FAQ
Here are a few of our most Frequently Asked Questions!
Do I need a passport and a visa to come to Bimini? A current passport is required to visit the Bahamas. Check with your consulate to see if you need a visa.
Do you always find the dolphins? Unlike marine parks where you book your 45 minutes with a captive dolphin in a concrete pool, part of the magic of these trips is that we are interacting with sentient mammals who live by their own agendas. We have an average 80+% success rate in finding the dolphins every time we go out. Not knowing where or when we will find them (they usually find us!) is part of the excitement of these trips. There is nothing in the world like getting in the water with a wild dolphin who swims over to say hello to you because he/she desires to connect with YOU out of their own free will… It is an out-of-this-world experience that will open your heart in ways you can only imagine…
Is it safe to swim with wild dolphins? Much safer than swimming with captive dolphins! The stories of people being injured by dolphins are mostly from dolphins in captivity. Wild dolphins are free and wild, and if they don’t want to be with us, they simply swim away. And if any wild animal acted aggressive or agitated, it is common sense to leave them alone. (See our ‘Are Dolphins Dangerous’ page) The reason we swim with these dolphins is that they consistently, playfully and lovingly seek out interaction with us.
What about sharks??? This is probably the most frequently asked question we get… Sharks are not the vicious predator that TV has made them out to be. I know, I swim with them a lot separate from our dolphin trips. (And yes, we can add a shark feed to a custom trip). Sharks (and humans) are the dolphins main predators, and so the dolphins are very aware of any shark that might be in their surroundings at any times. Because of this, and the fact that we swim with the dolphins in crystal clear waters that average 30 feet deep, it is a very safe encounter. Nurse sharks: The bottlenose dolphins frequently have nurse sharks that follow them to feed off their scraps. Nurse sharks are like sucker fish; they have no teeth, are bottom feeders and non aggressive. We are with you in the water and are monitoring your safety at all times.
What’s included in the trip price? Unless otherwise noted, the trip price includes all on-island lodging, most all meals, (usually one dinner and maybe one lunch out on the town), all on-island transportation and all boat trips. What is not included is your airfare to Bimini, tips for our local guides (we collect tips at the end of the trip and disperse it to our local guides. We recommend each person give a tip of $100 – $150 for the entire trip), snorkel gear (we give you instructions of where and what to get), and travel insurance. While we don’t insist that you get it, we always recommend Travel Insurance/Trip Interruption Insurance for your own protection.
How safe it it in Bimini? Bimini is a very safe place to bring your family and friends. Unlike Nassau or Grand Bahama, Bimini is a small island, the people are friendly and everyone knows everybody else. We can hold your passports and valuables for your comfort if you wish.
Do I have to be in shape to come? We have people of all ages and abilities on our trips. I’ve personally brought babies and people with various disabilities into the water with the dolphins. It is our desire to include everyone, and yet there are limitations on who we can get into the water. Please call us with your specific questions.
How old do you have to be? Should I wait until my kids are older? I brought my son Mark to swim with the dolphins as soon as I had my own life-changing experience. He was 3 and a half years old and he still remembers it. If I had known about the dolphins earlier, I would have arranged for him to meet them when he was still in his mom’s belly… that’s how powerful and profound the dolphin experience is to me.
I’ve brought pregnant mothers and 6 month old babies into the water with the dolphins. We’re never too old or too young to meet them!
Can Non-Swimmers get in the water with the dolphins? YES! We have many non-swimmers come on our trips. We outfit you with life preservers and enough floatation that you feel safe and comfortable in the water. We’ve had many people come as non-swimmers and leave as swimmers!
How do I make my flight arrangements? Given most flights to Bimini are in the morning from Ft. Lauderdale, you might find it necessary to fly into Ft. Lauderdale the evening before. There is more specific information on the Bimini Flight Info page.
There is much more trip information available on the Trip Info pages. Call or email us if you still have questions after reading these pages. We look forward to introducing you to the dolphins!
Namaste!
Joe
