Profile of a Spotted Dolphin Excounter
Following is a generalized profile of an encounter with wild atlantic spotted dolphins on the banks of the Bahamas. The overall approach is the same in the waters of the White Sand Ridge as it is off of Bimini; the only significant variations are due to local geography.
The first thing for any participant to understand is that this is a wild animal activity. These animals are completely wild and free, moving to their own particular rhythm through a home range that can cover many hundreds of square miles. As such, there are no guarantees of successfully finding and interacting with these animals, but years of experience support the statement that the odds of success are in the participant's favor. In spite of that, on occasion, it can happen that no dolphins are located.
The initial search for dolphins with which to attempt an interaction is very much like fishing. Sometimes the fishing is good, and finding dolphins is relatively easy; sometimes it is not, and a great deal of time can be spent on the search. In the latter case, it is important to put the necessary time into the effort, be patient, and maintain an optimistic attitude. Situations can develop very quickly, and at any moment. Rest assured that after a successful encounter, few guests linger on the time invested to make the effort a success.
Being wild animals, the spotted dolphins' behavior cannot be predicted with complete accuracy. One can never be sure of what they may find. The number of dolphins found may be as low as one or two, or climb into the dozens. Similarly, entering the water with a pod of fifteen dolphins, for example, does not mean that all those dolphins will interact. It is possible to have a small group that barely acknowledge the swimmers, or a large group that is very involved. Encounters can last from seconds to hours, and can involve anything from one to twenty five individuals, or more. One can never be sure.
Many of these uncertainties of a can be reduced by having an experienced guide. Finding and interacting successfully with dolphins is largely a matter of understanding and interpreting animal behavior. Having an experienced guide who understands the general movement patterns of the dolphins and who is able to interpret their behaviors will save time by shortening the search, and ensuring that interactions are only attempted with appropriate dolphins. If the dolphins are resting or actively feeding, for example, they are not good candidates for an interaction; to attempt an interaction would be potentially disruptive to the dolphins, and a poor use of the participant's time. Sometimes, the best way to experience the dolphins might be to not enter the water at all. It is important that the dolphins are respected, and that interactions are not disruptive. Your guide on this adventure has over ten years of direct experience with the spotted dolphins of the Bahamas, as well as with other cetacean species in other parts of the world.
With so many variables, every encounter is different, but it is possible to describe an ideal typical interaction. After the morning diving activities and lunch, the boat will cruise into the area where the dolphins are known to spend much of their time. Depending on the itinerary, this will be either the White Sand Ridge region of the Little Bahama Bank; or part of the Great Bahama Bank north of Bimini. The boat will travel slowly, between 5-8 knots, while the crew and the guests keep a watchful eye. The more eyes looking, the better are the chances of spotting dolphins! At this time, the guests should have their camera and snorkeling equipment ready for a quick call to action.
The boat slowly cruises, hoping to find dolphins, or as is often the case, hoping the dolphins find the boat. The search can take anywhere from minutes to hours. Guests watch for fins above the surface, or splashing or leaping dolphins, which can often be seen from great distances. But it often happens that by the time the guest sees the dolphins, the dolphins have already heard and responded to the boat. Dolphin enjoy riding the bow wave on boats, and upon hearing the engines underwater, will often hurry toward the boat for a bit of fun.
Once dolphins are located, all the guests are alerted. The boat slows, and a few moments are spent by the guide observing the dolphins to determine number, distribution, and overall behavior in order to determine the best approach for a successful encounter. In the meantime, the swimmers gather at the dive platform and prepare to enter the water by donning their equipment and grabbing their cameras. Typically, while this is going on, the dolphins are either riding on the bow of the boat, or slowly swimming around it. Dolphins that are eager to play may even swim to the dive platform in anticipation.
The divemaster on the dive deck will be communicating with the captain and guide on the bridge. Once the swimmers are suited up, and if the dolphins are appropriate candidates for interaction, then the boat will be put into neutral, coming to a dead stop in the water. Word will be given from the captain that all is clear for the swimmers to enter the water, and the divemaster will direct the swimmers into the water. Swimmers will want to slip into the water quickly, and as quietly as is reasonably possible. Big, noisy, giant stride entries are not the way to go in a dolphin encounter!
