at risk of creating a back lash I will tell you that yes I swam with the dolphins at the Melka Hotel so if you have a problem with it dont read on. The dolphins are ones that have been rescued, sick or injured, not just any dolphin plucked from the sea and they are very well looked after. Two vets check all the animals every week.
The dolphins do enjoy the human contact. I know because when we got out of the pool and walked round the dolphins followed us then put their heads on the side of the pool as if to beg us to come and play some more.
I dont swim very well, one time when I started to sink the dolphin came under me and gently raised me up with the full length of her body. Fantastic!
You have to sit on the edge of the pool until the dolphins invite you in (cant go chasing them). They do this by swiming by a couple of time then, as happened to my friend, John wrapped his body round her and pulled her into the pool to play. Please dont wear watched, hair clips or anything that might scratch.
The mini zoo, well, I was not so impressed but the staff are already building new encloseurs but need more tourists to come so there is more money to make the work go faster.
Tutle island: The animals here are also well looked after, its the touists that are a worry. Because of ceromoneys there was not enugh staff to watch them all. The Japanese people were a bit rough with the animals. Usually when its like that the staff only let them hold the animals just long enough for a photo. There is more than one of each species and they are rotated so they dont get stressed.
My driver to Lovina was Ketut Suantapa. His car is almost new, very comfy and he is a great guide, not just driver. The price was Rp 400,000 then Rp250,000 to swim with the dolphins