Grand Bahama
Cay Sal Bank
Dolphin Encounters
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Dry Tortugas
Florida Keys
Exumas
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 Dolphin
Encounters
The Little Bahama Bank, north of Grand
Bahama Island, is home to resident groups of
Atlantic Spotted Dolphin and Atlantic
Bottlenose Dolphin. These wild dolphin have
been interacting with humans for years, and
provide thrilling encounters and an
experience that is fun, moving, and always
exciting!
After boarding the previous night, we depart
at about 6:00 am for the short 4 1/2 hour
crossing to West End, Grand Bahama. Upon
arrival, we clear Bahamian Customs and
Immigration, then run through a briefing
about our procedure swimming with dolphins.
Our first stop is close to West End on a
shallow reef so everyone can get in the
water, make sure their gear is adjusted
properly, and practice getting off and on
the boat. The crew is happy to help you
improve your skills and comfort level in the
water which adds up to more satisfying
dolphin encounters. Remember - dolphins are
masters in their environment, so humans just
floating around on the surface can be less
than interesting to them, so a few tips on
snorkeling can go a long way to getting the
most out of your trip.
 After our practice stop, it’s off to look
for dolphins! We actively search for the
dolphins, and sometimes this requires
patience. Getting some sun, listening to
music, catching up on reading, and just
relaxing are great ways to pass the time as
we look. Or, help the crew scan the water
for fins. Sometimes it’s easy, sometimes it
requires work, but other than weather
considerations it would be very unusual to
not have dolphins every day.
Over 25 miles from land is the hot spot for
dolphin encounters. The White Sand Ridge
area is shallow, 15-30 ft deep, and as the
name implies, the white sandy bottom and
clear water make for an incredible setting
for interacting with dolphins. The spotted
dolphin are smaller than the bottlenose and
are more playful, curious, and friendly with
humans, although bottlenose encounters can
be very personable as well. Encounters can last
from a few minutes to hours on end - it’s up
to them. Looking a wild dolphin in the eye,
making that connection, and having fun
playing in the warm water is a once in a
lifetime experience and an amazing adventure
that is hard for many people to express in
words.
We
only snorkel with the dolphins, so please
PRACTICE before you come! While snorkeling
is fun and easy, the better you are with
active snorkeling and free diving, the more
interested the
 dolphins tend to be. If you
are buying gear for the first time, go to a
dive shop and be properly fitted with
a quality mask, snorkel, and fins. DO NOT
buy some cheap package set at a discount
department store. The extra money is
worthwhile - you want to spend your trip
experiencing wild dolphins on their terms,
not fumbling with less than adequate
equipment. Again, PRACTICE in a pool, lake,
large bathtub, etc. before you come. Become
comfortable with snorkeling and your gear.
The open ocean is not really the place to
learn how to do this for the first time. If
you feel less than sure with your water
skills, purchase an inflatable snorkeling
vest for added security before you come. The
crew is always there to help you, but you
must be self-reliant to some degree while in
the water. While this is not some Navy Seals
exercise or an Olympic event, a little
preparation goes a long way. Believe us, the
extra effort is worth it!
During the trip we will also snorkel a
shallow shipwreck teeming with life and a
shallow reef so everyone can get a taste of
the amazing variety of fish and coral the
Bahamas has to offer. If you are a scuba
diver, bring your gear, as we will be able
to squeeze in a few dives. If there is
enough interest, we will go back to West End
and arrange transportation to Freeport/Lucaya
for some local flavor and shopping.
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For pricing and booking info on our dolphin
trips, please call Jackie at
561.881.9124 or visit
www.wildoceanadventures.com. She has
been coordinating our wild dolphin
encounters for years, and can help with any
questions or information.
Not ready to go to the Bahamas for wild
dolphin encounters? We recommend the
Natural Swim program at
Dolphins Plus in Key Largo, Florida.
Click here to visit their website.
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