dolphin swim?

[mymatemax]

ds2 has never asked for anything, he is 10 has mild cp, autism & learning difficulties but he has always loved animals.
Every time a dolphin is on the TV (we have lots of video footage) he says he wants to touch a real doplphin. They really do seem to be his thing at the moment.
So we are thinking about booking our holiday next year somewhere where we can take him to swim or get up close with dolphins.
Just wondering if anyone has any experiences or recommendations?
Is there anywhere in Europe that anyone can recommend, i've had a look at Florida and it looks as if we would have to remortgage and sell ds1 to fund it.

If you are interested in Florida booking flights with British airways and hotel direct with the company that will really lower the price dont book a car use the public transport and dont book the Disney tickets. That should bring the price down.

There is a place called zoo marine in Portugal that do swim with dolphin experiences.

There was a bit of a sad thread on here about dolphin swimming describing how much the dolphins hate it and how they kill the dolphins that aren't pretty enough. I personally don't know if it's true but it would be good to be well informed before you make a decision. You could make sure you go to a swim that is not cruel to the dolphins, for example....

Here was the thread.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/in_the_news/a1651926-Its-a-shame-it-was-in-the-Mail-but-its-about-time-a-mainstream-paper-covered-this

gran canaria in spain has dolphins

Turkey has a brand new place purely for therapy of kids and adults. Dolphins are kept in sea water too which I thinks important.. we've done it in dom republic and Mexico x

Thanks all, I've too read some horror stories so really want to use somewhere were the dolphins are the priority. I've emailed a marine rehab place in Florida that does dolphin educatio & therapy swimmingbut the flight costs to Florida will be so expensive. If there is anywhere reputable in Europe would sooner get a Ryan air & maybe pay a little more towards the dolphins iykwim. We will also have to go during school hols as ds1 will b doing hid gcse's.

Try the place in turkey then, it'd the only one I'm.sure so a quick google should bring it up

There's a company called The dolphin connection, based in the uk who are truly fab, who do wild dolphin experience holidays, beautiful stuff. In the interests of openness I do know the woman who runs it, she's totally committed to being ethical and what they do stands up to scrutiny. I know at least one boy with autism who's been out with them. It might suit you?

thanks both of you, I'll have a look.

I've heard good things about this
www.whalenation.org/autismadventures/familyadventures.php
But I have no personal experience of it hth.

It looks pretty expensive but sounds fab