Diving with Dolphins in Cabo: Cabo Adventures

(Note to readers: I was an invited guest of the Hacienda Encantada Resort and most expenses were covered, including my swim with the dolphins. I was not otherwise compensated and my opinion remains my own.) 

It’s one thing to feed a dolphin, or even swim with them on the surface, but can you imagine diving under the water with that dolphin, holding your breath as they take you deep while you hold on to their fin?

Sounds a little scary, right?

Well, as Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

So I did it.

Yes, when offered the option, I volunteered to try what very well could be a once in a lifetime opportunity and went diving with the dolphin.

And I’m so glad I did.

After a quick educational session with the folks of Cabo Adventures, and some other ‘getting to know you’ exercises with the dolphins, I was told exactly where to put my hands to hold on for the ride of my life (right hand at the base of the fin on top and the left hand on the fin on bottom).

I was afraid I might not be able to hold my breath long enough, but it was not an issue.

After a quick count of 1, 2, 3, my beautiful buddy and I dove to the bottom of the pool area, swam about ten feet, and then came back up to the surface.

It was amazing.

Simply amazing.

It gave me a taste of what it must feel like to be a dolphin for a split minute.

And yes, I worried about whether I was hurting the dolphin.  I have so much love and respect for these beautiful creatures.  I felt much better when looking into Cabo Adventures and talking with their highly trained marine mammal experts, seeing their modern facilities and reading about their consistent work with government agencies and wildlife organizations.

In fact, Cabo Adventures is partly responsible for helping grow the Humpback Whale population that migrates through the Sea of Cortez each year.  They help with certification of guides and policing the Sea.

I missed the whale watching tours while I was there, but definitely want to add that to my list on the next visit.

The diving with the dolphins is something you should be sure to put on your list when you visit Cabo…and you should definitely do what scares you most, too. (And if you want to know more about a great place to stay on your trip, the Hacienda Encantada, click here.  If you want a great way to see the sights of Cabo from the water, click here.)