| Swimming with dolphins in the wild is an amazing | | | | interact with them and tourism revenues generated |
| experience because you get the opportunity to | | | | provide a strong incentive for dolphin conservation. |
| interact with these incredibly friendly and intelligent | | | | So if you have a dream is to go swimming with |
| animals on their own turf. | | | | dolphins, going the wild route with an ethical and |
| Unlike captive dolphins who have no choice but to | | | | responsible operator is the way to do it. Here are the |
| interact with human beings whether they want to or | | | | top five places in the world to swim with wild dolphins... |
| not, wild dolphins can choose whether they want to | | | | 1. Kaikoura, New Zealand |
| stick around and swim with you and if they don't they | | | | The best place in the world to swim with wild dusky |
| have the freedom to simply disappear into the deep | | | | dolphins because the success rate of finding and |
| blue sea which makes it all the more special when | | | | swimming with the pods is very high. The dolphins are |
| they do decide to stay (which occurs on a frequent | | | | attracted to the nutrients in the water that are |
| basis). | | | | available due to a 1200 meter trench situated just off |
| There is a huge debate raging about the ethics of | | | | the coast. |
| swimming with captive dolphins and even though there | | | | 2. Oahu and Kona, Hawaii |
| are definite benefits for humans (treatment for | | | | You will find spinner and spotted dolphin here and |
| depression and disabilities) captivity is harmful to the | | | | some of the boat operators boast a 99% success |
| dolphins as they suffer from stress and illness and | | | | rate of finding the pods on day trips. |
| have a much shorter life expectancy than similar | | | | 3. Azores Archipelago |
| dolphins in the wild. The demand to swim with captive | | | | If you want dolphin variety then this is where you will |
| dolphins also encourages capture from wild populations | | | | find it as up to eight different species call this home |
| that are already under threat which is very detrimental | | | | and it's possible to see super pods of up to 1000 |
| to the environment. | | | | individuals here too. |
| On the other hand, studies conducted on the effects | | | | 4. Bimini, Bahamas |
| of humans swimming with dolphins in the wild have | | | | One of the advantages of swimming with dolphins |
| shown that there seem to be no ill effects to the | | | | here is the fact that the water is very warm, shallow |
| animals if it is done responsibly and sensibly (not by | | | | and clear but it's important to remember that these are |
| chasing and herding them or noisy splashing in the | | | | wild creatures and 20% of the time they don't come |
| water). | | | | closer to the boat and rather swim away. |
| The jury is still out because long term trends need to | | | | 5. Red Sea, Egypt |
| be taken into consideration but until such time as the | | | | Spinner and bottlenose dolphins can be found in these |
| scientific uncertainty is cleared up or the dolphins move | | | | waters and travel operators have a very good record |
| away because they are feeling harassed, responsible | | | | of finding dolphin pods in this area. |
| swimming with wild dolphins is an ethical way to | | | | |