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.

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.

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?  

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 satisfaction.

Part of what I do here is review the comments people have about our experience and I also deal with some guests that are on site that might need some extra attention.  Today I met a group of people whose guide dropped them off a bit early.  I took this opportunity to show them around as well as to talk with them.  They were very nice and were genuinely interested in Jamaica and Dolphin Cove.   It was funny some of the questions they asked were not the ones I thought they would be.   They wanted to know about life in Jamaica and what it is like to work at Dolphin Cove.   I said its not like Disney where staff are forced to be a way that they may not be.  I said that people are people and we are a big family and act that way.   We talk laugh and sometimes argue.   Overall we treat our guests the way we would expect to be treated.  NO not the way you get treated when you go home to your parents where you help yourself.  More like a cousin or aunt.  Where they offer to assist and show you things.   They were happy and so was I.  When I was done showing them around.  They thanked me for the service.   I in turn had to say no thank you... You showed me that I am truly blessed to work at a place that feels like home and to have people like you to share it with.  

Eating dolphins (not eating a dolphin)

One of the most frequent questions we are asked is how much does a dolphin eat.  There are many answers to this but most of them are silly.  I will stick to facts.   Dolphins eat a lot.  The amount of food they eat is in direct correlation as to what they are eating.  

Bottlenose dolphins eat several kinds of fish (including mullet, mackerel, herring, cod) and squid. The composition of the diet depends very much on what is available in the area they live in and also on the season. The amount of fish they eat depends on the fish species they are feeding on: mackerel and herring have a very high fat content and consequently have a high caloric value, whereas squid has a very low caloric value, so to get the same energy intake (calories) they will need to eat much more if they feed on squid than if they feed on mackerel or herring. On average an adult dolphin will eat 4-9% of its body weight in fish, so a 250 kg (550 lb) dolphin will eat 10-22.5 kg (22-50 lb) fish per day.

Views from My Desk

Here I sit.  Nearly four pm,  I look out the window of my office and see the happy faces of customers playing in the water with the sharks, Dolphins,  and stingrays.  I see a family eating Ice Cream and yet another couple having a nice cold Red Stripe.   I must say that I have a great view that only serves to tease me about the fun I could be having.   I could continue to write this post about the adventures that could be had at Dolphin Cove Jamaica however I would rather go outside and chat with a Pirate, while waiting for a kiss from a dolphin.   Why don't you Join me.

Dolphins, Getting personal

Ok people,  A bit of a confession.  I was not born a yard.  I moved here many moons ago from a land far far away,  a land of snow and cold.  A land where you could not walk around in slippers all day.  A land where your best friend was either your significant other or a heating blanket.  A land where you wanted to have the dog on the bed as it helped keep you warm.  When I first moved here I was like nearly everyone else.  I was in awe of what I saw.  I loved the nature and loved the whole concept of island life.   Soon it started to wear on me though.  I wanted more.  I was tired of just seeing the mongoose running around.   I was tired of just hearing the parrots in the trees or the tree frogs making their noises.  I wanted more.   Then I learned to sail.  I started to have fun,  it opened a new world for me.   I learned to appreciate nature more. Then I saw it.  A sea turtle in the water.  What a site.  I learned to slow down and appreciate things more.  The turtle did that for me.   Another day we were greeted by dolphins,  seeing a dolphin at sea is a great experience.  It was like their energy feed me.   I learned to look for them.  Alas sightings at sea in Jamaica although fairly common are not a daily thing. However I am blessed.  I get to work with Dolphin Cove Jamaica and I see them every day.   Why not join me sometime.

DR, Dr, Dr, I need a Nurse!!!

Are you aware that we have nurse sharks in Jamaica?   We do, but never fear they keep to themselves most of the time.  They prefer to be in their own little world and keep to themselves.  They are not man eaters they prefer to eat crustaceans as well as molusks.   Though they do have teeth they are not prone to biting.

At Dolphin Cove Jamaica LTD we too have nurse sharks.  They are at our Ocho Rios location and are considered by many one of our most exciting attractions.   Each day you will see our well trained handlers put on a bit of a show and you can have the chance to feed and interact with them.   For the adventurous spirit you will have a tremendous opportunity well worth the trip to Jamaica just to see.   Why not come and give one a cuddle?   For those of you looking to learn a bit more please check out this page.  http://schools-wikipedia.org/wp/n/Nurse_sharks.htm  For those of you interested in seeing one for yourself please check us out www.dolphincoveja.com

Dolphin vs Human how alike are we.

