Dolphins by Andrey Narchuck

Five Tips for Whale and Dolphin Encounter

Posted on Mar, 2011 in Home/How To.../Five Tips for Whale and Dolphin Encounter

2400684 150x150 Five Tips for Whale and Dolphin Encounter

 

  1. Try to keep the watching event as natural as possible. – Always make sure that you allow the animal to control the length and course of the encounter. It is very important not to harass or chase the whale or dolphin. Keep noise to a minimum; do not use loud diving or boating equipment. If the animal becomes disturbed or frustrated, abandon the visit.
  2. Be aware of your surroundings. - Please be alert at all times to prevent any type of collision. Also, never separate a mother from their calf, if this means keeping a further distance away from the animals, then be sure to do so. Check with local laws and regulations if you are unsure of any practices when it comes to observing these animals.
  3. Maintain a predictable pattern of behavior when operating a boat. - Do not try to out-speed the animal in order to force a head-on encounter. Avoid startling movements such as changes in speed, direction, or noise level. Make sure that you always provide the animal with some escape path. Keep your boat at a no-wake speed.
  4. Coordinate viewing times and directions prior to departure. – Always be sure to check-in with other vessels before approaching a viewing area to avoid trapping the whales or dolphins. Do not spend more than 30 minutes in a particular viewing area. Keep a safe distance between the boat and the animal, at least 330 feet away.
  5. Do not enter the water with the animals. - Most experts will recommend that you do not swim with whales or dolphins, but rather maintain a safe distance away, above the water. There is no direct understanding of the behavior of these water mammals, and therefore it is too risky to enter the water when they are present. By staying out of the water, you are providing the animal with the most natural experience possible when it comes to human observation.

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