Dolphins are highly intelligent and social marine mammals that have captivated humans for ages with their playful behavior and ever-present smiles. If you’ve had the magical experience of wild dolphins swimming around you, you may be wondering what was going through their minds and what it all meant.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Dolphins swimming around you is usually a sign of playfulness and curiosity rather than aggression. They are checking you out and may be inviting you to interact.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various reasons why dolphins approach humans in the water, common dolphin behaviors, whether it’s safe and legal to swim with them, and how to have the most enriching experience if you encounter them.
Common Reasons Dolphins Swim Around Humans
Curiosity About the Unfamiliar
Dolphins are highly intelligent and curious creatures. When they encounter unfamiliar objects like boats, surfers or swimmers, they often approach to inspect more closely. Dolphins use echolocation to “see” by sending out high-frequency clicks and listening for the echo.
Swimming around people allows dolphins to get a better sense of what we are through echolocation. Some scientists believe dolphins may also be intrigued by the unusual sight of humans in their aquatic environment.
Their curiosity likely plays a large role in why dolphins frequently swim around people.
Playfulness
In addition to high intelligence, dolphins are known for their playful nature. They often surf waves, leap joyfully and playfully “tail walk” along the surface of the water. Swimming around boats, surfers and swimmers provides dolphins with new playmates and opportunities for play.
Young dolphins, in particular, seem especially interested in interacting with humans in a playful manner. Many accounts of friendly human-dolphin interactions describe the dolphins behaving in a clearly playful way as they swim around people.
Foraging Opportunities
Dolphins have learned that fishing boats and swimmers often disturb fish, making them easier to catch. By swimming around anglers and boldly approaching swimmers, dolphins are able to capitalize on these opportunities to more easily snag a meal.
Some dolphins even coordinate their swimming patterns to herd fish towards each other or corner fish against swimmers’ bodies. The presence of humans in the water often signals convenient feeding opportunities that dolphins are eager to exploit.
Surfing Waves and Boat Bow Wakes
Dolphins frequently ride waves and the wakes of boats when these are available. The bow wake of a boat produces ideal hydrodynamic conditions for perfect flow, allowing dolphins to gain speed while expending minimal energy. Surfing the waves created by moving boats gives dolphins a free rush.
Swimming around vessels or swimmers provides dolphins with increased opportunities for bow riding and wave surfing. Many accounts describe groups of dolphins gleefully following along with boats, clearly enjoying the ride.
Social Hierarchy Dynamics
Dolphins live in social groups with a well-defined social hierarchy and complex social dynamics. Dominant dolphins may assert their status by closely approaching boats or swimmers first, with other dolphins observing cautiously at a distance.
Juvenile dolphins often eagerly swim around people, with mothers staying protectively nearby. Males tend to be more likely to initiate close interactions than females. Understanding the social rank, age and gender of individual dolphins can provide insights into why particular dolphins may be swimming near you.
Interpreting Dolphin Behavior and Body Language
Understanding dolphin behavior and body language can provide fascinating insights into these intelligent marine mammals. Here’s some guidance on interpreting key dolphin moves and signals:
Distinguishing Playful vs Aggressive Moves
Dolphins engage in a lot of social play, but they also show aggression at times. Friendly dolphins may swim in circles around boats or humans, make light body contact, or leap repeatedly above the surface.
More aggressive behavior includes charging rapidly towards a target, ramming with their snout, loud vocalizations, bared teeth, and rapid movements like head-jerking. Reading the full context helps distinguish curiosity from aggression.
Understanding Sounds and Other Communication Cues
Dolphins produce an array of clicks, whistles and other vocalizations to communicate, navigate and hunt. While we can’t fully interpret dolphin language, we know various sounds convey concepts like individual signatures and moods.
Dolphins also communicate through body language like flipper slapping, fluke lobbing, and jaw popping. And of course they’re highly tactile creatures. Overall, dolphin communication is complex, nuanced and fascinating to observe!
Spotting Special Aerial Maneuvers
Dolphins perform some amazing leaps and spins above the water. Here are some to watch for:
- Breaching – A dramatic leap fully clearing the water, often twirling sideways.
- Lobtailing – Slapping the water surface firmly with its fluke or tail.
