The Dolphin Experience as it’s called at UNEXSO, is truly a unique opportunity for the ‘average’ diver who might never get the chance to be up close with these fascinating creatures. There is even an opportunity for nondivers to be with the dolphins. It’s an experience either way not to be missed. It is a bit expensive by dive terms and might make some hesitate when figuring you could get about three dives on the reef for the same money. But, in spite of the cost, it’s an experience not to be missed and the money you are paying goes to funding the research station and keeping up the dolphins.

Your dive begins with a 20 to 30 minute boat ride to the research center. This is where the dolphins are cared for and housed. I say housed rather than penned up because, while the areas are actually wire penned areas in the water, the dolphins are quite capable of jumping out and leaving at any time they might choose.

Once there, you will be given a short introductory talk by one of the trainers who is very familiar with every aspect of the dolphins and their behavior. You will also receive your dive briefing at this time, with the proceedures you will be following while out in the open water with the dolphins. Once everyone is briefed and asks all the questions they can think of, it’s back into the boat and out to sea. The dolphins will follow along totally free alongside their own boat and usually do a lot of jumping on the way out.

Once out at the dive site, you will get a refresher briefing from your dive masters having to do more with your dive and any questions you may have thought up on the way out. Then it’s into the water and down to the bottom at about 40 feet. The group is placed in a circle so each person will get not just equal opportunity watching the dolphins, but interacting with them as well. You don’t know what a wet kiss is till you’ve been kissed by a dolphin!

UNEXSO     Theos     Seastar     Ben’s Cave     Sharks

Reef     Invaders