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.  

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.

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

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.

What do the Dolphins at Dolphin Cove eat?

I seem to get this question a lot.   I will answer it here and of course I will answer it again.  Dolphins are marine mammals and as a result they eat fish.  They also eat other things such as shrimp, crab and squid.   They are also given vitamins on a daily basis.  Since Dolphin Cove Jamaica is a natural lagoon they have the opportunity to fish / hunt for food on their own.   I have witnessed these beautiful creatures work together to catch fish.  They do it in many ways.  The most exciting I have seen is when the Dolphins stun their prey with their tails.   This just goes to show how smart and creative these beautiful animals are.  

Dolphin Trek available only at Dolphin Cove Jamaica.

Dolphin Cove Jamaica

Interesting write up about dolphins I found online.

Humans cherish and admire beings who possess noble traits. The resourcefulness, confidence and grace of dolphins endear them to our hearts and minds. It is because we search for the same characteristics in ourselves that we cherish these magnificent animals.
We like to think that dolphins enjoy being around us as much as we do them. Is it possible that dolphins share our company simply for diversity? Some species can become bored with their own kind. Who gets more out of the relationship: the human or dolphin? They provide us with insight into the realms of anatomy, behavior and communication. Still, our curiosity pushes us to learn more. Although we admire other animals, dolphins remain high on our list of species that fascinate us.
Scientists believe that marine mammals are descendants of animals that once lived on land. The skeleton of a dolphin supports this theory. There is a modified form of hands in the front flippers of a dolphin. Two small, unattached bones located behind the rib cage are believed to be remains of the pelvic girdle, to which hind limbs once attached. Most people wouldn’t know it, but dolphins have a common ancestor with hoofed animals, specifically cows. With so many cow lovers out there as well, it wouldn’t be a surprise. 

Customer comments / reviews

A large part of my job is to try to ensure our guests are happy and have a good visit with us.  This sounds like a fairly easy job for a wonderful place like dolphin cove Jamaica.   Unfortunately it is not always.  There are times when things just don't go as expected.  From a missed bus to people not liking the food to staff just not being their best that day we get it all.   For the most part people are very pleased with their experience however those that are not we must deal with.   For example the other day a young lady lost her cell phone.   She was from the USA and as a result had the phone off for making / receiving calls.  This meant we were unable to call it.   Thank goodness it was an iPhone and had the Find my iPhone app installed.   We were able to track the phone down and find it on the park in the safe hands of one of our staff.   We were on the way out of my office when the staff member was walking it up to the office.   The guests were very pleased to get their phone back and we were very pleased to be able to help.    The guest was so happy that they offered a "tip" however we refused.  They did ask to take a photo with us on their phone and that we were happy to do.   It seems like a fairly small thing but I can assure you that losing your very expensive phone while on vacation was a big thing to them.    We rely on customer feedback both online and in person.   I would love to be able to say if you have a good time tell the world if you have an issue please tell us. This is not always practical but one can always hope.   When you are next at the park please take a moment to tell us how we did.  If this is not practical you can contact us at info@dolphincoveja.com or leave a review on trip advisor.

Dolphins and pregnancy

I have been doing a lot of thinking about pregnancy recently.  (NO I do not have a little one on the way).   It struck me about how at Dolphincoveja.com we do not want pregnant women to swim with the dolphins and I wanted to know more.   Here is what I have found.

Using echolocation, dolphins might be able to detect a pregnant woman's developing fetus, some experts say. Dolphins emit sounds in their environment and listen to the echoes that return — a process that helps them identify the shapes and locations of objects. Doctors use a similar technique to image a developing human baby. Both involve ultrasound — high-pitched pulses of sound above the range of human hearing. "I think it's extremely plausible [dolphins] would be able to detect a fetus," said Lori Marino, a neuroscientist at Emory University in Atlanta who studies cetacean intelligence. However, "you'd have to really do a well-controlled study to make a definitive statement," she cautioned.