- Spyhopping – Vertically bobbing out of the water to view surroundings.
These acrobatic moves likely serve multiple purposes for dolphins – from communication to play to shedding old skin. Tracking when dolphins make which moves provides clues into their social structure and culture.
Is It Safe and Legal to Swim With Dolphins?
Risks of Getting Too Close
Swimming with wild dolphins may seem fun, but it carries risks for both humans and these intelligent creatures. Dolphins are powerful wild animals that can become aggressive if they feel threatened. Getting too close could provoke aggressive behavior like biting, ramming, hitting with their tails, or holding swimmers underwater – causing serious injuries.
There is also a risk of disease transmission from dolphins to humans. For these reasons, wildlife experts caution against closely interacting with wild dolphins.
While supervised dolphin swims at accredited marine parks or encounters may seem safer, they too have downsides. Captive dolphins are often stressed and deprived of natural behaviors. They can become aggressive over time, putting swimmers at risk.
The noise, crowds, and handling involved in dolphin swims is also stressful for them.
Marine Mammal Protection Laws and Guidelines
In the U.S., the Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits feeding, chasing, touching, or otherwise harassing wild dolphins. Fines for violations start at $500. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) suggests staying at least 50 yards from dolphins in the wild to avoid causing harassment or harm.
Some travel companies offer dolphin swims in countries with looser animal welfare laws. But while legal, forcing dolphins to interact with tourists disregards their well-being. Ethical concerns around captive dolphin programs persist.
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums code of ethics states that dolphins should not be used for the sole purpose of public interaction programs.
Tips for an Ethical and Fulfilling Dolphin Encounter
Maintain a Respectful Distance
When encountering dolphins in the wild, it’s crucial to maintain an appropriate distance to avoid disrupting their natural behaviors. Generally, guidelines recommend keeping at least 50 yards or 150 feet between yourself and wild dolphins.
Approaching too closely could separate mothers and calves or interrupt feeding, resting, and socializing. By giving dolphins ample personal space, you show respect while allowing more natural interactions to unfold.
Certain dolphin species like bottlenose and spinner dolphins often display curiosity and may approach boats on their own. If a dolphin comes close to check you out, simply stay calm and avoid sudden movements. You can put your hand in the water for the dolphin to investigate if it wants.
However, refrain from actively pursuing or touching the animals. Patience usually results in more engaging experiences.
Let Them Make the First Move
Well-meaning people sometimes get overeager when wild dolphins swim nearby, immediately plunging into the water to intercept them. However, it’s crucial to let the dolphins make the first move. If they haven’t approached your vessel or shown interest, avoid plunging in to initiate contact.
Not only does this invade the dolphins’ space, but sudden splashing or commotion in the water may startle them.
If dolphins initiate close contact, you can enter the water calmly and unobtrusively. Avoid making direct eye contact at first, which dolphins may perceive as threatening. Instead, offer the back of your hand for the dolphin to inspect if it’s interested.
This allows it to voluntarily engage while giving it space. With slow and careful movements, profound connections are possible!
Keep Underwater Noise and Splashing to a Minimum
Dolphins rely on echolocation for navigating and hunting. Loud noises like motors, paddling, and splashing can interfere with this biological sonar. It’s best to cut your engine if dolphins approach and avoid creating excessive turbulence in the water.
Consider using oars or fins for quieter propulsion. You can also slip in noiselessly by entering from a soft inflatable platform rather than plunging from a high boat deck.
Additionally, dolphins are very vocal creatures, using various clicks and whistles to communicate. Refrain from mimicking or exaggerating their sounds, which may distress them. Listen calmly and appreciate their voices without overpowering them.
By reducing noise pollution, you enable more natural and rewarding dolphin encounters for all involved!
Conclusion
Dolphins swimming around you is usually an invitation to engage in some light-hearted aquatic playtime. By understanding some of their common behaviors, communication cues, and the basics of safe and responsible interaction, you’ll be better prepared to have an enriching experience should you find yourself surrounded by our smiling cetacean friends one day.
The next time you lock eyes with one of these intelligent marine mammals, take it as a reminder that we share this amazing planet with some truly remarkable creatures. A dolphin seeking connection promises moments of joy, wonder and inspiration if we open our minds to interspecies friendship.
