Swimming with Dolphins in Atlantis by Savvy

I was on the sand waiting for the 9:00am deep water swim with the dolphin. I was impatient as a three year old waiting for a chocolate bar. I had remembered that I could see dolphins jumping, twisting, turning, shaking hands and waving goodbye, from my porch in the Bahamas. Now I get to experience it myself.  

“9:00am deep water dolphin swims.” I hear from a lady behind the counter. I walked into the room where we had to get our special suits on. I tried really hard getting it on. After a 5 minute battle with a wet slippery suit, I finally got it on. The zipper that went up my back was obviously behind me so I was spinning around trying to zip up the zipper; I looked like a complete idiot. Then my trainer asked me if I wanted help. I said “sure thanks.” As if I just ran a 2 mile run and was out of breath. Then we had to sit in a unique orientation which was kind of cool for about 7 minutes. Then it was time, time to swim with the dolphins.

I walked out into the pool, I was so excited, I was about to burst out screaming. My perky young trainer asked me my name, I said “savvy.” I followed my group out into to the beach like pool. There was an inside room where you get your suits on (also the same room as the orientation) then right outside the room, there was a long isle of sand, then there was ALL water. It was really cool. My trainer handed me my snorkel as I was in the water. I didn’t need one at first, so I said “I don’t need one.”

I swam really fast into the deep zone. Then a dolphin named Cosmo came out of nowhere. I was the first one to pet him. Thought were running in and out of my head “does he like me? Will I get to ride on him?” but I kept my face cool like I’ve done it 1,000 times. But that was my first time.

“Would you like to feed him a fish?” my trainer asked me. “Uhh….sure” I said looking puzzled. I had to touch a small slimy 6 inch fish with my bare hands. Cosmo came swimming like a bullet over to me. I wasn’t scared; I’ve seen this kind of stuff on TV before. I didn’t know what trick to make him do. So I shot my hand straight up in the air. Next thing I knew he was standing on his flipper and put on of his fins out. I immediately knew he was trying to shake my hand, so I shook his hand. He opened his mouth wide; I threw the fish like I would throw a tennis ball underhand. He caught it in his mouth like a dog would catch a treat.

That was it for getting to know the dolphins. Now it was time for what would be one of the most exciting times of my vacation in Atlantis.

I laid my stomach flat on the bogie board. Then a hard rubber nose touched my foot. The dolphin that was pushing me was named Michelle. She was as sweet as could be.  Next thing I knew I was going super-fast. I was halfway to the end, I had remembered that I could lift my board up and put my arms out straight. Half the board went up in the air. It was a moment I will never forget. Inside me I was about to burst saying “wooooo!!!!” So I did. I mean who cares I was there to have the best time of my life.

Then it was picture time. The trainer called me up. “He said hug the dolphin.” In a Jamaican accent. After that, snapped his fingers, and the dolphin arched his back. “Click” I hear from the camera. Next he said “now, kiss the dolphin.” I look puzzled, but I did. I put both of my hands on his cheek and kissed him.

Over all, it was the best experience of my life; I will never ever forget it.