Swim With Dolphins - Wild Dolphin Snorkel
Dolphin Expedition
Snorkel with: Atlantic spotted Stenella frontalis & bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus
Divers can also scuba with tiger shark and lemon shark
Join a wildlife expedition to snorkel with Atlantic Spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis), and Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), in the warm crystal clear turquoise waters of the Bahamas. This area is well known by naturalists, photographers, and wildlife documentary makers, to be the best place for close up wild dolphin encounters on the planet.
Divers have been experiencing wild dolphin encounters on the 'Little Bahama Bank' since the early 80's. Recently these magical encounters in paradise seem to be getting more frequent. We approach the dolphins on their terms, with the understanding that we are in their world, and we respect their space.
With our caring approach we have found that the dolphins gladly come to us. The dolphins enjoy riding the bow wave and swimming with the funny looking humans; maybe as much as we love swimming with them. Most people go home saying swimming with wild dolphins was one of the most amazing experiences of their life; the others just can't put it into words!
These are the friendly dolphins that you see on the TV and internet. The BBC, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, The Cousteau Society and National Geographic have all made numerous documentaries on this group of friendly wild dolphins North of Grand Bahama. The documentary makers go on the same boat as we do.
Our vessel has excellent features for dolphin encounters. A water level dive platform for easy access to the water and under water ladders for easy access back onto the boat.
A great chef, friendly crew and captains that know the areas we travel in like the backs of their hands, plus we often have guest photographers and filmmkaers who will be on hand to help you in both English and Japanese. I personally guide most of the trips myself. I am here to help you guide you with everything from travel advise to actually swimming with the dolphins in the ocean. I can even help you with airline and hotel discounts if you need assistance.
This is a photographers and wildlife enthusiasts dream come true. You only need to snorkel to participate (but you do have some great oppertunities to scuba dive if you are a certified diver). We spend five FULL days, in beautiful Bahama blue water where we get amazing free diving and snorkeling interaction with these playful wild dolphins. We see Atlantic spotted dolphins and bottlenose dolphins in the clear waters of the 'White Sand Ridge'.
Close to the dolphin banks is 'Sugar Wreck' a beautiful shipwreck teaming with tropical fish life and colorful corals in only 6m (20ft) of warm 28c (85f) water. 'Sugar Wreck' is world famous with the top underwater photographers, it's one of the most beautiful scuba dives in the world. The wreck makes for a very interesting snorkel too, you can see the two huge anchors, and snorkel all over the whole ship wreck. The site is lovingly known as the 'Sugar Wreck' as she went down in a hurricane carrying molases in around 1900.
Shark lovers and photographers can get some cool shots at 'Tiger Beach' and 'Lemon Shark Ledge', where we spend a couple of leisurely breakfasts checking out these amazing animals. The sea level dive platform gives great opportunities for underwater photography of the sharks without entering the water. For scuba divers there is the ultimate in water option. This is a very special place where photographers from around the world come to film 'tiger shark' and the lesser known 'snaggle toothed lemon shark'.
When you are not playing with dolphins, you can enjoy the turquoise blue of the ocean, the warm breeze, the top observation/sun deck, the shaded back deck, the forward observation deck, the music, the movies, the food, the stars at night, and new found friends.
Sometimes the dolphins come at night which is a very special and truely magical experience.
The dolphins are wild and free, they decide when and how long they will play with us. On average dolphin encounters last from between a few minutes to several hours. The dolphins are always there, windy weather is our only enemy, that's why we choose the least windy months of the year to go.
Best weather for great encounters:The Bahamas are very tropical, this means that you can get a rainstorm anytime, but they normally do not last for long. The tropical season has the most rain, however storms are short lived and the weather is fantastic the rest of the time.
MARCH, APRIL, MAY, EARLY JUNE: Occasionally windy but usually sunny. Excellent light and perfect visibility for underwater photography. Best time for shark diving scuba expeditions and good for playful dolphins too.
LATE JUNE & JULY: Calmest seas, best time of the year for glassy flat warm waters, and very few storms. Best time for snorkeling with dolphins, and very good chance of night dolphin encounters.
AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER: Tropical season. A little higher chance of a storm, but 80% chance of great weather and flat calm seas. Be aware that this is the season for hurricanes.....so make sure you have cancellation insurance that covers your live-aboard adventure cost and your flight cost. It is always advisable to have travel insurance incase you have to cancel, or something unforeseen happens
These fully inclusive week long trips to the beautiful Bahamas depart from, and return to, Palm Beach Florida. Palm Beach has its own airport (PBI). For International travelers it may be more convenient to catch a flight to Miami (MIA), or Ft Lauderdale (FLL) then catch the free airport shuttle and the $5 dollar Tri-Rail train from the airport to Mangonia Park Station. Go to www.Tri-Rail.com for airport shuttle and train timetables
If you book your flight at www.AA.com you will receive an extra 5% discount off of their lowest internet fare to PBI, FLL or MIA airports when you enter your free Wild Ocean Adventures promotional discount code.
