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Swimming with Dolphins

Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 1:50 pm
by 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

Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 1:56 pm
by 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

Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 2:05 pm
by 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

Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 2:09 pm
by Gromit
CB-- just do a search for "Dolphin" on the forum for more info.

Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 2:20 pm
by cool breeze
Thanks Gromit still a "newbie" to the forum but I'll learn.
CB

Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 2:23 pm
by 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.

Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:43 pm
by 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.


<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MY04_85AW_E&hl ... ram><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MY04_85AW_E&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>

Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:49 pm
by 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

Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:50 pm
by bevm
That is so cool that they just hung out there with you for awhile! Thanks for sharing that!

Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 5:21 pm
by 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.

Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 5:45 pm
by 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."

Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 6:48 pm
by 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

Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 7:13 pm
by California Girl
Very cool video, Capt. John! Thanks! :D

Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 7:08 am
by cool breeze
California Girl I love your catamaran!
CB

Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 12:39 pm
by California Girl
cool breeze wrote: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! :lol: