Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The waxy branches of the candlewood tree, another endemic species, were once lit as
torches by Lucayans.
ARE DOLPHIN ENCOUNTERS GOOD FOR DOLPHINS?
Dolphin encounters are a popular attraction in the Bahamas and elsewhere, but
they are not without controversy. Some experts, like celebrity zookeeper Jack
Hanna, promote dolphin swims as a way for humans to learn about the import-
ance of protecting marine life, while others, like the Humane Society, condemn
the encounters are harmful to the animals' wild way of life.
Experts tend to agree that captive dolphins live shorter lives than wild dol-
phins, perhaps due to the stress of confinement. Most of the dolphin swims we
recommend in this topic involve either wild dolphins, or dolphins who live in
ocean lagoons but are not kept captive. Bill and Nowdla Keefe's Bimini Wild
Dolphin Adventures (
Click here
)
involves completely wild dolphins, who only
show up when they want to. Grand Bahama's Underwater Explorers Society
(UNEXSO) dolphin experience (
Click here
)
also earns high marks, with dol-
phins who are free to swim in the open ocean. Nassau's Blue Lagoon program
(
Click here
)
has received accreditation from the Alliance of Marine Mammal
Parks, an international organization that promotes quality control for the care of
captive sea mammals.
