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