diving certification course+ dolphins?

[victoriaz]

Hi everyone!I'm new to this forum, and I really like it, lots of information here and interesting people to meet!
Anyway, I went on a Padi discover scuba diver course last month, which only lasted a few hours,but I loved it so much I am now searching for a place to travel to get a certification.But I'd like to combine it with an idea to interact with dolphins someplace, which has been my dream for many years now, similar to what is offered in Bimini,Bahamas, perhaps, but not that far from Europe, and not too expensive. Maybe a marine conservation project, maybe at a sea park, or a research center, or work with dolphins somewhere, like a volunteer, or a summer job, and complete a diving course at the same time, and only short-term projects(not more than a month...). But I can't find anything like this anywhere. Perhaps, someone has done something like this before, or knows how to carry out this idea,is it possible in a short-term period anyway? Any help is greatly appreciated!!

 

[DevonDiver]

Have a look at Eilat, in Israel. Not far from Europe.

They have a Dolphin Sanctuary there, where you can dive. They also do lessons, through partnership with Reef Adventure Diving Group.


Further from you (here in the Philippines) there is also the Ocean Adventure park in Subic Bay. They have a partnered dive operation and allow guided scuba dives with their dolphines.

 

[vladimir]

In my opinion, "interacting with dolphins" and "marine conservation" are diametrically opposed goals. Divers who are sincerely concerned about conservation interact with wildlife on its own terms, and certainly don't condone keeping dolphins captive, or trapping them, as is often the case with these dolphin dives.

You can have an encounter with wild dolphins at The Elbow, in Belize. Do a blue water drifting ascent and hope to get incredibly lucky, as I did. No contrived encounter will ever match the thrill of dolphins frolicking around you at high speed for their own amusement. If you are on Bonaire you might get treated to multiple dolphin dives also, as I have, at just about any site, as they cruise along the coast in shallow water.

 

[DevonDiver]

but not that far from Europe,..

Belize and Bonaire not being 'that' close to Europe I think?

If we're talking about wild dolphins only, of which there are never any guarantees at any location, then the some of the Red Sea locations may give you a 'chance'.

There's dolphins in the UK water too...and in the Mediterranean... but chances of seeing them are incredibly remote.

 

[vladimir]

Belize and Bonaire not being 'that' close to Europe I think?

Thanks, Andy--I'm guilty of skimming.

If we're talking about wild dolphins only, of which there are never any guarantees at any location, then the some of the Red Sea locations may give you a 'chance'.

Yeah, if you need a guarantee, then you go to one of these contrived or captive dolphin encounters, as you suggested. I agree with that. It's not very consistent with conservation, however. That aside, for me it would take much of the magic out of the moment. Same thing with shark feeds compared to natural shark feeding--miles apart on the thrill scale. To each his own, though.

 

[victoriaz]

DevonDiver, thank you so much for the links!Just what I was looking for!Vladimir, I agree with you about the encounters with wild dolphins, and you really got lucky during your dives, but there is not a big chance of that happening... I've been out at the sea a few times in Mediterranean and the Red sea, but haven't seen dolphins even once...though some people did.It often turns out like like that, when you want and wait for something as much as I did, chances of that happening get even smaller. Anyway, I'll have to think about it. Thanks again for your replies!