Ocean World

[Birdnutty]

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.  Ocean World day pass.  This was an NCL ship’s tour. we had docked in Taini.     Bus ride to get there, don’t remember how long.  Once there, told the schedule of events and let go.  Dolphin, sea lion, shark show, bird aviary, aquarium in which you could snorkel, man-made beach, slides.  We were disappointed that it was such a commercial man-made place, much more like a Seaworld in FL. We were expecting a more natural environment, but this was beautifully done. You could walk on wooden boardwalks to get to the beach area, all the way in back, and passed between the dolphin enclosures.  The dolphins were very curious and friendly - they came right up to the edge to check us out and would keep returning.   The ocean on the other side of the sea wall was very rough. The aquarium that you could snorkel in had good size fish , with see through spots so they could be viewed from outside the tank.  It would take as long to get suited up and briefed as you’d be in the tank.  Even though we had about 5 hours, time was shorter than we thought, as we had to arrange everything around the shows. We thought we could snorkel off the beach, but once we saw the beach we decided against it.  It’s strictly an inner lagoon, beautifully cordoned off from the rough ocean, but nothing there to see in the way of snorkelling.  We lugged all our snorkel gear for nothing.  But it was an ideal, safe kid area in the shallows.  Some big kid water toys to play on if you wanted in the deeper areas.  We did go part way into the water before we left, and the water was delightful.  Not enough time to really swim and dry off.  There were changing rooms and lockers available.  Had tall circular slides that did not appear to be in use.

 

There was a gift shop there through which you walked to enter and exit (of course).  There were no vendors otherwise anywhere on the premises.

 

The shows were good, quite typical of a Seaworld or other aquarium quality.  The shark show consisted of  the sharks allowing themselves to be held.  The whole show was to watch people holding the sharks.  It was a lot of sitting in the sun, depending on the time and sun direction to wait for this to happen.  Fun for the first few, but then a yawner.

The other shows were typical but very good.  Dolphin especially, and they picked a little girl from the crowd to be in the show.  She with the trainer got pushed through the water, got kissed by both dolphins, gave directions to the dolphins, fed them, etc.  There was an excellent bird show - three Macaws that had been taught to do some unusual things.  they were amazing, and beautiful besides.

 The aviary was my favourite part - full of lovebirds that crawled all over us as long as we had food, which an attendant handed out readily.  (She did appreciate tips.)  On our heads, our hands, etc.  Very cool.  And Maccaws that were on perches, that if you tipped the guide, you could take a posed picture with.  We opted out.  A pair of toucans in a cage. Flamingos in a separate area.

 

Had an ok, typical buffet lunch included, drinks were separate, but plenty of tasty food.

It was a good way to spend a beautiful day, especially if you know what to expect.

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

We'll be there in July.  Thanks for the review!

[disneylover89]

Thank you for the review!  Were you able to purchase add ons while you were there?  My daughter would love to swim with the dolphins or sea lions but the rest of us would not.  Is there a pool there to cool off in?  Was it crowded?

[Birdnutty]

8 hours ago, disneylover89 said:

Thank you for the review!  Were you able to purchase add ons while you were there?  My daughter would love to swim with the dolphins or sea lions but the rest of us would not.  Is there a pool there to cool off in?  Was it crowded?

I don't know if add-ons were available on-site.  The excursions we were offered either included them for different prices, or was available as the general day-pass, which is what we did.  You could try contacting ocean world directly via their website and ask.

It was not terribly crowded the day we were there.  Busses arrived and left at different times, so there was an influx and out-go of people.  The shows were pretty filled up, but since there were several in a day, I think there are times when each would be less crowded.

I did not see a pool. but the beach and enclosed ocean swimming area were delightful.