{"blocks":[{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"One of my life goals has always been to become best friends with a monkey, a dolphin or a panda. Last week in the Bahamas’ Paradise Island, it happened: I swam with a dolphin."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In fact, a whole group of us swam with several of the nicest dolphins I’ve ever met. The Atlantis resort’s Dolphin Cay bottlenose dolphins come with an inspiring back story. This pod of dolphins includes a group of 16 rescued from the Marine Life Oceanarium in Gulfport, Miss., after it was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Half the dolphins were evacuated and half were lost at sea. The Oceanarium staff and the US Coast Guard searched the gulf for the lost dolphins until they found them, and then reunited them at Atlantis. And one dolphin we hung out with was 5-year-old Missy, the daughter of two of the rescued."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Despite the Bahamas’ “no worries” attitude, I worried that I might be dismayed to see dolphins in a constrained environment. But quite to the contrary, I was relieved by how playful and social they were, showing affection and camaraderie with one another and especially with their trainers, who use only different levels of positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The dolphins exhibit the traits of happy puppies — showing off, soaking up our group’s attention and applause. They even have a sense of humor, playing tricks on the trainers and splashing guests with water."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"If the dolphins are puppies, then the sea lions who also inhabit Dolphin Cay are the mature dogs — curious, mellow, warm and patient with children. Our group got to chill with Freebie, an enormous California sea lion with a grandfatherly manner. I pet his sleek, wet fur, and though the trainer insisted we could sit on his flippers without hurting him, I decided to let the children in the group have that honor."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Here’s a rundown of what to expect at Dolphin Cay:"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Wet suits: Your group bonding experience begins when everyone changes into standard-issue Dolphin Cay wet suits and realizes how ridiculous they look."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Orientation: A video takes you through dolphin etiquette and warns you not to get up in the dolphins’ faces — like New Yorkers, they don’t enjoy strangers touching their heads. Makes sense!"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Hugs and kisses: You line up in the water, and a dolphin comes by and gives each of you a kiss. (Sometimes, a dolphin takes a shine to someone and returns for multiple kisses!) Then you snuggle up for a hug."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Diving: You’re issued a mask, snorkel and propeller so you can follow the dolphin and trainer as they dive. Anyone with average swimming skills can probably keep up with just the mask to help you see the dolphins’ underwater shenanigans, like flips and belly rolls."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Foot push: Hang on to your boogie board as the dolphin pushes your flexed foot until you glide across the water at top speed. My dolphin also found a pressure point, so it felt like an intense reflexology massage."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Tricks: Everyone gathers around as the dolphin high-fives, waves its tail and jumps astonishingly high in the air for your applause and admiration (and perhaps a tasty fish prize)."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Photos: You can’t bring your phone or camera to the dolphin interactions, but there’s a photographer in the water. Photo packages are available post-swim starting at $70, because goodness knows you want a souvenir of the way you look in a wet suit and snorkel mask, waist deep in saltwater, face scrunched and squinting in the bright sun, with your half-wet hair frizzed to the max. The dolphins look fabulous, though."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Dolphin interactions start at $150 for shallow-water and $210 for deep-water swimming. Sea lion interactions start at $150. Be sure to book well in advance. atlantis.com "}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The 411 on Atlantis"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Stay "}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Cove is where you can try your luck at blackjack by the adults-only Cain pool before hitting the beach or Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill. Or just enjoy the spectacular water views from your terrace."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Play "}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The 141-acre Aquaventure water park is fun for kids and adults alike. Try the 60-foot Leap of Faith slide, if you want a thrill."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Shop and eat "}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Marina Village is home to 21 designer retail shops, as well as restaurants including Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Cafe Martinique (where you can indulge in Bahamian lobster) and an outpost of Carmine’s (with pasta portions big enough to satisfy even the largest of families)."}}]}

Erin Franzman

NypErinFranzman@RoundtableIO

Just back: Atlantis