Eco tour in Panama City Beach offers safe experience for visitors and wildlife

Denis Richard is serious about dolphins and protecting their habitat and environment. Studying dolphin behavior for well over 15 years, Richard has been sharing his knowledge and passion for the mammals through his Water Planet USA dolphin experience in Panama City Beach.

Focusing on respect for the wild dolphins, Richards and his team at Water Planet teach a “hands off” policy while visiting the dolphin in their natural habitat. Focusing on proper etiquette, Water Planet educates that that they are visiting the dolphin on their terms, and the Gulf of Mexico is their home and we are only observers.

“While we observe them, dolphins could be hunting, courting, nursing or teaching their young. These behaviors must be understood and respected. A strict code of conduct, accompanied by clear guidelines is established and followed during all trips,” Richard explains.

The excursions take place in St. Andrew’s Bay and the Gulf of Mexico around Shell Island aboard a 24-ft. pontoon boat that launches at Grand Lagoon.

Water Planet offers 1 day, 3 day, 1 week programs for the general public and offers special needs children’s programs.

The special needs program Water Planet offers is a unique opportunity for the disabled.

“The same educational efforts and respect policies are applied during our therapeutic programs with disabled children. We try to share with the children and their families our enthusiasm for the beauty and for the balance of the marine environment. It reflects on the way we conduct our therapy sessions and on the content of our expressive art and music sessions,” Richard said.

“Making this adventure of being in the water in the presence of wild dolphins possible for children, whose disability confines them to a restricted horizon gives them an extraordinary sense of self esteem and encourages them to question and go beyond their limitations,” Richard explains.

Water Planets prerequisites: interest in others, desire to share, need for personal growth and above all, a sense of adventure.

Water Planet also offers internship programs.
For more information, go to: http://www.waterplanetusa.com
Boat dock address:
5709 N. Lagoon Drive
Panama City Beach, FL 32408
Across from Captain Anderson Restaurant
Local: (850) 230-6030
Toll Free: (866) 449-5591
E-Mail: info@waterplanetusa.com