The new, $30 million Ocean World located in the exclusive Cofresi resort area isn’t about just sitting around and watching “Flipper” dance on his tail in the water — it’s about jumping in and dancing with him.hh
And it’s not about strolling past gigantic aquariums teeming with coral reefs and tropical fish and sharks— it’s about actually getting inside the aquarium and swimming with them.
“This is the first park of its kind, where you’re interactive with all the animals sea lions, dolphins, sharks, stingrays, tropical fish and tropical birds,” says Eric Bogden, director of operations. Eric is an18-year veteran of Sea World parks in the States. He was netted by Ocean World’s owners to manage the design and completion of this unique park’s exhibits. Ocean World is brand new and some of the exhibits will open over the next several months. “We’re training the sharks right now. Just this morning I had one sitting on my lap,” says Eric proudly. When the shark pool is ready, your friendly shark will stick his jaws out of the water for a photo op with you.
“These animals are super sociable and want to have a good time,” explained one of the three trainers who were assigned to our group. “So the more you whoop it up, clap and have fun, the more they will respond and interact with you.”
Indeed, this isn’t about sitting in bleachers and watching animal tricks from a distance. This is about getting into your bathing suit and sitting with just a couple dozen people on a floating deck, with three trainers attending and three dolphins sharing an enclosed pool not much larger than a jacuzzi.
This is about standing in shallow water as a 400-pound dolphin comes up erect in front of you. You hold his fins, and, as the trainers whistle a quick five bars of merengue, you feel the power as he dances in your outstretched arms.
This is about standing in shallow water as Boomer, the newest arrival at Ocean World, comes right up to you for a hug, pressing his body against your chest, head on shoulder. And you feel the strength, the power and the gentle affection of these incredible mammals as they wiggle their snouts against your cheek for a friendly kiss.
“I was amazed with the quality of the whole event,” said Jan Maclean, a veteran diver who has swam with dolphins and whales in the open sea. “It was obvious the trainers were completely wrapped up in what they were doing. They really care about the animals”
“I found the setting to be spectacular,” said Jean Hall on vacation from Montreal. “It looked like a magazine picture of the Caribbean. I’ve never been to a place where the public is invited to touch, dance, stroke and feed the animals. Being that close to such a large animal, standing stomach to stomach with him was incredible.”
Ocean World has become a must-see in Puerto Plata. It’s open every day but you’d do well to reserve in advance.
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OCEAN WORLD ADVENTURE PARK is the most advanced marine interaction park of its kind. Boasting the largest man-made dolphin habitat in the world, Ocean World is a must-see attraction for everyone visiting the Dominican Republic. Guests of Ocean World Adventure Park have the opportunity to touch, pet and feed dolphins, sea lions, sharks, stingrays, exotic tropical birds, meet tigers, walk through a tropical rain forest and much more. Ocean World Adventure Park emphasizes personal experiences between guests and marine animals through interactive programs. There are only a handful of such facilities in the world, and none that rival the variety and quality that Ocean World Adventure Park provides.
Sea Lion show & Encounters. The Patagonian Sea Lions featured in this program originated from Uruguay. Two of them are male and six are female. Guests are provided with an opportunity to touch, feed, pet and play with these wonderful animals in the Sea Lion Encounter Program. The Sea Lion Show draws great reviews as guests watch the animals perform amazing behaviors and stunts.
Sea Lion Facility Features
• Total Area 780m2
• Stadium seating 350 guests
• Water volume 60,000 gallons in 4 pools
• Filtration system high rate sand filters, protein skimmers, ozone treatment
Snorkel Reef. In the coral reef aquarium, snorkelers swim in a colorful reef teeming with hundreds of exotic fish. The snorkeling here is available everyday of the year. Visitors are most likely to encounter angel fish, puffers, grunts, tangs, jacks, butterfly fish, spade fish, look downs and lobsters.
