Prices from $1695.00 per person-US dollars, for one week, almost all inclusive..We will also match other Bahamian Wild Dolphin Swim Organizations discounted prices of equal value to help make your special dolphin week a reality...
What is included in the trip price...
- All boat government taxes including the 45.00 eco tax...
- Accommodations for the week...Yoga in the mornings -if you wish...
- All meals and snacks prepared on the boat-including departure and return dates...
- Fuel charges...
- Non-alcoholic beverages...
- Snorkeling gear...this is not the normal rental equipment. It is the best and most comfortable gear available. We also offer complete instruction for those who wish to make sure that you feel safe and comfortable in the water.
What is not included in the trip price...
- Travel expenses-airfare, taxis etc...
- Gratuities to the crew...the standard is 10 to 20 percent of the cost of the charter price.
- One night out to sample Bahamian style cuisine.
On our dolphin expeditions there is absolutely no touching or feeding of the dolphins. The beauty of the Bahamas dolphin trips is that they are wild, it is their home and we are the guests.
We work hard to ensure that the dolphins way of life remains as untouched as possible by the human presence.
Even after over 40 years of swimming with these wonderful mammals we are still working to refine and improve the quality of our swims for both the dolphins and our guests. This has led to longer interactions both in and out of the water-with all choices being made by the dolphins.
Dolphin Expeditions definitely does not condone certain behaviors that some operators use such as circling dolphins to attract them or when the dolphins have left the swimmers in the water, chasing them and jumping in again and again--the dolphins have made their decision when they move and we respect it. We also feel that putting 20 to 30 people in the water is counter productive to both the dolphins and the guests in many ways. We average 6 guests for a more intimate experience for both our guests and the dolphins.
When the dolphins have made the choice to join and interact with us it is a much more mellow, relaxed and longer interaction--we feel really blessed to be a part of it.
The main advantage with our living aboard Indigo is the comfort of the boat and the amount of dolphin time.
We easily averaged more dolphin swims and interactions in one day than the live ashore dolphin groups averaged for the entire week.
Something to also keep in mind...whether on a live ashore or live aboard dolphin trip, you will be spending the most important amount of time during the week on a boat. Indigo Dreams is one of the the most stable and comfortable boats on the dolphin grounds.
We have been doing both types of trips for over thirty seven years. We have found that when guests( who at first thought they wanted to live ashore) chose to live and cruise on the boat, found that they have experienced much more of the dolphin and island feeling. Our Guest Log Book is full of favorable comments and compliments after their week aboard Indigo Dreams.
Living on the boat gives us an advantage over living ashore. While others are waiting on shore to go out later, you might be sitting on deck with your morning tea or coffee while a pod of bottle nose dolphins swim by feeding with their young. Most days we have swum with dolphins before the land based groups have come out for their allotted time. On Indigo Dreams we have no allotted time.
Some operators tell their guests that the dolphins are only around in the afternoon--not so-we are the only dolphin operation on the dolphin grounds in the morning. It is special to have a morning dolphin swim or two and then have the choice of dolphins or something else in the afternoon.
Indigo Dreams is one of the most stable and comfortable boats on the dolphin grounds. For me, life is too short to be in bad weather, and if it is bad we go to shore and play on the island. Because of our size and stability we are able to stay out safely when other boats might not come out at all.
Those of you who have been in the Bahamas in the summer know that it can be pretty hot and humid-unlike the live ashore boats, we are the only boat in Bimini with complete climate control- air conditioning and great shaded areas, also all the of your comforts are with us while we are out all day.This includes full meals and lots of shade and comfort on deck to look for dolphins.
It can be pretty awesome being anchored off a beautiful beach in the evening, under a star filled sky, listening to the sound of dolphins blowing around the boat.
There is a lot of beach time if you wish and a lot more time for snorkeling. We spend the best nights on the dolphin grounds and when the weather is not perfect we have the best marina on the island with all the land conveniences that you might wish. Wednesday night is our night ashore to eat at a Bahamian restaurant-the Beach Club- and dance to Calypso music if the spirit moves you.
It's interesting that the guests who were the most concerned about living on the boat for the week have been the people who can't wait to leave the dock and get back out to the reefs and the dolphins the next morning.
While there is plenty of time for sharing time with new friends, there is, also enough privacy on the boat that you can be alone with your thoughts or favorite book.
There is something grand about ending the day moving along the beaches of Bimini after an active day of dolphins and reefs. To sit on the deck and watch a beautiful sunset with the smells of a wonderful dinner coming up from below. Life is good--
There is a dolphin trip for everyone-and it can be a life changing week for you. Check it out carefully and feel really good about your choice.
We have always made shure that we offer the most for our guests for the best pricing. It is a good idea to make sure what is included in the price of a live ashore trip-things like food and hotel taxes, ground transportation add up really fast. Hundreds of dollars actually.
Food on the island is expensive and it is hard or next to impossible to find vegetables, salads and fresh fruits in stores. If these things are not included you probably won't get them-or you will pay dearly for them.
We hand pick and deliver our food to the boat from the US each week--including fresh fruits and vegetables.
