Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HANGING OUT WITH THE
dolphins
The well-publicized
Dolphin Quest
Experience,
at the Bermuda Maritime
Museum in the Royal Naval Dockyard
(
&
441/234-4464;
www.dolphinquest.
org), offers in-the-water encounters
with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Seven
dolphins are kept in a holding pen that's
1 to 3.5m (3
1
⁄
4
-11 ft.) deep and separated
from the open sea with underwater net-
ting. Typically, up to 10 swimmers, wear-
ing bathing suits in summer and wet
suits in winter (Nov-May), cavort in the
water with the dolphins. The price for
45 minutes is $245. Other packages are
available, with prices varying by time
spent in the water; call or check the
website for details. In winter, it's easy to
get a slot, but in summer, there's a
much heavier demand.
6
Is all this cruel to the dolphins? The
staff is rigorous about protecting and
caring for them; the overall atmosphere
is playful and lighthearted; and the dol-
phins have a fairly large area to swim in.
But we can't help worrying that contin-
ued contact with hordes of people and
separation from their natural habitat
must have something of a traumatizing
effect on these beautiful animals. For
more (mostly troubling) information,
check out the Whale and Dolphin Con-
servation Society's website at
www.
wdcs.org
. For more information about
responsible travel in general, check out
these websites: Tread Lightly (www.
treadlightly.org) and the International
Ecotourism Society (www.ecotourism.
org).
1 hour and 10 minutes for one person, $125 for a double. The jet ski reaches speeds
of up to 81kmph (50 mph).
Somerset Bridge, Ely's Harbour, Sandys Parish.
&
441/234-0914.
www.watersportssomersetbridge.
com. Daily 8am-sunset. Bus: 7 or 8.
Water-Skiing
You can water-ski in the protected waters of Hamilton Harbour, Great Sound, Castle
Harbour, Mangrove Bay, Spanish Point, Ferry Reach, Ely's Harbour, Riddells Bay, and
Harrington Sound. May through September, when the waters are usually calm, is the
best time for water-skiing. Bermuda law requires that a licensed skipper take water-
skiers out. Only a few boat operators handle this sport, and charges fluctuate with
fuel costs. Rates include the boat, skis, safety belts, and usually an instructor. Hotels
and guesthouses can assist with arrangements.
Bermuda Waterski Centre
Up to five people can water-ski at the same time
from a specially designed Ski Nautique. Lessons are also available. The charge for a
party of any size (not per person) is $75 for a 15-minute session, $95 for a 30-minute
session, and $170 for a 60-minute session. The driver is included in the price.
Robinson's Marina, Somerset Bridge, Sandys Parish.
&
441/234-3354.
May-Sept daily 8am-7:30pm.
Bus: 6 or 7.
WHERE TO PLAY WORLD-
CLASS GOLF
Since the island's first course was laid out in 1922, golf has been one of Bermuda's
most popular sports. You can play year-round, but spring, fall, and early winter offer
