Dolphins at White Sand Ridge

[Trimariner]

I am planning another trip back to Abaco in May and had read somewhere that dolphins congregate at White Sand Ridge in May. This would be a great way to start our vacation. Has anyone ever been swimming with dolphins at WSR? Is there a particular place to anchor and swim with them or just approach WSR and look for them having fun? Do you suppose there will be alot of boats doing the same or is it far enough away that we might not have much company? I plan on sailing from Jupiter to WSR then clear in at Walkers, spend several weeks in Abaco then down to Eluethera and finally Great Exuma. Any special info on Eluethera or Exuma is welcomed as well. Thank You, Trimariner

[capran]

We have had some great dolphin encounters between grand and West End. with many dolphins staying with us for over a half hour, swimming all around the boat, jumping in the bow wave, etc.(Catalina 34) White Sand Ridge is alittle west of that line. It just depends on what they are doing as to what you should do. If they are feeding they may swim for a few minutes with you but will return to feeling. We have had some other great encounters. Just last year as we left West End headed to Ft Pierce, as well as in a canal/tidal flat estuary S of Treasure, over by Green Turtle, down by Lynyard, etc. Just keep a sharp eye out on the horizon and go over for a look. We've gone in the water a few times but for the most part they keep their distance.

Sounds like you are covering quite a distance in a short period of time. We did the Exumas 2 summers ago and did a counter clockwise approach..up from Staniel to the S point of Eleuthera, then to Card Sound, and up along the West side of the Island to Governers harbour, thru current cut and up to Spanish Wells, and up to Abaco from there. Govornors harbor was interesting but we loved Spanish Wells. I'm sure you have the Pavlidis guide to Exumas as well as the Lewis Chartbook series. Thunderball cave was amazing, as was Exuma Land and Sea park headquarters, Pirates cove, the iguanas at Allans...gosh, too much to list, and we did that in two months and felt rushed.

Randy Thies
caprannospam@yahoo.com remove "nospam"
Voyager

[DrRalph]

Most authorities recommend you do not get in the water with wild dolphins. They are territorial, and can be sexually aggressive. There have been reports on this Board over the years describing how people have been bumped, bruised, and bitten by dolphins.

The White Sand Ridge is a very remote area, we rarely see other boats when we pass through there. If you are swimming and someone is injured it will be difficult to get help. Watch them, run with them, photograph them, but please be safe and stay out of the water.

[Trimariner]

Randy, thanks for the reply. I was reading in the Dec 04 issue of Caribbean Travel and Life about the Bahamas' best snorkeling spots and they mention White Sand Ridge for swimming with dolphins (spotteds not bottlenose). I've have had many experiences with dolphins riding our bow wave and I live on Mullet Creek so I see dolphins on a daily basis... but have never had the opportunity to actually swim and interact with them in their world.
Yes, I do have the Pavlidis guide and the Lewis chart series. I read and go over the charts and guide books on a regular basis lately in anticipation. Randy, I also remember when you posted your trip report here. Maybe I should look at that again. I thought somebody had some special info that the guidebooks didn't cover. I've got 7 or 8 weeks to work my way to Georgetown then my brother flies in to sail Tripletail home. It works well to have him as a partner in the boat because it doubles the distance that I can cover as I don't have to bring the boat home. The bad parts about going first are that I have to pay the $300 fee and I have to pay the departure tax again.
The plan is two weeks to get to Marsh Harbour then another week in Abaco. Week four and five in Eluethera. And the final 2 or 3 weeks exploring the Exumas.
I have inquired from the cruise lines about a one way trip from Nassau to Port Canaveral which is close to home but they will still charge me full price. They also won't let my brother take the first half of the cruise and I take the second half. I thought that would be a good way to go. Anyone have a cost effective way to travel from Georgetown to Melbourne FL? I really don't want to drive from West Palm or Lauderdale Airports. Vintage goes from Melb to MH but how to get to MH from Georgetown without the taxi from Sandy Point? How about a fast ferry to nassau then a flight to MH then Vintage to Melb? Maybe I should just make the drive south to FLL for an easier and cheaper way home. Enjoy, Trimariner

[Trimariner]

Dr Ralph, Thank you for your response. Enjoy, Trimariner

[Watercolours]

Randy,
I have seen spotted dolphin at White Sand Ridge twice both times in the spring, never swam with them. And on one of the trips we saw some just off of Palm Beach also in the spring. I have never seen more dolphin any place in the Bahamas than Mullet Creek. Say hello when near Lubbers we stand by on VHF 09 Watercolours.

