Swim with dolphins and sea turtles

I have to say that it didn’t quite go as planned, but technically I did it so it’s getting crossed off the list. My swimming with wild dolphins experience was already described in a previous entry. Then I saw sea turtles when scuba diving, but I didn’t actually swim with them. Later I went to an aquarium in Zanzibar that is a conservation project for the sea turtles. They have a large area housing 25 sea turtles. They have green sea turtles and hawksbill sea turtles. Visitors come to feed the turtles sea weed, so the turtles are very accustomed to swimming right up to people. If you choose, you can pay an extra amount (roughly $4.20) to get into the tank and swim with the turtles. I happened to have my snorkel set, swimming suit, and underwater camera with me at the time, so I made the decision to get in. I have to admit I debated for quite awhile because the other part of the tank didn’t look super clean. It was relatively clean—kind of like lake water, but I am really picky about lake water. When I finally did it was worth it. They swam all around me. Dozens of them. They swam over and under me to get to the sea weed. With my snorkel set I was able to see their faces really clearly. They are very peaceful and beautiful creatures.

Yesterday I jumped in the sea with wild dolphins. Don’t get too excited, though. Even though they were on the surface a moment before, they dove deep as soon as we jumped in the water. Can’t say I blame them one bit. They were moving so fast they may have been hunting at the time. I was able to see dark shadows swimming below me, though, and even that was really moving. I think I will try this again either early in the morning, or when scuba diving.

I’m really hoping to do this in Africa. I should be able to swim with sea turtles for sure. Dolphins…maybe. I’ll definitely look into it. I’d be content to save that experience for a time when I have a sweet significant other to share it with!

Wow. At least once in my life.