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The abundance of marine wildlife populating our area would make producers of the cable channel “Animal Planet” envious. So, how does one explore our water surroundings if they don’t own a boat and are more interested in sightseeing than paddling? Perhaps a dolphin cruise is what you’re seeking.
Dolphin cruises are guided tours — typically on a pontoon boat — whose goal is simple: View our environment up close and search for wildlife in its natural habitat. That includes more than the cruise’s namesake.
“We’re primarily searching for dolphins, but along the way we’re going to see some beautiful homes, some shorebirds, manatees,” said Captain Tim Trigg of Palmetto Bay Water Sports. “You never know what you’re going to see.”
Dolphins are extremely prevalent in local waters; they’re most abundant in the summer because of the large amounts of fish that they eat. But Trigg said he works hard at finding them, and it’s been more than a year since he came up empty while leading a safari.
Spring and fall, however, are when dolphins are most active, meaning they’re more likely to be seen jumping through the air instead of only swimming.
“Everything they do at Sea World, they do here,” said Trigg. “You just have to be lucky to see it.”
They don’t mind nearby boats, either, sometimes approaching within a few feet. And if there’s anyone on board who’s never seen dolphins in their natural habitat, don’t be surprised to witness a wild reaction.
“A lot of people scream and yell,” said Trigg. “It’s a lot of fun to see people react. It’s pretty cool.”
But dolphins are just the beginning. Last year Trigg came upon eight manatees and spent 45 minutes with his cruise guests observing.
“I could’ve opened up the door and walked on their backs, we were that close,” said Trigg.
Other previous encounters include stingrays, eagles and sharks. Once, the safari came upon several baby dolphins, one of which Trigg suspected was born that day.
“We usually get some kind of surprise,” he said.
During lulls, Trigg keeps an aquarium on board filled with crab, shrimp and small fish. These are mainly for any kids on the tour to view up close. Trigg also casts a net early in the tour, and sometimes it proves worthwhile, such as last year when he caught a four-and-a-half foot shark.
“We try to make it a little interesting for everyone,” said Trigg, which is why he allows patrons to bring a cooler with food or drinks. “It’s real relaxing.”
Trigg’s main recommendation: Don’t waste time trying to take pictures. Many people spend so much time trying to capture the perfect shot that they miss out on everything around them — views that, camera or not, are unforgettable.”
