Dolphins, Stingrays, Sharks, Parrots, Rabbits, lovebirds, Iguanas oh my

Dolphin Cove Jamaica calls home to many different animals.   We have Dolphins, Stingrays, Sharks, Parrots, Rabbits, lovebirds, Iguanas and more.   So many animals in-fact that we have had to get our own in house vet to ensure the proper health and safety of them all.   We have separate teams that look after their every need.   You see at Dolphin Cove Jamaica we love all forms of life.  So much so that we do not even allow our trees to be cut.  Yes we do trim them however never cut them.   If you want to see for yourself why not come and visit us soon.   We are open 7 days a week all year long.   Come make your vacation a memory to last a lifetime.

Plan on popping the question?

Good day my friends.  Today I will talk to you about proposing.  I have been witness to at least a few proposals since my time here.  In fact if you check us out in trip advisor you will see quite a few postings about being proposed to here.    What could be better than a beautiful setting with a life changing experience followed by a proposal from the one you love.    Dolphin Cove Jamaica has been home to a couple of weddings as well.   If you are interested in doing some form of special event I suggest contacting us via our web form and letting us know about your plans.  We will see how we can assist you.  

Remember if you are having a once in a life time experience you might as well go big.    Think of the stories you can tell.  


Till next time.   Remember Dolphin Cove Jamaica is a experience for a day, memories to last a lifetime.  

What is a starfish?

Last night my daughter was playing with my shell collection and came across a starfish,  she asked me about it and as a result I had to do some research.   This is what I found.

1.  Starfish belongs to a large group of marine animals called echinoderms

2. Starfish have NO brains or Blood.

3.  If you cut off a limb of a starfish it will grow back.

4.  Starfish can live for unto 40 years (but have no brain or blood)

5.  Starfish can reproduce asexually. (but have no brains or blood)

6.  Starfish can weigh unto 11 lbs.  (but have no brains or blood)

As you can see the blood and brains part bugs me.  It appears as though the blood part is taken care of by using sea water.  The brain part well I guess it is kind of like a plant then... Any way have a great day.  

Look daddy a Shark

Did you know that Dolphin Cove is home to sharks?   We are committed the the preservation of these beautiful misunderstood creatures.    In doing so we have some nurse sharks that we have here that we enjoy teaching you our guests about.   So here is a couple of interesting things you may not have known about the nurse shark.

Did you know that they get there name not because the nurse but because they make a sucking noise when they are looking for food?

Did you know that they can live up to 35 years of age?

Did you know that most fish including most sharks must keep moving in order to breath but not the nurse shark.  They have figured out that if they position themselves against the flow of the water they can remain motionless and still breath.

Interesting don't you think?  

So Dolphin Cove is more than Dolphins,  its a entire adventure and a learning one at that.   Come to Dolphin Cove Jamaica for the day to make memories of a lifetime.

A couple of little known facts about dolphins

Because we all love to learn and want to know more about our friends of the sea here are a couple of little known facts about dolphins.   I hope you appreciate them as much as I do.   Please be sure to like us on Facebook and twitter.  You may also wish to check us out on pintrest as well as instagram.   We are here to serve so please check us out.   Also be sure to leave us comments or questions.

 A dolphin’s forelimbs which are known as ‘pectoral flippers’. The forelimbs or ‘arms’ of a dolphin are the same anatomically as a terrestrial mammals legs. But the bones which make up the forelimbs in dolphins have been shortened and made more rigid by supporting connective tissue. These pectoral flippers allow the dolphins regulate their speed and turn.

Not all dolphin species possess a dorsal fin. The dorsal fin of a dolphin, which is located on the back, acts like a keel when the animal swims. This gives the dolphin directional control and stability within the water column. Northern rightwhale dolphins and the southern rightwhale dolphins however lack dorsal fins.

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Caribbean's Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction 2014 — World Travel Awards

Care for some milk?

One of the things I get to do is ask a lot of questions.  Today I asked how does a Dolphin nurse her young.   The answer might surprise you.

After a baby is born it must go to the surface of the water to take its first breath.   The mother or midwife (yes midwife) pushes the baby to the surface and it is able to get its first breath.   Newborn dolphins nurse at the surface and the young dolphin nurses while the mother floats on her side so that the baby can breath while nursing.   It is not till it is older that the baby can suckle underwater.   The mammary glands are in paired slits on either side of the reproductive opening.   The mothers muscles push the milk through the nipples into the mouth of the young dolphin.   

What did you say?

Did you know that dolphins have ears?   Well not quite like ours they have a small opening on either side of their heads that they use for hearing.   Here  is some extra info that you may or may not know about dolphins and hearing.  

Dolphins hear through a sophisticated hearing sense which is located in small ear openings on both sides of the head.

