kids aged 15 years and above
Price: Adult S$198, Senior S$188
“Hello Mr. Dolphin, how do you do?”
Dolphin Encounter
The Dolphin Encounter programme lets your family interact with dolphins right from the edge of the lagoon — ideal for little ones who don’t feel comfortable getting wet or getting into water. While you make friends with the dolphins, a trainer will tell you fascinating facts about these incredibly smart marine animals.
For example, did you know that a bottlenose dolphin’s age can be determined by examining its teeth? As the dolphin grows older, its teeth grow larger with layers in the root. By counting these growth layers within a dolphin’s tooth, scientists can find out how old it is!
Suitable for: Families with kids aged four and above
Price: Adult S$68, Child/Senior S$58
Other than the programmes mentioned above, you can also participate in the Dolphin VIP and Trainer for a Day programmes.
For more information about all these programmes, including terms and conditions, please click here.
Useful tips for parents before heading to Dolphin Island with your family
- Remember to bring swimsuits as you’ll need to wear them underneath the wetsuits that Dolphin Island staff will provide for you.
- You will be asked to shower before stepping into the water with the dolphins. This is to make sure the residue of any lotions or sunscreen you might be wearing is not washed off into the waters of the lagoon.
- You are not allowed to take your cameras into the lagoon area when the programmes take place. However, a professional photographer will be there taking plenty of gorgeous snaps of your memorable moments with the dolphins. You can purchase these photographs at the end of the programme.
- You are not allowed to wear jewellery or any loose items when you get into the water with the dolphins. Jewellery and loose items can be kept inside the lockers at Dolphin Island.
How are the dolphins at Dolphin Island cared for? You can find out on the next page…
The dolphins have a team of dedicated trainers and veterinary professionals looking after them at all times.
Quality care for the dolphins
The dolphins at Dolphin Island are looked after by top-notch veterinary professionals as well as a team of experienced and dedicated marine mammal trainers who are more than happy to share their knowledge with you and your kids.
To ensure that the dolphins are in good health, the animal health and husbandry teams give the dolphins a full body inspection daily and hold weekly meetings to review the dolphins’ behaviour and diet.
With this quality of care for dolphins, Dolphin Island is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), ranking among the best zoos and aquariums in the world.
Conservation projects
As parents of nature loving kids, there’s no doubt that you can make their dreams of interacting with dolphins come true at Dolphin Island.
You will also be happy to know that the data collected at Dolphin Island helps contribute to conservation projects such as the Save the Irrawaddy Dolphin project which was just launched last month in Thailand.
Dolphin Island veterinary professionals are working closely with researchers from Chulalongkorn University to conduct a rapid population assessment in order to develop a long-term rescue plan for the Irrawaddy dolphin population at Songkhla Lake. The dolphins are in great danger due to environmental pollution and lake vessel encroachment.
On the next page, find out how you can help name Dolphin Island’s youngest and cutest resident AND stand a chance of winning a Dolphin VIP programme for two worth $576!
Suggest a name for this little dolphin calf and stand a chance to win a Dolphin VIP programme for two worth $576!
Welcome to the world, little one!
On 17 December 2014, a beautiful little girl was born to dolphin mummy Tian Tang at Dolphin Island. Mum and baby are currently doing very well under the watchful eye and loving care of the Dolphin Island team.
Even though the dolphin calf is the youngest member of the pod, she is very friendly, independent, and — like all babies — playful.
She needs a name and you can help
The good folks at Dolphin Island now need your help to give the dolphin calf a name. All Dolphin Island guests will have the chance to submit names for this baby from now until 30 June 2015 and stand to win a Dolphin VIP programme for two worth $576!
So put on your thinking caps right away and make a family project out of coming up with the cutest names possible for this little one.
Please click this link for terms and conditions.
Dolphin Island contact details
Address: 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, Singapore 09826
Phone: +65 6577 9988
Email: [email protected]
If you think your family would love to meet the dolphins of Dolphin Island and have a go at naming the little one there, why not plan your visit right now? And don’t forget to tell us all about it by leaving a comment below!
