Love Dolphins? Here are the best places to dive with Them

The Bahamas

The warm blue waters of the Bahamas are ideal for diving with dolphins, with plenty of these mammals seen near Bimini Grand Bahama. You can enjoy almost guaranteed encounters with the resident dolphins found there.

Atlantic Spotted dolphins are a real Bahamas treat. These dolphins gather in shallow waters during afternoons to play and socialise. Other Bahamas dolphins seen include spinner, spotted, striped and bottlenose dolphins.

When to go: All year

Which liveaboards:

Bahamas Master | Bahamas Aggressor

Bahamas liveaboards

The Galapagos Islands

The UNESCO-listed Galapagos Islands need no introduction as an epic dive destination with an abundance of wildlife to enjoy . It is high on many divers wish lists. As well as numerous encounters with sharks and rays, marine iguanas and sea lions, the Galapagos offers great dolphin diving.

You can dive with pods of resident bottlenose and common dolphins at the islands. Other Galapagos Islands dolphins seen include spotted, spinner and Risso’s dolphins.

When to go: All year

Which liveaboards:

Nortada | Galapagos Master | Majestic Explorer

 

Galapagos liveaboards

Looking for a thrill? Try our best places to dive with sharks »

Fury Shoal, Egypt

Sha’ab Sataya is renowned for its large pod of spinner dolphins hanging out in the natural lagoon there. Located at the very south of the Fury Shoals reef system, this Egypt diving destination is not to be missed. When you’ve had your fill of swimming with dolphins, you can enjoy great reef dives with impressive drop-offs.

Keep your eyes peeled when diving, as you may also see the occasional bottlenose, common or Risso’s dolphin passing by.

When to go:

All year, but May to June are the best months

Which liveaboards:

Emperor Asmaa | Blue | Miss Nouran

Egypt liveaboards

Socorro, Mexico

The Socorro Islands are paradise for marine megafauna diving, offering encounters with friendly Giant Pacific mantas, humpback whales, whale sharks, hammerheads and more. Socorro Island itself is also a great destination for diving with dolphins.

Socorro’s many bottlenose dolphins are keen imitators of the manta rays, following their movements whilst also copying scuba divers in the water.

When to go:

January to March for dolphins

Which liveaboards:

Valentina | Quino el Guardian | Nautilus Belle Amie

Mexico liveaboards

Hawaii

Hawaii’s striking volcanic landscapes, underwater lava formations and flourishing coral gardens are a huge draw for scuba divers. Add to that the chance to night dive with manta rays and enjoy resident dolphins, and you’ve got Hawaiian diving paradise.

Oahu and Big Island host spinner dolphin that delight divers with their acrobatics as they pass by. There are also resident pods of bottlenose and spotted dolphins that make frequent appearances.

When to go:

All year

Which liveaboards:

Kona Aggressor II

Hawaii liveaboards

Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Raja Ampat, one of Indonesia’s most stunning regions, has over 1500 islands to explore in the Coral Triangle. If you can tear your eyes away from the diverse fish life and manta rays found there, you can also spot dolphins.

Dolphins are regularly seen on boat crossings at Raja Ampat, making your Raja Ampat liveaboard cruise even more special. Keep your eyes to the horizon as you sail and you might see spinner, spotted, common, bottlenose and Risso’s dolphins.

When to go:

October to April

Which liveaboards:

Pearl of Papua | La Galigo | Emperor Raja Laut

Raja Ampat liveaboards

French Polynesia

Dive the famous Rangiroa atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago and you can dive with bottlenose dolphins at the Tiputa Pass entrance.

This pass gives Rangiroa its claim to fame, thanks to exhilarating diving there with huge schools of grey reef sharks, mantas, Napoleon wrasse and dolphins.

When to go:

All year

Which liveaboards:

French Polynesia Master | Aqua Tiki II

French Polynesia liveaboards

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