However, it is believed that hearing underwater is mainly done through the lower jar bone which conducts sounds to the middle ear.

Dolphins are able to hear a broader range of frequencies than humans.

While we can hear sounds from 20 Hz to 20 Khz, dolphins are able to hear from 20 to 150 Khz being up to 7 times more sensitive than human ear.

Therefore we are not even able to hear a large number of sound made by dolphins.

Why not visit us at Jamaica's number one attraction / excursion www.dolphincoveja.com

Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin.

Did you know that Dolphins have hair?    Stop scratching your head and think about it for a second.   When a dolphin is born it is blind.   It requires help getting to the surface of the water for its first breath.  It needs assistance for everything.   This is where hair comes in.   The baby dolphin uses its hair to find where it should nurse from its mother.    Did you know that a dolphin nurses for nearly two years?... Interesting don't you think.

baby dolphin with hair. 

why do dolphins have teeth

I was asked the other day at Dolphin Cove  Jamaica's number one attraction. Why do dolphins have teeth.   The answer is quite simple.   They use their teeth to help catch food.   They do not use them like you or me.  They swallow their food whole.    I guess what I am saying is that their teeth are used like a tool or maybe like we use our hands.   To get their food and to eat but not chew.   Interesting don't you think?

Dolphin Cove Jamaica

Dolphin Trek, What is it like

Dolphin Cove Jamaica has the pleasure of offering you the Dolphin Trek experience and I must admit upon first glance it is quite intimidating.   I recently took part in Dolphin Trek at Dolphin Cove Jamaica and I must admit I was a bit scared at first however now that I have done it I can honestly say that it is an experience to remember.   To partake in this experience you don a helmet that looks like something out of a science fiction movie.   It does weigh quite a bit on land however once you are in the water you don't notice it at all.   I was able to wear my eyeglasses during this experience and since I always wear them it made for a much more comfortable and vision filled adventure.   I went down the steps and was able to see, breath and function much the same as I would on land but then I got to interact with the dolphins.   They seemed  much happier to see me in their element than on land.  Their natural curiosity kept them near us at all times.   We saw just how powerful they are underwater and were able to touch and see just what they are like in the water not just at the surface.    There is a constant flow of air being pumped into the helmet at all times and I did not feel at all uncomfortable like I do when snorkeling .    I have to say to everyone,   When you get the chance check it out.  If you have the opportunity do it.    Check out our link here.

What does it take to be a dolphin trainer

Recently we were doing some interviews in our Dolphin Cove Negril location.   I had the pleasure of sitting in on these meetings.  Here is what I learned.

To be a great dolphin trainer you need to love animals.  This may seem obvious to most however many people like animals however you must love them.

Being a parent helps.  This is because you need patients and must not be prone to over reacting.

You must want to learn and grow.   This is because you and the dolphin will learn together and grow in both your knowledge and trust for each other.

Much like any animal you need to be able to work with them no matter what you are feeling.   Even though the dolphin will know if your not well or not they still want to be with you and will know when your gone.  

You need to know how to swim.   I guess I don't need to explain this one.

You need to understand that positive reinforcement is the only method that is allowed.    A good petting, kind word or tasty fish is much more effective than yelling.

Dolphins are a lot like very smart children.  You need to be able to work with them for a long time.   Anyone that appears as though they want a job not a career,   will not make it.

Above all.  You need to love Dolphins.   Even if you say you do. We can tell in a very short period what your true intentions are and believe it or not.  You will be gone quickly.  

So here is my advice.  If your interested in a career at Dolphin Cove Jamaica ensure you want just that.  We don't offer jobs we offer careers with the ultimate benefit.

spring break ideas?

I was thinking about what to do for spring break.  Yes I know I am well past that age.  It did however cause me to think about my one and only spring break where I went on a a trip (while in school that is)   I partied and drank and above all I learned about a different culture.  I went to Mexico.   No this post is not about mexico.  It is to promote people to get off the resorts when go go to places.   I did not have the budget for big tours however I did manage to go horse back riding and snorkelling, as well as a little tour of some ruins and into an old village.    I remember seeing people pushing carts and riding donkeys.  No Jamaica is not all about that any longer however there is still plenty of that to see.   Yes spring break is a great time and a huge party however maybe you guys should think about visiting us at dolphin cove or maybe visit prospect plantation .  I am sure you will be very glad you did.   You will be pleased to know we offer group rates for both.    Contact us today.

Dolphin Cove to the rescue

Dolphin Cove to the rescue,--
Having received calls that  a "porpoise" was by the Holiday Inn Hotel 
Beach -
  a team lead by our in house Veterinary  Dr. Miska Sennett and Manager 
Mr. Delloy Peharie  of the Half Moon Lagoon responded to the call  to 
find a  Pygmy Sperm Whale in distress, it seem to have been injured as 
it showed facial scratches and had been stranded from the night 
before... medication  was administer and the Whale was fed, after which 
the Whale was guided out to sea with the assistance from the Staff of 
the Holiday Inn, as well as the Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory.

