Jeevan Robinson
Friday, July 4, 2014
I was told the Dolphin and Kayak experiences on Grand Bahama Island were two must do events. Fortunately, my schedule of events here on Grand Bahama Island included the much talked about Dolphin Experience, hosted by the Underwater Explorers Society (UNEXSO), and also a Kayaking Experience, which was hosted by Grand Bahama Nature Tours.
Having done them both, they are two excursions, which I would class in the top five list of things to do once visiting Grand Bahama Island.
The Dolphin Experience began with lunch on the docks at the Port Lucaya Marina. Lunch was served at the Dive In Marina Bar & Restaurant - a Unexso establishment - the same establishment that were to conduct the Dolphin Experience. They feed you, and then send you off to the Dolphins! But if you are are so inclined, lunch can be had upon return from the boat ride out to meet what turned out to be some very adorable and immediately friendly dolphins.
A 30-minute boat ride on a calm Atlantic Ocean takes experience hunters out to the Dolphin enclosure. The boat ride, even though short, was quite entertaining. A lively ship Captain gave everyone on deck, who so desired, an opportunity at taking his Captain’s Wheel to steer the ship in open waters towards our destination. A few laughs were had from those moments as different thrill seekers took turns steering.
The dolphins are kept in a 9-acre Dolphin Experience Lagoon. Called “Sanctuary Bay”. Here, 14 Atlantic Bottle Nose Dolphins are kept. Unlike most penned dolphins, these dolphins, as explained by the trainer, are regularly taken out to sea to interact with their natural environment. However, as the trainer explained, most times the dolphins prefer to be in their very own lagoon, rather than out in the open ocean.
The Dolphin experience to choose from ranged from a Swim With The Dolphins, Dolphin Close Encounter, Open Ocean Dolphin Swim, and Assistant Trainer. The close encounter sounded like fun and so we were taken down to one of the smaller areas where dolphin experience seekers sat with our feet in the water on the edge of the dolphin enclosure. Following that, we all took turns at the invitation of the dolphin trainer who leads the experience, to come into the pen, which is a 3ft submerged platform, allowing you to stand in waist deep water.
Once in the water you can be very personal with the dolphins – touching and petting their skin, which turns out to have a silky feel to the touch. Also, the trainer who is in the water with you at all times, allows you to hug the dolphins and have turns at commanding them to do different behaviours.
Up close, dolphins are amazing animals. As mammals, like humans, they are warm- blooded and display many traits that are at first, eye catching - considering they live and interact in the ocean.
As if to a precise beat the dolphins responded to the trainer’s commands ranging from displaying simple gestures such as waving, kissing, playfully spraying water, to the more acrobatic feats of tail fin paddles whilst upright, a speed run - which by the way soaked everyone sitting on the edges of the enclosure. Also the display that dolphins are mainly known for as seen on many photographs and videos included flips in the air, double flips and more high acrobatic stunts.
Seeing the dolphins, touching and observing their skill in person is truly a thrilling experience. The UNEXSO Dolphin Experience for sure was worth the effort and did not fall short of its “must do” billing.
Another way I took in the natural environment of Grand Bahama Island is through Kayaking. Needless to say this was also my first time trying my hand at kayaking. The Kayaking adventure is conducted by Grand Bahama Nature Tours.
Being with the tour is a full excursion that sees you driving in a jeep convoy, following the tour leader along roads that eventually takes you to an off-road track through one of the island’s largest pine forests! For a moment I did wonder if I was still in the Bahamas considering the expanse of the pine forest we drove through. Once out of the forest, the tour takes you to the Gold Rock Creek for the kayaking adventure!
Kayaking on the Gold Rock Creek is a 90-minute peacefully serene route that winds its way through a path in the thick mangrove swamp. Whilst on the journey, you observe nature up close with wildlife in the swamp, and various species of fish.
There are some aspects of the kayaking route that render for a little skilful paddling as you meander your way through the mangrove swamp. However, it is neither excessive nor unguided as the tour guide follows you along the route. Plus the path travelled through the mangroves takes you only to one end point once your kayaking experience is completed.
The choice is yours. You can either swim with dolphins and observe them up close or enjoy a kayaking tour of the Gold Creek Mangroves. If you choose to do one or both, the memories you take back with you to share will be the envy of your friends.
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Note: Jeevan Robinson is Founder Editor-in-Chief of MNI Alive: Global Caribbean Media. Marketing, News & Information (MNI). He can be reached at jeevan@mnialive.com