[big fish]

I had several spotted Dolphins swimming with my boat off Tilloo in March. They stayed with me only until I slowed down, which seems to be a pattern for them.

Bruce

[snorkler]

where's mullet creek located?

[Trimariner]

Mullet Creek is located on the east side of the Indian River Lagoon opposite the town of Grant in East Central Florida. The same dolphins feed in this creek daily. They often come out of the water to snag a mullet trying to get away. You can see them playing by throwing a red mangrove seed or captured mullet into the air over and over. Life is good.:)

[Pattie and Bob Toler]

Thanks for pointing out that wild dolphins are NOT to be messed with, in addition to being dangerous, it is illegal here to "molest" them (ie: come in physical contact, tease, etc). The reason is really simple, they can catch loads of diseases from human contact. I second the good docs suggestion--enjoy them from a distance, and count yourself lucky, but don't spoil a great experience with unnessary risk, endangering yourself and the dolphins you so admire.

[Trimariner]

Pattie, it is not my intention to harrass or molest these animals. I would like to swim in their presence. It is my understanding that these dolphin are the same ones year after year and that there are commercial operations travelling the 35 miles or so to their frolicking grounds and swimming with these dolphin. Is it your suggestion that I don't even get into the water with them? I want to understand where you are coming from but can't see how these charter boats can swim with them but you recommend to me that I don't. Respectfully, Trimariner

[Pattie and Bob Toler]

Please, oh please don't be offended--the point I wanted to make (and SOMEBODY has to) is that people reading this board are not given the impression that frolicking with the dolphins a la "Flipper" movies is likely to happen, or is a good idea. I am merely pointing out, for the uninitiated, that wild animals are wild animals, AND that these particular ones are suseptible to many communicable diseases which humans can transmit through touch.
My answer was not a reflection on you or your intentions, I figure that you have probably done your homework on this topic, or you wouldn't have gone this far with your investigations. The word "molest" that I used is from quoted from the Bahamian law, not an indication that I thought you had that intention.
To state my position more clearly--if you find yourself swimming with dolphins, please don't try to touch them--it's that simple.
With only good intentions,
Pattie

[Trimariner]

Pattie, thanks for your post. Also thank you all that you do for the cruisers and residents of Abaco. The cruisers net is another reason why I am not able to bypass Abaco in search of new cruising grounds. I just have to add a few more weeks to my itinerary southbound to relish in you island lifestyle. I look forward to hearing your voice on 68 as we approach GTC and will sign in as new arrivals. I missed this summers visit partly due to hurricanes so I'm assuming that you are still hosting the net with help from Daryl in Liesure Lee and others. There was talk some time ago of the net being broadcast over the web. Is it possible to listen from the web yet? Along with you guys, we here in Central FL have been cleaning up from two hurricanes and are getting antsy to get away and sail over. Only two roofs to repair, half of the docks to repair with a little work on the boat and we are there! Thanks again,Pattie

[OCTOPUSSY]

Well, shoot! I wanted to get naked with the dolphins...now ya'll ruined it!

[S/V Toucan Dream]

We had a wonderful Spotted Dolphin experience last year near Powell Cay off Cooper's Town. We were snorkeling and ten females, each with a pup, came into our group which included adults and teenagers. I cautioned all to not reach out and try to touch, just swim around as fast as you can (they don't like slow, they get bored). Also, I cautioned them to not to go eye to eye with them as they consider direct eye contact a threating move, look sideways at them. We were at first apprehensive because of the pups, but it was evident that the moms were bringing them over to swim with us. When we would do a flip in the water, the pups would immitate us. When we swam upside down on our back, the pups swam upside down. We finally tired out after about 45 minutes and got back into the dinghy and they swam around and around making squeaking sounds like they were calling us back into the water! We believe that this was a pod from White Sand Ridge and were taking the kids on vacation into the lower Abacos.

Pattie is very correct that you have to be very careful around wild dolphins. Do not ever try to touch them and they will also respect your space.

[s/v Fais Do Do]

Bob and Carin,

Hello! Will be out in the spring. Hope to see y'all! RL and CJ still looking for new boat...

Rick and Patty on Fais Do Do (Parrot Eyes Cruise Lines)

PS: Hi Pattie and Bob, will bring Krispy Kremes!