TRAVELSPECIAL
Atlantic spotted dolphins, photographed here on the Little Bahama Bank, can be attracted to snorkellers performing duck-dives
Pacific pods
French Polynesia( also known as the Islands of Tahiti) is a hive of dolphin activity, the key species being bottlenose dolphins. The best place to find them is in the Tuamotu Island group, specifically at Rangiroa Atoll, a world class dive destination known for sharks and pelagic fish. At the time of writing, the best spot for dolphin interactions was Tiputa Pass. In truth, you can find dolphins all over the Islands of Tahiti, the most common species being spinners, rough-toothed dolphins and pilot whales( yes, they are technically dolphins as well).
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I advise extreme caution in entering the water with pilot whales, as they are large, powerful cetaceans who do not always welcome the presence of swimmers. Look to your guide in interpreting the pod’ s behaviour, and if in doubt stay on the boat. There have been documented cases of pilot whales biting swimmers and dragging them underwater.
Dolphin activity ramps up again in the tropical Eastern Pacific, with wellestablished pods around Wolf Island in the northern Galapagos. If currents permit, a long safety stop in the blue can be the highlight of your dive, as this is the zone
A lone male bottlenose in shallow water over seagrass, Grand Cayman
PHOTO: ALEX MUSTARD
where curious dolphins may seek you out for a close pass.
Also in the Eastern Pacific there are the Mexican Revillagigedo islands, another world class location associated with pelagic manta rays and scalloped hammerhead sharks. There are resident pods of Pacific bottlenose dolphins, commonly encountered on scuba at dive sites such as El Boiler or the guano-spattered, double peaked Roca Partida.
A passing mention should go to the islands of Hawaii, where dolphins are rigorously protected. It’ s a great place to view them from a boat, but you’ re not allowed to enter the water in the in-shore lagoons. Swimming with them is possible in deeper offshore waters, though the pods are more likely to be travelling to their hunting grounds.
Bahamian bonus
As I mentioned at the beginning, the other great dolphin destination for UK-based travellers is the Bahamas. When I first visited in the early 2000s, the focus of activity was the Little Bahama Bank, where playful Atlantic potted and bottlenose dolphins cavorted over the long sandy banks.
These days, the place to be is Bimini, and the time to go is probably April onwards, when the water begins to warm up. Again, this is strictly snorkelling, though there is some good non-dolphin diving in the area.
PHOTO: SIMON ROGERSON