| I used to think that the only way I was really going to | | | | or put it in your kayak, (if that is your choice of |
| swim with dolphins was when I paid the big bucks, to | | | | transport). If you want to have the experience of a life |
| have a resort worker hold my hand, and grab the | | | | time and hear dolphins clicking underwater and seeing |
| dorsal fin of an unhappy "Flipper" in captivity. Sadly, | | | | them when the ocean is clear, granted you'll not miss |
| most whales and dolphins in captivity have a life span | | | | them even slightly cloudy, than this is essential. |
| of around 10 years as compared to around 80 years | | | | 6. Don't forget your underwater camera! I made this |
| in the wild. | | | | unfortunate mistake one day as I watched humpback |
| I was out surfing one day in Newport Beach, CA and | | | | whales breaching off the beach for hours on end |
| suddenly I found myself surrounded by dolphins in the | | | | without an underwater camera or paddle board to |
| wild. Keep in mind; these were not the big, fat, lazy | | | | bring me closer. It was a spectacle that will stay with |
| ones you see at Sea World. These were lean, mean, | | | | me for the rest of my life time but I can only imagine |
| swimming machines. I jumped off my surfboard and | | | | how much more magical it would have been to be in |
| underwater I could hear them clicking away in a | | | | the water closer to them and have those pictures. |
| symphony of communication unlike anything I'd ever | | | | Don't forget fresh batteries for your camera! I have |
| heard. I was thinking they must surely be talking about | | | | made this mistake as well trying to capture a magic |
| the surfer that was awkwardly trying to swim with | | | | "Kodak" moment only to have the camera die. |
| them. | | | | Underwater digital cameras go through batteries |
| I opened up my eyes underwater. Unfortunately, I | | | | quickly. I've tried all different types, most success thus |
| learned the hard way, albeit common sense should | | | | far is from using lithium batteries, but they all seem to |
| have prevailed, but this was a momentous occasion | | | | go whenever they want even if the screen indicates |
| not to be missed, that if you wear contacts, you won't | | | | nearly a full charge. Research current cameras and |
| for long opening your eyes underwater. I also realized | | | | shop around! |
| that after such long exposure even being an avid | | | | 7. Remain observant! These are dolphins in their natural |
| surfer the bottom line is that saltwater will burn your | | | | habitat. I've been surfing in Newport Beach, CA having |
| eyes a bit more than chlorine. | | | | dolphins zip through the waves just as I was about to |
| I took from the experience some of the "does and | | | | duck dive through them. I've had dolphins jump out of |
| don'ts" of swimming with wild dolphins and how you | | | | the back of waves and nearly land on me while I'm |
| can make it happen for you at your local beach nearly | | | | paddling back out to the lineup. I've had dolphins bump |
| every time you go during the season. | | | | me as I've sat on my surfboard waiting for waves. |
| 1. Go in the morning. I usually always see dolphins from | | | | Remember they are very intelligent and are not easy |
| 8am-10am in the morning (Check your local surf and | | | | prey even to the everyday man's natural "fear" of the |
| weather bureau for tides and weather as well) and | | | | sea, THE SHARK. Perhaps I was in their way and |
| they are usually swimming up the beach or down the | | | | they did not feel like moving, or that I was an |
| beach. You can still catch an afternoon stray or two if | | | | "unknown" in their territory and giving me a subtle yet |
| you are lucky. It is in the morning I see them most | | | | very clear hint to move. Remember to stay observant |
| often. I suppose thinking like a dolphin I would venture to | | | | and never forget that you are swimming with wild |
| guess they want to stay away from the crowds? | | | | dolphins that have not been trained to come to us for |
| Although most likely it is the tide and their nature so I | | | | food and they will do whatever dolphins like to do while |
| am just grateful to have a timeline. | | | | you are with them, follow their lead! Keep in your mind, |
| 2. Sit on a high part of the beach. Don't sit down by | | | | if dolphins are in an area for a while feeding, more than |
| the water's edge; you won't be able to see too far out | | | | likely other large predators are in the area feeding as |
| in the ocean. Also, if there is surf you won't be able to | | | | well. Do not go rushing out after every fin you see in |
| see over the tops of the waves. | | | | the ocean! As I say this I will share an unfortunate |
| 3. Bring binoculars. Just keep scanning the ocean and if | | | | incident about a lady in Maui off Kaanapali at Turtle's |
| you think you see a disturbance, grab your binoculars | | | | Cove. She thought that naturally being in Hawaii and |
| and take a closer look. You might get lucky and spot | | | | seeing fins she was swimming out to see dolphins and |
| whales, sharks, sunfish, and turtles. | | | | in her excitement and lack of thought about what |
| 4. Bring a long board, paddleboard, or kayak. Dolphins, if | | | | could be out there with fins as well it turned out a very |
| they are swimming up or down the beach, they make | | | | hungry Tiger Shark was looking for turtles to eat. |
| it look like they are barely trying, but they are covering | | | | Instead the Tiger Shark found he was most fortunate |
| a lot of distance, more then you can cover swimming | | | | when a tasty morsel swam right up to it! |
| alone and even with flippers. They have millions of | | | | Keep your wits, keep your money, and keep your |
| years of evolution and just plain practice not to | | | | eyes peeled. Because your adventure of your lifetime |
| mention a built in "engine" at their advantage and man | | | | will be swimming off your favorite beach all summer or |
| has tools, so use them wisely! | | | | even winter long depending on where you live! |
| 5. Bring a mask and snorkel, throw it around your neck | | | | |