AN ADVENTURE WITH WILD DOLPHINS

The crystal clear waters of the Bahamas are what drove Dr. Herzing to start her study in 1985. Since then, she has observed and tracked three generations of Atlantic spotted dolphin and bottlenose dolphin during annual field seasons that last 100 days almost every summer. To date, the Bahamas is still one of the few places to observe dolphin behavior underwater . As a foremost expert in dolphin behavior, Dr. Herzing will explain the nuances of communication between the dolphins, including their foraging, mating, and aggressive behavior.

We interact with the dolphins “In their World, On Their Terms.” No touching, feeding, or harassing of the dolphins is allowed. We observe a mutual and respectful relationship with these individuals, many of whom we have known for 25 years. We have grandmothers and even grandfathers (identified by our benign genetics work collecting fecal material) who are part of the community. We work with the dolphins in the water and use still photography, video, and advanced sound recording devices to document the intimate details of the dolphin’s underwater behavior. We record signature whistles, hunting sounds, and high-frequency ultrasonic vocalizations that only our equipment can capture. Please see our page describing our work on Dolphin Communication. We usually have a graduate student or two onboard, involved in their own research projects, which they are happy to share with you.

Because our focus is research, we only have five or six participants on any given trip to insure an intimate experience with research remaining the priority. Participants help daily with dolphin watches, assist in identifying dolphins from photographs and video, both in the water and during the evening reviews, and have access to some of the most experienced dolphin researchers in the world. In between dolphin work we snorkel on shipwrecks, fish for our dinner, or just observe the spectacular sunsets. We use only snorkel equipment during our work, and participants should be comfortable in the water and have some practice snorkeling. Please read A Typical Day on Stenella for more details.

Participants usually depart with the research crew from Florida on Tuesday mornings, cross the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas, and return to Florida 10 days later, debarking on a Thursday morning. Although we occasionally do shorter trips, we find that 10 days minimizes the interruptions of weather and other issues, insuring some time with the dolphins on each trip, since they are free-ranging animals.

R/V Stenella is an open-ocean catamaran, ideal for anchoring in these shallow waters. She is a comfortable vessel, with an open living and dining area, two shared quarters, four bathrooms, and plenty of fresh and healthy food. Onboard we live family style, where everyone interacts and helps on a daily basis. Fresh water is made from the ocean using a reverse osmosis water maker. We recycle and try to minimize our impact on the ocean during our field season.

Our research vessel houses archival materials for you to review, including our ID catalogs of dolphin families, and multiple documentaries by BBC, Nature, and others that cover our work in the media.

We will be planning our 2012 season – our 28th – in the upcoming months, and look forward with great anticipation to the continuation of our work, studying and observing Atlantic spotted and bottlenose dolphins in the wild. Please contact the Florida research office in order to secure your spot for the 2012 summer field season!  You can also review the 2012 Trip Participant Application, schedule, and trip FAQs (below). To reach us by phone, call 561-575-5660. Please feel free to leave a voice mail if we are not in the office when you call. Do not send us an application before speaking with us. You may also send an email to info@wilddolphinproject.org . This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it.

TRIP SCHEDULE

Schedule and fee information for our 2012 season is posted below. Space is limited on all trips and early booking is essential.

Ten-day trips depart the Port of Palm Beach on Tuesdays and return on Thursdays of the following week. You also have the option to fly in to Freeport; please contact our office before booking your flights if you wish to do this.  The 2012 trip fee is $2,750 per person, and includes your meals and all on-board activities.  WDP must receive a deposit in order to reserve your spot.  Call our office at 561-575-5660 before sending a check in the mail.  The application must be filled out completely and returned with your deposit in order to confirm your place on a trip. All trip fees must be received by WDP at least 90 days prior to your scheduled departure, or upon booking if your departure is less than 90 days from the date you make your reservation.

All of our trips are currently full.  There is always a possibility of a cancellation on one of our trips, in which case we start contacting people on the waiting lists in order to fill the spots.  If you would like to be put on a waiting list, please call 561-575-5660 with your full name, phone number, email, and the specific trips that you would like to sign up for.  You can also email us with this information at fieldwork@wilddolphinproject.org.  Thank you for your interest in our project.

