Playing with Dolphins In Their Natural Habitat
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
I’ve really loved watching dolphin play since I was a child and first was introduced decades ago. And, for some reason, seeing them in the wild is more exciting than watching a dolphin show at Sea World.
Playing with Dolphins in the Wild…
Dolphin Play with Boat
Natural is always best. I can remember watching them swim within a couple of feet away from my sailboat in Florida, keeping up with the boat’s speed and playing with us. It’s funny how, even having lived in Florida all my life, I never tire of the excitement I feel inside when being close with a dolphin.
We had the best day ever playing with dolphins!
So I’d like to share with you some pictures of the day…. The day I’ll always remember. As a nature lover, the pictures we had taken of ourselves with the dolphins that capture our natural excitement are my favorite!
Playing with Dolphins at Discovery..
Discovery has a way of treating you like royalty. It’s not like your average Florida theme park…. No lines to speak of and just take all the free drinks or food you want throughout the day – the cost you pay up front is 100% all inclusive.
Discovery Fish
I wish I could have taken better pictures in the natural pond where we swam with beautiful fish and sting rays. I don’t know how the sting rays seemed so tame with all those people around!
Playing with Dolphins One on One…
Joel’s Experience Swimming with Dolphins
Fortunately, Discovery took professional pictures for us when we had our chance of one on one with the dolphins. While I didn’t elect to buy the video, I still have the image in my mind when my husband Joel was first with the “dolphin ride”, and didn’t quite grasp the idea that he had to hold on with BOTH hands… oops! As soon has he touched the dolphin’s dorsal fin, away the dolphin starting swimming fast, leaving Joel behind. But he quick got the hang of it and got the ride of his life.
Nancy is The Expert Dolphin Swimmer!
Never Thought I’d be Kissing a Real Dolphin!
Kissing the dolphins was another matter. They had to tell him several times to hold the dolphin just under her mouth so the dolphin’s mouth would be closed for the kiss. Joel was determined to get an open mouth kiss!
Think you can hold Cindy under her chin?
Yeah Joel, hold Cindy under her chin.
Open mouth kiss? No Joel, we said UNDER her chin!
Oh no Joel – not the open mouth kiss!
Now That’s an Expert Dolphin Kiss!
I’m much more inclined to follow the rules, so I got the proper kiss from “Cindy” the dolphin.
Such an amazing day! I’m really glad this was on Joel’s “bucket list” for his 50th birthday. I got one of the best presents in my life, too when I enjoyed playing with dolphins!
What an amazing day!