Atlantic ICW - how often do you see dolphin

[tuffr2]

I now spend time on the ICW and wonder how common it is to see dolphin or manatee?

So far I have not seen a any.

[thomm225]

It's quite common to see dolphin in the Lower Chesapeake Bay especially near the 3rd Island of the CBBT

https://www.google.com/search?q=dolp...=1519691046417

Also in the Chesapeake up North.

https://www.google.com/search?q=dolp...=1519691079824

And seals......

https://www.google.com/search?biw=13...=1519691143053

and whales.....

https://www.google.com/search?biw=13...=1519691243694

[zboss]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

I now spend time on the ICW and wonder how common it is to see dolphin or manatee?

So far I have not seen a any.

What day do you NOT see dolphins or manatee?

They are so common in the fall and spring cruiser migration that we just stop paying attention to them!

[Suijin]

Originally Posted by zboss

What day do you NOT see dolphins or manatee?

This. I've actually seen them most in winter, probably a few dozen a day, escorting me back by the cockpit, feeding in schools and generally all over the place. Might have something to do with the reduced traffic and the water temperature. Have not been on the ICW in the height of summer so can't say if they are there then.

I think it was last February where I saw an extraordinary sight, a large school of dolphin that had corralled a school of baitfish up against a beach. It was mayhem, with dolphins streaking in from deep water and almost beaching themselves as they tore through the bait ball. And there was a flock of pelicans hanging around the edge trying to get scraps. Quite a thing.

Dolphin will range up the bottom third of the Chesapeake...i've seen them up to at least the Potomac. Again if they get a school of mullet pushed up against the shore or shallows total chaos breaks out.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

I now spend time on the ICW and wonder how common it is to see dolphin or manatee?

So far I have not seen a any.

Where are you?

[DougR]

And alligators in the Carolinas....!

DougR

[Seighlor]

Here in the Daytona/Ormond Beach area of Florida, dolphin are common year round. Manatees have migrated to the warmer waters of the springs off the St. Johns River this time of year. In the warmer months they are common and frequently seen in the marinas and all along the waterway in this area.

While diving to clean the bottom of my boat, manatees can, at times, become a nuisance. They want to rub up against me. Love to have their backs scratched with my 3M bottom scrubber.

[AJ_n_Audrey]

Tons of dolphins from like McClellanville to Charleston and a little past (also a few alligators). Then again from Beaufort to Hilton Head. Can't comment on GA except Sapelo Island, but tons there as well, plus turtles! Many in Florida. We started seeing Manatees somewhere north of Canaveral, and then on down to West Palm, though not as many manatees as dolphins.

Also saw sharks around Isle of Palms.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by DougR

And alligators in the Carolinas....!

DougR

That's no lie. A search light at night and those two beady red eyes.

[HopCar]

I see Dolphin in the Biscayne Bay stretch just about every time I go out. They really like my wake and will follow me for long stretches.

It’s not on the ICW but about a month ago there were better than 400 manatee in the 1/2 mile spring run from Blue Springs to the St. John’s river.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

I now spend time on the ICW and wonder how common it is to see dolphin or manatee?

So far I have not seen a any.

Depends on what part you are on. I like the dolphins a lot more than the floating water cow logs.

[tuffr2]

I just updated my profile. I set the account up on my phone and did not see how to set my profile. Just used a laptop to update it.

Anyway, I am on the east coast of Florida the Bings Landing area. North East Florida. Been here 1 year.

Anyway, I launch on the ICW just south of Bings Landing and cruise the Matanzas Inlet area.

I am sure I will see dolphin eventually, just have not after 10 hours on the water.

I have seen dolphin in the evening at Flagler Beach while standing at the beach so I know there are a few in the general area.

[sailorboy1]

If you go around at the north end of the ICW Pounce De Leon and sit waiting for the tide to get off, the dolphins will come visit and laugh at you.

So I've heard

[Over Budget]

On two trips up and down we've seen two pods of dolphins off shore between Ft. Lauderdale and Hilton Head (spring time) and one pod outside Charleston Harbor (Fall). One pod had over a dozen and were riding our bow wave for about 1/2 hour, coming along side and rolling on their side to check us out. What a thrill!

[Delancey]

We spent sometime at a marina in Georgia on the ICW and would see dolphins fairly regularly. For a period of time we saw them daily swimming inside the docks of the marina for an hour at a time but could never figure out quite what they were up to. I assume getting snacks, photos attached.

One thing of interest is that dolphins in that area are known to use teamwork to herd schools of fish into the shallow waters of the marshes for lunchtime!