Tortola Dolphin Encounter St Thomas St John

Tortola Dolphin Encounter

Journey to the island paradise of Tortola for a one-of-a-kind dolphin encounter you're sure to never forget.

Escape across the sparkling Caribbean Sea — where endless blue sky mingles with sweeping coastal views — during a one-hour ferry ride from St. Thomas to Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands. Along the way, snap a picture of St. Thomas, St. John, Norman Island, and Pelican Island from your seaside perch, and listen to your guide relay stories about the history of this sun-kissed region. Upon your arrival in Tortola, pass through Immigration before boarding an air-conditioned motor coach or taxi and embarking on a delightful, hour-long island drive — taking in such famous sites as Ridge Road, Sky World, Guana Island and Round Rock — to Dolphin Discovery. Overlooking the sparkling Caribbean Sea, Dolphin Discovery is one of the few places in the world to offer people of all ages the unique opportunity to partake in up close and personal experiences with dolphins, and is committed to the conservation and protection of marine mammals. Upon your arrival, meet and greet the facility's dolphin trainers and take in an interactive introduction to these gentle creatures of the deep, including a discussion of their anatomy, physiology and natural history. After your orientation, make your way to a submerged, waist-deep platform and immerse yourself in a magical in-water exchange with real live dolphins. Learn how gentle creatures of the deep respond to hand signals and positive reinforcement from the trainers and discover the fantastic underwater communication system inherent to all dolphins. Then, delight in an unforgettable hands-on interaction as you are invited to glide your hand over the dolphin's soft skin, share a friendly flipper shake and receive a friendly kiss with your newfound friend.

Following your 30-minute mammal meet-and-greet, savor the flavor of a delicious buffet-style lunch, and bask in the sea breezes as they wash over you in nearly every direction. Afterward, journey by air-conditioned motor coach back to the dock, where a ferry will be waiting to take you back to St. Thomas. Upon your arrival in Charlotte Amalie, make your way once again through Immigration. Finally, lose yourself once again to the stunning seaside views as you embark on a quick 10-minute walk back to the ship.

Guests who are U.S. Citizens and ages 16 and up are required to carry a valid passport, passport card, state-issued enhanced driver's license or Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) in order to participate on this tour. Children ages 15 and under who are U.S. Citizens may travel on any of these documents or an original birth certificate (with raised seal). All non-U.S. Citizens are required to carry a valid passport meeting the necessary visa requirements. Anyone under the age of 18 traveling with an adult who is not the parent (aunt, uncle, grandparent, friend, etc) must have a notarized letter of permission to join the tour (not just a note) with them on tour. The tour involves international travel and this is required to leave the country.

• A buffet-style lunch (hamburgers, pasta, chicken wings, fries and salad) and beverages (sparkling sodas, fruit juice and bottled water) are included.
• Wheelchairs need to be standard size and collapsible; no electric wheelchairs/scooters are permitted. Guests must be able to board and disembark the motor coach and ferry on their own. Guests will also need to step out of the wheelchair to enter the water and complete the program.
• This excursion is stroller accessible. However, some portions of the tour may require Guests to fold accompanying strollers. In addition, lightweight strollers are recommended.
• Expectant mothers may not participate on this excursion.
• Guests spend approximately 30 minutes in the water with the dolphins.
• For safety reasons, Guests interacting with Dolphins are not allowed to carry cameras, including waterproof ones.
• Participants must be able to enter the water via stairs and stand on a submerged platform 4-feet deep throughout the Encounter.
• Guests should note that this is not a "swim with the dolphins" excursion.
• Guests wishing to accompany a family member or friend on this excursion should book the Tortola Dolphin Discovery Observer excursion.
• Guests are reminded that all children under 12 years of age must be accompanied in the water by a parent or guardian booked on the Tortola Dolphin Discovery Encounter excursion at the same time. Guests 12 through 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult on the Tortola Dolphin Discovery Encounter or the Tortola Dolphin Discovery Observer excursion at the same time.
• The walk from the ship to the ferry — and back again — is approximately 10 minutes in each direction.
• The stop at the Immigration is approximately 30 minutes.
• Guests travel between St. Thomas and Tortola via fast-ferry. Guests prone to motion sickness should take necessary precautions.
• During the excursion, Guests are split into two groups. Because of this, the order of excursion events may vary.
• Guests should note that cameras and jewelry are not allowed in the pool areas. Photos can be taken from the educational area and viewing platform. In addition, for the continued well-being of the dolphins, Guests are not permitted to wear sunscreen in the water.
• Complimentary storage areas for personal belongings and changing rooms are available.
• Guests are encouraged to bring sunglasses, additional clothing, hats, cameras and/or backpacks.
• Guests are encouraged to bring cash or credit cards to purchase optional extras, such as pictures, souvenirs and DVD's.
• Due to limited availability, Guests are encouraged to book early.