Virginia Beach coverage: Dolphins

Photo/Jon Chattman

Dolphins: Not just a song by 1990′s singer Poe
By Alison Helena

I’ve been to the Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. Surprisingly enough it wasn’t in the Carribbean, but Virginia Beach where I saw a ton of dolphins. On the first day on the beach, one was spotted from a distance as I was relaxing. They were far out but you could tell that they were indeed dolphins. That made me all the more excited the next day to venture on a Dolphin Watching Boat Trip sponsored by the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Sciene Center at Rudee Inlet.

Sure enough, the trip didn’t disappoint. The 65-foot Rudee Flipper was crowded, but if you don’t get a good seat, it’s not a big deal because you will be standing more than sitting once you arrive at your dolphin destination. The captain knew exactly where to take us. I expected to see maybe 3, 4, or maybe 5 if I was lucky. Instead I was pleasantly surprised to see that number just in one group, and then saw a lot more. This was much better than seeing a couple afar from the beach. These groups of dolphins were swimming up close and personal to the boat- some just a foot away. It was great to be able to see them so close up and to hear all about them from the knowledgable captain. Cute babies were also spotted swimming alongside – well, baby dolphins of course – not human babies swimming. Anyways, it didn’t matter what side of the boat you were on because there were so many no matter where you sat, you got a great view!

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