Dolphin Discovery @ RWS' Dolphin Island

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(Daddy dives)

"What??!! Let a dolphin kiss me? Ewww..."

So said Ash when he found out that we were heading to Dolphin Island at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) for its Dolphin Discovery programme.

But came actual day, this was what happened.

Of the 5 programmes that Dolphin Island offers, the Dolphin Discovery programme has got to be one of its most popular ones. It is a 90-minute programme which allows visitors, including non-swimmers, to wade into the waist-deep waters of the dolphin lagoon to meet the dolphins.

Oh, and here's a quick tip: Wetsuits are provided but visitors will still have to wear swimwear within the wetsuit, so it's probably a good idea to go into Dolphin Island with your swimwear. Also, absolutely no loose items - watches, rings, earrings, necklaces and yes, mobile phones & cameras too - will be allowed into Dolphin Island and will have to kept in a locker (complimentary) before entering.

Before getting up close with the dolphins, we first had to sit through a 15-minute safety and training video brief which listed the 'Dos & Don’ts' while having our dolphin interaction as well as imparting some basic understanding of the dolphins we would be interacting with. Well, that 15-minutes must have seemed like the longest period for Ash... all because he was getting rather impatient to meet the friendly mammals!

The first thing that struck me when I first entered the lagoon was how big the entire compound was. Okay, so the water was exceptionally cold too but that was besides the point. The point is there are 11 inter-connected lagoons inside Dolphin Island for the 24 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins to roam, with 36 trainers caring for them. So the level of care is definitely more than the 1:1 ratio!

We were given a basic introduction on the anatomy of the dolphin and learnt how to differentiate between a male and female dolphin. We even got a chance to feel how incredibly smooth the dolphin’s skin is - it feels like rubber by the way. But the highlight of the session was undoubtedly when we got to interact and play with the dolphin.

Fetching hoops, making it sing & dance and even splashing water at each other - these were just some of the things that Ash accomplished with the dolphin!

But if you thought that it was just all play, then that would be grossly incorrect. For starters, there are actually many rules that we have to abide when we are in the water with the dolphins. When we are not interacting with them, we were required to place our hands by our side, behind us or in front of us. This is so that the dolphins will not be confused as their instructions from the trainers are conveyed via hand signals.

Also, the session would prove to be a largely educational one as well... not only for Ash but for me too! I picked up several interesting nuggets of information regarding dolphins that I never knew about, such as how each dolphin's dorsal fin has its own unique shape and notch pattern which is very much like our unique fingerprints. Also, the dolphin's sharp conical teeth are not used for chewing food, but for gripping and holding its prey. Dolphins swallow their food whole, as Ash would attest.

It was definitely a very enriching and educational experience for Ash, which of course made Ayd all green with envy. You see, the minimum height requirement to participate in the Dolphin Discovery programme is 1.22m which Ayd is a still a few centimeters shy of. So when Ayd found out that he could not join in for the session, to say he was utterly devastated is an understatement.

Thankfully though, the kind people at Dolphin Island initiated an impromptu learning session for both Ayd and Ale where they also got to interact a fair bit with the dolphins without getting into the water.

My final thoughts on Dolphin Island?

The boys, and especially Ash, learned a lot about dolphins through this interaction, something which can never be accomplished through the usual viewing-behind-the-tank or Dolphin Shows at various Aquariums or Theme Parks. Granted that the Dolphin Discovery experience is not cheap, but the overall experience of getting up close with the dolphins and learning so much more about them is truly unforgettable.

For me, I am heartened by the fact that throughout the entire session, the dolphins are in no way obliged to pose for photos or forced to interact with visitors. They are free to swim away at any point so yes, if you are unlucky enough to have a dolphin who is emo-ing on that day... it is just too bad. However, it must be said that the dolphins are always curious, especially to strangers!

Useful Information

Dolphin Island
Marine Life Park, Resorts World Sentosa
Operating Hours: 10am to 6pm
Enquiries: +65 6577 8888 or enquiries@rwsentosa.com
Website: http://www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/Homepage/Attractions/MarineLifePark/DolphinIsland

Dolphin Interaction Programmes

Dolphin Discovery
Wade into the waist-deep waters of the dolphin lagoon to meet the dolphins and get an up-close interaction with dolphins.
Terms and Conditions
▸ Suitable for non-swimmers. Guests must be at least 122cm in height to participate.
▸ To ensure an enjoyable experience, the recommended group size is 5 participants. Guests who come in group size of more than 5 will be split into separate groups.
▸ A parent or guardian (21 years old and above) must be present to authorise participation for all programme participants who are below 21 years old. Children below 12 years old must be accompanied in the water by a paying adult participant. Maximum accompanying ratio is 2 children to 1 adult.
 
