delayed.

The completion date of the $1 million Dolphin Quest facility on Southampton Princess property, off South Road, was to be the end of this summer.

But spokeswoman Lynn Topic yesterday told The Royal Gazette the opening date has been pushed back to early fall.

"We will know in the next few weeks what the definite date will be,'' she said.

Ms Topic added that at the moment construction crews were building a protective cove that would act as a nursery area for the dolphins and making the area a little deeper.

Once completed visitors will be able to view six bottlenose dolphins by donning life vests and entering the South Shore water up to their waists.

A mask and snorkle will also be provided for part of the display.

Organisers stress the "dolphinarium'' is intended as an educational tool, not a means of showcasing mammals in captivity. They say it will bear little resemblance to the Blue Grotto Dolphin Show which used to operate at Blue Hole and featured dolphins performing tricks.

Dolphin Quest will be based on a similar venture the company has operated at the Hilton Waikoloa Village in Hawaii since 1984.

When the structure is completed, four female and two male dolphins are to be flown to Bermuda from Brookfield Zoo in Chicago.

DOLPHIN QUEST -- Construction is still continuing at the site of the new Dolphin Quest facility at the Southampton Princess Hotel on South Shore Road.

The work is expected to be completed in early fall.