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TRIP FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Do I need a passport?
A: Yes; you will also need a small amount of cash to pay your Bahamas departure tax ($15).

Q: Will I get to see a dolphin?
A: They are wild animals and we cannot guarantee that we will definitely see dolphins; however, it is rare that we have a trip where no dolphins are sighted.

Q: Will I get to swim with the dolphins?
A: When we come across spotted dolphins, you will usually have the opportunity to swim with them. Again, they are wild animals and may not stay around to swim with; however it is rare that we have a trip with no swimming opportunities. Passengers will be paired in teams that will alternate, so you may not swim with the dolphins every time they are encountered.

Q: Can I touch the dolphins?
A: NO. We are strictly non-invasive. No touching, chasing or harassing is allowed. It is important to respect that we are in their world, on their terms.

Q: Are there other swimming opportunities, such as reefs or shipwrecks?
A: Yes. You may have the opportunity to snorkel a local shipwreck, as well as other reef areas. Many of the places we anchor have interesting marine life, you are welcome to swim anytime we anchor.

Q: What other marine life, besides the dolphins, may I encounter?
A: The Bahamas has a rich variety of sea life. You may see many types of fish, possibly crustaceans (if your eyes are keen enough!), conchs, corals, sea turtles (often seen from the surface, resting) and sharks.

Q: Are sharks or other large predators a problem?
A: This is a wild environment and sharks do live in the area. The most common species are nurse sharks (fairly harmless), reef sharks, lemon sharks and the more dangerous tiger, bull and hammerhead sharks. We often see nurse sharks, and occasionaly reef sharks underwater. Tigers, bulls and hammerheads are not seen as often, and usually from the surface, in which case we do not get in the water. Sharks are part of the ecosystem, but usually mind their own business. We have not had any problems with sharks in over 20 years of research.

Q: Do I need to bring snorkel or scuba gear?
A: You need to bring your own snorkel gear (mask, snorkel and fins) and make sure you practice using it prior to your trip. We do not have extras on board.

We do not use scuba gear. The water is shallow (average 10-40 feet) and the bubbles from the scuba can be distracting to the dolphins and researchers.

Q: What time of year is the best to come out?
A: Each time of year has its pros and cons. Early in the season, May to early June, is often windier and has choppier seas. July begins hurricane season (and begins to be very hot). August and September have the greatest risk of hurricane formation (though they can form any time starting in July). Weather can change during any trip at any time of year, and it is not guaranteed that a certain time of year is typically good or bad.

Q: What happens during bad weather? What happens in case of a hurricane?
A: During bad weather (choppy, windy) we will go to anchor spots that are in protected calm areas and wait out the bad weather. We keep close track on weather, especially possible hurricane formation. If a hurricane or a very bad weather system threatens to hit the study area, or Florida, for safety reasons we will have to cut the trip short and return to Florida early. Trip costs are not refunded, and trip insurance is suggested, just in case of this unavoidable circumstance. This does not happen often, but must be taken into consideration as a possibility when making your plans.

Q: Are sea lice present?
A: Yes, to varying degrees. May and early June usually have higher amounts of sea lice present, however this can vary within a season and between seasons. Sea lice is usually not a big problem, and if present, you do not have to get into the water.

Q: What is the water temperature? Do I need a wet suit?
A: In May the water temperature is 78-79 degrees, a shorty suit or dive skin might be useful if this is too cool for you. From June–September the temperature is warm, at 80-90 degrees, and no wet suit or skin is needed.

Q: Is this like a cruise ship?
A: No. Although we do have fun while on the boat, we are a research vessel, and research takes precedence. We work hard, and in turn have fun in between.

Q: What is the minimum/maximum age allowed?
A: There is no maximum age, however you should be able to get around easily, be comfortable on a boat and snorkeling in ocean waters. Minimum age varies. Unaccompanied persons must be 16 years or older with permission from a parent or guardian (some exceptions for slightly younger individuals depending on maturity level). Younger passengers, 10+, may be allowed with a parent/guardian.  Contact our office to find out.

Q: Can I help with research tasks?
A: Yes. We encourage passengers to help with as much as they want. Passengers will participate in dolphin watches during the day, and other research tasks if they want.