Without a doubt the main focus of our trips are the dolphins. Being a wild eco-trip we are at the mercy of the weather and the dolphins. There can be several swims a day or one for the week.The pod size runs from two to sixty dolphins and interactions can run from a few minutes to a couple hours. Over the years we have worked hard to figure out the best way to interact for both the dolphins and our guests. This has led to the dolphins making all the decisions (the only way it could be) and averaging around one and a half hours per interaction. This past season we had quite a few 6 to 8 hour interactions. The dolphins even swam around Indigo Dreams waiting for our guests to have their lunch and then resume our swim after lunch. We like to balance the week between all the dolphin encounters that will be possible and enjoying the beauty and all that Bimini has to offer.
With Indigo Dreams we are able to visit deserted islands with beautiful beaches and reefs that few have seen or been on. There are also the wonderful people of the island who add so much to the experience with their big hearts and laughter.
Over the past 37 years we've always worked hard to be conscience of what is best for the dolphins. Also what will give our guests the most amount of time with the dolphins that they have dreamed of being with.
When we approach a pod of dolphins we slowly move up to the side of the pod to see what they are doing. We wait until it is the best time for the dolphins-not us-to enter the water. If the dolphins interact with us right away that is a wonderful thing.
The pictures on this site and our YouTube videos are examples of our free swims with the dolphins. We easily average much more time in the water than any other operator with dolphins in the wild.
Most of our guests feel that our food rivals the dolphin experience. Our menu has been made up what our guests have preferred over the last 37 years and is served family style. It is all hand picked and home made, including our ice cream. We easily satisfy vegetarians while the rest of the menu is great for everyone else. If there are any special needs please let us know before the trip and it will be taken care of.
I also believe that you should never worry that there is enough-we have never run out-if we did we will cook more!!!!
There are snacks available all day along with non alcoholic drinks. If you wish to have sodas or alcoholic drinks-they are available on the island. If you would like wine, it is good idea to bring it from the states-for both cost and quality.
And, yes, we do all the cooking and cleaning. We are family style, but it is your vacation, sit back and enjoy!!
The cab fare From Grand Bahama International Airport is around 20.00 to the Grand Bahama Yacht Club where we are docked. Around 20.00 to 35.00 dollars on our night out on Wednesday to experience some great Bahamian food.
Considering the hours the crew puts in, and the variety of activities in which they helped you indulge, 10 to 20 percent of the charter fee is common-divided between the crew members would seem to be a good basis on which to work.
When we are at the dock, smoking is allowed on the dock, not the boat. At sea there is a designated smoking area on deck away from non-smoking guests and never any smoking below.
We are now operating out of Grand Bahama. It males it easier and more cost efficient for our guests. It also opens up two more dolphin swim areas for us. Giving us three dolphin areas, more secluded reefs and beaches that few have ever seen. We do still spend a lot of time in Bimini with our wild dolphin family there, where I was raised.
Please be aware that anyone entering the Bahamas, must have a valid passport and if necessary-depending on which country your from- a visa..
Travel Info...
As of Jan 1, 2007 anyone entering the United States will need a valid passport.
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Now our non-American guests need to make sure to fill out the ESTA forms-this is the link that will help you out. This must be submitted 72 hours prior to arrival to the US.
Now that we operate out of Freeport Grand Bahama it is much easier and more cost effective to get to us. There are several Airlines that visit the island daily. American, Silver and Bahamas Air....
We ask that our guests arrive at the boat around eleven in the morning of the departure day..Sunday.. Many of our guests like arriving the day before and taking a hotel room to recharge from their travels both before and after. We recommend the Pelican Bay Hotel as it's close to beaches, swimming pools, restaurants and shopping. It's also just a 6 minute cab ride from the Grand Bahama Yacht Club where we are docked. There are some more hotels in the area that were just fine also. The Port Lucaya area is the best area to stay.
Departure from the boat is on Friday morning just after breakfast. Some stay in the area and leave at a later date and others fly out the same day.
Please feel free to contact me at any time with any questions that you might have...
No we don't, it is FREE. We carry the best and most comfortable mask, fins and snorkels available for those who wish to use our gear. Please let us know when you sign up, that you wish to use this service.
Our equipment is the finest quality snorkeling gear that you can buy and its new.
You are welcome to bring you own or use ours...
On the "What to Bring" page is a list of gear that we have found to work well for those who wish to purchase their equipment. There is also the information on our supplier, Austins Dive Shop, who we feel, is probably the best dive shop in the country. They can take care of all of your snorkeling needs. Let them know you are with us and use our discount.
On Indigo Dreams, there is not a more comfortable way to be with the dolphins in the Bahamas.
Some guests ARE CONCERNED ABOUT BEING ON A LIVE ABOARD. you must remember that whether you are on a live aboard or live ashore dolphin week you will still be on a boat most of the time and Indigo Dreams is absolutely the best and most stable and comfortable boat on the dolphin grounds.
While the summer is the best time for great dolphin weather it can also be warm. We are the only boat on the dolphin grounds with climate control 24 hours a day-if you have been here before you know how hot the Bahamas can be in the summer. You can relax on deck in the shade, or go below for a siesta in air conditioned comfort. There is still plenty of room to get a tan whenever you wish. All of your meals are prepared for you and you don't have to do the dishes. Ye Ha!!!!!!
Please feel free to contact us at any time with any questions that you might have...