Bahamas Trip

Probably one of the neatest things that I have gotten to do recently, happened while spending my winter break down in the Bahamas. I spent 3 years living in Hawaii and every one that came to visit and a lot of my friends on the island always talked about there experience swimming with dolphins. I was just never really excited about the idea. Most of the time you are in a pool surrounded by 15 other people paying an absurd amount of money just to take a picture.

Needless to say I never took the time to sit in a pool with a dolphin. But while in the Bahamas with a friend of mine we came across and open ocean dolphin swim. Now obviously this was not my idea because if you know anything about me, When I think of the ocean, I immediately think about being viciously attacked by a shark. Just what goes through my mind. I did, however, concede to the idea and let me tell you, it was one of the coolest things I have ever experienced.

Okay, so technically they were captive, but more in the sense a cat is captive, You let them outside and they may spend some time there but always return for food. Be that as it may, they followed our boat out through the canals and out into crystal clear open water. There were six of us total and by the time we dropped anchor had already become friends. The ladies, there were 3 immediately jumped in the water no questions asked. The 3 guys, we were skeptical. First it was December, and even in the Bahamas in December the water is not, lets say, the warmest. Second, we were in 35 foot of open water....SHARKS! Hello!!

It took several minutes to ease into the water and adjust without hyperventilating, but after that it was amazing. The dolphin was your own personal flotation device. It followed you everywhere. You turned, it turned. You dove down, the dolphin followed suit. I think each of us got a good 15 minutes swimming and playing with one of the dolphins. Then we got to do what everyone always wants to do. Ride them. But we didn't get to ride just one. Oh No! You spread your arms out to your side and slapped the water! And like a scene out of JAWS to dorsal fins pop out of the water heading straight for you. They swing around and cross behind you and as the pass by you grab a hold of a fin on either side. Talk about power! These to magnificent beast had a lot of it. So much so the guides could have but out a little disclaimer to make sure your swim trunks are securely fastened! Mine were not!

If you get the chance to ever do it, I say go for it! it was quite the experience. Anyway thought Id share let me know what you think or share your experience in the comments.

Take care

-Timothy