Snorkel Reef Facility Features
• Total area 305m2 and 2.0m average depth
• Water volume 150,000 gallons
• Estimated number of fish 2,000
• Filtration system, high-rate sand, protein skimmers, biologic, ozone treatment, temperature controlled
• Split level underwater viewing panels 1.5m high and 15m long
Dolphin Swims and Encounters. For many guests, the highlight of a visit to Ocean World Adventure Park is the rare opportunity to swim and play with beautiful Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. The Dolphin Swim experience begins with a brief orientation and educational program. Then guests enter the water for their introduction to dolphins. Guests learn about dolphin behavior and discover how Ocean World Adventure Park trainers use hand signals and positive reinforcement to communicate with them. Taking the experience one step further, guests encounter, kiss, hug, pet, and feed dolphins one on one in their environment.
West Dolphin Lagoon Features
• Total area 2,400m2
• Volume 4,000,000 est. gallons, up to 4.5m deep
• Filtration turnover rate 4 hours
• Stadium capacity estimate 450 seats
• Filtration system high rate sand, protein skimmers, ozone treatment
East Dolphin Lagoon Features
• Total area 24,000m2 average depth 3.5m
• Water volume 14,000,000 gallons
• Turnover rate 4 hours, 24,000 gallons per hour
• Filtration system, protein skimmers, ozone injection, system first of its kind in the world
Ocean World Adventure Park’s dolphin habitat is the largest of its kind in the world.
Shark Encounters. The sharks at Ocean World Adventure Park are an exciting variety of nurse, bonnet head and brown sharks; all indigenous to local waters. This rare award-winning interactive program includes touching, petting, feeding and snorkeling with the sharks.
Shark Pool Features
• Water volume 200,000 gallons
• Total area 360m2 and 2.5m deep
• Filtration system high rate sand, protein skimmers, ozone and U.V., biologic filtration and temperature control
• Two viewing windows 2m high and 8m long
• Artificial reef structures decorate the bottom
• The only shark pool specifically designed for human shark interaction
Stingray Encounters. Guests wade into the Stingray Basin, float and interact with the stingrays. These fishes, which glide gracefully through the water, will provide you a really unique and memorable experience.
Stingray Basin Features
• Total area 142m2
• 45,000 gallons of filtered sea water
• 2 separate water falls
Rainforest & Aviary. Ocean World Adventure Park has created the perfect rainforest. The exotic tropical oasis is complete with waterfalls, sandy beaches and rocky lagoons. In this area there exists a large free flight aviary, where guests are able to feed, touch and mingle with over one hundred colorful tropical birds. Aquariums here feature exotic and unusual freshwater fish including arapaima fish.
Rainforest Features
• Total area 3,650m2
• Aviary 156m2 walk-through facility with tropical trees and waterfalls
• Large Amazon fish exhibit of 24,000 gallons, 1.5m high 8m long view panels
• Small Amazon fish exhibit of 25,000 gallons, demi-tube underwater view 7m long
Tiger Grotto. The highlight of the Tropical Rainforest is the tiger grotto. Here, guests are invited to take a refreshing dip in the water next to the tiger habitat separated only by glass! The pool stretches out toward what is reminiscent of ancient ruins overgrown with thick vegetation and waterfalls.
Tiger Grotto Features
• 26,000 gallon pool and total area of 450m2
• Four rapid flow waterfalls
• Rainforest stream entry
• Swim cave
Trainer for a Day. Trainer for a Day will ensure a true dolphin trainer’s experience. From playing animal chef to issuing dolphin commands during a regular program with regular guests!! Education is a significant and valuable part of this unforgettable day.
Trainer for a Day Features
• Includes Ocean World T-shirt, hat, Trainer for a Day Certificate
• Lunch with the Trainer
• Dolphin Encounter interaction as a guest
SCUBA with the Dolphins or Sharks. New and exciting programs have begun at Ocean World Adventure Park; the fantastic once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to interact with dolphins or sharks underwater. In these incredible programs visitors put on a wet suit and SCUBA gear then become immersed in an underwater paradise. The staff of Dolphin SCUBA offers instructional programs that prepare guests with the PADI open water SCUBA certification required for these programs.
Depending on experience levels; programs feature 5 different SCUBA adventures.
A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE!