An important point to note here is that dolphin encounters occur from a "live boat," much like a typical drift dive. The boat is not anchored; the engines are running, and the boat will be moving around. Because of that, communication between the bridge, divemaster and swimmers is vital. Swimmers must never enter the water, or once in the water, must never approach the boat, without the clearance of the divemaster. As with other types of diving, there are simple and clear signals that are used to communicate, and that must be adhered to. The safety of the swimmers is the captain and crew's highest priority.
Once in the water, the swimmers will stay together as a loose group. This helps make it easier for the vessel to keep track of the swimmers, for the swimmers to keep track of each other, and will help keep the action focused in one area, where everyone can participate and enjoy.
And now the key point to any successful encounter: it is very important for the swimmer to realize that they can not get close to a dolphin; a dolphin has to want to get close to them. What this means is that the swimmers are not to chase, pursue, or aggressively move toward the dolphins. The swimmer does not go to the dolphin, they must allow the natural curiosity of the dolphin draw to the dolphin toward the swimmer.
In an ideal situation, an encounter is no more complicated than suiting up, slipping in, and looking around. Eager dolphins will immediately approach the swimmers for interaction. Playful dolphins will be zipping around and between the swimmers, diving toward the bottom, or shooting up in swirling groups that encircle or intermix with the individual swimmers, or the group as a whole. At this point, it’s time for the swimmers to be good playmates! Without swimming aggressively toward the dolphins, the swimmers are encouraged to dive down, twirl around, do summersaults, twist and turn, and generally cavort! If you are not an accomplished freediver, that is fine; you only need to duck under a few feet to elicit a positive response.
Sometimes the dolphins are not in a playful mood, but are still interested in an interaction. The tip here is to always try to match the energy level displayed by the dolphins. If the dolphins are high energy playmates, then so should the swimmer! If they are more mellow and languid, then the swimmer should be, too. This helps keep all of the participants, swimmers and dolphins alike, on a compatible level, and will greatly help to improve the length and quality of any encounter. Slower encounters offer some of the best opportunities for photographers, or for those interested to look into the eye of one of these peaceful companions.
The length and tempo of the encounter is entirely up to the dolphins. Sometimes encounters will last but a few fleeting moments; other times they can last for hours. But eventually, all good things come to an end, and the dolphins will start to move off. At this point, the swimmers do not pursue. It is a waste of energy, and trying to impose your will on the dolphins can be counterproductive. The swimmers relax, gather back together, and prepare to be picked up by the boat at the divemaster's direction. Once aboard, depending on the situation, guests will be directed to prepare to try again, or to relax. This is a great time to share stories, reload cameras, or simply cherish the moment.
A note on the use of SCUBA: The use of SCUBA during a dolphin encounter is generally discouraged, but is possible; there are limitations and trade offs. Before a participant will be allowed to consider the use of SCUBA, they must first engage in a few encounters with only mask, snorkel and fins. This allows the guest to observe and learn the proper procedures between the boat, divemaster, dolphins and themselves. An understanding of these elements is required to allow for the safe use of SCUBA. It is generally suggested that the first day be SCUBA free, and then the decision can be made as to whether or not SCUBA is desired or acceptable. The obvious advantage of SCUBA is the ability of the diver to stay below the surface for longer periods of time. This is especially useful for photography and videography. But the serious disadvantages are that the use of SCUBA greatly slows the reaction time and mobility of the participants and the boat. Swimmers can typically suite up to enter the water in mask and fins in a few short moments, whereas divers need much more time to gather and don their gear and safely move around. Sometimes those extra moments are the difference between success and failure. Once in the water, divers lack the freedom of movement that helps in a dynamic encounter; they can not play as freely, or ascend or descend as rapidly. Even more importantly, SCUBA greatly slows the recovery period, when swimmers are boarding the boat. In the extra time it takes to recover divers, the dolphins may move out of sight and be lost. The use of SCUBA is only possible for a few people at a time, but then everyone, guests and vessel, are affected by the limitations imposed. Recommended equipment would be smaller "pony" bottle cylinders of 20-30 cu. ft. on a simple backpack harness and regulator. These small cylinders allow for much more speed and mobility, while still allowing plenty of time underwater at the 15'-25' depths of a typical dolphin encounter.
An afternoon spent looking for and interacting with dolphins involves a bit of patience, a bit of hunting, a lot of getting in and out of the water, and a lot of fun. The Banks of the Bahamas are beautiful wilderness areas, and one never knows what they may find in their explorations. Bring a good book and a good attitude, and enjoy the ride until you find your spotted playmates.
