The Dolphin Grounds

Probably the biggest misunderstanding about our Dolphin Swim program is that we have become experts at finding Wild Dolphins. As flattering as that may be, we have learned over the years, this is simply not the case. In fact, after a very short period of time, we learned that we were not finding the Dolphins. The Dolphins were finding us!

As we began to keep statistics as to where and when we were encountering Dolphins (via the use of GPS plotting devices) it seemed that the Dolphins were trying to actually train us with a pattern. As we followed that pattern our success rate climbed higher and higher.

All boats/vessels create a signature sound. That signature sound is a combination of the vessels hull, engines, propellers, and speed. It became our theory that the Dolphins began to recognize the signature sound of our vessels. In fact, our primary Dolphin boat is the same one Nowdla used when she first encountered the Dolphins. We came to conclude that when we kept a consistent pattern in terms of where and when we came to the Dolphin Grounds, the Dolphins recognize the sounds and come to the boat. We're not saying that the Dolphins like our boats any better than any other boats. Dolphins swim along with vessels all the time. What we do know is that Atlantic Spotted Dolphins seem to seek out human interaction and enjoy swimming with people in the wild. Our belief is, the Dolphins recognize the sound of our vessel and know that if they come to it, there are going to be people who want to get in the water and swim with them! Although there is no way to prove the theory, 15+ years of successful encounters following our system seems to support the hypothesis.

One of the things first time guests have difficulty getting used to is the fact that the Dolphins completely control 99% of what does, or doesn't happen on the trip. That includes when and if a Dolphin encounter is going to happen. Sometimes Dolphins come to the boat within the first 5 –15 minutes of us being in the Dolphin grounds. Other times, it is much later. And at times, not at all. If, when, and where are entirely up to the Dolphins.

Here is a statistic we can share with you though. Of all trips that have successful swim encounters, more than 50% of those encounters occur within the last hour of the trip. So, even if you are 2½ hours into a Dolphin trip and have yet to see any Dolphins, don't fret. We are heading into the most likely time of the day to see Dolphins. And as far as Nowdla, Bill, and the Crew are concerned, every single time we leave the dock with a Dolphin trip, we fully expect to see Dolphins. And believe 100% that we will see and swim with Dolphins. At no point in time during any trip do we ever feel we are "out of the game". So should you hear someone ask us, "do you think we'll see Dolphins today?", the answer will always be yes!