#20980 - 03/12/05 03:27 PM
Dive or swim with wild dolphins in French Polynesia?
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Peter 2
Member
Registered: 03/12/05
Posts: 164
Loc: Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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One of my dreams in my life is to swim or dive with wild dolphins NATURALLY, not like Dolphin Quest at ICB Moorea. Anyone had any encounters with wild dolphins during diving? Where will I have a good chance to fulfill my dreams? I'm a licensed diver, will be at Bora Bora and Moorea in late April, and will more likely join Topdive. Please give me some advice in details, like the exact spots where I will be able to see dolphins, thanks in advance.
_________________________
member of TFPC (Tahitian Flu Patients' Club) LOL...
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#20981 - 03/12/05 03:55 PM
Re: Dive or swim with wild dolphins in French Polynesia?
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Patti.
Expert Advisor
Registered: 03/28/04
Posts: 2448
Loc: Las Vegas, NV
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I know you can do this in New Zealand. My daughter did it a couple years ago while living in NZ. They take you out in a boat, find a pod of wild dolphins, and drop you in. She said it was absolutley an amazing experience.
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#20982 - 03/13/05 12:41 PM
Re: Dive or swim with wild dolphins in French Polynesia?
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Carol S
Member
Registered: 02/03/04
Posts: 458
Loc: La Cañada, CA USA
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Dr. Michael Poole's "Dolphin and Whale Watching Excursions" does not allow you to be in the water with the spinner dolphins. All his research for many years has been on studying them in their natural habitat.
However, if you are lucky enough to spot a closeby whale on your excursion, he will take you in the water and you can follow him to the allowed legal distance. He has been instrumental in passing legislation to make the Tahitian Islands a sanctuary and you may not approach any animal at more than 50 feet.
He knows where the pods of dolphins usually hang out and all the tours cooperate and report if there are whales or dolphins in a particular spot around the island. You have about a 95% chance of seeing them. One year we didn't see anything except one small turtle and if that is the case, your next tour with him is free....so book your tour early in your vacation in case you want to try again. We tried again the next year and were able to swim close to a mother and baby humpback whale...quite an awesome experience.
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#20983 - 03/13/05 08:50 PM
Re: Dive or swim with wild dolphins in French Polynesia?
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Peter 2
Member
Registered: 03/12/05
Posts: 164
Loc: Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Thanks LasVegasPatti and Carol. Carol, can you tell me which month of the year you saw a mother and baby humpback whale? I know they only show up in a period of couple months during the year.
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member of TFPC (Tahitian Flu Patients' Club) LOL...
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#20984 - 03/14/05 08:11 AM
Re: Dive or swim with wild dolphins in French Polynesia?
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Carol S
Member
Registered: 02/03/04
Posts: 458
Loc: La Cañada, CA USA
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We were there in mid September but I think that is late in their migration. We have always seen them in the August/September time but rarely have been so close.
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#20985 - 03/16/05 09:43 AM
Re: Dive or swim with wild dolphins in French Polynesia?
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bizmo
Member
Registered: 05/01/02
Posts: 171
Loc: Oakland, CA
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Hi Peter,
We were in Moorea in April and got to be in the water with dolphins (can't remember the type, but they were not the spinner dolphins). This type was much more curious and approached us.
It was the most magical experience. Very short, but time stood still as I floated in the deep blue ocean with the sun piercing the water behind the mom and her calf...
Here's the picture: http://Faulkner.smugmug.com/photos/5556875-S.jpg
I hope you like it!
Also, I've seen pics of people snorkeling/diving with dolphins in Rangi as well so that could be a good choice to...
Have fun in your quest!
biz
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#20986 - 03/16/05 09:46 AM
Re: Dive or swim with wild dolphins in French Polynesia?
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bizmo
Member
Registered: 05/01/02
Posts: 171
Loc: Oakland, CA
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Peter,
I forgot to mention that we did this with Michael Poole on the dolphin quest and it was snorkeling rather than diving. People we chatted with who were doing lots of diving saw sharks and turtles but no dolphins.
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#20987 - 03/16/05 10:23 AM
Re: Dive or swim with wild dolphins in French Polynesia?
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lizardlady
Member
Registered: 06/05/04
Posts: 257
Loc: Iowa
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Bizmo, what an awesome picture, I emailed it to my husband. We were thinking about doing Michael Pooles dolphin trip in Moorea. I thought you could not get into the water with them, but from what you say, it looks like you can. That is even better. Did you make advance reservations or book it when you got to Moorea?
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#20988 - 03/16/05 11:40 AM
Re: Dive or swim with wild dolphins in French Polynesia?
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bizmo
Member
Registered: 05/01/02
Posts: 171
Loc: Oakland, CA
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lizardlady,
Thanks! It's been my wall paper for nearly three years and I can't bear to change it! It still takes me back every time I see it.
It's true you cannot get in the water with the spinner dolphins. While we saw them, they didn't do any of their aerial tricks for us.
We did see this other type of dolphin, but their name escapes me. I know they are less common, but you could ask Dr. Poole how often they are spotted. I know it doesn't happen every trip.
When we took our trip with him we almost didn't get in the water cuz he warns you that you are in open ocean and it is possible for sharks to visit. My heart was pounding so hard before I got in the water. We also asked him about his favorite experience and he relayed a story about snorkeling with his son and a couple whales.
I had emailed Dr Poole ahead of time to inquire and then booked through our hotel. Next time I will just re-confirm with him directly cuz the hotel takes a cut. His email is criobe@mail.pf. His website is http://www.drmichaelpoole.com/ (but there are some dead links)
I hope you get lucky!
biz
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#20989 - 03/16/05 03:27 PM
Re: Dive or swim with wild dolphins in French Polynesia?
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Carol S
Member
Registered: 02/03/04
Posts: 458
Loc: La Cañada, CA USA
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Best to make a reservation through his email. He does not do these tours every day, so make it as early in Your week as you can. A couple of years ago we didn't see anything but a small turtle and since there is a 95% chance that you will see dolphins or whales or both, he will give you another tour if you are in that five percent. We were at the end of our week, but fortunately he gave us our free tour the following year!
Sometimes he is traveling doing conferences and research and some of his students will give the tour, not quite as dynamic, but still OK.
Take your mask and snorkel--you can't get in with the dolphins but if you are close enough, he will escort you in with the whale(s).
Do not confuse his tour "Michael Poole's Dolphin and Whale Excursion" with the Beachcomber's Dolphin Quest program. Those dolphins are bottle nose dolphins, much bigger, and are captive. They do not live as long and unfortunately they have lost a few when the mothers had babies that were born dead. My sister-in-law did this program and loved just touching them. It is very expensive, and not for me since I am thrilled to see them in their wild and natural state.
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