Dolphin Quest

With their unique sense of curiosity and undoubted playfulness, dolphins have always intrigued humans. Swimming with dolphins recently came out top in a BBC survey of things viewers wanted to do before they die. While you are in Bermuda you can fulfil this fantasy at Dolphin Quest and, hopefully, live a little longer to tell the tale.

The first Dolphin Quest facility was established in 1988 in Hawaii by Dr Jay Sweeney and Dr Rae Stone. It is the only dolphin display organisation in the world that is owned and operated by veterinarians. The Bermuda site was opened in 1996 at the Fairmont Southampton hotel but was destroyed in 1999 by Hurricane Gert. The facility subsequently moved to the Keep at the Royal Naval Dockyard and has remained there ever since.

The Royal Naval Dockyard was once a base for the British Navy and the Keep was used as a secure place for loading vessels with munitions and supplies before transportation to ships in the harbour. It now forms a secure environment for the 8 dolphins that reside here.

Dolphin Quest offers several programs for visitors to interact with the dolphins at its Bermuda facility. Check out their website for details.

Reader Reviews and Additional Information

Casey :

I agree that Dolphin Quest Bermuda was AWESOME! I visited with the dolphins and trainers there several times over the past few years. And yes, I think everyone would agree that dolphins, like any other animal, have the potential to be very dangerous animals. The advantage to a place like Dolphin Quest is they have been raised to treat people in a gentle manner. It was far safer than entering a wild animals home and expecting hospitality. Touch or no touch, swimming with a wild dolphin disrupts their natural behaviours and could be bad for the person and animal. I believe the wild is to be observed and not disturbed, and would encourage anyone who wants more to visit Bermuda!

duskydolphin :

Would these captive dolphin facilities tell you that dolphins are extremely aggressive animals? They are commonly seen participating in infanticide, violent killings of porpoises and other dolphins,gang rape and kidnappings of females, bullying, biting and yes...there are many cases of dolphins attacking humans (mostly it is in captivity, by the way).
No way...they just tell people the fabricated, delusional version that dolphins are smiling, gentle animals that love humans. Wake up people!
Dolphins are not toys. They are very big, extremely powerful predators.
If you want to see dolphins, see them in the wild where they have freewill and are a true representation of dolphins.No, you don't get to touch a wild dolphin (unless you want a negative response from them) but you don't have to touch something to appreciate it.

Diane :

I went to Bermuda in May with my best friend and we went to Dolphin Quest. I was nervous at first but the trainers and my friend made me feel very comfortable. Let me tell you it was great and I can't wait to do it next year . I want to thank you for a wonderful time at Dolphin Quest.

Terry :

I just came back from Bermuda in May and I had the chance to swim with the dolphins, it has been a dream of mine to do that and I'll tell you it was one of the best thing I ever did and can't wait to go back next year and do it again!!!! If anyone is given the chance to swim with them, don't pass it up, might be your only chance. You won't be disappointed, I know I wasn't.

ellie :

I'm going to bermuda soon and I cant wait to swim with dolphins! It has always been one of my life ambitions.

Kelly :

I agree with EVERYTHING that Melissa has said. It was a wonderful experience and I would love to go again.

Melissa :

I LOVE DOLPHIN QUEST BERMUDA! It's awesome! I went swimming with them and the dolphins are so gentle and the trainers are so nice. I learnt tons of stuff about dolphins I never knew. I would recommend people go there.

Sue :

If you can't afford the fees, you can just watch while visiting the Maritime Museum.