Dolphins

[BertP]

Thanks, everyone. After checking your suggestions and info from others, we decided to go to AKR in early January. It ought to be a nice trip

Bert

[diversteve]

How much was the AKR?

It's currently $110 for guests, $137 for visitors. They also have a snorkel with the dolphins for $83/$103

http://www.anthonyskey.com/en/dolphins/index.html

[DevonDiver]

Have a look at Eilat Dolphin Sanctuary.

You can do a DSD with the Dolphins for $86. Regular (no-DSD) scuba dive is $46. 1 hour snorkelling is $75

I visited the place about 7 years ago... truly a wonderful experience.



It makes a great day trip from northern Red Sea resorts - very close to Taba/Taba Heights, which offers some great diving.
Eilat diving is a bit 'washed out', but the stuff on the Egyptian side is still really great - and very good for beginners.
It's a convenient area for day trips to Petra, Jordan and the pyramids also.

[DandyDon]

It's currently $110 for guests, $137 for visitors. They also have a snorkel with the dolphins for $83/$103

Roatan Dolphin Encounter & Dolphin Swim | Anthony's Key Resort

I did it once, when the FIBR manager owed me a big favor, but the day trip to Utila he gave me failed, so then I took his offer to swim with the AKR dolphins - but I was too late to sign up for the snorkel group and had to do the scuba tour. I'd heard the snorkel encounter was better, I didn't care as he was paying for it, but scuba was all I could get into. We swam with one. It was fun in a way.

[BertP]

DevonDiver - I looked at Egypt as a possible destination and I have heard that there are some wonderful dive spots over there. The politicall climate, however, leaves a bit to be desired. After deciding on Roatan, I went to the DAN site to check out their warnings/recommendations and Honduras is a scary place, too, but not in the same league as Egypt.

Beautiful picture, BTW

Bert

[robbcayman]

I often snorkel at Ho'okena (Highway 11, MM 102) on the Big Island of Hawaii. I often have pods of Spinners come up to me and play with leaves that I bring out, in season ... Humpbacks too.

You still snorkel.. interesting. Do you have any pics of these dolphins or humpbacks that come to snorkel with you?

[danvolker]

I managed to get my daughter certified a couple of years ago but she has since discovered boys and decided that they are far more interesting than fish. Yesterday, out of the blue, she announced to me that she would like to go on a diving trip with me and she expressed a particular interest in seeing dolphins. I have to admit that I have never seen a dolphin underwater so I wouldn't mind seeing a few myself but I have no idea where to go to have the best chance of runing into a pod or two. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

Bert

We have dolphins alot every fall in Palm Beach, and intermittently throughout the year....but to get a guaranteed dive with wild dolphins, the spotted dolphins in the Bahamas are a sure thing, and would be very fun for you,,,
Here is a video of Bottlenose dolphin here in Palm Beach I shot... Dolphins on Pauls Reef WMV 7 Mbps 1080p - YouTube

For the Bahamas dolphin trips, I would try Jim Abernethy Scuba Adventures Bahamas Diving Itineraries:: Jim Abernethy's Scuba Adventures

[Thalassamania]

You still snorkel.. interesting. Do you have any pics of these dolphins or humpbacks that come to snorkel with you?

Why "interesting?" I've a 60 year history of snorkeling and I've only been tanking for 56 years.

I don't have any photos, I never take any photo gear out, in my mind that's pursuing the animals and against the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and I fear I'm rather hard on the folks who chase them around out there, most of whom are carrying cameras. I'll find my boy's essay on the whale encounter and PM it to you.

[robbcayman]

Why "interesting?" I've a 60 year history of snorkeling and I've only been tanking for 56 years.

I don't have any photos, I never take any photo gear out, in my mind that's pursuing the animals and against the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and I fear I'm rather hard on the folks who chase them around out there, most of whom are carrying cameras. I'll find my boy's essay on the whale encounter and PM it to you.

You're such an accomplished diver I would have thought that snorkeling would bore you. I know I get bored/frustrated with snorkeling, because I want to be down deeper and stay for a long time. I didn't realize having a camera was against the marine park rules in your area.

I look forward to the whale story.

[Thalassamania]

I guess I should call it free diving. I use "snorkeling" the same way a friend of mine refers to his Black Lightning as a "scooter."

There is no rule against cameras, the rule is against chasing or harassing the animals. You're supposed to stay 100 yards away from them. We go out, avoid going toward the pods, eventually they come to us. Carrying a camera is looked on as expressing a clear intent to chase the animals, rather than accidentally encounter them at their whim.