|
|
| Several highly developed and rather dependable sites have been carefully crafted by Bahamas dive operators. Theses dives involve two species, bottlenose dolphins and Atlantic spotted dolphins. The most extensive operation, the Dolphin Experience, is a creation of UNEXSO in Freeport, Grand Bahama. It a finely honed operation with captive bottlenose dolphins. The dolphins' home is Sanctuary Bay, a huge inland lagoon that holds more than a dozen animals. The activities include an informative educational program, including basic information as well as exhibitions of learned behavior and a personal contact program appropriate for every age group. There is also a snorkeling activity in Sanctuary Bay, so even nondivers can experience in-water contact with the dolphins. |
|
| The outstanding activity, however, is the open-ocean release program. Several of the dolphins have learned to follow the research boat out to a specific area not far from where the shark feeds take place. Fifty feet of water and a white sand bottom is the arena for the interaction. There are both pre-planned activities that are training exercises as well as free-form interactions where the dolphins simply play with divers and snorkelers.Do not think this is a typical captive program. The dolphins can easily leap the fences surrounding Sanctuary Bay, and occasionally the dominant will leave to interact with passing pods of dolphins. They always return. Free food, safety from predators and fun times keep them here. They know a good thing when they see it. Atlantic spotted dolphins are a very gregarious species. As with most dolphins, they are very family oriented, remaining together in interrelated pods for years. They tend to occupy specific areas as long as the food supply is adequate and the space is safe. They are more tolerant of human interaction than bottlenose dolphins, the other frequently sighted dolphin of the BahamasIn the Bahamas, there are specific areas where wild dolphin encounters take place. North of Grand Bahama near the west side, just inside the banks on the edge of the Gulf Stream, is an area called White Sand Ridge. Pods of spotted dolphins have been found here for decades. Too far from Grand Bahama for land-based operators, it is in the realm of live-aboards only. Another pod is frequently found south on the Bimini chain near Orange Cay. The best time to visit either is during the summer.For those divers preferring land-based opportunities, dive operators on Bimini have developed a relationship with a pod on the north side of North Bimini. It has become very dependable, usually in the late afternoon. The routine is much the same as at the other sites. Everything is up to the dolphins. They enjoy snorkelers more than divers and tend to gravitate toward people with good free-diving skills who are capable of interesting moves. |
|
|
|
| Dive Operators |
|
| (For the Dolphin Experience) UNEXSO [email protected] www.unexso.com 800-992-3483_(For wild spotted dolphins -- White Sand Ridge)_ Sea Fever Diving Cruises[email protected] www.seafever.com 800-443-3837Blackbeard's Cruises [email protected] www.blackbeard-cruises.com 800-327-9600Cat Ppalu Cruises [email protected] www.catppalucruises.com 800-327-9600Nekton Diving Cruises [email protected] www.nektoncruises.com 800-899-6753 |
(For wild spotted dolphins -- Bimini) Bill & Nowdla Keefe's Bimini Undersea [email protected] www.biminiundersea.com 800-348-4644Scuba Bimini [email protected] www.scubabimini.com 800-848-4073 |
|
|
| For more information on Bahamas Diving Visit Bahamas Diving Association |
|
|
|