At sea, his  Pod was seen  hovering as if waiting for his return.

This is not the first time Dolphin Cove has been called to help our marine life in distress in the past we have lent our assistance to Dolphins, whales, turtles, manatees.   Dolphin Cove is there to help.   

why do dolphins form pods?

A group of dolphins is called a pod.

A dolphin pod consists a group of dolphins that have bonded together either because of biological reasons (ie: a mother baring offspring and raising her child) or through friendships developed between two or more dolphins.

Most pods can contain anywhere from 2 – 30 dolphins depending on the species and the situation, however there are occasions where several hundred dolphins may gather together for an activity or event.

During times of mating or when hunting in abundant feeding grounds hundreds or even thousands of dolphins may be seen together mating and/or hunting for food.

Once the dolphins finish participating in an activity they return to back to their smaller pods.

Most small pods or pairs usually consist of a mother and her child or two male dolphins that have bonded together.

Other small  pods may consists of several female dolphins that have bonded together in order to better protect their young

In larger pods as many as four generations of family members can be seen travel together.

How pods form and how many dolphins coordinate in a pod is also largely dependent on the species and their social structure.

Dolphins are social mammals that love to interact with one another, swimming together and hunt for food as a team, however pods also play a very important role in protecting dolphins, especially smaller species of dolphin that are at a greater risk of being attacked.

Some dolphins will form large pods in order to better protect themselves from predators such as sharks and whales..

By forming large pods they can either deter predators or better defend themselves by fighting together.

Aside from forming pods or groups some dolphin species may also migrate to or maintain a fixed location in and around coastal waters or rivers where there are less potential threats from predators.

Common reasons dolphins form a pod

• Social interaction (Dolphins are extremely social and family oriented)
• To hunt and capture pray together (Dolphins often work as a team to capture large pools of fish)
• Mating (While dolphins prefer to mate during the warmer summer months they can be found mating throughout the year)
• Protection (Larger pods allow dolphins to deter predators and create a better defense when attacked)

Dolphin Cove is just for kids (NOT)

Recently I was talking to a guest who informed me that they were not going to come visit us due to the fact that we were for children.   He informed me that he was glad he relented.  He and his wife had a blast.   The came here for just the day and did not chose a dolphin program.  Once they were there he and his wife talked it over and upgraded to the the Ultimate experience.  They further went on to participate in the swim with the shark program.   They had the time of their lives.   As we get a little older I think we close our mind to trying new things and brand them.  That is why we do not do all we want to do.  Here is this couple thinking they were too old and yet once the opportunity presented itself they were very glad they did.  

Try something new.  Come to Dolphin Cove Jamaica.  You will be glad you did.

How to prepare for a day with the dolphins

From time to time we get asked what you need to bring in order to spend the day with us at Dolphin Cove Jamaica.   I will gladly tell you.  

1.  Your bathing suit.  ( you will be in the water after all.
2.  Some sunscreen ( Please put this on at least 30 min before you enter the water with the dolphins as it is not good for them)
3.  A towel (to dry off of course)
4.  A change of clothing.   (not necessary however you may wish to put on dry clothing.)
5.  Some money.   We have Jamaica's larges souvenir shop and some great food to try
6.  Your camera.  Although we take photos of your interactions with the sharks, stingrays and Dolphins you will want to take some of your own.
7.  A sense of adventure.
8.  The people you love.  
At Dolphin Cove you can spend the entire day.   Your entrance includes unlimited time on the beach, use of the glass bottom Kayaks,  petting of the birds, bunnies, iguanas, watching of the sharks, dolphins and of course our mini boat rides.  

Come for the day.   Make memories of a lifetime.

Through the eyes of a two year old

Those of you that know me I am a very loving father of a two year old little princess.   She knows that daddy works with the dolphins and he brings her home little presents all the time.   I have decided that weather permitting I am going to take her to see the dolphins this weekend.   I am very excited for her but also a bit nervous.  Not at how the dolphins will react but how she will.    She is very courageous and will try anything however she just may want to do more than she can.  For example last night while playing at the park she decided that she was going to climb the rope ladder.  This scared the heck out of me as I knew that if she fell she would hurt herself.  I let her do it.  (all by herself) and was very proud that she made it all the way to the top but as a father I was also a bit sad. I remember oh so well when she said hold my hand or daddy help me.   I will post how it goes.   In the mean time check us out at Dolphin Cove or for a nice quiet yet informative day go to prospect outback adventures.

Dolphin Cove JA