Sailing With Dolphins
Today I went sailing for the first time this year. It was a trip I'll never forget.
We’d heard reports that whales had been sighted off the South Shore last week. Although we knew we’d be lucky to see them ourselves, we thought that as it was a warm, sunny day it would at least make for a nice afternoon out.
The wind was light, so we had to motor much of the way. But it also meant that the surface of the water was perfectly smooth, almost oily in appearance. Even in forty feet of water it was possible to see straight to the bottom. We came across numerous Portuguese Men Of War and other jellyfish; deeper down we caught sight of the occasional fry, scales glinting in the sunlight from above.
We were about an hour south of St. David’s when one of us caught our first glimpse of a black shape sounding in the distance. Squinting at the horizon, the rest of us tried to pick out the shape from the gentle swell of the ocean. Then I saw it – a black shape, a small plume of white spray. Then another. We turned the boat in their direction.
When the first dolphin jumped out of the water I don’t think there was a single one of us who didn’t cry out. As we drew near, two more dorsal fins broke the surface. Then two more. Suddenly, the water ahead of us seemed to be filled with them – twenty, thirty or more.
A grey shape undulated towards our starboard side. A second followed it. As they turned to keep pace with us, more grey shapes approached. More cries of amazement. Suddenly there were eight Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins swimming just in front of the bow of the boat, including one baby. As I leaned over the pulpit to photograph them I could clearly hear their clicks and whistles.
It was awesome. Absolutely awesome.
This was no brief encounter. The dolphins swam with us for over half an hour, only once breaking off and circling round, before returning to our side. After they had left, the jellyfish we saw didn't seem quite as exciting any more.
We didn’t see any whales in the end. But our encounter with the dolphins more than made up for it.
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Best way to see Dolphin in Bermuda Phil is in the wild and thats why dolphin quest should be closed down! ^..^
Posted by big bad wolf on 15.05.05 at 23:26
Wolf
You beat me to it! I agree, the one and only way to see dolphins and enjoy the experience of seeing them interacting with humans and vessels, is in the open ocean NOT in dolphinariums!!!!!
You lucky man , Phil. Cherish the memory.
Posted by othello on 16.05.05 at 08:19
I agree with wolf and othello. The way the dolphins are kept at Dolphin Quest is dreadful. It is about time this cruelty was outlawed as I believe it has been in England. I have seen dolphins swimming in the wild (funnily enought also on a whalewatching trip) and it was totally unbelievable. It makes me sad to think about those poor animals in captivity up at dockyard.
Posted by Simon on 16.05.05 at 09:23
I agree with wolf and othello.
My first experience with wild dolphins was in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Many years ago four dolphins beached themselves on one of the islands. Locals managed to save two of them, including "JoJo" who ended up being very friendly towards humans. He became somewhat of an icon down at the Club Med on Provo where he would show up regularly and swim and play with the guests.
I was in the TCI helping to build a house. My first job in the morning was to take a boat and go and pick up the plumbers and electricians and my last job in the evening was to drop them back off in Provo. On one of the latter trips we were buzzing along and about 100 yards away JoJo jumped out of the water. We assume he heard the boat and came up to take a look. The next thing I knew he had jumped out again, but this time only a few feet away from our boat and he almost landed in it! I cut the engine immediately as I was afraid he would get hit by the prop and then immediately stripped off my shirt and prepared to dive in and swim with him. Just as I was about to jump in JoJo swam up to the boat and passed almost directly under me. I hesitated as I never appreciated just how BIG dolphins can be and I had never been in the water with such a large creature before. I got over that quite quickly though, jumped in and played with him for a while before he got bored and took off.
Incredible experience and one of the reasons I am adamantly against dolphin parks.
Posted by ace on 16.05.05 at 09:28
It would be interesting, Phil, to run a poll on the site to find out whether there is anyone in favour of Dolphin Quest - I would bet 90% of respondents would be against it. Maybe the results could then be presented to Government in the hope that they would close it down!
Posted by Simon on 16.05.05 at 09:32
Phil, What a great way to start the week, reading about your awesome (the best word for it) experience with the dolphins. Let's keep them fast, playful, free, and happy.
Posted by Raptor on 16.05.05 at 09:59
The clarity of the water alone in that photo is making me seriously homesick. What an amazing experience, one I have never been fortunate enough to see back home but have seen wild dolphins in Key West several summers ago. I think you really lucked out because I have only heard from mates when returning from the banks that they have seen wild dolphins. By the way, I agree with Simon about running a poll. Maybe something you could do down the road?
Posted by Onion in London on 16.05.05 at 10:11
Spectacularly good photograph Phil!
Posted by denning on 16.05.05 at 12:03
I wouldn't usually admit to agreeing with Wolf however I must agree in this instance, no animal should be kept in captivity with one possible exception; If you have ever seen physically or mentally "handicapped" people (both kids & adults) when they visit Dolphin Quest you may have an exception to this rule as well. The look on their faces when watching, touching or just being in the water alongside these majestic mammals is incredible. Their faces light up and they come alive with joy as well as awe. These are people who for one reason or another may never experience what Phil saw; dolphins in their natural enviroment. I admit that I didn't see much point in "sticking a bunch of handicapped people in with the dolphins" but now I have seen this twice now and it will stick with me forever
Posted by Two Cents on 16.05.05 at 13:37
Is it dolphin parks in general that people object to? Or Dolphin Quest in particular?
I don't really like Dolphin Quest because it's small and not a particularly nice environment (and so not much of a tourist attraction IMHO). But I might be more receptive to a larger, more attractive facility.
Similarly, I'm basically opposed to the idea of another dolphin park at Sinky Bay because I think one is quite enough for a place the size of Bermuda. But if it was well done, and good enough to put Dolphin Quest out of business, it might be a good thing.
As such, I've been unable to come up with the wording for a poll that captures my contradictory feelings.
Posted by The Limey on 16.05.05 at 18:05
Do a Survey Phil on Dolphin Parks in Bermuda Phil---Simple For or against dolphins in captivity.
Posted by big bad wolf on 17.05.05 at 07:10
Phil - I believe that Dolphin Quest is a big step up compared to where dophins used to be in Bermuda - back in the day. Didn't they used to be shown down at Blue Hole? Somewhere in the mangroves back there I think. Ask your bride - she will know what I'm talking about.
Posted by Somers on 19.05.05 at 13:58
Satellite Reveals Secrets of Bermuda's Deep-Diving Dolphins in Groundbreaking Study
Posted by john Steele on 27.05.05 at 20:06