There’s a hot debate these days about getting into the sea to go swimming with dolphins. Some say it is wrong, that these intelligent mammals should be left alone. Others say they love us playing with them and that it does no harm. Well, if you are going to do it then one of the most famous and well-organised places to do it is in New Zealand. The dolphins are wild and choose to join you – or not …
Swimming with dolphins is something I had wanted to do for over 30 years. So finally my son and I headed out to fulfil that dream; Kaikoura is where we chose to do it. It was a lovely experience… I am not going to say that it changed my life, that I had some incredible bonding moment with the dolphins or that it was the best thing I’ve ever done. No, it was simply a memorable and beautiful swim that I wanted to go on … and on … and on …
However, our experience of swimming with dolphins made me think about our dreams and how important they are. So often we rush on in life without taking time to revisit them. In this hectic, adrenalin-fuelled world, it’s important to take some time out, look at what we have achieved and maybe make a commitment to follow a long-cherished desire, before charging ahead to set new goals … I hope you get a chance to fulfill your dreams before too long.
Dreams really do come true!
Upadate October 2014 – I’m just back from a trip to Ecuador and I went swimming with sea lions in the Galapagos Islands – which was even better! I just wish my son had been with me – he’d have loved it.
Sea lions at Gardner Bay, Espanola in the Galapagos Islands
Ah! I’ve always wanted to ride and play with dolphins, but I can’t seem to get all the courage to do it just yet. Maybe after 30 years then? I’ve always loved watching dolphins swim “freely” in the oceans and watching them perform tricks in dolphin shows, but to dive into that pool of water for a swim? I love the idea, but I can’t seem to push myself off the shore and into the water yet.
After 30 years, we’ll see…
Thanks for sharing your experience! Glad to know you had fun! Dolphins are simply the best! 🙂
Refreshing to read about your thoughts on swimming with Dolphins – I always wanted to do this and finally managed to swim with these wonderful creatures alongside my daughter – however the fact that they were in captivity kind of took away the sense of freedom and connection with the ‘wild’ part of me. The link with goals – setting, going after and achieving them – has made me think. Thanks
Something I’ve always wanted to do! I’ll be sure to stop in Kaikoura as I travel the rest of NZ!
Thanks for your comment Catherine – swimming with them in the wild was definitely the big plus to the trip. The organisers told us they get easily bored so we had to ‘play’ with them in a certain way. No touching allowed and when they’d had enough, off they went!
We were recommended Kaikoura Jeremy -and it is a lovely place. Very touristy now with the sea full of boats but it’s all very well done. We also went on the whale watching trip at dawn … hauntingly beautiful.
Great photos! I’ve swam with dolphins that were partially free – they were free a couple of hours a day, but had very mixed feelings about it. I’ve also snorkeled and dove with dolphins that were wild by chance and loved this, but of course it’s much hard to come across. I really don’t like the idea of swimming with captive dolphins. I think they suffer too much.
I love the fact that they are wild and can make the choice. That, to me, makes all the difference. One more of a billion reasons to go to NZ now. Thanks!
It’s such an amazing country full of surprises and adventure Katrina – sure you’ll love it 🙂
Sounds and looks beautiful! I’ve always dreamed about swimming with dolphins! But it would have to be in the wild – or what’s the point? I’ve heard that it’s possible to do that in Cuba as well. Maybe one day I’ll be able to do it…
Thanks 🙂 I think it’s possible to swim with dolphins all over the world – it’s just that some places make it easier to organise than others. Next time I’d love to try it with fewer people and lots more time. Cuba – get there before the regime changes and it starts to become like so many other islands in that region …
Lovely post, Zoe. We swam with the dolphins in Bahamas. It was my impression that the dolphins there were free to come and go as they pleased at some times in the day. It was indeed a lovely experience to get so close to these near-human creatures. They really DO seem to be able to communicate with us.
Life is made up of so many memorable travel moments. My life just wouldn’t be the same without them. We are discussing this very matter on my travel blog. I would love for you (and your readers) to visit and share their most memorable travel moments and the lessons learned from them at //diversionswithdoreen.wordpress.com/.
Thanks and happy travels,
Doreen.
Go Cherzy – but try it in the sea rather than a pool where the dolphins are not free to choose who they swim with … I once ‘played’ basketball with a dolphin in a South Africa aquarium in Durban. I have never forgotten it – the dolphin ‘won’ but wasn’t free – and I would never do that again.
Enjoyed your blog Doreen – share a quirky tale here sometime 🙂