Captivating Cuba

On my last visit to Cuba, I was lucky enough to try something I've always wanted to do. I went swimming with dolphins! I bet you're jealous.

Cuba is great for this because the water around the island is warm and clear. There are a number of places in Cuba to swim with dolphins - you can do it in Varadero, and check out the Dolphinarium - but I opted to visit them out at sea.

Image from creative commons, Flickr, by Tomato Geezer

As the water gurgles in your ears, you can hear their clicks and tweets as the dolphins approach. Very quickly, you know that there's no point chasing the dolphins. They're just so fast! I'm not a bad swimmer, but when you see them move under water around you it makes you know you are slow and clumsy.

If they want to come to you they will, and the dive guide had a rag and some toys to attract their attention. It's true what they say about dolphins being fun and curious, and you could feel the happy atmosphere around our group as the dolphins moved between us.

And I think one was trying to tease me by sneaking up from behind.

Image from creative commons, Flickr, by Tomato Geezer

When you touch them they feel like a Wellington boot, and the most surprising thing is how big they are. If you didn't know they were friendly it might be scary. But it isn't. One of the guys in the group was so lucky (or unlucky, depending on how brave you are) because the biggest dolphin got hold of his arm! The man wasn't hurt because the dolphin was very gentle - the guide explained beforehand that it was just a territorial thing that the dolphins do sometimes, making sure we knew who was boss by gripping him in its mouth.

I could see under water as the guy was casually stroking the dolphin's head with his arm still in its mouth.

I swear they were both smiling. Crazy!

Peter

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