A Day at Ocean World Puerto Plata

By John McNamara

Ocean World is a world-class attraction in Puerto Plata Dominican Republic on the North Shore of the Island. I know many tourist are going to Punta Cana but the North Coast has so much more to offer, from beaches to mountains. A really cool combination for the adventure seeker in all of us. Since I love animals and have heard of Ocean World for years, it was time to find out for myself what they had to offer and would I enjoy myself for a whole day as they claim? Staying in Gran Ventana Beach Resort, a nice all inclusive resort, which you can get free transportation from the resort to Ocean World. The resort was a convenient location because it was not far from the park. I had bought my tickets online at Dolphin World and knew the park had many different activities, from Animal Shows, Marine Animal Encounter, and a Las Vegas Night Time Dinner show.

Not knowing this area, the free Transportation service which is available from any resort in Puerto Plata and local area is really a big plus. The driver brought us from my resort to this spectacular waterfall Ocean World entrance, where you will drive right underneath the waterfall which sets the mood and helps build the excitement inside of you that the day of adventure is about to begin soon! The bus stopped us right in front of the ticket booth. Since I had a pre-paid the swim with the dolphin voucher that I had purchased with Dolphin World, my tickets were conveniently ready at the booth and we got our wristbands quickly and with ease. There are many friendly staff members there that are there to serve and direct you for all the variety of shows offered: Dolphin Show, Sea Lion Show, Bird Show, Bird Aviary, Shark Show, Tiger Grotto, Pools and Lounge Chairs, and Lunch Buffet.

The day started off with the Dolphin Show, which is spectacular show. This 30-minute show is really a crowd pleaser and makes everyone scream with joy when the dolphins perform their tricks and jumps. Only the Sea Lion show has as many fans because they are such a fun loving marine animal with so many unique facial gestures that you cannot help but burst out with laughter. The tiger grotto show, is very unique because the Indian Bengal Tiger will come up to the glass that separates you and the tiger, where you get amazing photo of you and the tiger, but with ensured safety and protection with the glass. It’s an illusion but the tiger looks like it’s next to you. All in all the shows are run through out the day and will keep you really entertained.

Swimming with the Dolphins in Puerto Plata - Ocean World. A full day of activities and watersports

If you need a little break within the day, you have two options, lunch and the pool / lounge chairs section of the park. I did both; I had a great all you can eat buffet lunch, that consisted of salad, meatballs, rice, chicken, fish, cold cuts, bread and flan, which refueled my body to continue with all the activities within the park. After the meal, I needed a little dip and nap; I took a dip in the pool to cool off from the Dominican heat and a lazy nap to prepare a second wind for my afternoon and evening activities.

In the afternoon, you have many marine animal activities to choose from. You have 4 different dolphin activities, Dolphin Swim, Dolphin Encounter, Diving with Dolphins, and Trainer for the Day. The swimming with the dolphin in Dominican Republic Puerto Plata is where you go into deep water with the dolphins and you get to do a dorsal fin ride and more. The Dolphin Encounter is shallow and less threatening as you do water behaviors for non-swimmers and youngsters. The Trainer of the Day is an in depth program to get the feeling of what it is like to be a dolphin handler. I did the Scuba Diving with the Dolphins where you go underneath the water with the dolphins, which was a blast!

There are other Animals Encounters too for the adventure seeker in you, like Sea Lion Encounter, Shark and Ray Encounter, Diving with the Sharks, Snorkeling Man Mad Reef. The sea lion encounter is a chance to really interact with them one on one. Most people enjoy the Dolphin Swim and Sea Lion together calling it a combination program. The sharks and the ray encounter takes a little more courage due to the fact many people are nervous and scared of these creatures. But the animals they have in the park are very tame, trained and are easy to handle for humans. The Ultimate Day Program at Ocean World is for the true adventure seeker and includes Dolphins, Sea Lions, Sharks and the Ray. This program is a real crowd pleaser!

After showering and changing from my day’s activities, I stayed for the Nighttime Cabaret Show called Bravissimo. It was really surprising to see a top notch show, with singing, dancing, and eye popping costume performers. It was hard to believe that these performers were able to change into so many costumes so quickly, from bright red ones, to vibrant Orange, and on and on through out the show. The singing and dancing kept your attention as they moved from the stage to the audience. After the show, I was exhausted from a great day of fun and took the complimentary transportation back to my resort.

Overall the day at Ocean World Puerto Plata gets a thumbs up in my book and I plan to come again with my family and friends. If you are on the North Coast of Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata, Sosua, or Caberette, or Somana you have to try this experience too. I highly recommend that you use Expedia.com for great travel packages to Puerto Plata.