Q: What is the boat like?
A: Stenella is a 62′ power catamaran (two hulls), which makes it a more stable, comfortable ride than typical mono-hull boats. It has an air-conditioned cabin where all sleeping rooms, salon, bathrooms and kitchen are located. The bridge has a hard top cover with izenglass windows that unzip to allow for breeze. We have a barbeque and large picnic table on the aft deck for dinner.

Q: What are the sleeping arrangements?
A: There are two staterooms: one with four bunks and one with two bunks. Each passenger gets one bunk and a drawer to store clothes and personal items.

Q: How many people will be aboard?
A: The number of people on board varies. However our minimum for a trip is 6 people, and maximum is 12 (including staff) on board at any time.

Q: What do I bring?
A: Look at the general information sheet for details. Space is limited on the boat, and you do not need much; please try to use a collapsible bag (such as a duffle) rather than a hard suitcase.

Q: Is there drinking water and fresh water showers?
A: We make our own purified fresh water, so we have drinkable water on board. We also have fresh-water showers, though because we make our own water, we do try and conserve as much as possible. We take Navy-style showers (rinse, turn off water, lather, rinse, etc.).

Q: Is this a live-aboard boat?
A: Yes. We spend most of the trip far from shore, and we do not go into the harbor except to clear customs. We often won’t see land for the entire trip.

Q: Do many people get sea sick?
A: Because Stenella is a catamaran, it is more stable than mono-hulled boats and most people are ok, however it does still rock. If you are susceptible to sea sickness, we suggest you bring out medications, such as Dramamine or Bonine. PLEASE NOTE: Crossing over from Florida to the Bahamas may sometimes be quite rough (even for seasoned boaters), we suggest you take preventative measures prior to boarding the boat.

Q: Is there down time during the trip?
A: Yes. There is often a lot of down time in between dolphin sightings/encounters. Bring materials to keep you occupied, such as books, music, computers, etc.

Q: Do I need to bring my own food?
A: No. All meals/snacks are included in the trip price, and there is always plenty of food on board. If you have something specific that you need, please feel free to bring that along.

Q: Is fishing allowed on board the boat?
A: Yes. We have fishing gear and will fish when time/weather allows in specific areas.

Q: Are there electric outlets on board?
A: Yes. We have plenty of outlets on board for general use.

Q: What kind of communication means are available while on board?
A: We are far from shore for most of the trip and in another country. There is no phone or internet available while out at sea, we are basically out of regular communication during the trip. We do have a satellite phone for emergencies only. During the brief time when we clear customs in West End, Wifi is available, and there are land phones you can use with calling cards.

Q: Can I bring a camera?
A: Yes. We encourage you to bring an underwater and/or surface camera. However, in order to protect the research methods and materials, and in some cases to protect the dolphins, it is necessary to restrict publication (defined as the communication of information to the public) of any images, photographs and written materials taken or drawn from your participation in the program. PLEASE NOTE THAT PUBLICATION INCLUDES SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES LIKE FACEBOOK, MYSPACE, YOUTUBE AND ANY OTHER INTERNET SITES. Please also note that underwater and/or surface video is not allowed, this includes small clips on your camera/phone. You can take still photography for your own personal use, but please no video.

Q: Do I need to bring any extra money?
A: The only money you may need onboard Stenella is if you would like to buy WDP souvenirs (T-shirt, book, etc.). However, you will need cash for taxis (to get to and from the airport, your hotel, the marina), and for any shopping you do before/after the trip on the island, and you must also have cash for departure tax ($15) when we leave the Bahamas, and it’s a good idea to have extra just in case.

Q: What is the drug policy?
A: Absolutely no illegal drugs allowed. Please keep any prescriptions in original containers with a label. Refer to drug policy page in the application.

Q: Do I need trip insurance?
A: Trip insurance is not required, but we highly recommend you purchase this type of insurance. Check with your airline, credit card provider, or general insurance agent for information about coverage. Airline and hotel costs cannot be refunded to you by WDP in the event a trip is cancelled due to weather or other unavoidable events. Refer to the full trip cancellation policy in the Trip Application.

Q: Can any of the price of the trip be used as a tax write–off?
A: Yes. As with any donation to WDP, it is tax deductible, however a small portion is not (that used for food/fuel during the trip). A letter will be sent to you indicating how much is tax deductible early in the next year following your trip.

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