NOW BOOKING: July 9-15 2010 Special guest spiritual healer & author Yurika
NOW BOOKNG: July 16-22 2010 Special guest photographer & videographer Kentaro
*INCLUDED* 5 FULL days actually in the prime dolphin areas, six nights onboard;
Air-conditioned cabin accommodations;
Three plentiful delicious meals, prepared for you daily, by world famous restaurant owner expert fisherman and profesionaly trained chef Tommy Williams;
24 hour snacks & fresh fruit;
24 hour juice, soft drinks, sodas, milk, soy milk, pure water, tea/coffee/hot chocolate;
Scenic Bahamas cruising;
Comfortable dining area and salon with TV/DVD/Video/Stereo + large selection of movies and books for passenger use;
Back dive deck, has seating and is shaded with VERY easy access to and from water;
Ample toilet and shower facilities, with shampoo, good quality hair conditioner and shower gels provided;
Great opertunities for above and below water wildlife photography, and videography.
THE CABINS: Beds are comfortable with fresh cotton sheets and soft blankets. All cabins have good storage for soft collapsible bags, some have a small hanging closet. All cabins have full lenth dress mirrors, and are fully carpeted and air-conditioned. The air-conditioning vents can be closed if desired. There are power outlets (110volt USA 2 flat pin type plug) for electrical items in cabins. Most cabins have a lower double bed and an upper single bed. There is one larger 4 bed family cabin. This is not a luxury cruise ship, but it is a very comfortable and spacious dive yacht, perfect for Bahamas expeditions, with coloful Bahamas style cabins where you can close the door at anytime and relax.
On Friday evening we board our floating home for the week and make the 100km/62mile crossing from Florida to the Bahamas. First thing Saturday morning our captain will clear customs, enabling us to have a FULL Saturday in the dolphin areas. You do not have to wake for Bahamas customs, you can sleep in if you choose to. We stay in the prime dolphin areas all day, every day, until sunset. We have amazing interactions, you get so many different types of encounter living out there with the dolphins. On day six, after our last FULL day in the dolphin areas we head back to Palm Beach. We de-board the vessel in Palm Beach on Thursday morning between 9am-10am.
We will have six night’s all-inclusive, air-conditioned cabin accommodation, with full meals. On board we have a professional chef, naturalist and dive master, a talented photographer and a videographer. These trips are relaxing - stress free - fun - and energizing.
NOTE: I can not stress how important it is to practice. The first time I went on a Bahamas wild dolphin adventure, I went to my local swimming pool twice a week to practice for six months before my trip. I am so glad I did, because having that confidence really helped me have close up dolphin encounters.
I've personally researched the very few boats that can go to these unique areas by going out to sea on them myself. I've taken into consideration the comforts and amenities provided, the speed of the vessel, and the food.
I've looked closely at the success rate of actually getting to swim with different dolphins in different areas of the world and of the Bahamas. I give all guests a free dolphin swim and safety sheet, it's extreemly helpful. The pictoral guides (which you recieve before your trip) help you to get very close to the dolphins, close enough to look into each others eyes and see there's someone there. A lot of regulars with Wild Ocean Adventurers know particular dolphins on sight, and the dolphins recognize us too.....It's very cool.
Chartering a vessel, and organizing a wildlife expedition can be a nightmare, so I personaly handle all the details, so you don't have to. I monitor everything from permits, and checking vessels are licenced, coast guard inspected and homeland security approved, to neggotiating contracts so that there are no hidden fees.
As we travel as a group, chartering the whole boat for our own private use, price is kept to a minimum. I can even offer a free space if you can bring over 8 paid guests (ask me about this).
We live onboard, so we do not have to waste time going to and from the island each day... this means we get maximum time with the dolphins. Most importantly, these are not trained dolphins, they are not fed by humans. These dolphins play with us because they want to, and for no other reason. These are WILD DOLPHINS, living free in paradise in the area of the 'White Sand Ridge', Bahamas.
This is the correct way for you to see and swim with dolphins. Without a doubt this is the right way to let your children, and your grandchildren experience the joy of being free with a wild dolphin...It's no secret, it will change your lives.