So this goes to show you that maybe you could be pregnant and a Dolphin will tell you.   My suggestion is this.  When you come to Dolphin Cove Jamaica and the Dolphins are very excited to see you then you may just need to do a test.  Till then   Happy days.

Dolphin Therapy fact or fiction

I read a lot of articles about Dolphin therapy and I wonder to myself is it fact or fiction.   The answer is I don't know.  I do believe that animals of all types benefit humans to a far greater extent than we can ever know.   I think about how many times I just reach out and pet the dog for no other reason than I want to.  How I look forward to my dog greeting me when I get home from work.  I think about how I feel when she is not well or has hurt herself.   I know that I feel better with her around.  I also know that when I work with and interact with the dolphins I also feel a sense of pleasure and relief.  I feel some of my stresses going away and a sense of calmness.  I guess it is considered a sense of therapy however I am unsure if it has a lasting effect.   I also take into account why little children and pregnant women should not interact with the Dolphins.  I know that the dolphin senses when they are near and their instincts take over and want to interact with them.   I can assure you that this is not in a bad way but the risks are too great.    So is Dolphin therapy real?  I am not sure.   But I do know that anything that makes you feel this great can't be bad for you.   Here is a link to a very good article that I have found.  You can decide for yourself.  Comments?  

You the guest

We at Dolphin Cove attract a lot of visitors.  We depend on you so that we can look after our animals and facilities.  From time to time we get some complaints and we also get some very good compliments.  We depend on this to learn and grow.   Some of the comments we get range from the ground should be paved to there are too many fish in the water.   Some are great like I would love to do a Shark Trek can you offer it?   What I am saying is that we depend on you to make us better.   From pointing out things like a stained life Jacket to suggesting ways we can improve.   I implore everyone to go to tripadvisor and tell us your honest opinion.   Some things we can't change but those that we can we will do our best.   Love from all of us at Dolphin Cove.

Dolphin Cove, more than Dolphins

Dolphin Cove is more than just Dolphins,  yes they are the stars however there is much more to do / see than the Dolphins.  We have Nurse sharks,  these sharks are from jamaican waters and with each encounter you will learn about them / their habits, and what they like.  We have stingrays where you get to snorkel / and pet / cuddle with these beautiful yet deadly creatures. (We clip their barbs so there is no need to fear)  We have tons of other wild life from parrots, love birds, finches, to Iguanas, and snakes.  We take the time to educate you about the various bugs we have around here such as the bat moth to the banana spider.   We have ducks, wild chickens, a beautiful beach and of course our glass bottom kayaks. Do not forget the mini power boat rides to explore the area.   Dolphin Cove is a place to spend the entire day.   All of our locations are slightly different.  Did you know that Negril has Camels?   Come for the day and check us out.

Customer feedback

We at Dolphin Cove feel that Customer feedback and appreciation is very important.   Each time we see a good review we are reminded that we are on the right track but each time we see a bad review it also reminds us that there is always room for improvement.  Some people feel that the customer is number one.  I am sorry to tell you that in our business they are number two.  Our animals are number one.  We have on staff two doctors at all times.  We have many trainers on staff at any time and many care givers.  These people spend all day with the respective animals from the lizards to the dolphins.  They feed them, look after them and above all enjoy them.  Part of there job is to teach you the client about them and let you interact with them in a very special way.  This way we all benefit.  Hats off to the staff at Dolphin Cove.  

Dolphin Cove Jamaica

People ask why did you do it?  What gave us the idea?  What is the key to success? What makes us special?  Simple answer to all these is family and friends.   It was a dream and a wish that came to be due to hard work of family and friends.   Dolphin Cove is a great example of what a family can do.  This is still very much a family business.  The members of our family has grown but we are still just that.  Everyone here is important,  from the person that looks after the pet rabbits, our bearer, our trainers, and staff to the people in the offices that keep behind the scenes.  Everyone has their role from Mr Burrowes and Mrs Burrowes to me who tries to keep you informed.   Dolphin Cove Jamaica may be the number one attraction in Jamaica but we are also a family.   If your looking for time to spend with your family in a wholesome way why not give us a try.   www.dolphincoveja.com