10 Tips For Spotting Dolphins In Bonaire!

1. Look for them further out at sea.

Dolphins are often seen further out at sea, so keep an eye out while you’re on a boat or on a dive excursion.

The best way to start spotting on your vacation is with a beautiful orientation dive on the house reef. Flamingo Diving located right next to Ocean Oasis at Punt Vierkant, close to a sharp corner in the islands topography. And Dolphins sure do love to cut corners so often times they end up right in the shallows.

In conclusion, this makes Flamingo Diving the ideal place to start your spotting activities. Start your PADI Open Water Diver course, have your first PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience or participate in amazing guided dives right from the Flamingo Diving house reef and maybe you’ll be the next one to spot them!

2. Keep an eye on the shallows at the islands sharp corners.

Dolphins are known to come closer to shore around sharp corners on the island, such as the area near Flamingo Diving. Also, Dolphins are often spotted around noon and usually travel from north to south on Bonaires southern shores. So keep an eye out around the drop off, when you see their fins, you’ll know it right away!

3. Look for signs of feeding.

Dolphins often gather around areas where there is an abundance of food. Look for signs of feeding, such as birds diving into the water or schools of fish.

4. Watch for jumps and splashes.

Dolphins are playful creatures and often jump and splash around in the water. Keep an eye out for these movements to spot them.

Before a dive or a guided dive, check the light blue to dark blue transition line in the water to spot dorsal fins, that way you can anticipate on when to enter the water and where to position yourself so that you’re in their path, at an appropriate distance of course!

Also, be mindful of “tail slaps” on the water. This means the dolphin is agitated. Agitated dolphins can behave agressively and are usually displaying this behaviour when chased by motor boats. Keep your distance and leave them alone.

5. Listen To Their Clicks And Whistles

 Dolphins use clicks and whistles to communicate with each other. Listen closely for these sounds to locate them.

6. Look for their dorsal fins.

 Dolphins use clicks and whistles to communicate with each other. Listen closely for these sounds to locate them.

7. Scan the horizon.

When dolphins are swimming in a group, they often create a noticeable disturbance in the water. Scan the horizon for any such movements.

8. Look for boats that are following dolphins

Boat tours often follow dolphins in the water, so keep an eye out for these boats to locate the dolphins.

9. Keep a lookout around noon or late afternoon

Dolphins are typically more active in the early morning or late afternoon. On Bonaire however most sightings of pods traveling north to south happen around noon, between 11am and 1:30PM.So these times can be ideal for spotting them.

10. Be patient and enjoy the experience

Finally, remember that spotting dolphins is not guaranteed, so be patient and enjoy the experience of being out on the water and exploring the beautiful island of Bonaire.