Dolphin Adventure
Designed for adventure seekers and those looking for a bit more action, the Dolphin Adventure programme will give you a chance to swim with dolphins. We’ll take you on a journey into the depths of a lagoon and let you experience the thrill being propelled through the water by dolphins.
Terms and Conditions
▸ Suitable for strong swimmers. Guests must be at least 122cm in height to participate.
▸ To ensure an enjoyable experience, the recommended group size is 5 participants. Guests who come in group size of more than 5 will be split into separate groups.
▸ A parent or guardian (21 years old and above) must be present to authorise participation for all programme participants who are below 21 years old. Children below 12 years old must be accompanied in the water by a paying adult participant. Maximum accompanying ratio is 2 children to 1 adult.
 
Dolphin Trek
In this underwater programme, you will have the chance to see the world of dolphins from a fish’s eye view! This means four metres deep in the water, walking around on the lagoon floor and breathing freely through a fascinating underwater helmet.
Terms and Conditions
▸ SCUBA-certification is not required.
▸ Suitable for non swimmers. Guests must be at least 15 years old to participate.
▸ Maximum group size is 2 guests per session.
▸ A parent or guardian (21 years old and above) must be present to authorise participation for all programme participants who are below 21 years old.
▸ Guests must NOT be due to fly within the next 24 hours.

Dolphin Observer
Dolphin Observer is an exclusive programme catering only to the families and friends of the interaction programmes participants. And you won’t need to get into the water. In fact, as an observer, you’ll enjoy a great view of all that’s going on from the comfort of your seat in the shade! For your refreshment, free flow of non-alcoholic drinks will be served after the session in the pavilion rest area.
Terms and Conditions
▸ Dolphin Observer is exclusively for guests with friends or family participating in the Dolphin Discovery, Dolphin Trek and Dolphin Adventure interaction programme.
 
Dolphin VIP
Custom-made to your preference for shallow or deep water interaction, this programme gives you exclusive access to our VIP lagoons for a more private experience. You may arrange for a one-on-one encounter, or include family and friends to learn more about dolphins together. Timing is flexible, and orientation briefing can be conducted exclusively in our VIP Pavilion or in the comfort of your Resorts World Sentosa hotel room.
Terms and Conditions
▸ Suitable for non-swimmers. Guests must be at least 122cm in height to participate.
▸ A parent or guardian (21 years old and above) must be present to authorise participation for all programme participants who are below 21 years old. Children below 12 years old must be accompanied in the water by a paying adult participant. Maximum accompanying ratio is 2 children to 1 adult.
 
Trainer for a Day
Come interact with Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and spend a day learning from our Marine Mammal Trainers. Go behind the scenes for a closer look at our animal healthcare facility and discover how our specialists care for the dolphins. You’ll get to participate in an intimate, interactive session alongside our trainers, learn about veterinary examinations and prepare food for the dolphins. Enjoy a fun-filled day of building personal connections and bonds with these amazing marine animals!
Terms and Conditions
▸ Suitable for non-swimmers. Guests must be at least 122cm in height to participate.
▸ One session is available each day at 10am to 4pm.
▸ A parent or guardian (21 years old and above) must be present to authorise participation for all programme participants who are below 21 years old. Children below 12 years old must be accompanied in the water by a paying adult participant. Maximum accompanying ratio is 2 children to 1 adult.

Ticket Prices

Photographs

An official photographer will be with you during the experience to snap photos of you as no cameras are allowed to be brought in. The photos may be viewed and purchased after the interaction programme if you desire. The price of the photos are as follows:

Printed Photos
1 6X8 photo S$25 | 1 8X10 photo  S$35
Photo Package (inclusive of soft copy photos in a CD)
1 Dolphin CD (up to 50 images) S$125
1 Deluxe CD (up to 75 images) +  1 8X10 photo and 2 6X8 photos S$150
1 Deluxe CD (up to 75 images) + 2 8X10 photos and 1 6X8 phot S$175