Swimming with Dolphins

[cool breeze]

Has anyone experienced dolphins at any of the local beaches or do you have to go to Tortola? My wife would absolutely love the opportunity to experience dolphins up close and personal.
Appreciate any insight.

CB

[California Girl]

A dolphin joined us for a swim at Waterlemon a couple of years ago. Pictures here: http://www.pbase.com/thegripps/waterlemon_bay

And Liamsaunt recently had an excellent dolphin experience... her trip report & pix here: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... ht=#128120

[cool breeze]

California Girl, thank you so much both of those sites were "awesome", hopefully we can have some luck will definately explore those beaches on our next trip. we primarily stay "glued" to Trunk Bay because I fell in love with the whole snorkeling trail but certainly realize there is so much more beauty with the other beaches as well.
thanks again
CB

[Gromit]

CB-- just do a search for "Dolphin" on the forum for more info.

[cool breeze]

Thanks Gromit still a "newbie" to the forum but I'll learn.
CB

[liamsaunt]

Hi cool breeze, I have to mention that the Tortola "swim with the dolphins" operation is not held in high esteem by many, for multiple reasons. You may wish to do a little research on the outfit before deciding to give them any of your money.

[Captain John]

This doesn't happen very often. This was only the third time I've come across them. It was amazing.
Click on the HD button, it's much clearer.


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[cool breeze]

Captain John thank you for the vid. I guess being in the right place at the right time is key! Also Liamsaunt thank you for insight on Tortola, much appreciated.
CB

[bevm]

That is so cool that they just hung out there with you for awhile! Thanks for sharing that!

[Lex]

If you're interested, here are some sites that address the controversy around marine mammals in captivity:

http://www.marineconnection.org/campaig ... ammes.html

http://www.hsus.org/marine_mammals/what ... captivity/

http://www.wspa-usa.org/pages/268_dolphin_facts.cfm


Here's an article from some years ago specifically concerning the dolphin operation on Tortola:

http://www.dolphinproject.org/help-stop ... phins.html

And here's a brief article about the guy who trained Flipper:

http://www.miamiseaprison.com/ric.htm


I always encourage folks who have interest in swim with dolphins operations to consider these perspectives.

[chicagoans]

This line from one of the articles sums it up nicely:

"Marine mammals are best protected by cleaning up and protecting their natural environment, not by removing them from it."

[cool breeze]

lex thank you so much for those articles I absolutely agree and just hope that I may be fortunate enough to encounter a surprise visit by one of natures beautiful creatures in the wild. After reading those articles I would absolutely not support captivity of the dolphin!
CB

[California Girl]

Very cool video, Capt. John! Thanks!

[cool breeze]

California Girl I love your catamaran!
CB

[California Girl]

California Girl I love your catamaran!
CB

Ha! I only WISH it was mine! LOL! If you're talking about my pictures, then that cat was rented from CYOA by Scuba Girl & Keith. If you're talking about my avatar, you too can search Google Images under "catamaran" and get the same picture! LOL!