| One of the all time favorite marine animals for many is | | | | humans as well as the free food. Once at the bottom, |
| the dolphin. Previously, the closest one can ever get to | | | | the dolphin trainers now in scuba diving gear, direct the |
| a dolphin is at the various marine theme parks like Sea | | | | divers to space out in a wide circle. The trainers, |
| World. Then a few dolphin research centers started | | | | equipped with a bucket full of food, are in the center of |
| petting dolphins and swim with dolphins programs | | | | this circle. This is where they direct the various types |
| which allowed more direct interactions with these | | | | of interactions that the divers will get to experience |
| wonderful creatures. For certified scuba divers, direct | | | | with the dolphins. |
| interaction with dolphins under the water is possible. | | | | The first interaction is usually having a dolphin rest in |
| This is an even better experience than the swim with | | | | front of each diver. This is when the divers are |
| dolphins programs which keep guests only on the | | | | allowed to touch and stroke the dolphins while avoiding |
| surface of the water. This unique under the water | | | | their fins, eyes and blow hole. The second interaction |
| opportunity is available through UNEXSO's dolphin dive | | | | involves a dolphin kiss. Divers are instructed to take |
| at Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. | | | | their regulators out of their mouths upon a signal given |
| The UNEXSO dolphin dive is a single tank trip only | | | | by the trainers. The trainers then point towards each |
| available on certain days and fills up quickly so it is | | | | diver. The dolphins would approach each diver and |
| highly recommended to make reservations well in | | | | 'kiss' each one in the mouth with their snout. A third |
| advance. The divemasters suggest that all divers add | | | | type of interaction is like a human spinning top. One at |
| on an additional two pounds to what they normally use | | | | a time, the divers are asked to adjust their buoyancy |
| on their weight belt. This is because the majority of | | | | and stay up about five feet off the bottom with arms |
| time spent during the dolphin dive will be kneeling on an | | | | fully outstretched. The dolphins then push each diver |
| open sandy surface at the bottom of a chosen dive | | | | by the hand with their snouts spinning them around in |
| site. After all divers are onboard, the dive boat goes to | | | | circles. All of these interactions are captured on |
| the dolphin facility minutes away where the dolphins | | | | camera by a UNEXSO staff divemaster. Of course, |
| stay. Once there, a dolphin trainer at the facility gives a | | | | the photos are available for sale back at the UNEXSO |
| briefing about the specifics of the dolphin dive as well | | | | dive shop. At the end of the final interaction, both |
| as dolphins in general. Two dolphins are pre-selected | | | | dolphins make one more pass while waving one of |
| for each dolphin dive. After the briefing, both the dive | | | | their fins to bid each diver goodbye. Of course, the |
| boat and a second boat carrying two dolphin trainers | | | | divers wave back with smiles through their regulators. |
| head out to the dive site with two dolphins following. | | | | What is really unique with the dolphin dive is that scuba |
| During the trip out to the dive site, the two dolphins ride | | | | divers get to see the dolphins at depth rather than just |
| the wakes of the boats and make numerous leaps out | | | | at the surface of the water. This is in the natural |
| of the water along the way giving lots of photo | | | | environment of the dolphins. It is really magical to |
| opportunities. | | | | watch from the bottom as the dolphins swim up to the |
| Once at the dive site, the divers are instructed to get in | | | | surface for air sometimes leaping right out of the |
| the water quickly and head to the bottom which is | | | | water followed by a dramatic diving re-entry. They |
| about 50 feet. The request for the rush is to get the | | | | move like torpedoes with grace, agility and speed. The |
| interactions going before the dolphins lose interest. It is | | | | divers can't help but marvel at the abilities of the |
| emphasized that the dolphins are never forced to | | | | dolphins. Dolphins do not require gradual ascents and |
| interact with the divers and are free to swim off | | | | safety stops like us scuba divers do. For any scuba |
| anytime they want. Therefore, interactions with the | | | | diver who loves dolphins, the UNEXSO dolphin dive is |
| dolphins are never guaranteed by UNEXSO. Luckily for | | | | a wonderful diving experience and well recommended. |
| the divers, the dolphins seem to enjoy interactions with | | | | |