I have to admit that I borrowed this from the wiki.  The other day I was watching TV and I saw the mermaid documentary on the Discovery Channel.  It got me thinking about how they say that humans evolved from the sea.   Then I thought about dolphins (as one does when you work here)  I wondered what we all share in common.  This is what I found.  I felt that it was important enough to share with you.     Dolphins and humans more alike than you think.  

Both are mammals, so both have mammary glands, and hair on their skin, and they have 7 cervical vertebrae as humans do. 

They are touted to be one of the only 3 animals that mate for pleasure (humans, dolphins, bonobos), and socially with many partners as many humans do. They also mate face to face unlike other animals. Dolphins do give birth to live young, and as mammals, they nurse their young with breast milk. 

They have very high communication skills amongst themselves. They are very social and prefer to live in pods rather than alone. Females will create a communal/ family creche for the young, so that others may go to hunt and feed. They show emotions of happines and sadness. They mourn the death of a member of the pod, especially an offspring. They also display working in teams to achieve a common goal. When hunting, they create tight balls of sardines by circling and herding them, and then diving straight through them to feed. Pods are very protective of each other and sometimes show compassion, and may adopt a young out of another pod if it has been left behind or lost its mother. 

Additionally, they have mirror neurons, being able to pass the mirror test and detect themselves in a mirror. Mirror neurons may also indicate empathy. 

In short, they display more "human" emotions and behaviors than any other non-primate mammal.  Here is what I have found may be what the human dolphin combo may look like.

Lets walk with the dolphins

We at Dolphin Cove (Ocho Rios location only) offer a very special opportunity for you.  We have the Dolphin Trek experience.   

Dolphin Trek, with Sea Trek helmet, is the ultimate sea trek program where participants can walk underwater while surrounded by dolphins.  Dolphin Trek offers the most innovative intimate dolphin encounter on the planet!  Dolphin Trek is all dolphins, all the time.You participate in a brief presentation after which, you descend 12 feet under water to begin your interaction with these amazing creatures

Let me describe this for you in a bit of detail.  You don this cool looking helmet and walk under water while you interact with our dolphins.  Better yet.  Take a look at this video and see for yourself.  Jamaica Gleaner video with Dolphin Trek

I know that there is a lot of interest in people trying or learning to scuba dive so maybe take two things off your bucket list and try a Dolphin Trek.  You can walk with the dolphins and have a experience quite similar to scuba diving but with a lot less gear and danger.   

Some facts about our Dolphins.

In todays post I have compiled some dolphin facts. With back to school near we need to start to get our brains back into gear. Today lets learn about the care of our dolphins




Did you Know


Did you know

• Dolphin cove has an internationally recognized animal care program?
  
• Each dolphin participates in husbandry behaviours each day?
  
• The health of every dolphin is closely monitored by a team of veterinarians?
  
• All the dolphins at Dolphin Cove were either born here or come from Oceanariums in Mexico or Cuba?
  
• All our dolphins have CITES permits?
  
• Dolphin Cove has a very successful rescue and reproduction program
  

Members of this species adapt to and do well in the captive environment. They live long and healthy lives (on average, longer than in the wild) and have a high reproduction rate. They are playful animals, exhibiting a natural curiosity. Strong bonds are formed with their human counterparts. There is much that goes on in the life of the dolphin that we will never see or that is difficult to see in the wild. A controversial topic is holding dolphins in captivity. A recent Harris poll has shown that over 95% of the people polled feel that properly maintained and run marine mammal parks provide a heightened appreciation for and understanding of these animals and add to the efforts in their conservation as a species. With 126 million visitors to dolphin habitats each year, the opportunity to teach appreciation for and conservation of the dolphin is tremendous.

A study of Atlantic Bottle nose Dolphin life span in the wild carried out by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums has shown that there is 30% mortality in their first 12 months due to maternal abandonment, pollution, predation, boat strikes, entanglement in fishing equipment, capture for human consumption, and disease. In the wild, the average life span of the Bottle-nose one year or older is an average of 25 years. In captivity, Bottle nose dolphins live an average of 30-35 years, having veterinary care, non-polluted water, no predation, no boat strikes, quality controlled food, no fishing equipment in which to become entangled, and careful observation and support of the birthing and mothering processes. In a survey taken in 1983, 32% of all dolphins being held in captivity had been born at a captive habitat.