Sailing With Dolphins !

[Cuajota]

I hate to keep posting these, I know the east coast folks are probably not sailing but wow...This is just amazing! Today I went out and it wasn't a great sail by any stretch. Not a lot of wind, seas had some swells, but it was still nice to be out there...As I was about to head back to the harbor I heard what I thought were LARGE whales...I looked into the distance and saw HUNDREDS of dolphins headed my way. I grabbed the camera and captured it! Here are a few images....more on my blog...

Cuajota | The Chronicles of A Sailboat In Newport Beach

[Hud3]

It's really amazing when they come to check out your boat. We were about half way from Virginia to Tortola when what appeared to be hundreds of spinner dolphins came charging at us from the west, with the sun setting behind them. Spinners jump entirely out of the water, so it was like a riot of dolphins. They got to the boat, circled us a few times, then took off. Fantastic!

This photo's from the Internet. I didn't want to miss the show by going below to get my camera. Imagine hundreds of these guys charging at you.

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[daddle]

Central California - These liked being touched.

[maxsandis]

Wow, great photos. This is some of the small joys of sailing.

[Bash]

my favorite thing is when they play in the bow wake on a moonless night, and all you can see is their phosphorescence.

[Hud3]

Years ago my 16 year old daughter and I were sailing in the Atlantic on my 16' Hobie cat, and came up on a school of bottlenose dolphins from behind. We got close enough to smell their fishy breath. All but the largest one sounded. He came right up beside the boat, rolled over on his side and stared at my daughter with one eye. Then he dove under, came up on the opposite side and looked at me. Then he ducked back under the stern and slapped the water with his tail, giving us a good splashing.

I'm not sure what his message was...

[Mick C]

Originally Posted by Hud3

Years ago my 16 year old daughter and I were sailing in the Atlantic on my 16' Hobie cat, and came up on a school of bottlenose dolphins from behind. We got close enough to smell their fishy breath. All but the largest one sounded. He came right up beside the boat, rolled over on his side and stared at my daughter with one eye. Then he dove under, came up on the opposite side and looked at me. Then he ducked back under the stern and slapped the water with his tail, giving us a good splashing.

I'm not sure what his message was...

I rraace on port PhillipBay in melbourne and we have many many dolphins that escort us during race. Being the headsail trimmer I spend a lot of time on the low side and have had many visits from my mates the dolphins. Sometimes I get so engrossed that skipper screams at me to "wake up and..." you can imagine the rest. but they are beautiful creatures and I am lucky to be visited by them.

[Siren o the Sea]

Great pictures!

[Gypsy_Soul]

Sounds like it made for a great day! They are beautiful pictures. : )