It was an exceptionally beautiful day here in St Croix, especially for the second day of summer. The temperature was a balmy 82 and the winds were soft, cool and steady from the east. The light was amazing as we pulled up in the turquoise waters near Buck Island, and the white sand was so dazzling that you could barely stand to look at it. There were about six boats anchored and we were all basking in the sun and enjoying the breezes, when we noticed about four dolphins swimming nearby. I’ve been to Buck Island several times, and I’ve never seen dolphins, and others who live here have also told me they rarely see them out there. Today was to be an amazing exception.
At the dolphin citing, Rich, our captain and host, fetched the dinghy and off Catherine and I went – flip flops and sunglasses flying as we dove into the crystal waters in search of the pod. I was so excited that I could barely breathe – and was actually being a hindrance to myself! Normally, I’m very comfortable in the water and not afraid at all. My heart was pounding so fast I couldn’t catch my breath long enough to swim underwater! I finally got control of myself, but the dolphins were elusive. We motored back to the boat, still excited that we’d come so close.
We boarded the boat and continued to watch for dolphins. We were not disappointed. They came back, this time even closer to our boat, so away we went again! This time, they engaged with us. I was in water about 30 – 40 feet deep, and swimming right below me were four large, beautiful, dolphins! I just hung there in the water, completely mesmerized. There were two pair of them, and one pair swam up directly below me, I mean DIRECTLY below me, and turned on their sides to get a good look at me. They were talking to each other the whole time; I could hear their clicks and whistles so clearly. They were almost in “spooning” position with each other, and the one in back did this funny move with his flippers, as if he was clapping, and at the same time, brought this tail towards his head. I copied this move, to the best of my ability, and he repeated the motion. Then they sped away, leaving me in total awe that I had just had an intelligent encounter of the best kind!!
I swam toward them; by this time the four had joined together again. They were way ahead of me – I could just barely make out their shapes. Then they circled back and came up behind me at about my level in the water, then dove down about four feet, and we swam together. They swam very slowly and I was swimming hard, and it was just the most amazing feeling. These creatures were allowing, even encouraging, and perhaps enjoying, me swimming with them! WOW!
Now by this time, there were probably 10 – 15 people in the water around me. I observed as the dolphins would frolic below us, and make contact with each one of us. They would separate, and each would seem to pick out a person and interact with that person in some way. Then, they would all come together and swim – just a bit ahead of us. We would all be swimming like the dickens to keep up –and then they’d circle back, and play under us for a while longer.
At one point, they seemed to be leaving, so I headed back to the boat. I got back in and looked around, and watched for a bit from the boat. I was wrong about their leaving; they were just continuing the dance that I participated in. They just “hung out” with the people in the water, and would then lead the group for a while, then “hang out” under and among them again. Swim fins and dolphin flukes intermingled as dolphins and people checked each other out!
Of course, I couldn’t stand missing out on any more encounters, so I dove in again from the boat. When I realized what a long distance I would have to swim to make it back to the pod of dolphins and pack of people, I knew that I needed to relax a bit more in the water (I was SO excited) so I started taking long, deep breaths. I closed my eyes. I began to meditate and envision the love and light of God flowing thru me, using my heart as a prism, reflecting and transmitting God’s powerful love and light throughout the ocean. I was really getting in to this imagery and feeling totally peaceful and full of love and light. I opened my eyes and there, right below me, were three dolphins swimming in a complete circle, on their sides. They made about three circles and then moved on – but they were each making eye contact with me the whole time. I have never experienced a feeling of such completeness and love.
They stayed and interacted with us (by this time, a lot of people had gathered in this area) for at least 15 more minutes. They led us around the bay, frolicking the whole time. Their spirits seemed so playful and curious! I think they were having just as much fun experiencing us as we were experiencing them. The dolphins probably hung out with us for the better part of an hour, at least, and maybe even longer. The afternoon was simply perfect and I know that every person that was at Buck Island today, playing with the dolphins, was touched forever, and will never be the same. I know today was a perfect “10” in my book – a day I will remember and cherish always!
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