Who comes?
People from every walk of life from 3 months old to 80 years. Many women come by themselves. On average half the participants each week are women who have travelled on their own. Women experience it as a very safe and supportive program environment.
Is this adventure for you ?
This is not a resort hotel or cruise ship type of experience. It is a group retreat/wilderness experience program providing a supportive and loving environment to connect with ourselves, each other, the dolphins and the ocean.
Group participants usually help out with things like the dishes, etc. It often feels like we have become a 'pod' ourselves after a couple of days. It can be a very powerful, heartfelt experience. There is laughter and tears. Many great new friendships are made. Most people have a great time during this adventure; however, it is not for everyone. If you have concerns or questions, please call or e-mail us.
The island is small and quiet with few tourists. The Islanders are open and friendly, the children are delightful.
What will the actual experience be like?
Your experience will be unique, but we often hear the words 'blissful',
’healing,’ ‘relaxing, 'meditative' and ‘life-changing.' Usually we have excellent interaction with the dolphins in the Bahamas. However, this is a wilderness experience. The dolphins are free and it is up to them as to when the connection happens; how and when they may approach, communicate and interact with you. It's a small group, so you are assured the best possible dolphin interaction. You will receive personal facilitation and support.
Why don't you have one-day trips in Key West anymore?
Our experience since 1995 has shown us that it is necessary to have the optimum conditions to be able to fully experience the unique dolphin connection. This means:
1. Free, joyful dolphins that want to connect with us. This happens only when they are treated with respect and not pressured or disturbed by numerous day trip boats as happens in crowded tourist areas.
2. Time. It takes a few days in a supportive environment to have the deep
life enhancing experience that we have seen happen to many participants.
3. Warm, clear, unpolluted ocean. Our Bahamas location meets all these requirements. We are usually totally alone on the ocean with the dolphins.
It's magical and profound.
Will we disturb the dolphins?
Like any wilderness excursion it is important that it be undertaken with awareness and sensitivity. All Wildquest staff are educated and experienced in the practice of 'minimal intrusion'.
Our intention is always to connect with the dolphins with respect and awareness. We do not feed, chase or do anything that might disrupt their natural behavior. Only at the dolphins' invitation do we interact with them. Respectful, educational wilderness excursions like WildQuest programs are the preference of people wishing to experience these sentient beings in their natural environment. This is an alternative to captive dolphins that live short and unnatural lives having to perform tricks and provide entertainment for their food. We contribute to Earth Island Institute and other organizations that actively campaign for the protection and freedom of dolphins.
Where can I swim with dolphins?
It seems that wherever there is ocean there are dolphins of many different varieties. Our experience has shown that the Bahamas provides the best opportunity to connect intimately with dolphins in the wild as these dolphins choose to connect with us on a regular basis. The conditions are also perfect: warm, clear, shallow water and lots of nature and space. In this area over 100 dolphins are in the main pod, usually they are in groups of 2-8 when we connect with them. Many of the scenes in the beautiful IMAX movie 'Dolphins' were filmed in the Bahamas.
