Swim with Dolphins at Ponta do Ouro

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Dolphin greetings from a slightly chilly Ponta do Ouro, yep winter is upon us and that slow, wintry ambiance has set it. Although not frightlinging chilly, some freezing hours brought about by cold fronts (bbrrrr must have been snowing on the Berg) certainly find us snuggling warmly under a blanket. Jackets, scarves and beannies were the order of the day a couple of weeks ago when temperatures plummeted to around 7 degrees with a high wind chill factor. It’s the wind that’s the killer on the boat; the water still remains warm at an average of 23 degrees.

Launches have been fantastic with our finned friends, close encounters too many to mention. Whalesharks, mantas, spinner dolphins and the odd humpback whale have all graced us with their humbling presence. Oh! A hippo too found home in the bay for just under a day, fortunately he moved off before authorities could have their way! Initially sighted footprints on the beach suggested he had been in the area for about a week.

Our dolphin residents are doing well, with many youngsters around who still have faint fetal lines indicating their young age. A lot of our old ladies have calved and our population certainly seems stable. We have had a number of close inwater observations in Ponta Bay, now that the jetskis and boat traffic has subsided after the busy times. We have however on a number of occasions noted not only recreational boats, but also dive boats harassing the dolphins. Only yesterday a local dive operator was seen circling a pod of dolphins together with a jetski. A couple of weeks prior 2 boats (one dive boat and the temporary dolphin tour operator) from the resort north of us were photographed about to drop 2 boat loads in at once – some 25 people! International law is law; you are not allowed to approach cetaceans within 100mt. You are not allowed to enter into the water with cetaceans unless permitted by local authorities. Cetaceans are protected by international law.

The 18th May saw us in awe of three humpback whales, one of whom came directly at us with purpose, Angie nearly dropped the camera in fright as she ‘oes fraaa baaad’ her nerves back down to normal, though soon cheerful at the sighting of acrobatic spinner dolphins that were close by.

The day just oooozed cetacean energy after spending 20 minutes in the close company of Cheeky and his posse of male associates. Energy was one of complete joy and awe as essence and full tour guests shared together in having a one on one, whose looking at who moment with wild dolphins, where each person was able to connect with the essence of that being!

A couple of days later found crew Angie, Roxy and Jabu experience the following, A swim from the beach...

22 May 2007 @ 07h05

Bbbbrrrrr....it must be snowing on the Berg! The morning ocean was flat and clear, however outside air temperatures were a cool 18 degrees, hardly Ponta weather. None the less I eagerly called for Roxy when Garrick mentioned he had just spotted some dollies in the bay...running out I saw them 20mt off shore, close enough to swim.

A few minutes passed and Roxy and I were kitted up, running backwards into the ocean. Jabu’s call is heard and he too quickly grabs his gear and follows us in. “Jeeze Ange - it’s far from 20mt, the dollies are on backline!” says Roxy, “not to worry I call in the excitement - they will come!”

The swim felt like an eternity and as we neared backline I stopped, fumbling with an unfamiliar mask that kept fogging up and a very soft pair of fins that seemed to not be taking me very far. A flash of dorsal fin sent me shouting

“They’re coming, they’re coming”, and ever so slowly the dolphin approaches. I can hear and feel her sonar, scanning the area and there she is right below.

Soon Gulliver is in sight with minder Beaver...a circle swim and three leavs me wondering where mom Gilly is...mmm, of course there she is, not too far away from her very curious 4 month old child. A couple of minutes are spent in socializing when Bo and Thai arrive to join in. The kids were allowed their human interaction but were soon called off to carry on their journey down south. Farewells are said and felt as species part.

The calm bay invited much activities and our homeward bound swim found us being approached directly by two adult males that went inshore to hunt...they too were south bound, but not before they stopped to acknowledge with belly shows and close, slow circle swims.

Elated and chatty the three of us take a gentle swim back - dodging the occasional waves that guided us to shore.

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To swim with Dolphins go to
http://www.krugerpark-direct.com/act...h-the-dolphins
For the love of Dolphins