Swimming with dolphins

Today we went on a Dolphin Encounter experience which will go down as a defining moment to be remembered for the rest of my life. We had to get up pretty early in order to walk down into town but it was well worth the effort. I was on a wait list to actually swim but I was fortunate in that there was a place when we arrived so I joined the group being issued with attractive wet suits, hoods, fins, masks and snorkels. We both attended the briefing to be reminded that these were wild dolphins so there was no guarantee as to how they would behave or if they’d be interested in swimming with us and then it was onto the bus for the short drive to South Bay and onto the boat. It was a grey day with quite a swell but we enjoyed the half hour boat ride along the coast and out to sea, watching huge albatross skimming the waves.
Then it was time to get into the water once the dolphins had been sighted. I have to admit I was pretty nervous and the shock of being in the cold ocean, amongst the waves and getting used to the mask and snorkel were all a bit scary. However, I soon got used to it, encouraged by the lovely guides and started to swim around singing through my snorkel. Apparently singing attracts the dolphins, who are very inquisitive and keen to check you out. Paddling around, face down in the ocean singing away is certainly a surreal experience but it worked. Soon I was surrounded by dolphins, swimming around me, circling me and peering into my mask, it was just amazing. John was on the boat with the camera, enjoying the actions of the dolphins and no doubt laughing at a bunch of people in wet suits singing away! We did 3 swims on the trip, sitting on the back of the boat as it motored off to find another group and with each swim I gained confidence and stopped noticing the coldness of the water.
After stripping off the wet suit and struggling to get dry and dressed as the boat tipped about (in the end I gave up on modesty and just got my clothes on!) it was time to join John for a photo and viewing session. By this time we were surrounded by hundreds of dusky dolphins, the species native to Kaikoura and apparently well known for their acrobatics. They swam along in front of the boat and performed huge series of leaps and somersaults – what a sight, though almost impossible to photograph. The swell was proving a bit much for many passengers so we started to head back. Luckily for us John and I were completely impervious so we sat up top with one of the guides and the skipper as we made our way back to port. The guide told me that they also go out in winter when the sea is only 7 degrees rather than the barmy 17 it was today!
We had visions of the dolphins actually organising their own trips to view these strange creatures in rubber suits who make this weird singing noise when they get in the water – always coming at the same time every day and in the same numbers (they only allow 16 people in the water at a time in order not to disturb the dolphins too much).
It was a truly wonderful experience and I feel so privileged to have met these creatures up close and personal in their own territory thanks to Dolphin Encounters.