Romancing the cove

A pair of dolphins swim around

Dolphin Cove, Jamaica's premier attraction offers visitors a slice of island's culture, nature and life

It is Jamaica condensed into a 5-acre capsule; from lush green foliage that welcomes the visitor, to the turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean touching your feet and occasional 'pirate' jumping out to 'greet' you.

 Dolphin Cove at Treasure Reef goes beyond swimming and petting the aquatic mammals.

Signs at Dolphin Cove

Regarded as one of Jamaica’s premier attractions, this Ocho Rios, St. Ann jewel has over the years added several sections to complement the flora and fauna of the property and the town that earned the reputation Jamaica’s ‘Cruise Shipping Capital’.

“Over the years Dolphin Cove has expanded and now has a nature trail, birds, Iguana and snakes,” said Stafford Burrowes, president of Dolphin Cove.

The attraction, which commenced operations in 2001, gives visitors a chance to romp around with the one-eyed pirates, devour a range of rum, and rummage through the treasures of Little Port Royal, the pirate village. “We expanded to create a pirates village, this was about the time when Pirates of the Caribbean' became a hit and also there is history attached to the pirates in this part of the world”, explained Burrowes.

Little Port Royal, the pirate haunt at Dolphin Cove

Little Port Royal, is a replica of Jamaica’s most famous pirate haunt, “Port Royal was always talked about, this is a little pirate town that we have created”, Burrowes said.

The pirate haunt overlooks the shark pond, where visitors have a chance to swim with, hold, feed and learn about the evolutionary secrets of the Caribbean sharks.  “The property has four sharks and stingrays in the adjacent pond,” Burrowes said.

Visitors can hold, pet and feed stingrays, whose barbs have been removed.

Elvis relaxing on the ledge as his habitat is being cleaned

For those who are looking to soak in the sun, sand and the sea experience, Dolphin Cove has a cozy glistening white sandy beach to unwind and relax over a cup of Jamaican coffee from the ‘Star Buccaneers’ coffee shop.

Kensley Cheddi with a South American bald python

In addition, there is the glass-bottom kayak, which takes guests on a ride on the crystal clear Caribbean waters. “The visitors can experience the exquisite coastline and have the opportunity to see the beauty of Jamaica,” Burrowes said.

“You will be amazed and fascinated at the spectacular beauty of the underwater world,” he added.

Turning inland, Jungle Trail awaits the visitors, where they can take a stroll through flora and fauna; they can strike a conversation with Bob, Rita, Guinep, Adam, Mango or Baby Blue, all from the Macao family and Eclectus parrots (parrots native to the Solomon Islands, Sumba, New Guinea), who are ready to welcome the visitors with their chirps. 

Up the trail there are snakes and iguanas, which the guests can pet.

The cosy beach and the warm inviting waters

“The idea is to give the visitors a holistic experience and also showcase Jamaica as an attractions destination,” Burrowes argued, sitting in his office overlooking the rich foliage of tropical trees.

Dolphin Cove will be adding new activities in the near future to give a wider range of choices.  “There are plans to add a canopy line and a waterslide, which will blend into the natural environs of the property,” Burrowes informed. “We want to create unlimited use of water based activities.”

DOUBLE BOOST

This aquatic and natural attraction at Ocho Rios, which is among Jamaica’s most popular, gets guests from hotels and cruise lines and also local visitors who come over the weekend.

Burrowes is upbeat about the new Falmouth pier and the north south highway becoming operational next year, “we are expecting increase in visitor traffic."

Bob, a macaw, ready to strike a conversation

He explained that the property has the capacity and ready to welcome more guests, “The dolphins have started breeding, we have had three baby dolphins in the last 18 months...its time to expand and increase capacity."

Dolphin Cove, Negril is the latest offering, located in Lucea, Hanover, “We are spread over 20 acres, which makes us the largest natural dolphin lagoon in the world."

Burrowes is excited about the tourism possibilities of Jamaica, and has the vision of making the island an attractions destination. “I am happy that we have world class attractions that can’t be replicated in rest of the Caribbean, which makes us unique.”

Stafford Burrowes

He opined that the key to success lies in enhancing the visitor experience. “We give a lot of emphasis on training the staff here; I always tell them that it doesn't cost anything to smile.”

Over the years Dolphin Cove has enchanted and awed many, and it is Burrowes’ desire that it continues for years to come, “we pride ourselves as ourselves as provider of interactive services and we will continue to improve the product offerings," he said.

“The key is to do things nicely.”  

amitabh.sharma@hotmail.com