Swimming with dolphins in Dubai: all you need to know

Swimming with dolphins in Dubai can be a unique experience for tourists who have never encountered this creature before.

Today, I explain how to swim with these magnificent sea creatures.

Swimming with dolphins in Dubai: article summary

What you need to know before swimming with dolphins in Dubai

Despite Dubai's vast expanse of desert, the city strives to offer aquatic activities and preserve marine life. Swimming with dolphins is a way of seeing these efforts with your own eyes.

What's it like to swim with dolphins in Dubai?

Swimming with dolphins is a unique experience in Dubai. These mammals are housed in artificial pools, marine conservation centers and at sea. The location must be able to offer pure water and a protective marine environment.

In this activity, you can see, feed, touch and befriend these magnificent mammals. Each dolphinarium offers a list of activities during your interaction.

Numerous scientific studies have claimed that swimming with dolphins alleviates mild to moderate depression. There are, of course, obvious limits to this claim. However, it is undeniable that the emotional value of interaction with animals improves a person's mood.

Who can swim with dolphins in Dubai?

Dolphins are friendly with humans, but swimming with them still presents risks for some people, especially young children and adults with health problems. Here are a few restrictions to keep in mind before taking part in this activity.

Is there an age restriction?

The majority of dolphinariums and marine parks in Dubai set a minimum age for children. Children must be between 6 and 8 years of age to participate. A parent or guardian must accompany children under 12.

About sanitary restrictions

Swimming with dolphins has therapeutic, mental and physical benefits, so health restrictions for this activity are not so strict. As long as your physical condition is fair or good, you can take part in this activity.

Pregnant women in their first trimester are allowed to interact with the dolphins, but it's best to stay by the pool for those in their second or third trimester.

Dolphinariums and marine parks also welcome disabled visitorsThe dolphin park offers wheelchair-friendly facilities and equipment. However, they cannot take part in all activities with the dolphins.

Does swimming with dolphins require any special skills?

Visitors are encouraged to be confident swimmers before taking part to maximize the experience, especially if swimming with dolphins in open water. Nevertheless, you can swim with dolphins in Dubai with or without experience, as trainers and qualified instructors are always at your side.

To improve your knowledge and experience of swimming with these mammals, pay particular attention to the safety instructions, hand signals and basic information that trainers and instructions will teach you.

When is the best time to swim with dolphins in Dubai?

As a general rule, the best time to swim with dolphins in Dubai is early in the morningThis is when they are particularly active and have their first meal. In dolphinariums and marine parks, you can swim with them at any time of day. In open water, you need to take the weather into account.

Most of Dubai's dolphinariums and marine parks open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Their dolphin-related activities usually end at 5 pm.

How long can you swim with dolphins?

Swim with dolphins takes 20 to 30 minutes. However, the whole process, which involves preparation and other related activities, will take 1-2 hours. This time includes the registration process, lessons with instructors, as well as free nautical activities.

Where are the best dolphinariums?

Dubai is one of the best places to discover unique underwater activities. The best dolphinariums and marine parks are located in in downtown Dubai or on the coast.

Swimming with dolphins: Palm Jumeirah Island

Palm Jumeirah is a palm-shaped artificial island made up of three sub-islands: Palm Jumeirah, Deira Island and Palm Jebel Ali. As a popular tourist destination, Palm Jumeirah offers a variety of underwater and aquatic activities organized by different tour operators.

How to get to Palm Jumeirah Island

The majority of Dubai's dolphinariums and marine parks are located in the Palm. Travelers with private or rental vehicles can easily reach Palm Jumeirah Island.

City buses can take you to Palm Jumeirah and the surrounding area. Take buses 8, 83, 84 and F55A. If you want to take the metro, your only option is to take the red line and get off at Dubai Internet City or Nakheel.

Who offers the best packages?

Dubai is home to a variety of aquatic activities, so you'll find many dolphinariums and marine parks in the city.

Dolphin Bay at Atlantis

Dolphin Bay in Atlantis is one of the world's largest and most popular dolphinariums. It is part of the Kerzner Marine Foundation, which serves as the first resource and rehabilitation centers in Dubai.

Dolphin Bay offers a variety of dolphin experiences suitable for all ages.

To participate in these activities, count :

• Enter 695 AED (€189) and 1,195 AED (€325)

Dolphin Planet at the Dubai dolphinarium

Dolphin Planet is a unique marine park offering aquatic adventures for all ages. It is located inside Creek Park in the Dubai dolphinarium building.

Dolphin Planet is the first fully air-conditioned dolphinarium in the United Arab Emirates, providing a habitat for a variety of marine species.

To visit the site, you will need :

• From 30 AED (€8) to 50 AED (€13) for one-way tickets
• From AED 475 (€129) to AED 2,499.99 (€680) for private swimming sessions

After swimming with dolphins in Dubai, try other family-friendly water adventures like parasailing, snorkeling and speedboating. You won't soon forget your trip to Dubai!

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