There's a very cool place in the tropical sun where you can take your grandkids to swim with sea lions, get close to dolphins, snorkel with sea turtles and stingrays, even pet and feed sharks all in one day. It's the Curaçao Sea Aquarium, and all ages are bound to leave this institute of ocean learning with enough undersea knowledge to impress any school of fish.
Curaçao is an idyllic tropical vacation island in the Dutch Caribbean. One of its major attractions is the Sea Aquarium, a perfect spot to take grandchildren, where they will actually learn something eco-important while having the time of their lives.
This is not your average dog and pony show — or should we say fin and flipper show? — where spectators sit and watch marine life perform tricks for food. There are no chlorine-filled enclosures, only vast open areas of natural sea water pumped through the entire complex, with natural lighting provided by the sun.
Budding marine biologists from all over the globe flock to intern at the Sea Aquarium, which also has a special facility for dolphin assisted therapy (DAT) catering to special needs children. In every way, this aquarium is dedicated to enlightening folks about the crucial coexistence between man and marine life, with a sharply-focused eye towards preserving it for future generations. But who says that learning can't be fun? Your biggest challenge here will be deciding what to do first.
Educational Programs
 Photo courtesy of Curacao Dolphin Academy |
The age and the swimming ability of your grandchildren will determine the most appropriate activities. If you have very little ones in tow, just a tour of the facilities will be a day of fun-filled, sea-related surprises. Watch the regularly scheduled feeding and training shows, check out the more than 400 species of fish and marine life in the aquaria and touch tanks, and discover the comprehensive shell museum.
If you need to cool off, take the tots for an air-conditioned break in the educational theater for 3-dimensional slide shows and video presentations, or to the semi-submersible submarine underwater observatory. You can also slip next door to Curacao's most popular kid-friendly beach with full facilities. So, don't forget to pack bathing suits even if you don't intend to swim at the Sea Aquarium's animal encounters.
With grandkids ages 4 to 12, you don't have to spend every second attached at the hip as the facility offers fully-supervised children's educational programs. There's a different theme every day of the week, from coral reefs to sharks, offering a half-day or full day of hands-on animal activities. The friendly and professional staff reaches all ages with their creative approach to touch-and-learn teaching.
 Photo courtesy of Curacao Dolphin Academy |
Of course, children of all ages will enjoy the Dolphin Academy. From kissing encounters, to swimming with, diving with, and even becoming a trainer for a day, there are exciting interactive programs for everyone. Just watching the sleek aquatic acrobats frolic in the sea is vastly entertaining.
The Sea Lion Encounter is another popular attraction. These barking marine mammals act like real hams for the children and it's easy to observe that the eared seals really enjoy all the attention. Programs include touching and learning opportunities, supervised swimming, and snorkeling with the sea lions.
Grandparents and grandkids ages 4-12 can snorkel together — ages 12-plus can scuba dive together — in the enclosed lagoon of Animal Encounters. Here, you can hand-feed sharks, sea turtles, and stingrays while constantly surrounded by a whirling rainbow of tropical fish. Don't worry! There's a clear Plexiglas barrier with little holes between the swimmers and the sharks to protect the kids while hand-feeding. You need not be a certified diver for the scuba adventure; a 30-minute briefing will get you going under like a pro, and supervision is constant.
Extras
If you get hungry after feeding all those fish, there's a central snack terrace where scrounging little lizards and nervy pelicans will attempt to join you and the grandkids for lunch. There's also a souvenir shop and professional photographer available to capture all your magical memories — even underwater — to prove to the folks back home what a swell time you had.
Every attraction at the Sea Aquarium is backed by educational extras and information guaranteed to make a big marine life impression on your grandchildren — and you, too. They will never again think of coral as neon spray-painted sea rocks. They will always check the tuna can to ensure that it's dolphin-free. And, they'll learn that even scary sharks have an essential place in the undersea circle of life and deserve protection.
Who knows, maybe this outing will spawn the next Jacques or Jacqueline Cousteau. One thing is certain: A visit to the Curaçao Sea Aquarium with your grandchildren will be an enlightening, intergenerational experience of a lifetime.
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