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I've waited my entire life to swim with dolphins, and since I do NOT support the poor caged dolphins, obviously my only chance was an encounter in the ocean. As we loaded the boat for a snorkel tour yesterday I chanted to myself - today I will see wild dolphins. Our first stop was out by Santa Maria on STT. I geared up my tour of 4 people and flopped off the boat into the crystal clear blue water of at least 60ft vis. Immediately my boss yelled.... Dolphins, right below us! There they were, what I have waited 33 years to see, 3 beautiful dolphins swimming underneath us at about 30 ft. I just bought my first set of free diving fins so grab my camera and start recording struggling to keep up with them. They didn't get too close or play with us unfortunately but I did get some video... wait until the end, this majestic and beautiful dolphin..... laid down a big ol poop for us and then swims off. Pretty funny, and regardless of the poop it was fabulous getting to enjoy dolphins in their NATURAL habitat where they belong. Looking forward to many more dolphin swims....sans poop lol.
http://youtu.be/JO3ArM2CBp0
And on a side note, got to play with some nurse sharks in STJ last week too. Rode for a brief minute on the smaller ones dorsal.
http://youtu.be/G035s3z-yEk
THIS is why I moved here 😉
Posted : June 1, 2013 4:36 pm
I don't think you need to say "wild" dolphins when they are where they are suppose to be. 😉
Very cool for you.
I had a friend visiting last week and we didn't get to do as much as I would have liked. She is in animal rescue, so I wanted to show her as much as possible. Her last sunset, although cloudy, cleaned up really nicely and we watched 2 turtles and then 3 dolphins swim through that golden strip of the sun, that lays on the water at sunset. Perfect.
Posted : June 1, 2013 4:45 pm
So glad you had your first wild encounter.:@) They are pretty amzing, poop and all!
Years ago I was in New Zealand and specifically went to Kikoura to swim with wild dolphins on a tour that was offered. We were surrounded by huge pods and dropped off in deep waters, miles from shore while the boat stayed nearby. No touching allowed it was but amazing to be in the (very cold) water with so many at a time, zipping all around you. Not for the faint of heart or unadventurous. It was great as they took only 10 persons out at a time so not a huge intrusion and the dolphins were very curious.
I'd seen many hundreds of free Dolphins over the years while delivering yachts across the oceans in their natural environments and also in Aquariums. That is, until I did research on dolphinariums/aquariums and enlightened myself to the stresses of their lives and all the other horrendous aspects of keeping Dolphins in captivity as well as the culling and capturing of them. Too sad that by loving to see these amazing, highly intelligent and social creatures we would wish to condemn them to a sterile, dismal life in captivity.
Please enjoy them in their natural environment where they belong not in a dolphinarium, put on display for the sake of profit and greed, to their detriment.:-(
Posted : June 1, 2013 5:16 pm
Topic starter
I guess I should say that Ive seen dolphins MANY times out on boats in LOTS of places but never was able to be in the water with them. Its a different feeling when you're in their world.
Posted : June 1, 2013 6:07 pm
Nice video thanks. Years ago, when we were living in San Diego, we'd swim with dolphins almost daily. They's come play aorund in the waves at sunset with surfers. I always wondered why? We're they hoping for food? Did they mistake us for other dolphins? Or, are surfers just that interseting? i don't know if it was the same pod, or just well traveled migration group. My friend has video from the Sea of Cortez with thousands of dolphins jumping alongside his boat. I think it's on youtbe. Crazy...
Posted : June 1, 2013 6:40 pm
Topic starter
I think they're wayyyy smarter than most humans lol. I am looking forward to many more swimming encounters as the busy season starts up, I will be doing more boat tours.
Posted : June 1, 2013 7:59 pm
Be careful touching nurse sharks. They are HIGHLY flexible and can easily whip their heads around (basically they can fold themselves in half) and nip you.
Posted : June 1, 2013 8:02 pm
Topic starter
I know.... I kinda got tagged by one in Cabo years ago. He didnt like me getting too close for pics in his overhang. Luckiy he got the camera and not my face. :-O I had my free diving fins on so I wasnt having him pull me really. Just kinda a gentle touch and follow. They make swimming look so effortless. I was sooo outa breath trying to keep up.
Posted : June 1, 2013 8:33 pm
There are many Dive Masters/Instructors that lead dives/tours who have been bitten by Nurse Sharks for screwing around with them and touching them. They may be docile but not tolerant. Ditto for picking up octopus's. They have a very sharp beak. Best to have a "no touch" program.
Posted : June 1, 2013 9:15 pm
Topic starter
When I do my tours they are always "no touch". When its just me and im in the moment..... well sometimes better judgement is outa da window. Im always careful and of course don't want to hurt the wildlife at all.
Posted : June 1, 2013 10:16 pm
I am looking forward to many more swimming encounters as the busy season starts up, I will be doing more boat tours.
There are not many other STT or VI businesses that would consider June 1st to be the start of the "busy season" - you are fortunate indeed.
Posted : June 2, 2013 1:35 am
Topic starter
Did I infer June? I apologize, as I mean busy season.....er.....as in the busy season coming up. I am lucky thou as we have enough work to keep me busy even now in low season.
Posted : June 2, 2013 3:28 am
