SWIM WITH WILD DOLPHINS

Without doubt watching cetaceans in their natural environment is an unforgettable experience. However, here in the Pico, it is possible to enrich that experience with an even more exciting one - swimming with the dolphins.

For some people the experience is something mystical, for others it is like returning to our origins, for everybody it is a lifetime experience!

Our trips to swim with the dolphins last 3-4 hours and allow each swimmer to enter the water at least 2-3 times. Sometimes it is possible to swim with more than one species at the same time.

To get the most out of the experience, some confidence with fins, mask and snorkel is necessary. However, do not worry if you do not feel comfortable with this as we can provide short courses in confined water.

HOW IT WORKS

1. Briefing
   - Introduction to dolphin behaviour and biology
   - Safety on board and in the water
2. Gearing up
   There are a few pieces of gear you need for swimming with the dolphins. Do not worry if you miss anything as we will give you all you need at no extra cost:
   
   • Mask and snorkel
   • Short wetsuit (full wetsuit in winter and spring)
   • Fins
   • Waterproof poncho

The dock is just a 30-second walk from our centre! We will be heading to the area where the dolphins were spotted by our look-out on land. Once with them, the crew will evaluate the opportunity of swimming with that particular group. Should the group turn out not to be suitable (e.g. showing boat avoidance) we will find another one. If the dolphins are OK, we will swim with them 2 people at a time.
There are a few golden rules, designed to give you and the dolphins the best shared experience:

1. Do not enter the water before given the OK by the crew.
2. After donning fins, mask and snorkel enter the water noiselessly without a splash - enter feet first holding your mask against your face and your snorkel in your mouth.
3. Swim slowly and avoid making splashes.
4. When in the water, look down - the dolphins often swim right underneath you or approach from behind.
5. Listen underwater - often you can hear the dolphin's squeaks and whistles.
6. Do not chase or try to touch the dolphins.
7. Remember your limitations.
8. Carefully follow the crews advice.

MEET THE DOLPHINS IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT

Our swim with dolphin tours aim to offer a truly natural experience.

Dolphins are neither attracted with tricks nor they are fed. They can swim much faster than humans; therefore, decisions such as 'how close we get' and 'how long for' are entirely up to them.

That said, they may come close to the swimmers because they are curious animals, and the success rate of our swim with dolphins trips is greater than 97% - just as successful as our Whale Watching tours.

Swimming with wild dolphins is very different to swimming with captive ones, the latter being confined and rewarded with food whenever they complete the tasks given by the trainers.

The "tank" where we meet the dolphins in Pico was not built by humans and is called Atlantic Ocean.